What finding should a nurse expect when assessing a client with bulimia nervosa?

When assessing a client with bulimia nervosa, one of the most common findings is dental caries. This occurs due to frequent vomiting, which exposes the teeth to stomach acid. The high acidity can wear down enamel and lead to cavities and other dental issues, such as erosion of the teeth, sensitivity, and gum disease. Regular exposure to this acid environment contributes significantly to the oral health problems often observed in individuals with bulimia nervosa.

The other options may present in differing contexts, but they do not align as directly with the manifestations typical of bulimia nervosa. For instance, severe dehydration could occur in extreme cases of bulimia due to fluid loss from vomiting, but it is not as universally present as dental caries. High potassium levels can occur but are generally more associated with certain physiological responses rather than a direct consequence of bulimia specifically. Increased weight is often contrary to what is expected, as individuals with bulimia may fluctuate in weight or maintain a normal weight despite binge and purge behaviors. Thus, dental caries stands out as a direct and frequent consequence of the repeated oral exposure to gastric acid associated with bulimia nervosa.