A nurse conducting group therapy on the eating disorders unit schedules the sessions immediately after meals for the primary purpose of:

A) maintaining patients' concentration and attention.
B) shifting the patients' focus from food to psychotherapy.
C) focusing on weight control mechanisms and food preparation.
D) processing the heightened anxiety associated with eating.

Eating produces high anxiety for patients with eating disorders. Anxiety levels must be lowered if the patient is to be successful in attaining therapeutic goals. Shifting the patients' focus from food to psychotherapy and focusing on weight control mechanisms and food preparation are not desirable. Maintaining patients' concentration and attention is important, but not the primary purpose of the schedule.