Eating Disorders NCLEX Questions and

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Eating Disorders NCLEX Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

Which behavior is most indicative of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in an adolescent?

• Frequent self-induced vomiting after meals
• Extreme fear of gaining weight despite being underweight
• Avoidance of certain foods due to sensory characteristics (texture, smell) without body image

concerns ✔✔D) Inability to meet nutritional needs due to lack of interest in eating or avoidance based on food traits

A nurse is assessing a client with suspected bulimia nervosa. Which finding is most likely?

• BMI below 17 kg/m²
• ✔✔Dental enamel erosion and calloused knuckles
• Absence of menstrual periods for 6 months
• Preoccupation with cooking for others but refusing to eat
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A client with anorexia nervosa states, "I’m so fat, even though everyone says I’m thin." How should the nurse interpret this statement?

• The client is seeking attention
• ✔✔The client has a distorted body image
• The client is experiencing auditory hallucinations
• The client is exaggerating for sympathy

Which intervention is most appropriate for a hospitalized client with severe anorexia nervosa who refuses to eat?

• Allow the client to skip meals until they feel ready
• ✔✔Implement a structured meal plan with supervision and support
• Offer high-calorie snacks as the sole nutrition source
• Punish the client for not meeting meal goals

A nurse is teaching a family about binge-eating disorder. Which statement by a family member indicates understanding?

• "They just need more self-control to stop overeating."
• "This disorder is the same as occasional overeating at holidays." 2 / 3

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• ✔✔"Binge-eating involves eating large amounts quickly, with feelings of shame, even when

not hungry."

• "People with this disorder always purge afterward."

Which lab result is the nurse most likely to find in a client with prolonged purging behavior?

• Hyperkalemia
• ✔✔Hypokalemia
• Hypercalcemia
• Hypoglycemia

A client recovering from an eating disorder says, "I feel guilty after eating a cookie." What is the nurse’s best response?

• "You shouldn’t feel guilty—it’s just a cookie."
• ✔✔"It’s normal to have these feelings. Let’s talk about how to cope with them."
• "Maybe you should avoid cookies altogether."
• "Guilt means you’re not ready for recovery."

Which assessment finding is a priority in a client with bulimia nervosa?

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