Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What is a common behavior exhibited by clients with anorexia nervosa?

1. Preoccupation with exercise routines.

2. Preoccupation with thoughts of food.

3. Excessive talking about social events.

4. Avoidance of all discussions about food.

The correct answer is: Preoccupation with thoughts of food.

Clients with anorexia nervosa often demonstrate a significant preoccupation with thoughts of food, even when they are restricting their intake. This behavior can manifest in various ways, including the constant planning of meals, counting calories, and obsessively thinking about food-related topics, despite their refusal to eat. The fixation on food often increases as the individual restricts their intake, leading to a paradoxical situation where the person is focused on what they are avoiding. This preoccupation can further complicate their relationship with food and contribute to the severity of the disorder. In contrast, some of the other options do not capture the essence of the behavior typically associated with anorexia nervosa as clearly. While a client may discuss exercise routines, it may not be as pervasive as the obsession with food itself. Similarly, excessive talking about social events is generally less relevant to the core issues of anorexia, focusing more on personal relationships rather than the eating disorder. Avoidance of discussions about food can occur, but it is more indicative of avoidance coping rather than a preoccupation, which is defined by the constant negative thoughts surrounding food and eating.