ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The unit secretary receives a phone call from the health insurer for a hospitalized patient. The caller seeks information about the patient's projected length of stay. How should the nurse instruct the unit secretary to handle the request?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Refer the request for information to the patient's case manager. The case manager is responsible for coordinating the patient's care, including length of stay discussions with the health insurer. This ensures that the information is handled appropriately and in accordance with privacy regulations.
Incorrect answers:
A: Obtaining information from the medical record and relaying it to the caller may violate patient confidentiality and privacy laws.
B: While patient information is confidential, it is important to address the health insurer's request through the appropriate channels.
D: Referring the request to the health care provider may not be necessary as the case manager is typically the appropriate point of contact for length of stay discussions with the health insurer.
Question 2 of 5
What are the three types of delirium?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: hyperactive, hypoactive, and mixed. Hyperactive delirium involves agitation and restlessness, hypoactive delirium is characterized by reduced activity and lethargy, and mixed delirium includes features of both hyperactive and hypoactive states.
Choice A is incorrect as depression is not a type of delirium.
Choice B is incorrect as confusion is a symptom found in all types of delirium, not a distinct type.
Choice C is incorrect as dementia is a separate condition from delirium.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is interviewing a client admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of depressive disorder. Which is the primary goal in the assessment phase of the nursing process for this client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Step 1: Assessment is the first phase of the nursing process.
Step 2: Collecting and organizing information is crucial to understand the client's current situation.
Step 3: By collecting data, the nurse can identify the client's needs and create an individualized care plan.
Step 4: Building trust and rapport (
Choice
A) is important but is more focused on the therapeutic relationship, which is part of the implementation phase.
Step 5: Identifying goals and outcomes (
Choice
B) is part of the planning phase.
Step 6: Identifying and validating the medical diagnosis (
Choice
D) is the responsibility of the healthcare provider and is not the primary goal of the nursing assessment.
Question 4 of 5
After working with a patient who has a history of violent behavior to identify possible clues that suggest that his behavior is escalating, the nurse and patient develop a plan for prevention. Which strategy would they be least likely to include?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Turning up the music loud. This strategy would be least likely to be included because it does not directly address the escalation of violent behavior. Counting to 10 and taking slow deep breaths are both commonly used techniques to help manage anger and prevent escalation. Taking a voluntary time out is also effective in creating a safe space to de-escalate. Turning up the music loud may serve as a distraction, but it does not actively address the underlying issues or help the patient stay in control of their emotions.
Question 5 of 5
A client is diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and is prescribed medication therapy. Which agent would the nurse expect to administer to the client to obtain the quickest relief from anxiety symptoms?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Alprazolam. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine that works quickly to alleviate anxiety symptoms due to its rapid onset of action. It enhances the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity, providing immediate relief. Buspirone (
A) may take weeks to reach full effect. Venlafaxine (
B) is an SNRI that also takes time to show efficacy. Imipramine (
D) is a tricyclic antidepressant with delayed onset of action and is not typically used as a first-line treatment for anxiety.