Practice Question
A nurse on an inpatient eating disorder unit is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa.
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Weight
Rationale:
Weight:
➡️ The client’s weight increased from 34.5 kg (BMI 13) to 37.2 kg (BMI 14.1), showing gradual nutritional restoration — a hallmark of positive treatment response in anorexia nervosa.
➡️This weight gain indicates improved caloric intake, better metabolic balance, and adherence to the refeeding plan.
➡️Weight restoration helps reverse cardiovascular instability and multi-organ effects caused by chronic starvation.
➡️In anorexia care, safe and steady gain (0.5–1 kg/week) confirms therapeutic progress without refeeding complications.
Sodium level:
➡️ Serum sodium improved from 128 mEq/L to 130 mEq/L, reflecting better hydration and electrolyte correction.
➡️Hyponatremia in anorexia results from malnutrition, excessive water intake, or renal dysfunction.
➡️The rise demonstrates restored fluid-electrolyte homeostasis and effective nutritional and medical management.
➡️Maintenance of sodium within or trending toward normal range supports cellular integrity and neurological stability.
Respiratory assessment:
➡️ Respiratory findings improved from labored breathing to even, unlabored respirations with clear lung sounds, suggesting improved muscular strength, oxygen delivery, and metabolic recovery.
➡️In malnutrition, weakened respiratory muscles and decreased energy stores can impair ventilation.
➡️The current assessment indicates restored respiratory effort and tissue perfusion, key clinical outcomes in recovery.
Temperature:
➡️ The client’s body temperature increased from 35.6°C (96°F) to 36°C (97°F), reflecting improvement in metabolic rate and circulatory function.
➡️Hypothermia is common in anorexia due to loss of subcutaneous fat, low metabolism, and bradycardia.
➡️A stabilized temperature signals enhanced thermoregulation and nutritional rehabilitation.
➡️It also indicates improved perfusion to peripheral tissues.
Creatinine level:
➡️Creatinine decreased from 1.2 mg/dL to 0.9 mg/dL, indicating better renal perfusion and hydration as nutrition and circulatory volume normalize.
➡️Elevated creatinine initially reflected dehydration and catabolism of muscle protein.
➡️Normalization confirms improved renal function, fluid balance, and reduced metabolic stress.
➡️This biochemical progress complements clinical recovery indicators.
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This question is from Custom NUR212 Final Assessment Fall 1 2025 which contains 50 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI MedSurg
- Answer Choices: 6