Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Clients with anorexia nervosa often have difficulty expressing which of the following emotions?

1. Joy.

2. Sadness.

3. Anger.

4. Happiness.

The correct answer is: Anger.

Clients with anorexia nervosa often have difficulty expressing anger due to a variety of psychological factors associated with the disorder. These individuals may struggle with self-control, perfectionism, and feelings of inadequacy, which can lead to an internalization of emotions. Anger may be perceived as a loss of control, which is particularly challenging for someone who is managing a condition that revolves around control over their body and eating behaviors. In the context of anorexia nervosa, expressing anger can also provoke anxiety about rejection or disconnection from others, further complicating relationships and emotional expression. Therefore, clients may suppress angry feelings, leading to a greater challenge in articulating this specific emotion compared to others. While feelings of joy, sadness, and happiness may still be present, clients may find them easier to express or may experience them differently. In contrast, the expression of anger often entails vulnerability, which this population frequently tries to avoid.