31st January 2024

You are a medical SHO on a gastroenterology ward.

You are a medical SHO on a gastroenterology ward. You are asked to see a 21-year-old woman who is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and complying with her meal plan as directed by the ward dietitian; her meals are marked as complete on her food and fluid chart but continues to lose weight. She is nursed in a side room but does not have a 1:1 nurse. You often see her walking outside to smoke. Blood tests are generally unremarkable, but a mild dehydration and hypokalaemia of 2.8mmol/L.

What could be the most likely cause of her continued weight loss?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.