Priority Decision: An 18-year-old female patient with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the hospital for treatment. On admission she weighs 82 lb (37 kg) and is 5 ft. 3 in (134.6 cm). Her laboratory test results include the following: K+ 2.8 mEq/L (2.8 mmol/L), Hgb 8.9 g/dL (89 g/L), and BUN 64 mg/dL (22.8 mmol/L). In planning care for the patient, the nurse gives the highest priority to which of the following nursing diagnoses?

a. Risk for injury related to dizziness and weakness resulting from anemia
b. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to inadequate food intake
c. Risk for impaired urinary elimination related to elevated BUN resulting from renal failure
d. Risk for decreased cardiac output (CO) related to dysrhythmias resulting from hypokalemia


Ans: d. Risk for decreased cardiac output (CO) related to dysrhythmias resulting from hypokalemia

Nutritional Science

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