7 Eating Disorders: Anorexia & Bulimia Nervosa Nursing Care Plans

Updated on May 5, 2019

Anorexia nervosa is an illness of starvation, brought on by severe disturbance of body image and a morbid fear of obesity. People with anorexia nervosa attempt to maintain a weight that’s far below normal for their age and height. To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia nervosa may starve themselves or exercise excessively.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder (binge-purge syndrome) characterized by extreme overeating followed by self-induced vomiting, trying to get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way. It may include abuse of laxatives and diuretics.

Although these disorders primarily affect women, approximately 5%–10% of those afflicted are men, and both disorders can be present in the same individual.

Nursing Care Plans

Nursing care planning for patients with eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa includes establishing adequate nutritional intake, correcting fluid and electrolyte imbalance, assist patient to develop a realistic body image and improving self-esteem. Other than the mentioned above, it is also an important nursing priority to provide support in the treatment program and coordinate program with order disciplines.

Included in this post are seven (7) nursing care plans and nursing diagnosis for patients with eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa:

Other Possible Nursing Diagnoses

Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements – inadequate food intake, self-induced vomiting, history of chronic laxative use.
Ineffective Therapeutic Regimen Management – complexity of therapeutic regimen, perceived seriousness/benefits, mistrust of regimen and/or healthcare personnel, excessive demands made on individual, family conflict.