Fiona has been diagnosed with bulimia nervosa. Based on the physical symptoms listed in your text, you should expect that Fiona will show evidence of
a. amenorrhea and low blood pressure.
b. dental problems and cardiac arrhythmias.
c. cardiac arrhythmias and osteoporosis.
d. dental problems and elevated blood pressure.
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
b. dental problems and cardiac arrhythmias.
Explanation:
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives and diuretics. This cycle of binging and purging leads to several physical and medical complications.
One of the most common physical symptoms of bulimia is dental problems, including enamel erosion, tooth decay, and increased sensitivity. These issues arise because repeated vomiting exposes the teeth to stomach acid, which wears away the enamel and makes them more susceptible to cavities and discoloration. In severe cases, individuals may also experience gum disease and mouth sores.
Another serious consequence of bulimia is cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). These occur due to electrolyte imbalances, particularly low potassium levels (hypokalemia) caused by frequent vomiting or laxative abuse. Potassium is essential for maintaining normal heart function, and its depletion can lead to dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities, which in severe cases may cause sudden cardiac arrest.
Other answer choices can be ruled out because:
- Amenorrhea (loss of menstruation) and low blood pressure (option A) are more commonly associated with anorexia nervosa, not bulimia.
- Osteoporosis (option C) is more linked to prolonged malnutrition seen in anorexia rather than bulimia.
- Elevated blood pressure (option D) is not a typical symptom of bulimia; in fact, bulimia-related electrolyte imbalances are more likely to lead to low blood pressure rather than high blood pressure.
Overall, individuals with bulimia nervosa frequently present with dental issues due to acid erosion and cardiac problems due to electrolyte imbalances, making option B the correct answer.