A nurse is assessing an adolescent female client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Metrorrhagia.

Tachycardia.

Hyperkalemia.

Constipation.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The correct answer is Choice D

Choice A rationale: Metrorrhagia, or irregular uterine bleeding, is not typically associated with anorexia nervosa. Instead, amenorrhea is more common due to hypothalamic suppression from low body fat and caloric intake. The hypothalamus reduces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), leading to decreased luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which suppresses ovulation and menstruation. Estrogen levels fall below normal (typically 30–400 pg/mL), disrupting endometrial stability. Thus, bleeding is less likely than complete menstrual cessation.

Choice B rationale: Tachycardia is not expected in anorexia nervosa; bradycardia is more common due to metabolic adaptation and reduced cardiac workload. The body conserves energy by lowering heart rate, often below 60 bpm. Malnutrition leads to decreased thyroid hormone (T3), reduced sympathetic tone, and myocardial atrophy. Electrolyte imbalances and hypovolemia further depress cardiac output. Tachycardia may occur in refeeding syndrome or acute stress, but chronically, the heart rate is typically slow due to adaptive mechanisms.

Choice C rationale: Hyperkalemia is rare in anorexia nervosa; hypokalemia is far more common due to purging behaviors, vomiting, and diuretic or laxative abuse. Potassium levels often fall below the normal range of 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. Losses through the gastrointestinal tract and renal excretion lead to muscle weakness, arrhythmias, and fatigue. Intracellular shifts during starvation also contribute to low serum potassium. Hyperkalemia may occur transiently during tissue breakdown or renal failure but is not a hallmark finding.

Choice D rationale: Constipation is a frequent finding in anorexia nervosa due to decreased caloric intake, slowed gastrointestinal motility, and reduced fiber consumption. Starvation suppresses parasympathetic activity, leading to delayed colonic transit. Electrolyte imbalances, especially hypokalemia, further impair smooth muscle contraction. Normal bowel frequency ranges from three times per week to three times per day; anorexic clients often fall below this due to systemic hypometabolism. Constipation may also be exacerbated by dehydration and laxative dependence.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

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

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

"His cousin committed suicide a few weeks ago." This statement is a significant red flag indicating a higher risk of suicide. When an adolescent is exposed to suicide, especially within their family or close social circle, they become more vulnerable due to the potential for social contagion. This scenario increases the urgency for intervention and support to prevent a similar outcome.

Choice B rationale:

"He spends much of his time with his two school friends." While changes in social behavior might raise concerns, this statement alone does not directly indicate a risk of suicide. Adolescents can experience shifts in their social preferences for various reasons, and it's not a definitive sign of suicidal ideation or intent.

Choice C rationale:

"He has slept 9 hours each night for the past 2 years." Sleeping patterns alone do not strongly correlate with suicide risk. However, drastic changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or hypersomnia, might be indicative of underlying mental health issues. In this case, the consistent sleep pattern mentioned does not directly signal a risk of suicide.

Choice D rationale:

"He is very religious and attends services twice a week." Religious involvement can have protective effects on mental health, and attending religious services can provide a support network. While religion might offer some resilience against suicide, it is not a definitive indicator. Other factors need to be considered in conjunction with religious activities. For , the statement indicating an adolescent's higher risk of suicide is "His cousin committed suicide a few weeks ago" (Choice A). This experience increases the risk due to the potential for social contagion. The other options, including spending time with school friends, sleep patterns, and religious involvement, do not directly suggest an imminent risk of suicide.

A. Circumstantiality. B. Clang association. C. Tangentiality. D. Neologism.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Circumstantiality refers to a communication pattern where the individual provides excessive, unnecessary details before reaching the point. In this scenario, the patient's response is not characterized by providing excessive details but rather by the use of words that sound alike but have no meaningful connection.

Choice B rationale:

Clang association is a communication pattern where the individual's speech is characterized by rhyming or the repetition of words that sound similar but lack logical connection. The patient's response, "This is a new day in May and I can't wait to play," demonstrates this pattern, as the words "May" and "play" rhyme but don't form a coherent sentence.

Choice C rationale:

Tangentiality refers to a communication pattern where the individual goes off-topic and never returns to the original subject. The patient's response, while seemingly off-topic, is not a clear example of tangentiality, as the words used are related in a rhyming manner rather than being entirely unrelated.

Choice D rationale:

Neologism refers to the creation of new words or phrases that are not part of any recognized language. The patient's response does not involve the creation of entirely new words; instead, it involves the use of existing words that rhyme but lack a coherent connection.

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 nurse is assessing an adolescent female client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A school nurse is speaking to the mother of a 16-year-old male adolescent. The mother has concerns about her son. Which of the following statements by the mother should indicate to the nurse that the adolescent is at risk for suicide?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is asking a diagnosed schizophrenic patient how they slept and they respond, "This is a new day in May and I can't wait to play." Which communication pattern does the nurse identify?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse in the acute mental health unit is admitting a new client with an eating disorder. The nurse is aware that which of the following are considered comorbidities of eating disorders? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is teaching a female client who has an anxiety disorder and is prescribed alprazolam (Xanax). Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a mental illness on a psychiatric unit. Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates the ethical concept of autonomy?

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with Severe Intellectual Disability. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse recognize to be associated with Severe Intellectual Disability?

A nurse is admitting a client who is about to undergo surgery for benign prostatic hypertrophy. The client states, "I don't know what I will do if they find that I have cancer." Which of the following should be the appropriate response by the nurse?

A nurse is taking care of a client who is cognitively impaired. The nurse recognizes that which of the following rooms will provide a therapeutic environment for this client?

A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has a history of conduct disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse take while caring for the child? (Select all that apply.).

According to Bowen's theoretical approach to therapy, which of the following should the nurse recognize as a concept of a functional family interaction pattern?