Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE) Practice test

Which assessment finding may indicate the severity of Susan's eating disorder?

1. Denial of hunger

2. Gastric distention

3. Low potassium levels

4. Excessive exercise

The correct answer is: Low potassium levels

The assessment finding that may indicate the severity of Susan's eating disorder is low potassium levels. In eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa or bulimia, electrolyte imbalances are common due to inadequate food intake, purging behavior, or both. Potassium is a crucial electrolyte that plays a vital role in heart function and muscle contraction. Low potassium levels can lead to serious complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias, which indicate a more severe illness requiring immediate medical attention. The presence of hypokalemia (low potassium levels) serves as a significant medical marker of the physiological impact of the eating disorder, highlighting the potential for life-threatening conditions. Monitoring potassium levels is essential in these cases, as it can guide treatment decisions and assess the risks associated with the eating disorder's physical effects. In contrast, denial of hunger, gastric distention, and excessive exercise can indicate aspects of the eating disorder but do not provide the same level of direct insight into the immediate physiological dangers faced by the patient. These factors are important in understanding the overall psychological and behavioral symptoms of an eating disorder but lack the critical urgency that low potassium levels represent in assessing the severity of the condition.