📘 Chapter 18: Learning Disability & Mental Health Nursing 🧠 Module 17: Nursing Care, Childhood Disorders & Safeguarding

 

🌍 Introduction

 

This chapter focuses on:

 

Nursing care for eating and feeding disorders

Childhood and developmental disorders

Safeguarding and recognising abuse

Safety and clinical priorities

 

👉 Nurses play a key role in:

 

Protecting health

Supporting recovery

Ensuring safety and dignity

🧠 Eating Disorders (Key Nursing Focus)

⚠️ Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa

 

Characteristics:

 

Severe weight loss

Fear of gaining weight

Distorted body image

Restrictive eating

 

👉 Patients may:

 

Wear layered clothing to hide weight loss

⚠️ Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

 

Characteristics:

 

Binge eating

Purging behaviours (vomiting, laxatives)

 

Complications:

 

Electrolyte imbalance (e.g. low potassium)

Dehydration

Cardiac risk

🚨 Refeeding Syndrome

 

A serious medical risk when:

 

👉 Nutrition is reintroduced too quickly after starvation

 

Can cause:

 

Electrolyte imbalance

Cardiac complications

Risk of death if unmanaged

 

👉 Requires close monitoring.

 

🔐 Nursing Priority

 

👉 The first priority is physical safety, including:

 

Electrolyte balance

Heart function

Nutritional status

🧠 Childhood & Developmental Disorders

🧩 ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

 

Nursing care includes:

 

Safe, structured environment

Reduced distractions

Clear instructions

Reward systems

🧩 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

 

Support includes:

 

Routine and predictability

Clear communication

Sensory support

Structured environment

🧩 Intellectual Disability

Intellectual Disability

 

Support includes:

 

Simple language

Visual aids

Step-by-step instructions

Patient, supportive care

🛡️ Safeguarding & Abuse Recognition (Module 17 Focus)

⚠️ Signs of Possible Abuse

Sudden weight loss

Sleep problems

Aggression or agitation

Withdrawal

Regression (child-like behaviour)

Depression

🔍 Nursing Role

 

Nurses must:

 

Observe changes

Document concerns

Report safeguarding issues

Protect the individual

 

👉 Safeguarding is a legal and ethical responsibility.

 

🛠️ Nursing Priorities

🚨 Safety First

Stabilise physical health

Monitor vital signs

Correct electrolyte imbalances

🧠 Psychological Support

Emotional reassurance

Trust-building

Supportive communication

🤝 Person-Centred Care

Respect dignity

Focus on the individual

Adapt communication

💊 Clinical Decision-Making (Sample Questions Explained)

🧾 Question 1

 

A patient with anorexia nervosa has low potassium.

 

👉 Priority nursing diagnosis:

 

✔ Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements

 

Why:

 

Life-threatening electrolyte imbalance

Physical risk comes first

🧾 Question 2

 

A patient with bulimia says they are going to the bathroom.

 

👉 Best nursing response:

 

✔ Accompany the patient

 

Why:

 

Prevent purging behaviour

Ensure safety

❤️ Key Message

 

👉 “In nursing care, physical safety and medical stability always come first, followed by emotional and psychological support.”

 

📖 Easy Read Version (Simple)

🧠 What are Eating Disorders?

 

Some people:

 

Eat too little

Eat too much

May feel worried about food

⚠️ Types

Anorexia – eating too little

Bulimia – bingeing and purging

🚨 Why is it serious?

 

It can affect:

 

Heart

Body

Health

🧠 What is Refeeding?

 

Refeeding means:

 

👉 Starting to eat again safely

 

🛡️ What is Safeguarding?

 

Safeguarding means:

 

👉 Keeping people safe from harm

 

❤️ Key Message

 

👉 Safety and care come first. Everyone deserves to be safe and supported.

 

🖥️ PowerPoint Outline

Slide 1: Title

 

Learning Disability & Mental Health Nursing

 

Slide 2: Eating Disorders

Anorexia

Bulimia

Slide 3: Anorexia Nervosa

Weight loss

Fear of weight gain

Slide 4: Bulimia Nervosa

Binge and purge

Slide 5: Refeeding Syndrome

Dangerous complication

Slide 6: Nursing Priority

Safety first

Slide 7: Childhood Disorders

ADHD

ASD

Slide 8: Intellectual Disability

Support needs

Slide 9: Safeguarding

Signs of abuse

Slide 10: Nursing Role

Observe

Report

Protect

Slide 11: Key Message

Safety first

📝 Activities & Assessment

✅ Activity 1: Case Study

Identify signs of risk

Suggest nursing actions

✅ Activity 2: Safeguarding

List 3 signs of possible abuse

Explain what to do

✅ Activity 3: Nursing Priorities

Put actions in order of priority

🧾 Quiz Questions

What is anorexia nervosa?

What is bulimia nervosa?

What is refeeding syndrome?

What is the nursing priority?

Name one sign of abuse

❤️ Final Key Message

 

👉 “Nursing care must always prioritise safety, protect dignity, and support both physical and emotional well-being.”