Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which term refers to family dynamics in households of clients with anorexia nervosa that are overprotective and unable to resolve conflicts?

1. Disengaged

2. Enmeshed

3. Detached

4. Harmonious

The correct answer is: Enmeshed

The term that refers to family dynamics characterized by being overprotective and struggling to resolve conflicts is "enmeshed." In an enmeshed family, individual members tend to have blurred boundaries, where the emotional ties are excessively intertwined. This results in a lack of privacy and autonomy among family members, making it difficult for individuals to express themselves or seek help effectively. In the context of clients with anorexia nervosa, enmeshed family dynamics can contribute to the development and maintenance of the disorder. The overprotectiveness can manifest as a way to control and manage the individual's behavior, particularly around issues of food and weight, which can exacerbate the client's struggles with the illness. Additionally, the inability to resolve conflicts may prevent necessary conversations around the client's health and well-being, leading to further entrenchment of the disorder. Other family dynamics mentioned, like disengaged or detached, imply a lack of emotional connection or involvement, which is quite different from being overprotective. "Harmonious," on the other hand, suggests a well-functioning family unit with healthy conflict-resolution skills, which does not align with the description of overprotection and unresolved conflicts. Thus, "enmeshed" is the most accurate term to describe the complex family