NSG 3450/NSG3450 Exam 3 – Mental Health
Review | Galen College (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
1. Which statement is TRUE regarding a person with bulimia nervosa?
A) They are typically underweight.
B) They appear well and are at or near ideal body weight.
C) They are always overweight.
D) They have a distinct physical appearance that is easy to identify.
Answer B: They appear well and are at or near ideal body weight.
Rationale: Individuals with bulimia often maintain a normal or near-normal weight, making the disorder
less physically obvious than anorexia .
2. A client presents with enlarged parotid glands, dental erosion, hypokalemia, and muscle weakness.
These findings are consistent with:
A) Anorexia nervosa
B) Bulimia nervosa
C) Binge-eating disorder
D) Pica
Answer B: Bulimia nervosa
Rationale: These are physical signs of bulimia nervosa resulting from self-induced vomiting. The parotid
glands swell due to repeated vomiting, and stomach acid erodes tooth enamel .
3. Which of the following is a physical criterion for hospital admission for a client with an eating
disorder?
A) An oral temperature of 100°F or more
B) A daytime heart rate below 50 bpm
C) 90% of ideal body weight
D) Systolic blood pressure above 130 mmHg
Answer B: A daytime heart rate below 50 bpm
,Rationale: Bradycardia is a serious medical complication of eating disorders requiring hospitalization. Other
criteria include hypotension, severe electrolyte imbalances, and rapid weight loss .
4. When considering the need for monitoring, which interventions should the nurse implement for a
patient with anorexia? (Select all that apply) Answers: A, B, C
A) Provide structured meals and snacks
B) Weigh the patient daily, preferably in the morning after voiding
C) Stay with the patient for at least one hour after meals
D) Allow the patient to eat in their room alone
Rationale: Patients with anorexia require structured meal times, daily weights to monitor progress, and
observation after meals to prevent purging behaviors .
5. A patient with anorexia nervosa demonstrates which of the following thoughts and behaviors?
(Select all that apply) E) Self-induced vomiting and laxative use Answers: A, B, C, D, E
A) Preoccupation with thoughts of food
B) Viewing self as fat even when emaciated
C) Cutting food into small bits and pushing food around the plate
D) Rigorous exercise regimen
Rationale: All of these are characteristic thoughts and behaviors in anorexia nervosa, reflecting the intense
fear of gaining weight and distorted body image .
6. A patient with bulimia nervosa is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Answer B: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Self-induced vomiting and laxative abuse lead to potassium loss, resulting in hypokalemia, which
can cause cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness .
7. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of anorexia nervosa?
A) Lanugo hair
, B) All of the above
C) Cold intolerance
D) Amenorrhea
Answer A: ll of the above
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa presents with multiple physical signs including lanugo (fine hair growth), cold
intolerance, and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) due to malnutrition.
8. A patient with an eating disorder is refusing to eat. The nurse's priority intervention is:
A) Force the patient to eat
B) Offer small, frequent meals and remain with the patient during meals
C) Leave the tray and return later
D) Remove all privileges until the patient eats
Answer B: Offer small, frequent meals and remain with the patient during meals
Rationale: Remaining with the patient during meals provides support and prevents purging behaviors.
9. Which of the following is a long-term complication of bulimia nervosa?
A) Osteoporosis
B) Dental erosion and esophageal damage
C) Hair loss
D) Cardiac hypertrophy
Answer B: Dental erosion and esophageal damage
Rationale: Chronic vomiting exposes teeth to gastric acid, causing dental erosion, and can lead to esophageal
damage.
10. A patient with anorexia nervosa has a BMI of 16. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Discharge with outpatient follow-up
B) Admission to an inpatient eating disorder program
C) Prescribe appetite stimulants
D) Encourage high-calorie supplements only
Answer B: Admission to an inpatient eating disorder program
Rationale: A BMI below 17 is a criterion for inpatient admission due to medical instability and risk of
refeeding syndrome. --- ## Section 2: Major Depressive Disorder & Suicide (Questions 36–80)
Review | Galen College (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
1. Which statement is TRUE regarding a person with bulimia nervosa?
A) They are typically underweight.
B) They appear well and are at or near ideal body weight.
C) They are always overweight.
D) They have a distinct physical appearance that is easy to identify.
Answer B: They appear well and are at or near ideal body weight.
Rationale: Individuals with bulimia often maintain a normal or near-normal weight, making the disorder
less physically obvious than anorexia .
2. A client presents with enlarged parotid glands, dental erosion, hypokalemia, and muscle weakness.
These findings are consistent with:
A) Anorexia nervosa
B) Bulimia nervosa
C) Binge-eating disorder
D) Pica
Answer B: Bulimia nervosa
Rationale: These are physical signs of bulimia nervosa resulting from self-induced vomiting. The parotid
glands swell due to repeated vomiting, and stomach acid erodes tooth enamel .
3. Which of the following is a physical criterion for hospital admission for a client with an eating
disorder?
A) An oral temperature of 100°F or more
B) A daytime heart rate below 50 bpm
C) 90% of ideal body weight
D) Systolic blood pressure above 130 mmHg
Answer B: A daytime heart rate below 50 bpm
,Rationale: Bradycardia is a serious medical complication of eating disorders requiring hospitalization. Other
criteria include hypotension, severe electrolyte imbalances, and rapid weight loss .
4. When considering the need for monitoring, which interventions should the nurse implement for a
patient with anorexia? (Select all that apply) Answers: A, B, C
A) Provide structured meals and snacks
B) Weigh the patient daily, preferably in the morning after voiding
C) Stay with the patient for at least one hour after meals
D) Allow the patient to eat in their room alone
Rationale: Patients with anorexia require structured meal times, daily weights to monitor progress, and
observation after meals to prevent purging behaviors .
5. A patient with anorexia nervosa demonstrates which of the following thoughts and behaviors?
(Select all that apply) E) Self-induced vomiting and laxative use Answers: A, B, C, D, E
A) Preoccupation with thoughts of food
B) Viewing self as fat even when emaciated
C) Cutting food into small bits and pushing food around the plate
D) Rigorous exercise regimen
Rationale: All of these are characteristic thoughts and behaviors in anorexia nervosa, reflecting the intense
fear of gaining weight and distorted body image .
6. A patient with bulimia nervosa is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Answer B: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Self-induced vomiting and laxative abuse lead to potassium loss, resulting in hypokalemia, which
can cause cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness .
7. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of anorexia nervosa?
A) Lanugo hair
, B) All of the above
C) Cold intolerance
D) Amenorrhea
Answer A: ll of the above
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa presents with multiple physical signs including lanugo (fine hair growth), cold
intolerance, and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) due to malnutrition.
8. A patient with an eating disorder is refusing to eat. The nurse's priority intervention is:
A) Force the patient to eat
B) Offer small, frequent meals and remain with the patient during meals
C) Leave the tray and return later
D) Remove all privileges until the patient eats
Answer B: Offer small, frequent meals and remain with the patient during meals
Rationale: Remaining with the patient during meals provides support and prevents purging behaviors.
9. Which of the following is a long-term complication of bulimia nervosa?
A) Osteoporosis
B) Dental erosion and esophageal damage
C) Hair loss
D) Cardiac hypertrophy
Answer B: Dental erosion and esophageal damage
Rationale: Chronic vomiting exposes teeth to gastric acid, causing dental erosion, and can lead to esophageal
damage.
10. A patient with anorexia nervosa has a BMI of 16. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Discharge with outpatient follow-up
B) Admission to an inpatient eating disorder program
C) Prescribe appetite stimulants
D) Encourage high-calorie supplements only
Answer B: Admission to an inpatient eating disorder program
Rationale: A BMI below 17 is a criterion for inpatient admission due to medical instability and risk of
refeeding syndrome. --- ## Section 2: Major Depressive Disorder & Suicide (Questions 36–80)
