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NCLEX RN Exam Bank: Eating Disorders,
Body Image & Family Support Strategies
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Assessment and Early Identification of Eating Disorders ................................ 2
Subtopic 2: Nursing Interventions and Acute Management of Eating Disorders ................ 10
Subtopic 3: Body Image Distortion and Psychosocial Impact of Eating Disorders ............. 18
Subtopic 4: Family Dynamics, Cultural Influences & Support Systems in Eating Disorders 26
Subtopic 5: Pharmacologic and Medical Management of Eating Disorders ...................... 34
Subtopic 6: Refeeding Syndrome, Electrolyte Imbalances & Nutritional Safety Monitoring 44
Subtopic 7: Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Community Resources & Follow-Up Planning
.................................................................................................................................. 51
Subtopic 8: Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Discharge Planning in Eating Disorder
Recovery .................................................................................................................... 59
Subtopic 9: Cultural Competence in Eating Disorder Assessment and Management ........ 68
Subtopic 10: Recovery, Relapse Prevention & Long-Term Care Planning .......................... 77
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Subtopic 1: Assessment and Early Identification of Eating
Disorders
Questions 1–20
1. A nurse is assessing a 17-year-old female patient suspected of having anorexia nervosa.
Which physical finding is most consistent with this disorder?
A. Increased body temperature
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct answer: B. Bradycardia
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa often leads to bradycardia due to severe caloric restriction and
malnutrition, which impairs cardiac output.
2. During an interview, a teenage patient states, “I feel fat even though I know I’m
underweight.” What does this statement most likely indicate?
A. Body dysmorphic disorder
B. Distorted body image
C. Attention-seeking behavior
D. Early-onset schizophrenia
Correct answer: B. Distorted body image
Rationale: This statement reveals the hallmark cognitive distortion in anorexia nervosa—an
altered perception of one’s body size or shape.
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3. Which laboratory result would a nurse expect in a patient with bulimia nervosa who
engages in frequent vomiting?
A. Elevated potassium
B. Elevated sodium
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Recurrent vomiting leads to loss of potassium, resulting in hypokalemia, which
can cause cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A nurse is evaluating a patient with suspected binge-eating disorder. Which
characteristic supports this diagnosis?
A. Episodes of eating large amounts of food without purging
B. Daily laxative abuse
C. Fasting after overeating
D. Compulsive exercise
Correct answer: A. Episodes of eating large amounts of food without purging
Rationale: Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge episodes without
compensatory behaviors such as purging or fasting.
5. Which question is most therapeutic when assessing a client for disordered eating
behaviors?
A. “Why don’t you eat more?”
B. “Are you trying to lose weight intentionally?”
C. “Don’t you think you’re already thin enough?”
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D. “Can you tell me about your eating habits throughout the day?”
Correct answer: D. “Can you tell me about your eating habits throughout the day?”
Rationale: This open-ended question promotes patient-centered communication and
allows for comprehensive assessment without judgment.
6. A nurse assesses a client who admits to using ipecac syrup to induce vomiting. Which
system should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Respiratory
B. Gastrointestinal
C. Cardiovascular
D. Neurological
Correct answer: C. Cardiovascular
Rationale: Ipecac abuse can cause myocardial toxicity, leading to cardiomyopathy and
arrhythmias.
7. What is the most appropriate initial nursing action for a newly admitted adolescent with
severe anorexia nervosa?
A. Start psychotherapy immediately
B. Initiate refeeding at a high caloric level
C. Conduct a complete physical and nutritional assessment
D. Begin family counseling
Correct answer: C. Conduct a complete physical and nutritional assessment
Rationale: Comprehensive assessment is necessary to determine the level of malnutrition
and prioritize medical stabilization.
NCLEX RN Exam Bank: Eating Disorders,
Body Image & Family Support Strategies
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Assessment and Early Identification of Eating Disorders ................................ 2
Subtopic 2: Nursing Interventions and Acute Management of Eating Disorders ................ 10
Subtopic 3: Body Image Distortion and Psychosocial Impact of Eating Disorders ............. 18
Subtopic 4: Family Dynamics, Cultural Influences & Support Systems in Eating Disorders 26
Subtopic 5: Pharmacologic and Medical Management of Eating Disorders ...................... 34
Subtopic 6: Refeeding Syndrome, Electrolyte Imbalances & Nutritional Safety Monitoring 44
Subtopic 7: Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Community Resources & Follow-Up Planning
.................................................................................................................................. 51
Subtopic 8: Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Discharge Planning in Eating Disorder
Recovery .................................................................................................................... 59
Subtopic 9: Cultural Competence in Eating Disorder Assessment and Management ........ 68
Subtopic 10: Recovery, Relapse Prevention & Long-Term Care Planning .......................... 77
, 2
Subtopic 1: Assessment and Early Identification of Eating
Disorders
Questions 1–20
1. A nurse is assessing a 17-year-old female patient suspected of having anorexia nervosa.
Which physical finding is most consistent with this disorder?
A. Increased body temperature
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct answer: B. Bradycardia
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa often leads to bradycardia due to severe caloric restriction and
malnutrition, which impairs cardiac output.
2. During an interview, a teenage patient states, “I feel fat even though I know I’m
underweight.” What does this statement most likely indicate?
A. Body dysmorphic disorder
B. Distorted body image
C. Attention-seeking behavior
D. Early-onset schizophrenia
Correct answer: B. Distorted body image
Rationale: This statement reveals the hallmark cognitive distortion in anorexia nervosa—an
altered perception of one’s body size or shape.
, 3
3. Which laboratory result would a nurse expect in a patient with bulimia nervosa who
engages in frequent vomiting?
A. Elevated potassium
B. Elevated sodium
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Recurrent vomiting leads to loss of potassium, resulting in hypokalemia, which
can cause cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A nurse is evaluating a patient with suspected binge-eating disorder. Which
characteristic supports this diagnosis?
A. Episodes of eating large amounts of food without purging
B. Daily laxative abuse
C. Fasting after overeating
D. Compulsive exercise
Correct answer: A. Episodes of eating large amounts of food without purging
Rationale: Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge episodes without
compensatory behaviors such as purging or fasting.
5. Which question is most therapeutic when assessing a client for disordered eating
behaviors?
A. “Why don’t you eat more?”
B. “Are you trying to lose weight intentionally?”
C. “Don’t you think you’re already thin enough?”
, 4
D. “Can you tell me about your eating habits throughout the day?”
Correct answer: D. “Can you tell me about your eating habits throughout the day?”
Rationale: This open-ended question promotes patient-centered communication and
allows for comprehensive assessment without judgment.
6. A nurse assesses a client who admits to using ipecac syrup to induce vomiting. Which
system should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Respiratory
B. Gastrointestinal
C. Cardiovascular
D. Neurological
Correct answer: C. Cardiovascular
Rationale: Ipecac abuse can cause myocardial toxicity, leading to cardiomyopathy and
arrhythmias.
7. What is the most appropriate initial nursing action for a newly admitted adolescent with
severe anorexia nervosa?
A. Start psychotherapy immediately
B. Initiate refeeding at a high caloric level
C. Conduct a complete physical and nutritional assessment
D. Begin family counseling
Correct answer: C. Conduct a complete physical and nutritional assessment
Rationale: Comprehensive assessment is necessary to determine the level of malnutrition
and prioritize medical stabilization.
