Psychiatric Mental Health – Pre-Test, PMHNP Preparation Course, Practice Questions and
Foundational Knowledge Assessment
A nurse observes a female patient for signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa which include:
A. amenorrhea
B. Tachycardia
C. Decreased activity
D. Elevated temperature - ANS ✔✔A. Amenorrhea
Reason: Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa include amenorrhea (option A); bradycardia,
rather than tachycardia (option B); increased activity (often excessive), rather than decreased
activity (option C); and hypothermia, rather than elevated temperature (option D).
Which of these sociocultural factors is most likely to contribute to the development of anorexia
nervosa?
A. Availability of low-calorie and diet foods
B. Emphasis on nutrition education for the general public
C. Unrealistic cultural ideals regarding body shape
D. reward for high achievement in athletic events - ANS ✔✔C. Unrealistic cultural ideals
regarding body shape
Reason: The American society places much emphasis on unnatural thinness of women, which is
likely to be a factor contributing to the development of anorexia nervosa (option C). The factors
listed in options A, B, and D are less likely to be related to the development of anorexia nervosa.
Treatment of anorexia nervosa tends to be very difficult because the client usually
A. Exhibits sociopathic behavior
B. Strongly denies the illness
, C. lacks the intellectual ability to understand the illness
D. feels physically well - ANS ✔✔B. Strongly denies the illness
Reason: Treatment of anorexia nervosa tends to be difficult because of the client's strong denial
(option B). Clients with anorexia nervosa are not sociopathic (option A) and may be very bright
intellectually (option C). The client usually has disturbing bodily changes related to the illness,
and may be very physically ill (option D).
The binge eating/purging type of anorexia nervosa and the purging type of bulimia nervosa
differ in which of these ways?
A. anorexia nervosa is more prevalent than bulimia nervosa
B. In anorexia nervosa hypokalemia can occur, while in bulimia nervosa, hyperkalemia is more
likely to occur
C. Anorexia nervosa occurs more frequently in women, while bulimia nervosa occurs more
frequently in men
D. In anorexia nervosa, weight is much lower than normal body weight, while in bulimia
nervosa, weight is maintained in the normal range - ANS ✔✔D. In anorexia nervosa, weight is
much lower than normal body weight, while in bulimia nervosa, weight is maintained in the
normal range
Reason: In anorexia nervosa, weight loss is dramatic, while in bulimia nervosa, weight is
maintained in the normal range (option D). Bulimia nervosa is more prevalent than anorexia
nervosa (opposite of option A). Hypokalemia is the electrolyte imbalance most likely to occur in
both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (option B). Both anorexia nervosa and bulimia
nervosa occur more frequently in women than in men (option C).
In addition to having difficulties controlling their eating behavior, persons with bulimia nervosa
also may exhibit which of these behaviors?
A. acting-out behaviors
B. Dissociative behaviors
C. pressured speech
Foundational Knowledge Assessment
A nurse observes a female patient for signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa which include:
A. amenorrhea
B. Tachycardia
C. Decreased activity
D. Elevated temperature - ANS ✔✔A. Amenorrhea
Reason: Signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa include amenorrhea (option A); bradycardia,
rather than tachycardia (option B); increased activity (often excessive), rather than decreased
activity (option C); and hypothermia, rather than elevated temperature (option D).
Which of these sociocultural factors is most likely to contribute to the development of anorexia
nervosa?
A. Availability of low-calorie and diet foods
B. Emphasis on nutrition education for the general public
C. Unrealistic cultural ideals regarding body shape
D. reward for high achievement in athletic events - ANS ✔✔C. Unrealistic cultural ideals
regarding body shape
Reason: The American society places much emphasis on unnatural thinness of women, which is
likely to be a factor contributing to the development of anorexia nervosa (option C). The factors
listed in options A, B, and D are less likely to be related to the development of anorexia nervosa.
Treatment of anorexia nervosa tends to be very difficult because the client usually
A. Exhibits sociopathic behavior
B. Strongly denies the illness
, C. lacks the intellectual ability to understand the illness
D. feels physically well - ANS ✔✔B. Strongly denies the illness
Reason: Treatment of anorexia nervosa tends to be difficult because of the client's strong denial
(option B). Clients with anorexia nervosa are not sociopathic (option A) and may be very bright
intellectually (option C). The client usually has disturbing bodily changes related to the illness,
and may be very physically ill (option D).
The binge eating/purging type of anorexia nervosa and the purging type of bulimia nervosa
differ in which of these ways?
A. anorexia nervosa is more prevalent than bulimia nervosa
B. In anorexia nervosa hypokalemia can occur, while in bulimia nervosa, hyperkalemia is more
likely to occur
C. Anorexia nervosa occurs more frequently in women, while bulimia nervosa occurs more
frequently in men
D. In anorexia nervosa, weight is much lower than normal body weight, while in bulimia
nervosa, weight is maintained in the normal range - ANS ✔✔D. In anorexia nervosa, weight is
much lower than normal body weight, while in bulimia nervosa, weight is maintained in the
normal range
Reason: In anorexia nervosa, weight loss is dramatic, while in bulimia nervosa, weight is
maintained in the normal range (option D). Bulimia nervosa is more prevalent than anorexia
nervosa (opposite of option A). Hypokalemia is the electrolyte imbalance most likely to occur in
both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (option B). Both anorexia nervosa and bulimia
nervosa occur more frequently in women than in men (option C).
In addition to having difficulties controlling their eating behavior, persons with bulimia nervosa
also may exhibit which of these behaviors?
A. acting-out behaviors
B. Dissociative behaviors
C. pressured speech
