Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What symptoms must a nurse look for while assessing a patient for binge eating disorders?

1. Nutritional deficiencies

2. Gastrointestinal problems

3. Sleep disturbances

4. Physical injuries

The correct answer is: Gastrointestinal problems

When assessing a patient for binge eating disorders, looking for gastrointestinal problems is particularly relevant because these issues often arise due to the nature of the disorder. Individuals who engage in binge eating may consume large quantities of food in a short period, which can lead to various gastrointestinal complaints, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and even constipation or diarrhea. These symptoms are closely tied to the behaviors associated with binge eating and can indicate how the eating disorder is impacting the patient's physical health. While nutritional deficiencies can occur in the context of disordered eating, particularly when a person cycles through periods of restriction, gastrointestinal problems are more directly observable during episodes of binge eating. Sleep disturbances might be present due to the psychological aspects of the disorder, and physical injuries could arise from behavioral patterns associated with binge eating, but they are not as directly indicative of the disorder itself as gastrointestinal issues are.