CHAPTER 18: EATING AND FEEDING
DISORDERS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
1. Over the past year, a woman has cooked gourmet meals for her family but eats only tiny
servings. This person wears layered loose clothing. Her current weight is 95 pounds, a loss of 35
pounds. Which medical diagnosis is most likely?
a. Binge eating
b. Bulimia nervosa
c. Anorexia nervosa
d. Eating disorder not otherwise specified - ANS C
Overly controlled eating behaviors, extreme weight loss, preoccupation with food, and wearing
several layers of loose clothing to appear larger are part of the clinical picture of an individual
with anorexia nervosa. The individual with bulimia usually is near normal weight. The binge
eater is often overweight. The patient with eating disorder not otherwise specified may be
obese.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 18-67 (Box 18-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Which anorexia nervosa symptom is physical in nature?
A. Dry, yellow skin
B. Perfectionism
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,C. Frequent weighing
D. Preoccupation with food - ANS Answer: A
Dry yellow skin is a physical symptom of anorexia. This is due to the release of carotenes as fat
stores are burned for energy.
A nurse sitting with a client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa notices that the client has eaten
80% of lunch. The client asks the nurse "What do you like better, hamburgers or spaghetti?"
Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. I'm Italian, so I really enjoy a large plate of spaghetti
B. I'll weigh you after your meal
C. Let's focus on your continued improvement. You ate 80% of your lunch
D. Why do you always talk about food? Let's talk about swimming - ANS Answer :C
It is important to offer support and positive reinforcement for improvements in eating
behaviors. Because clients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa are obsessed with food, discussion
of food can provide unintended positive reinforcement for negative behaviors. In this answer,
the nurse is redirecting the client.
Which outcome indicates that the client's problem of impaired body image has improved?
A. The client has gained up to 80% of body weight for age and size
B. The client is free of symptoms of malnutrition and dehydration
C. The client has not attempted to self induce vomiting
D. The client has acknowledged that perception of being fat is incorrect - ANS Answer: D
When clients can acknowledge that their perception of being fat is incorrect, they perceive a
body image that is realistic and not distorted. This is evidence that the client's impaired body
image has improved. The outcome of A indicated that the nursing diagnosis of imbalanced
nutrition: less than body requirements, not impaired body image, has been resolved. Being free
of B is an outcome that indicates the nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition, less than body
requirement, not impaired body image has been resolved. Not attempting self induced vomiting
is an outcome that indicates that the nursing diagnosis of altered coping, not impaired body
image, has been resolved. Not resorting to the maladaptive coping mechanism of self induced
vomiting indicates improvement in the client's ability to cope effectively with stressors.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, A client on an inpatient unit has been diagnosed with bulimia nervosa. The client states' "I'm
going to the bathroom and will be back in a few minutes." Which nursing response is most
appropriate?
A. Thanks for checking in
B. I will accompany you to the bathroom
C. Let me know when you get back to the day room
D. I'll stand outside your door to give you privacy. - ANS Answer: B
Any client suspected of self induced vomiting should be accompanied to the bathroom for the
nurse to be able to deter this behavior.
A client with a long history of bulimia nervosa is seen in the emergency department. The client
is seeing things that others do not, is restless, and has dry mucous membranes. Which is most
likely the cause of this client's symptoms?
A. Mood disorders, which often accompany the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa
B. Nutritional deficits, which are characteristic of bulimia nervosa
C. Vomiting, which may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
D. Binging, which causes abdominal discomfort - ANS Answer: C
Purging behaviors, such as vomiting, may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Hallucinations and restlessness are signs of electrolyte imbalance. Dry mucous membranes
indicated dehydration. Nutritional deficits are characteristic of bulimia nervosa, but the client
symptoms described in the question do not reflect a nutritional deficit.
A client diagnosed with an eating disorder has a nursing diagnosis of low self esteem. Which
nursing intervention would address this client's problem?
A. Offer independent decision making opportunities
B. Review previously successful coping strategies
C. Provide a quiet environment with decreased stimulation
D. Allow the client to remain in a dependent role throughout treatment - ANS Answer: A
Offering independent decision making opportunities promotes feelings of control. Making
decisions and dealing with the consequences of these decisions should increase independence
and improve the client's self esteem. Reviewing previously successful coping strategies is an
effective nursing intervention for clients experiencing altered coping, not low self esteem.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
DISORDERS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
1. Over the past year, a woman has cooked gourmet meals for her family but eats only tiny
servings. This person wears layered loose clothing. Her current weight is 95 pounds, a loss of 35
pounds. Which medical diagnosis is most likely?
a. Binge eating
b. Bulimia nervosa
c. Anorexia nervosa
d. Eating disorder not otherwise specified - ANS C
Overly controlled eating behaviors, extreme weight loss, preoccupation with food, and wearing
several layers of loose clothing to appear larger are part of the clinical picture of an individual
with anorexia nervosa. The individual with bulimia usually is near normal weight. The binge
eater is often overweight. The patient with eating disorder not otherwise specified may be
obese.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
REF: Page 18-67 (Box 18-1) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Which anorexia nervosa symptom is physical in nature?
A. Dry, yellow skin
B. Perfectionism
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,C. Frequent weighing
D. Preoccupation with food - ANS Answer: A
Dry yellow skin is a physical symptom of anorexia. This is due to the release of carotenes as fat
stores are burned for energy.
A nurse sitting with a client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa notices that the client has eaten
80% of lunch. The client asks the nurse "What do you like better, hamburgers or spaghetti?"
Which is the best response by the nurse?
A. I'm Italian, so I really enjoy a large plate of spaghetti
B. I'll weigh you after your meal
C. Let's focus on your continued improvement. You ate 80% of your lunch
D. Why do you always talk about food? Let's talk about swimming - ANS Answer :C
It is important to offer support and positive reinforcement for improvements in eating
behaviors. Because clients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa are obsessed with food, discussion
of food can provide unintended positive reinforcement for negative behaviors. In this answer,
the nurse is redirecting the client.
Which outcome indicates that the client's problem of impaired body image has improved?
A. The client has gained up to 80% of body weight for age and size
B. The client is free of symptoms of malnutrition and dehydration
C. The client has not attempted to self induce vomiting
D. The client has acknowledged that perception of being fat is incorrect - ANS Answer: D
When clients can acknowledge that their perception of being fat is incorrect, they perceive a
body image that is realistic and not distorted. This is evidence that the client's impaired body
image has improved. The outcome of A indicated that the nursing diagnosis of imbalanced
nutrition: less than body requirements, not impaired body image, has been resolved. Being free
of B is an outcome that indicates the nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition, less than body
requirement, not impaired body image has been resolved. Not attempting self induced vomiting
is an outcome that indicates that the nursing diagnosis of altered coping, not impaired body
image, has been resolved. Not resorting to the maladaptive coping mechanism of self induced
vomiting indicates improvement in the client's ability to cope effectively with stressors.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, A client on an inpatient unit has been diagnosed with bulimia nervosa. The client states' "I'm
going to the bathroom and will be back in a few minutes." Which nursing response is most
appropriate?
A. Thanks for checking in
B. I will accompany you to the bathroom
C. Let me know when you get back to the day room
D. I'll stand outside your door to give you privacy. - ANS Answer: B
Any client suspected of self induced vomiting should be accompanied to the bathroom for the
nurse to be able to deter this behavior.
A client with a long history of bulimia nervosa is seen in the emergency department. The client
is seeing things that others do not, is restless, and has dry mucous membranes. Which is most
likely the cause of this client's symptoms?
A. Mood disorders, which often accompany the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa
B. Nutritional deficits, which are characteristic of bulimia nervosa
C. Vomiting, which may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
D. Binging, which causes abdominal discomfort - ANS Answer: C
Purging behaviors, such as vomiting, may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Hallucinations and restlessness are signs of electrolyte imbalance. Dry mucous membranes
indicated dehydration. Nutritional deficits are characteristic of bulimia nervosa, but the client
symptoms described in the question do not reflect a nutritional deficit.
A client diagnosed with an eating disorder has a nursing diagnosis of low self esteem. Which
nursing intervention would address this client's problem?
A. Offer independent decision making opportunities
B. Review previously successful coping strategies
C. Provide a quiet environment with decreased stimulation
D. Allow the client to remain in a dependent role throughout treatment - ANS Answer: A
Offering independent decision making opportunities promotes feelings of control. Making
decisions and dealing with the consequences of these decisions should increase independence
and improve the client's self esteem. Reviewing previously successful coping strategies is an
effective nursing intervention for clients experiencing altered coping, not low self esteem.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
