ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has schizophrenia and is prescribed risperidone. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Rise slowly from a sitting position. This instruction is crucial because risperidone can cause orthostatic hypotension, leading to dizziness or fainting when standing up quickly. By rising slowly, the client can minimize the risk of falls. Avoiding direct sunlight (
A) is not directly related to risperidone use. Taking the medication on an empty stomach (
C) is not necessary for risperidone. Expecting weight loss (
D) is not a common side effect of risperidone; in fact, weight gain is more common.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse in a psychiatric unit is planning care for a client who has paranoid personality disorder. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Avoid challenging the client’s paranoid beliefs. This is essential because challenging the client's beliefs can lead to increased defensiveness and mistrust. Instead, the nurse should validate the client's feelings without reinforcing the delusions. Encouraging group therapy (choice
A) may exacerbate paranoia by increasing feelings of being scrutinized. Maintaining eye contact (choice
C) may be perceived as threatening. Using humor (choice
D) could be misinterpreted and lead to further distrust.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse in an inpatient mental health facility is planning care for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing delusions. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encourage the client to focus on reality-based topics. This intervention is appropriate because it helps the client ground themselves in reality and potentially reduce the intensity of their delusions. By redirecting the client's focus to reality-based topics, the nurse can help them challenge and eventually overcome their delusions.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Agreeing with delusional beliefs can reinforce them, discussing delusions in detail may exacerbate them, and providing frequent reassurance about safety may not address the underlying issue of delusions.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings for a client who is taking valproic acid. Which of the following results should the nurse report to the provider?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: ALT 65 units/L. Elevated ALT levels indicate potential liver damage, a known side effect of valproic acid. The nurse should report this to the provider for further evaluation. Platelets, AST, and WBC levels are within normal ranges, so they do not require immediate reporting. In summary, the correct answer is focused on a potential serious side effect related to the medication, while the other choices are not directly linked to valproic acid or indicate normal laboratory values.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is planning care for a client who has bipolar disorder and is experiencing a depressive episode. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Provide frequent rest periods. During a depressive episode in bipolar disorder, the client may experience fatigue and lack of motivation. Providing frequent rest periods allows for adequate relaxation and helps to conserve energy. This intervention supports the client in managing their symptoms and promotes self-care.
A: Encouraging excessive physical activity may exacerbate fatigue and worsen symptoms during a depressive episode.
C: Discouraging interaction with others may increase feelings of isolation and worsen depressive symptoms.
D: Implementing a rigid daily routine may add pressure and stress to the client, which can be counterproductive during a depressive episode.