RN Eating Disorders Assessment
Questions and Answers | Latest Version
| 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the first nursing priority when admitting a severely malnourished patient with anorexia
nervosa?
✔✔ The first priority is assessing and stabilizing acute medical complications like electrolyte
imbalances, cardiac abnormalities, or signs of refeeding syndrome.
How might a nurse differentiate between anorexia nervosa and ARFID during an initial
assessment?
✔✔ While both involve restriction, anorexia centers on weight/shape concerns whereas ARFID
typically involves sensory issues, fear of choking, or lack of interest in eating without body
image disturbance.
What physical assessment finding would most concern you in a patient with chronic bulimia?
✔✔ Severe electrolyte imbalances (especially hypokalemia) or esophageal tears from frequent
purging would be most concerning due to life-threatening potential.
1
,What would be an appropriate therapeutic response when a patient says "I'm so fat" despite being
underweight?
✔✔ "I hear you're feeling distressed about your body. Can we talk about what's coming up for
you right now?" maintains neutrality while exploring feelings.
Why is weight restoration alone insufficient for eating disorder recovery?
✔✔ Weight restoration addresses physical health but without psychological treatment, core
beliefs about food/body image remain unchanged, leading to high relapse risk.
How might you assess for covert compensatory behaviors in a patient who denies purging?
✔✔ Look for signs like calluses on knuckles, dental erosion, frequent bathroom trips after meals,
or water running sounds post-mealtime.
What makes family-based therapy (FBT) effective for adolescent anorexia cases?
✔✔ FBT empowers parents to oversee nutritional rehabilitation while separating the illness from
the child's identity, utilizing family strengths for recovery.
When would nasogastric feeding become necessary in anorexia treatment?
2
, ✔✔ When oral intake is consistently refused and the patient's medical stability is compromised,
though this requires careful ethical consideration.
How does the nursing approach differ between binge-eating disorder and anorexia?
✔✔ With BED the focus is on normalizing eating patterns without restriction, while anorexia
requires structured meal support and weight restoration.
What vital sign changes might indicate cardiovascular compromise in anorexia?
✔✔ Bradycardia (<50 bpm), hypotension, orthostatic changes, or prolonged QTc interval suggest
cardiac strain from malnutrition.
Why is calorie counting discouraged during eating disorder recovery?
✔✔ It reinforces obsessive food focus rather than intuitive eating, and may trigger restrictive or
compensatory behaviors.
How would you respond if a patient asks if they look healthier after weight gain?
✔✔ "I notice you're asking about appearance changes. How are you feeling about the changes in
your body?" redirects to emotional processing.
3
Questions and Answers | Latest Version
| 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the first nursing priority when admitting a severely malnourished patient with anorexia
nervosa?
✔✔ The first priority is assessing and stabilizing acute medical complications like electrolyte
imbalances, cardiac abnormalities, or signs of refeeding syndrome.
How might a nurse differentiate between anorexia nervosa and ARFID during an initial
assessment?
✔✔ While both involve restriction, anorexia centers on weight/shape concerns whereas ARFID
typically involves sensory issues, fear of choking, or lack of interest in eating without body
image disturbance.
What physical assessment finding would most concern you in a patient with chronic bulimia?
✔✔ Severe electrolyte imbalances (especially hypokalemia) or esophageal tears from frequent
purging would be most concerning due to life-threatening potential.
1
,What would be an appropriate therapeutic response when a patient says "I'm so fat" despite being
underweight?
✔✔ "I hear you're feeling distressed about your body. Can we talk about what's coming up for
you right now?" maintains neutrality while exploring feelings.
Why is weight restoration alone insufficient for eating disorder recovery?
✔✔ Weight restoration addresses physical health but without psychological treatment, core
beliefs about food/body image remain unchanged, leading to high relapse risk.
How might you assess for covert compensatory behaviors in a patient who denies purging?
✔✔ Look for signs like calluses on knuckles, dental erosion, frequent bathroom trips after meals,
or water running sounds post-mealtime.
What makes family-based therapy (FBT) effective for adolescent anorexia cases?
✔✔ FBT empowers parents to oversee nutritional rehabilitation while separating the illness from
the child's identity, utilizing family strengths for recovery.
When would nasogastric feeding become necessary in anorexia treatment?
2
, ✔✔ When oral intake is consistently refused and the patient's medical stability is compromised,
though this requires careful ethical consideration.
How does the nursing approach differ between binge-eating disorder and anorexia?
✔✔ With BED the focus is on normalizing eating patterns without restriction, while anorexia
requires structured meal support and weight restoration.
What vital sign changes might indicate cardiovascular compromise in anorexia?
✔✔ Bradycardia (<50 bpm), hypotension, orthostatic changes, or prolonged QTc interval suggest
cardiac strain from malnutrition.
Why is calorie counting discouraged during eating disorder recovery?
✔✔ It reinforces obsessive food focus rather than intuitive eating, and may trigger restrictive or
compensatory behaviors.
How would you respond if a patient asks if they look healthier after weight gain?
✔✔ "I notice you're asking about appearance changes. How are you feeling about the changes in
your body?" redirects to emotional processing.
3
