ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
Two months ago, Natasha's husband died suddenly and she has been overwhelmed with grief. When Natasha is subsequently diagnosed with major depressive disorder, her daughter, Nadia, makes which true statement?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Depression often begins after a major loss. Losing dad was a major loss.
Rationale: Natasha's sudden loss of her husband is a significant life event that can trigger major depressive disorder. The stress and grief from the loss can lead to the development of depression.
Summary of other choices:
B: Bereavement and depression are not the same problem. While bereavement can lead to depression, they are distinct experiences.
C: Mourning is a normal process of grieving and not considered pathological behavior.
D: Antidepressant medications can be effective in treating depression, including depression triggered by a major loss.
Question 2 of 5
A female nurse had been sexually assaulted as a teenager. She finds it difficult to work with patients who have undergone the same trauma. What is the most helpful response?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Discussing these feelings with a mental health professional. This option is the most helpful response because it addresses the nurse's emotional distress and offers professional support to help her process and cope with her trauma. By seeking help from a mental health professional, the nurse can work through her feelings and develop strategies to handle her difficulties working with trauma patients.
A: Discussing with the nurse supervisor may provide some support, but a mental health professional is better equipped to address the nurse's emotional needs.
B: Requesting patient assignment changes may avoid the issue temporarily, but it does not address the root cause of the nurse's distress.
D: While important, accepting her role in providing unbiased care does not directly address the nurse's emotional struggles and may not be sufficient in helping her cope with her trauma-related difficulties.
Question 3 of 5
A forty-year-old client in the therapist's office coughs and makes awkward sounds when the therapist chooses to talk about his childhood sexual abuse. Where does this reflexive behavior stem from?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the id, according to Freudian psychology, is the part of the psyche that operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification without considering consequences. In this scenario, the client's coughing and awkward sounds stem from an unconscious defense mechanism triggered by the uncomfortable topic of childhood sexual abuse. This reflexive behavior is a way for the client's mind to protect itself from the distressing emotions associated with the discussion.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the underlying psychological mechanism driving the client's behavior and do not align with the principles of Freudian theory.
Question 4 of 5
What is a true statement about NCLEX drag-and-drop test items?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because NCLEX drag-and-drop test items typically show a split computer screen where candidates can drag and drop items into different categories or sequences. This format allows for interactive and hands-on assessment of the test taker's understanding and application of concepts. This feature helps simulate real-world scenarios and test critical thinking skills.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect:
A: They can use every answer option if designed to do so.
B: They can test prioritization by requiring candidates to organize information or actions in a specific order.
D: They do not make up 50 percent of test items; the percentage varies, and they are just one of the item types used in the NCLEX exam.
Question 5 of 5
A 4-year-old child is unable to consider another child's ideas about playing house. This situation is an example of which concept of Piaget's theory of cognitive development?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Egocentrism. At the preoperational stage (2-7 years) in Piaget's theory, children struggle with understanding others' perspectives, known as egocentrism. In this case, the 4-year-old child's inability to consider another child's ideas about playing house reflects egocentrism. The child is only able to see things from their own point of view and struggles to understand that others may have different thoughts or viewpoints. This lack of perspective-taking is a key characteristic of egocentrism at this stage of cognitive development.
Now, let's analyze why the other choices are incorrect:
A: Object permanence - This concept is related to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not seen. It is typically developed in the sensorimotor stage (0-2 years), not in the preoperational stage where the child in the question falls.
B: Reversibility and spatiality - Reversibility