Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa

Sample item

Which laboratory abnormality is particularly dangerous in a severely malnourished patient with anorexia nervosa who begins nutritional rehabilitation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hypophosphataemia

Refeeding increases insulin secretion and drives phosphate into cells, risking severe hypophosphataemia, arrhythmia, weakness and respiratory failure. Nutrition must be restarted carefully.

Option by option

  • A. Hypernatraemia

    Sodium disorders may occur but are not the signature refeeding shift.

  • B. Hypophosphataemia (correct)

    Correct. Low phosphate is central to refeeding syndrome.

  • C. Hypercalcaemia

    Hypercalcaemia is not the classic acute refeeding risk.

  • D. Raised ferritin only

    Ferritin is not the key life-threatening electrolyte issue.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Hypophosphataemia. Refeeding increases insulin secretion and drives phosphate into cells, risking severe hypophosphataemia, arrhythmia, weakness and respiratory failure.

Why is "Hypernatraemia" not the answer?

Sodium disorders may occur but are not the signature refeeding shift.

Why is "Hypercalcaemia" not the answer?

Hypercalcaemia is not the classic acute refeeding risk.

Why is "Raised ferritin only" not the answer?

Ferritin is not the key life-threatening electrolyte issue.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa in Psychiatry. Nutrition must be restarted carefully.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.