Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

What is a likely result of injury to the satiety center in the brain?

1. Loss of appetite

2. Overeating

3. Decreased metabolism

4. Food aversion

The correct answer is: Overeating

Injury to the satiety center in the brain affects the body's ability to regulate hunger and fullness signals. The satiety center, primarily located in the hypothalamus, plays a critical role in signaling when the body has had enough to eat. When this center is damaged, the regulatory mechanisms that usually promote feelings of fullness fail to function properly. As a result, individuals may not receive the proper cues to stop eating, leading to increased food intake and potential overeating. This condition can consequently contribute to obesity and related health issues. Enhanced appetite and the inability to regulate food consumption are direct consequences of such an injury, making overeating the most likely outcome. The other choices relate to responses that do not align with the impact of damaging the satiety center. Loss of appetite, decreased metabolism, and food aversion typically occur with other types of brain injury or conditions that influence appetite regulation differently, rather than directly caused by injury to the satiety center itself.