For a depressed patient with anorexia who reports not being hungry, what is an appropriate intervention to encourage intake?

For a depressed patient with anorexia who reports not being hungry, what is an appropriate intervention to encourage intake?

• A. Have Ms. Manche's family bring in food from home.
• B. Consult with a dietitian about the most appropriate menu for Ms. Manche's anorexia.
• C. Offer Ms. Manche bland, high-protein foods.
• D. Ask Ms. Manche what foods and drinks she likes to eat.

Answer: (D)

When helping a depressed patient with anorexia increase intake, the most effective step is to ask her what foods and drinks she likes. This patient-centered approach invites her to choose items that appeal to her taste and preferences, which reduces anxiety around meals and makes eating feel voluntary rather than imposed. By identifying preferred foods, you can tailor meals to her likes, scale portions to what feels manageable, and gradually reintroduce variety in a way that respects her appetite cues. This collaboration also strengthens the therapeutic relationship, making her more likely to try and continue eating. Others approaches can be useful but don’t address immediate readiness and preferences as directly. Having family bring in food may help with support, but it can feel pressuring or misaligned with what she actually wants to eat. Consulting a dietitian is important for planning, but it doesn’t on its own engage the patient’s current preferences or motivation. Offering bland, high-protein foods might be nutritionally sound, yet if they aren’t appealing, they’re unlikely to promote intake in a depressed patient who already lacks appetite.

When helping a depressed patient with anorexia increase intake, the most effective step is to ask her what foods and drinks she likes. This patient-centered approach invites her to choose items that appeal to her taste and preferences, which reduces anxiety around meals and makes eating feel voluntary rather than imposed. By identifying preferred foods, you can tailor meals to her likes, scale portions to what feels manageable, and gradually reintroduce variety in a way that respects her appetite cues. This collaboration also strengthens the therapeutic relationship, making her more likely to try and continue eating.

Others approaches can be useful but don’t address immediate readiness and preferences as directly. Having family bring in food may help with support, but it can feel pressuring or misaligned with what she actually wants to eat. Consulting a dietitian is important for planning, but it doesn’t on its own engage the patient’s current preferences or motivation. Offering bland, high-protein foods might be nutritionally sound, yet if they aren’t appealing, they’re unlikely to promote intake in a depressed patient who already lacks appetite.