ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Test Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a group of hospitalized patients with various psychiatric diagnoses. The nurse identifies which patient as having the greatest risk for a suicide attempt?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Man with major depressive disorder. Patients with major depressive disorder have a higher risk of suicide due to the intense feelings of hopelessness and despair associated with the condition. Individuals with depression may experience suicidal ideation and have a higher likelihood of attempting suicide. Bipolar I disorder (
A) may also present a risk, but major depressive disorder has a more consistent association with suicide. Acute stress disorder (
B) typically does not have as direct a link to suicide as major depressive disorder. Somatoform disorder (
D) is characterized by physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation and is not specifically linked to an increased risk of suicide.
Question 2 of 5
A 20-year-old man arrives at the emergency department by ambulance. He is unconscious, with slow respirations and pinpoint pupils. There are 'tracks' visible on his arms. The friend who came with him reports that the client had just 'shot up' heroin when he became unconscious. Which medication would the nurse most likely expect to administer?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Naloxone. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. In this case, the man's symptoms of slow respirations and pinpoint pupils are indicative of opioid overdose. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing and consciousness. Naltrexone (
B) is used for opioid addiction treatment but not for acute overdose reversal. Bupropion (
C) is an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid, not indicated for opioid overdose. Varenicline (
D) is a smoking cessation aid and is not used for opioid overdose reversal.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is developing a plan of care integrating Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Which of the following would the nurse identify as the priority?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Activity level. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs like food, water, and rest are the most basic and essential for survival. Activity level falls under the physiological needs category and takes precedence over other needs like social acceptance or self-image. Without meeting the basic physiological needs, an individual's health and well-being would be compromised.
Choices B, C, and D are related to higher-level needs such as social belonging and self-esteem, which become important once the lower-level physiological needs are satisfied.
Question 4 of 5
Research supports which intervention implemented on a long-term basis significantly reduces the incidence of suicide and suicide attempts in a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Lithium. Research has shown that long-term use of lithium significantly reduces the risk of suicide and suicide attempts in patients with bipolar disorder. Lithium helps stabilize mood, reduce impulsivity, and lower the risk of suicidal behavior.
- A: SSRIs may worsen symptoms in some patients with bipolar disorder and can increase the risk of suicidal behavior.
- B: ECT is used for severe cases of depression or mania but is not a primary intervention for preventing suicide in bipolar disorder.
- C: One-on-one observation can be helpful in preventing immediate suicide attempts but is not a long-term solution for reducing suicide risk in bipolar disorder.
Question 5 of 5
A newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder has gained 20 pounds over a few months and has suicidal ideation. The patient has taken antidepressant medication for 1 week without remission of symptoms. Select the priority nursing diagnosis.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis in this scenario is C: Risk for suicide. This is because the patient's suicidal ideation poses an immediate threat to their safety and needs to be addressed urgently to ensure their well-being. The patient's weight gain and lack of symptom improvement with antidepressants are important factors but do not take precedence over the risk of suicide. Imbalanced nutrition and chronic low self-esteem are not the priority as they are not immediately life-threatening. Hopelessness is also important but addressing the risk for suicide takes precedence in this critical situation.