ATI RN
ATI RN Mental Health Asn Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client following a recent suicide attempt. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Inspect the client's personal belongings. This action is crucial to ensure the safety of the client by identifying any potentially harmful items that could be used for another suicide attempt. Placing metal utensils (
A) on the tray could pose a risk. Assigning to a private room (
B) may isolate the client further. Tucking bedcovers (
D) could restrict movement. Other choices are not relevant.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is counseling a client for the management of anxiety. The client is consistently late for appointments and ignores household chores. The client states, "I'm just too stressed. I need someone to take care of me.” The nurse identifies this behavior as an example of which of the following defense mechanisms?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Regression. Regression is a defense mechanism where an individual reverts to an earlier stage of development when faced with stressful situations. In this scenario, the client's behavior of being consistently late and avoiding responsibilities reflects a regression to a state where they feel the need to be taken care of, like a child seeking comfort from a caregiver. This behavior is a way of coping with anxiety by seeking refuge in a familiar and less demanding role. Dissociation (
A) involves disconnecting from reality to avoid distress, introjection (
B) is internalizing the qualities of others, and repression (
D) is unconsciously suppressing unwanted thoughts or memories.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse in a mental health clinic is attempting to develop a therapeutic relationship with a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Set limits for the relationship. In a therapeutic relationship, setting boundaries and limits is crucial to establish a safe and professional environment. This helps the client understand the expectations and maintain appropriate behavior. By setting limits, the nurse can ensure a therapeutic focus and prevent any potential harm or misunderstandings.
Choice B (Promote the use of transference by the client) is incorrect because encouraging transference can lead to unrealistic expectations and hinder the therapeutic process.
Choice C (Instruct the client on how he should behave) is incorrect as it undermines the client's autonomy and may create a power dynamic.
Choice D (Engage in friendly interactions with the client) is incorrect as it blurs professional boundaries and may lead to a lack of objectivity.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is conducting a group therapy session for several clients. The group is laughing at a joke one of the clients told, when a client who is schizophrenic jumps up and runs out of the room yelling, "You are all making fun of me!" The nurse should identify this behavior as which of the following characteristics of schizophrenia?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Ideas of reference. This behavior is indicative of ideas of reference, a common symptom of schizophrenia where individuals believe that neutral events or comments are directed at them personally. In this case, the client's perception of laughter at a joke led them to believe it was directed towards them, triggering a paranoid reaction. This is different from magical thinking (
A) which involves belief in unrealistic events, delusions of grandeur (
B) which involves exaggerated beliefs in one's importance, and looseness of association (
D) which is characterized by disconnected thoughts. The other choices are not relevant to the scenario provided.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has major depressive disorder and was prescribed citalopram 2 weeks ago with a planned dosage increase 1 week ago. The client reports having an improved appetite but still feels very depressed and is still having trouble sleeping. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Explain that antidepressants often take several weeks to be fully effective. Citalopram, an SSRI, typically takes 2-4 weeks to show significant improvement in depressive symptoms. It is important for the nurse to educate the client about this delayed onset of action to manage expectations and encourage adherence to the medication regimen. Adding an MAOI (
A) is not indicated and can lead to dangerous interactions. Changing the medication (
C) prematurely may not be necessary before allowing sufficient time for citalopram to work. A sleep study (
D) is not warranted at this stage as the primary issue is depression, not solely related to sleep disturbances.