A client with a long history of bulimia nervosa is seen in the emergency department. The client is seeing things that others do not see, is restless, and has dry mucous membranes. Which is most likely the cause of this client's symptoms?

Binging, which causes abdominal discomfort

Vomiting, which may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance

Mood disorders, which often accompany the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa

Nutritional deficits, which are characteristics of bulimia nervosa

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Binging involves consuming large amounts of food, often leading to abdominal discomfort, bloating, or nausea. These symptoms are primarily gastrointestinal and do not directly cause hallucinations, restlessness, or dry mucous membranes, which are more indicative of systemic physiological imbalances, making this choice less likely as the primary cause.

Choice B reason: Frequent vomiting in bulimia nervosa causes significant dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, such as hypokalemia or hyponatremia. These disrupt neurological function, leading to hallucinations due to altered brain signaling, restlessness from nervous system irritability, and dry mucous membranes from fluid loss, making this the most likely cause of the symptoms.

Choice C reason: Mood disorders like depression or anxiety are common in bulimia nervosa and may contribute to emotional instability. However, they are less likely to directly cause hallucinations or physical symptoms like dry mucous membranes, which are more closely tied to physiological disruptions from dehydration or electrolyte imbalances.

Choice D reason: Nutritional deficits in bulimia nervosa result from purging or irregular eating, potentially causing fatigue or weakness. However, hallucinations and restlessness are more directly linked to acute electrolyte imbalances from vomiting rather than chronic nutritional deficiencies, which typically present with less acute neurological symptoms.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: ECT induces controlled seizures to treat severe depression, often causing short-term memory loss due to temporary disruption of hippocampal function. This is a common side effect, and clients should be informed to expect potential memory difficulties post-treatment.

Choice B reason: Atropine is used pre-ECT to reduce secretions, not post-procedure. Administering it afterward is unnecessary, as its role is to prevent airway complications during the procedure, making this an incorrect teaching point for ECT.

Choice C reason: Family attendance during ECT is not permitted due to the controlled medical environment, anesthesia, and seizure induction, which require privacy and safety protocols. This instruction is incorrect, as only medical personnel are present during the procedure.

Choice D reason: ECT is performed under general anesthesia, so the client is unconscious, not awake, during the procedure. Being awake would prevent safe seizure induction and monitoring, making this an incorrect and unsafe teaching point.

A. Mild B. Panic C. Moderate D. Severe

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Mild anxiety is characterized by slight restlessness or discomfort, with intact concentration and problem-solving abilities. The client’s symptoms, including rapid pacing, trembling, and inability to concentrate, indicate a more intense physiological and cognitive impairment, ruling out mild anxiety as the correct assessment.

Choice B reason: Panic-level anxiety involves extreme physiological arousal, with symptoms like rapid pacing, trembling, high-pitched speech, and inability to concentrate or problem-solve. These reflect a severe sympathetic nervous system response, overwhelming the client’s ability to function, making panic the most accurate description of the client’s state.

Choice C reason: Moderate anxiety involves noticeable discomfort, with some difficulty concentrating but retained problem-solving ability. The client’s severe symptoms, including high-pitched speech and restricted problem-solving, exceed this level, indicating a more intense state of anxiety that aligns with panic rather than moderate anxiety.

Choice D reason: Severe anxiety includes significant distress and impaired function but typically allows some concentration and problem-solving, unlike panic. The client’s extreme symptoms, such as inability to concentrate and restricted problem-solving, suggest a higher level of distress consistent with a panic state.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A client with a long history of bulimia nervosa is seen in the emergency department. The client is seeing things that others do not see, is restless, and has dry mucous membranes. Which is most likely the cause of this client's symptoms?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client is scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The nurse teaches that the client:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse observes a client who is rapidly pacing, wringing their hands, and trembling. Their speech is high-pitched, they are unable to concentrate, and have restricted problem-solving. The nurse identifies the client’s anxiety level as:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is addressing exercise and physical activity during discharge education with a client diagnosed with heart failure. What should the nurse teach this client about exercise?

A nurse is preparing to administer metoprolol 25 mg PO to a client with a history of hypertension and heart failure. The client’s vital signs are: BP 132/78 mm Hg, HR 86 beats per minute, and respiratory rate 18 breaths per minute. Which action should the nurse take?

The nurse is caring for a client experiencing mania who is pacing, cannot sit, with pressured speech. Which meal will the nurse provide to best meet the nutritional needs of this client?

The nurse is caring for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which action by the nurse will increase the client’s sense of security?

A client was admitted to the inpatient unit for depression and is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Which sign or symptom would the nurse include in the teaching session about serotonin syndrome?

A client with schizophrenia is prescribed risperidone. The nurse observes muscle stiffness and a shuffling gait. What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?

A client with depression is prescribed phenelzine (Nardil). The client says to the nurse, “I will need to watch my diet with this medication. What food options should I avoid?” Which of the following is the correct response by the nurse?

The best goal for a client learning a relaxation technique is that the client will