NSG 3450 Mental Health Nursing Exam 3 |
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationales |
New 2026-2027 Update | Galen
Eating Disorders, Substance Use, Mood Disorders, Suicide, and End-of-Life Nursing Questions
Question 1. When considering an eating disorder, what is a physical criterion for
hospital admission?
a. A daytime heart rate of <50 bpm
b. An oral temperature of 100°F or more
c. 90% of ideal body weight
d. Systolic blood pressure >130 mm Hg
Correct Answer: a. A daytime heart rate of <50 bpm
Rationale: Severe bradycardia (heart rate <50 bpm) is a dangerous physical
complication of anorexia nervosa and is a criterion for hospital admission due to
risk of cardiac instability. Other criteria include severe malnutrition, electrolyte
imbalances, and hypothermia.
Question 2. When considering the need for monitoring, which intervention
should the nurse implement for a patient with anorexia? Select all that apply.
a. Provide scheduled portion-controlled meals and snacks
b. Congratulate patients for weight gain and behavior that promote weight gain
c. Limit time spent in bathroom during periods when not under direct supervision
d. Promote exercise as a method to increase appetite
e. Observe patient during and after meals/snacks to ensure that adequate intake
is achieved and maintained
Correct Answer: a, c, e
,Rationale: Patients with anorexia need structured meals, bathroom supervision
to prevent purging, and observation during/after meals to ensure intake.
Congratulating weight gain can increase anxiety, and exercise is typically
restricted, not promoted.
Question 3. Which intervention will promote independence in a patient being
treated for bulimia nervosa?
a. Have the patient monitor daily caloric intake and intake and output of fluids
b. Encourage the patient to use behavior modification techniques to promote
weight gain behaviors
c. Ask the patient to use a daily log to record feelings and circumstances related to
urges to purge
d. Allow the patient to make limited choices about eating and exercise as weight
gain progresses
Correct Answer: d. Allow the patient to make limited choices about eating and
exercise as weight gain progresses
Rationale: Allowing limited choices promotes autonomy and decision-making
while maintaining safety. The other options are more controlling or focus on
weight gain rather than independence.
Question 4. Which patient statement supports the diagnosis of anorexia
nervosa?
a. "I'm terrified of gaining weight."
b. "I wish I had a good friend to talk to."
c. "I've been told I drink way too much alcohol."
d. "I don't get much pleasure out of life anymore."
Correct Answer: a. "I'm terrified of gaining weight."
Rationale: Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat is a core diagnostic
criterion for anorexia nervosa.
, Question 5. Obesity can be the end result of a binge-eating disorder. The nurse
understands that the best treatment option in persons with a binge-eating
disorder promotes:
a. Bariatric surgery
b. Coping strategies
c. Avoidance of public eating
d. Appetite suppression medications
Correct Answer: b. Coping strategies
Rationale: Binge-eating disorder is often driven by emotional distress. Cognitive-
behavioral therapy and coping strategies are first-line treatments to address
underlying triggers. Surgery and medications are not first-line.
Question 6. Taylor, a psychiatric RN, orients Regina, a patient with anorexia
nervosa, to the room where she will be assigned during her stay. After getting
Regina settled, the nurse informs Regina:
a. "I need to go through the belongings you have brought with you."
b. "You can use the scale in the back room when you need to."
c. "You will be eating 5 times a day here."
d. "The daily structure is based around your desire to eat."
Correct Answer: a. "I need to go through the belongings you have brought with
you."
Rationale: Searching belongings is a safety measure to remove items that could
be used for self-harm, purging, or calorie restriction. Patients with anorexia should
not have free access to scales, and structure is not based on their desire to eat.
Question 7. Safety measures are of concern in eating-disorder treatments.
Patients with anorexia are supervised closely to monitor: Select all that apply.
a. Foods that are eaten
b. Attempts at self-induced vomiting
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationales |
New 2026-2027 Update | Galen
Eating Disorders, Substance Use, Mood Disorders, Suicide, and End-of-Life Nursing Questions
Question 1. When considering an eating disorder, what is a physical criterion for
hospital admission?
a. A daytime heart rate of <50 bpm
b. An oral temperature of 100°F or more
c. 90% of ideal body weight
d. Systolic blood pressure >130 mm Hg
Correct Answer: a. A daytime heart rate of <50 bpm
Rationale: Severe bradycardia (heart rate <50 bpm) is a dangerous physical
complication of anorexia nervosa and is a criterion for hospital admission due to
risk of cardiac instability. Other criteria include severe malnutrition, electrolyte
imbalances, and hypothermia.
Question 2. When considering the need for monitoring, which intervention
should the nurse implement for a patient with anorexia? Select all that apply.
a. Provide scheduled portion-controlled meals and snacks
b. Congratulate patients for weight gain and behavior that promote weight gain
c. Limit time spent in bathroom during periods when not under direct supervision
d. Promote exercise as a method to increase appetite
e. Observe patient during and after meals/snacks to ensure that adequate intake
is achieved and maintained
Correct Answer: a, c, e
,Rationale: Patients with anorexia need structured meals, bathroom supervision
to prevent purging, and observation during/after meals to ensure intake.
Congratulating weight gain can increase anxiety, and exercise is typically
restricted, not promoted.
Question 3. Which intervention will promote independence in a patient being
treated for bulimia nervosa?
a. Have the patient monitor daily caloric intake and intake and output of fluids
b. Encourage the patient to use behavior modification techniques to promote
weight gain behaviors
c. Ask the patient to use a daily log to record feelings and circumstances related to
urges to purge
d. Allow the patient to make limited choices about eating and exercise as weight
gain progresses
Correct Answer: d. Allow the patient to make limited choices about eating and
exercise as weight gain progresses
Rationale: Allowing limited choices promotes autonomy and decision-making
while maintaining safety. The other options are more controlling or focus on
weight gain rather than independence.
Question 4. Which patient statement supports the diagnosis of anorexia
nervosa?
a. "I'm terrified of gaining weight."
b. "I wish I had a good friend to talk to."
c. "I've been told I drink way too much alcohol."
d. "I don't get much pleasure out of life anymore."
Correct Answer: a. "I'm terrified of gaining weight."
Rationale: Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat is a core diagnostic
criterion for anorexia nervosa.
, Question 5. Obesity can be the end result of a binge-eating disorder. The nurse
understands that the best treatment option in persons with a binge-eating
disorder promotes:
a. Bariatric surgery
b. Coping strategies
c. Avoidance of public eating
d. Appetite suppression medications
Correct Answer: b. Coping strategies
Rationale: Binge-eating disorder is often driven by emotional distress. Cognitive-
behavioral therapy and coping strategies are first-line treatments to address
underlying triggers. Surgery and medications are not first-line.
Question 6. Taylor, a psychiatric RN, orients Regina, a patient with anorexia
nervosa, to the room where she will be assigned during her stay. After getting
Regina settled, the nurse informs Regina:
a. "I need to go through the belongings you have brought with you."
b. "You can use the scale in the back room when you need to."
c. "You will be eating 5 times a day here."
d. "The daily structure is based around your desire to eat."
Correct Answer: a. "I need to go through the belongings you have brought with
you."
Rationale: Searching belongings is a safety measure to remove items that could
be used for self-harm, purging, or calorie restriction. Patients with anorexia should
not have free access to scales, and structure is not based on their desire to eat.
Question 7. Safety measures are of concern in eating-disorder treatments.
Patients with anorexia are supervised closely to monitor: Select all that apply.
a. Foods that are eaten
b. Attempts at self-induced vomiting
