In anorexia nervosa, which scenario most clearly indicates admission for inpatient care?

In anorexia nervosa, which scenario most clearly indicates admission for inpatient care?

• A. Unstable vital signs
• B. Electrolyte disturbances with dangerously low potassium
• C. Either unstable vital signs or electrolyte disturbances
• D. Neither unstable vital signs nor electrolyte disturbances

Answer: (C)

Medical instability drives the need for inpatient care in anorexia nervosa. If vital signs are unstable, the patient may be hemorrhaging, severely dehydrated, or at risk of cardiovascular compromise, requiring continuous monitoring and rapid intervention. Likewise, dangerous electrolyte disturbances—especially severely low potassium—can cause life-threatening arrhythmias and require inpatient correction and close monitoring during refeeding. Because either situation alone signals medical instability that warrants stabilization in a controlled setting, the scenario that clearly indicates admission is when there are unstable vital signs or electrolyte disturbances. If neither problem is present, outpatient stabilization with close follow-up may be appropriate, depending on other risk factors.

Medical instability drives the need for inpatient care in anorexia nervosa. If vital signs are unstable, the patient may be hemorrhaging, severely dehydrated, or at risk of cardiovascular compromise, requiring continuous monitoring and rapid intervention. Likewise, dangerous electrolyte disturbances—especially severely low potassium—can cause life-threatening arrhythmias and require inpatient correction and close monitoring during refeeding. Because either situation alone signals medical instability that warrants stabilization in a controlled setting, the scenario that clearly indicates admission is when there are unstable vital signs or electrolyte disturbances. If neither problem is present, outpatient stabilization with close follow-up may be appropriate, depending on other risk factors.