CBN CBN Psychological & Behavioral Support 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which eating behavior is most associated with poor long-term weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery?
- Grazing (frequent small unplanned eating) (Correct answer)
- Eating three structured meals per day
- Taking 30 minutes per meal
- Avoiding carbonated beverages
Correct answer: Grazing (frequent small unplanned eating)
Grazing behavior — repeated unplanned eating of small amounts throughout the day — is strongly associated with weight regain after bariatric surgery.
Question 2: A bariatric nurse notices a patient is exhibiting signs of food addiction post-surgery. The BEST next step is:
- Refer to a multidisciplinary team including a psychologist and dietitian (Correct answer)
- Increase frequency of follow-up weigh-ins only
- Prescribe appetite suppressants
- Advise strict liquid diet reinstatement
Correct answer: Refer to a multidisciplinary team including a psychologist and dietitian
Food addiction requires a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach involving psychological and nutritional support rather than single-modality management.
Question 3: Motivational interviewing is used in bariatric nursing primarily to:
- Strengthen a patient's motivation and commitment to behavioral change (Correct answer)
- Educate patients about surgical risks
- Assess insurance eligibility for surgery
- Monitor postoperative complications
Correct answer: Strengthen a patient's motivation and commitment to behavioral change
Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered counseling style used to explore ambivalence and strengthen intrinsic motivation for lifestyle changes.
Question 4: A bariatric patient reports feeling socially isolated after surgery due to changed eating habits. The nurse should FIRST:
- Connect the patient with a bariatric support group (Correct answer)
- Advise the patient to avoid social gatherings involving food
- Recommend psychiatric hospitalization
- Increase postoperative dietary restrictions to provide structure
Correct answer: Connect the patient with a bariatric support group
Bariatric support groups provide peer connection, shared experiences, and practical strategies for navigating social situations around food.
Question 5: Which of the following is a RED FLAG for psychiatric contraindication to bariatric surgery?
- Active, uncontrolled psychosis (Correct answer)
- Mild anxiety managed with medication
- History of depression in remission for 2 years
- Single past episode of substance use 5 years ago
Correct answer: Active, uncontrolled psychosis
Active uncontrolled psychosis is a contraindication to bariatric surgery as it impairs the patient's ability to adhere to postoperative requirements.
Question 6: When providing behavioral support for a bariatric patient, the nurse should prioritize:
- Building the patient's self-efficacy for lifestyle change (Correct answer)
- Focusing exclusively on caloric restriction targets
- Emphasizing the cosmetic benefits of weight loss
- Restricting discussion to surgical outcomes only
Correct answer: Building the patient's self-efficacy for lifestyle change
Building self-efficacy — the patient's confidence in their ability to make and sustain changes — is a core behavioral nursing intervention for long-term success.
CBN CBN Psychological & Behavioral Support 2
Which eating behavior is most associated with poor long-term weight loss outcomes after bariatric surgery?