NSG 3450/NSG3450 EXAM 3 – MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW
- GALEN COLLEGE (LATEST 2026-2027 UPDATE)
1. Bulimia Nervosa — Physical Findings
A nurse assesses a client suspected of having bulimia nervosa. Which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Severe obesity with no compensatory behaviors
B. Dental enamel erosion and enlarged parotid glands
C. Bradycardia caused by excessive exercise only
D. Complete absence of binge eating
Correct Answer: B. Dental enamel erosion and enlarged parotid glands
Rationale: Recurrent self-induced vomiting exposes the teeth to gastric acid, causing enamel
erosion. Repeated vomiting can also cause parotid enlargement and electrolyte abnormalities.
2. Anorexia Nervosa — Priority Assessment
A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the psychiatric unit. Which assessment is the
priority?
A. Favorite foods
B. Vital signs and electrolyte status
,C. Preferred recreational activities
D. Family history of anxiety
Correct Answer: B. Vital signs and electrolyte status
Rationale: Severe nutritional restriction can cause potentially life-threatening cardiovascular and
metabolic complications. Physiologic stability takes priority.
3. Binge-Eating Disorder — Defining Feature
Which finding is most characteristic of binge-eating disorder?
A. Recurrent episodes of excessive food intake with a sense of loss of control
B. Restriction of all carbohydrates
C. Self-induced vomiting after every meal
D. Persistent refusal to eat because of fear of weight gain
Correct Answer: A. Recurrent episodes of excessive food intake with a sense of loss of control
Rationale: Binge-eating disorder involves recurrent binge episodes characterized by loss of
control. Unlike bulimia nervosa, compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting are not
the defining feature.
4. Bulimia Nervosa — Nursing Intervention
Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client with bulimia nervosa?
,A. Encourage the client to skip meals
B. Monitor the client after meals as indicated
C. Encourage immediate vigorous exercise after eating
D. Reinforce calorie restriction
Correct Answer: B. Monitor the client after meals as indicated
Rationale: Post-meal monitoring can help reduce opportunities for purging and allows nurses to
assess behaviors associated with the eating disorder.
5. Alcohol Withdrawal — Priority
A client who regularly consumes large amounts of alcohol abruptly stops drinking. Which
complication requires close monitoring?
A. Mild hunger
B. Withdrawal seizures
C. Increased appetite
D. Improved coordination
Correct Answer: B. Withdrawal seizures
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal can become life-threatening. Severe withdrawal may involve
seizures, delirium, autonomic instability, and other complications. Publicly available NSG 3450
review material specifically highlights seizure risk during alcohol withdrawal.
6. Alcohol Withdrawal — Medication
, Which medication class is commonly used to manage alcohol withdrawal?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Antacids
C. Stimulants
D. Antipsychotics as the sole treatment
Correct Answer: A. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are commonly used to reduce alcohol-withdrawal symptoms and
seizure risk. The medication and dosing require careful clinical monitoring.
7. Opioid Intoxication — Assessment
Which finding is most consistent with opioid intoxication?
A. Dilated pupils and severe agitation
B. Respiratory depression and pinpoint pupils
C. Hyperactivity and insomnia
D. Severe hypertension and fever
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory depression and pinpoint pupils
Rationale: Opioid intoxication commonly produces central nervous system depression,
respiratory depression, and miosis. Respiratory status is a major priority.
- GALEN COLLEGE (LATEST 2026-2027 UPDATE)
1. Bulimia Nervosa — Physical Findings
A nurse assesses a client suspected of having bulimia nervosa. Which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Severe obesity with no compensatory behaviors
B. Dental enamel erosion and enlarged parotid glands
C. Bradycardia caused by excessive exercise only
D. Complete absence of binge eating
Correct Answer: B. Dental enamel erosion and enlarged parotid glands
Rationale: Recurrent self-induced vomiting exposes the teeth to gastric acid, causing enamel
erosion. Repeated vomiting can also cause parotid enlargement and electrolyte abnormalities.
2. Anorexia Nervosa — Priority Assessment
A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the psychiatric unit. Which assessment is the
priority?
A. Favorite foods
B. Vital signs and electrolyte status
,C. Preferred recreational activities
D. Family history of anxiety
Correct Answer: B. Vital signs and electrolyte status
Rationale: Severe nutritional restriction can cause potentially life-threatening cardiovascular and
metabolic complications. Physiologic stability takes priority.
3. Binge-Eating Disorder — Defining Feature
Which finding is most characteristic of binge-eating disorder?
A. Recurrent episodes of excessive food intake with a sense of loss of control
B. Restriction of all carbohydrates
C. Self-induced vomiting after every meal
D. Persistent refusal to eat because of fear of weight gain
Correct Answer: A. Recurrent episodes of excessive food intake with a sense of loss of control
Rationale: Binge-eating disorder involves recurrent binge episodes characterized by loss of
control. Unlike bulimia nervosa, compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting are not
the defining feature.
4. Bulimia Nervosa — Nursing Intervention
Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client with bulimia nervosa?
,A. Encourage the client to skip meals
B. Monitor the client after meals as indicated
C. Encourage immediate vigorous exercise after eating
D. Reinforce calorie restriction
Correct Answer: B. Monitor the client after meals as indicated
Rationale: Post-meal monitoring can help reduce opportunities for purging and allows nurses to
assess behaviors associated with the eating disorder.
5. Alcohol Withdrawal — Priority
A client who regularly consumes large amounts of alcohol abruptly stops drinking. Which
complication requires close monitoring?
A. Mild hunger
B. Withdrawal seizures
C. Increased appetite
D. Improved coordination
Correct Answer: B. Withdrawal seizures
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal can become life-threatening. Severe withdrawal may involve
seizures, delirium, autonomic instability, and other complications. Publicly available NSG 3450
review material specifically highlights seizure risk during alcohol withdrawal.
6. Alcohol Withdrawal — Medication
, Which medication class is commonly used to manage alcohol withdrawal?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Antacids
C. Stimulants
D. Antipsychotics as the sole treatment
Correct Answer: A. Benzodiazepines
Rationale: Benzodiazepines are commonly used to reduce alcohol-withdrawal symptoms and
seizure risk. The medication and dosing require careful clinical monitoring.
7. Opioid Intoxication — Assessment
Which finding is most consistent with opioid intoxication?
A. Dilated pupils and severe agitation
B. Respiratory depression and pinpoint pupils
C. Hyperactivity and insomnia
D. Severe hypertension and fever
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory depression and pinpoint pupils
Rationale: Opioid intoxication commonly produces central nervous system depression,
respiratory depression, and miosis. Respiratory status is a major priority.
