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.

Try it

Psychiatry · Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa

Sample item

A 16-year-old girl with a BMI of 15, amenorrhoea and intense fear of weight gain, who sees herself as fat, is admitted. Which complication must be watched for during re-feeding?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hypophosphataemia (refeeding syndrome)

Refeeding syndrome follows rapid nutritional rehabilitation, with insulin-driven intracellular shift of phosphate, potassium and magnesium, leading to arrhythmia and failure. Calories are increased gradually with electrolyte monitoring and thiamine.

Option by option

  • A. Hypercalcaemia

    Hypercalcaemia is not characteristic.

  • B. Hypophosphataemia (refeeding syndrome) (correct)

    Correct. Hypophosphataemia is the key feature.

  • C. Hyperglycaemia causing DKA

    Hyperglycaemia is not the typical problem in refeeding.

  • D. Hypernatraemia

    Hypernatraemia is not characteristic.

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.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Hypophosphataemia (refeeding syndrome). Refeeding syndrome follows rapid nutritional rehabilitation, with insulin-driven intracellular shift of phosphate, potassium and magnesium, leading to arrhythmia and failure.

Why is "Hypercalcaemia" not the answer?

Hypercalcaemia is not characteristic.

Why is "Hyperglycaemia causing DKA" not the answer?

Hyperglycaemia is not the typical problem in refeeding.

Why is "Hypernatraemia" not the answer?

Hypernatraemia is not characteristic.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa in Psychiatry. Calories are increased gradually with electrolyte monitoring and thiamine.

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.