Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a client receiving an anorexiant?

• A. Imbalanced nutrition, more than body requirements
• B. Acute pain
• C. Impaired skin integrity
• D. Risk for deficient fluid volume

Answer: (A)

Anorexiants suppress appetite to help reduce daily caloric intake in obesity management. The nursing focus is on the client’s current nutrition pattern relative to their bodily energy needs. If the client is still taking in more calories than the body requires, the most appropriate nursing diagnosis is imbalanced nutrition more than body requirements. This guides interventions toward calorie-controlled eating, portion management, and monitoring weight and appetite as the medication takes effect. The other options don’t directly address the nutrition pattern related to appetite-suppressing therapy: acute pain isn’t a typical effect of anorexiants, impaired skin integrity isn’t the primary issue unless there are related factors, and risk for deficient fluid volume would be a concern if intake were insufficient rather than excessive.