Problem:
What information can you add that would help support the responses of your peers?
Ask your peers a question for clarification about their post.
What most interests you about their responses? I need a reply to this discussion and references please Pica is an eating disorder described by the American Psychological Association's DSM-5 as the craving for non-nutritive substances for at least 1 month (APA, 2022). These substances may include things like earth (soil, clay), raw starches, ice, paper, clay, charcoal, and the like. This type of behavior must occur outside the patient's expected age-related expectations and not be part of the patient's culture.
Pica mainly occurs in children, but is also seen in adults, specifically those with intellectual impairments or pregnant women. Pica may present alone as its own disorder, or may coincide with other mental diseases such as schizophrenia.
Pica can be associated with patients who experience nutritional insufficiencies, such as anemia, which can cause the patient to crave chewing on ice. Other nutritional deficiencies may include zinc or calcium deficiency.
As a nurse, what assessment findings would raise suspicion of Pica in a patient, and what complications should be monitored?
During the nursing assessment, indications that someone mnay be experiencing Pica would include the reporting of craving of non-nutritive substances such as ice, paper etc. If the patient is a child, the parent or caregiver may report the ingestion of these substances.
Malnutrition would be an indicator that an individual could be suffering from Pica, as they opt for non-nutritive substances in leu of food.
Discuss the cultural or socioeconomic factors that may influence the presentation or management of Pica. Need Assignment Help?
Certain cultures do not allow the consumption of certain foods, which may lead to a nutritional deficiency, causing pica. Another factor is pregnancy; as it progresses and hormones/electrolytes shift, there may be cravings for substances such as ice or clay.
Identify one evidence-based nursing intervention or interdisciplinary approach for managing Pica. How would you educate the patient and/or family about safety and treatment options?
An interdisciplinary approach to an individual with pica could include a psychological team, a medical team, and a case worker, depending on the circumstances. The psychological team would address any type of mental disorder that may cause or coincide with pica. The medical team would work to treat the patient of nutritional/electrolyte deficiencies to maintain homeostasis. The caseworker and the nutritional team would provide education and support on home life and coping with cravings.