ATI RN
Nursing Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
Indicating that there is no cause for anxiety is to"reassuring" as sanctioning or denouncing the client's ideas or behaviors is to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Approving/disapproving." Reassuring involves alleviating anxiety, similarly, sanctioning or denouncing client's ideas or behaviors involves showing approval or disapproval. Approving/disapproving directly relates to sanctioning or denouncing, making it the most fitting analogy.
B: "Rejecting" is incorrect because it implies a complete dismissal rather than expressing approval or disapproval.
C: "Interpreting" is incorrect as it involves explaining or deciphering the meaning rather than showing approval or disapproval.
D: "Probing" is incorrect as it refers to asking questions or investigating further, which is not related to expressing approval or disapproval.
Question 2 of 5
As part of a class activity, nursing students are engaged in a small group discussion about the epidemiology of mental illness. Which statement best explains the importance of epidemiology in understanding the impact of mental disorders?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because epidemiology focuses on studying the patterns of occurrence and distribution of health-related events, including mental disorders. By analyzing factors such as prevalence, incidence, and risk factors, epidemiology helps identify trends and patterns in the occurrence of mental illnesses within populations. Understanding these patterns can lead to the development of effective prevention strategies and interventions.
Choice B is incorrect because epidemiology primarily deals with population-level data and does not specifically explain neurophysiological mechanisms causing mental disorders.
Choice C is incorrect as epidemiology is concerned with patterns and distribution of diseases, not theoretical explanations.
Choice D is incorrect as epidemiology does not predict individual outcomes for specific clients.
Question 3 of 5
A client is brought into the emergency department because he was involved in an automobile accident. His blood alcohol level (BAL) is 0.10 mg %. Based on this finding, the nurse would expect to assess which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Difficulty with coordination. A BAL of 0.10 mg % indicates the client is legally intoxicated. Alcohol affects the cerebellum, impairing coordination and balance. Stupor (
B) suggests a higher level of intoxication. Emotional lability (
C) refers to rapid and exaggerated changes in mood, which is not directly related to BAL. Ataxia (
D) is a lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements, which is more severe than difficulty with coordination.
Question 4 of 5
An older patient tells the nurse that she is becoming more forgetful. The nurse explains to the patient that this is most likely related to which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Medications. Older patients commonly experience medication side effects that can cause memory issues. Medications like sedatives, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines can impair memory. This is a logical explanation as the patient's forgetfulness could be a result of medication-induced cognitive impairment.
Explanation for other choices:
A: Anxiety - While anxiety can affect memory, it is less likely to be the primary cause of cognitive decline in an older patient.
B: Organic brain syndrome - This term is broad and not specific enough to pinpoint the cause of the forgetfulness in this scenario.
C: Plaques in the brain tissue - Plaques are commonly associated with conditions like Alzheimer's disease, but there is no indication in the question that this patient's forgetfulness is due to this specific pathology.
Question 5 of 5
When a nurse uses therapeutic communication with a withdrawn patient who has major depression, an effective method of managing the silence is to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Use the technique of making observations. This is effective because it acknowledges the patient's silence and encourages them to open up without pressuring them to respond. By making observations, the nurse can reflect back what they see, hear, or sense, prompting the patient to share more.
A: Meditating does not actively engage the patient or encourage communication.
B: Asking questions may overwhelm the withdrawn patient and further discourage them from opening up.
D: Simply sitting quietly and leaving when the patient falls asleep does not actively support the patient in engaging in therapeutic communication.