What assessment finding would suggest that a client may have bulimia nervosa?

The presence of abrasions on the knuckles is indicative of self-induced vomiting, which is a common behavior in individuals with bulimia nervosa. This condition often involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as purging. When someone induces vomiting, they frequently use their hands to help facilitate this process, leading to physical abrasions or calluses on the knuckles over time.

Other potential signs of bulimia nervosa can include dental erosion from acid exposure due to repeated vomiting and electrolyte imbalances, but the knuckle abrasions are a particularly telling physical sign that clinicians often look for during assessments.

While decreased weight, excessive weight gain, and stable blood pressure might be associated with other eating disorders or health conditions, they do not specifically indicate bulimia nervosa. In fact, individuals with bulimia nervosa can fluctuate in weight, often appearing within a normal weight range, which makes the presence of knuckle abrasions a more direct and telling assessment finding related to this disorder.