ATI LPN
ATI LPN Mental Health Quiz Chapters Questions
Question 1 of 5
A female client's husband, in whom a chronic illness was recently diagnosed, is hospitalized. She states that she cannot stop worrying about what is going to happen with her husband's treatment and how they are going to pay the bills because he will not be working. What reaction is the client most likely experiencing?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry, fear, and apprehension about future events or uncertain outcomes. In this situation, the client's concerns about her husband's chronic illness diagnosis, his treatment, and financial implications (due to his inability to work) indicate that she is experiencing anxiety. These worries are typical responses to stressful life events and uncertainties. Shock is a sudden and intense emotional reaction typically experienced immediately after a traumatic or unexpected event. While the client may initially experience shock upon hearing her husband's diagnosis, ongoing worry about treatment and financial concerns suggests a more prolonged state of anxiety rather than acute shock. Withdrawal refers to a disengagement or retreat from social interactions or activities. There is no indication in the scenario that the client is withdrawing from social interactions. Rather, she is actively expressing concerns and seeking support, which is inconsistent with withdrawal. Anger involves feelings of hostility, frustration, or resentment towards others or situations. While anger could potentially arise in response to the stressors described, the primary emotion expressed by the client in this scenario is worry and concern, which aligns more closely with anxiety than anger.
Question 2 of 5
Which instruction should the nurse give a client who is prescribed lithium carbonate (lithium)?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is excreted primarily by the kidneys, and its clearance can be affected by changes in fluid balance. It's important for clients taking lithium to maintain a stable and adequate fluid intake to help regulate lithium levels in the body. Stable fluid intake helps maintain electrolyte balance, which is crucial for the proper function of lithium and prevention of adverse effects. Lithium can affect sodium reabsorption in the kidneys. High levels of sodium intake can alter lithium levels in the body, potentially leading to toxicity.
Therefore, clients on lithium therapy are often advised to maintain a consistent and moderate level of sodium intake. Excessive dietary salt can interfere with lithium's therapeutic effects. Restricting fluid intake is not recommended unless there are specific medical reasons to do so. Lithium therapy generally requires adequate hydration to maintain kidney function and prevent dehydration, which can affect lithium levels. Exercising in hot weather can lead to increased sweating and fluid loss, which can potentially affect lithium levels by altering hydration status. However, the primary concern during exercise in hot weather is maintaining adequate hydration rather than restricting it.
Question 3 of 5
Hospitalization of a client with a dissociative disorder is required in which situation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dissociative amnesia is characterized by significant memory loss that cannot be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. If a client experiences sudden travel and cannot remember how they arrived at a distant location, it could indicate dissociative amnesia. Hospitalization is not absolutely necessary. Dissociative disorders are primarily treated with psychotherapy rather than medication adjustments. However, if medication adjustments are necessary for co-occurring conditions or to manage symptoms like anxiety or depression, hospitalization is not necessary. Monitoring of identities is typically done on an outpatient basis, unless there are additional complications or risks identified by a healthcare professional. Dissociative disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS
D) and acute stress disorder, can involve the reliving of traumatic events through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories. Hospitalization may be required if the client experiences severe distress, is at risk of self-harm or harm to others during flashbacks.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is assisting with the admission of a client to an acute mental health unit following a suicide attempt. The client has a history of depression, substance abuse, and anorexia nervosa. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This option is not the first priority because while addressing anorexia nervosa is important, safety concerns related to the suicide attempt and potential substance abuse take precedence. Making a weight gain contract requires the client's cooperation and readiness, which may not be feasible immediately upon admission. This is the most appropriate initial action. One-to-one observation ensures constant monitoring of the client's safety and prevents further harm, such as another suicide attempt or self-harm. Given the client's history of depression and recent suicide attempt, ensuring their safety is paramount. While assessing the severity of depression is crucial, it is secondary to ensuring immediate safety in this context. The client's safety must be established first through continuous observation and intervention. While important to understand the substances involved in the suicide attempt, this action is secondary to ensuring ongoing safety through direct observation.
Toxicology results can guide subsequent treatment decisions but are not as urgent as immediate safety measures.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a 20-year-old college student who has a 2-year history of bulimia nervosa. She tells the nurse, 'I know my eating binges and vomiting are not normal, but I cannot do anything about them.' Which of the following is a therapeutic response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's feelings of helplessness, which can validate her experience and promote further discussion about her emotions and challenges related to her eating disorder. It shows empathy and encourages the client to explore her feelings. While this question is open-ended and invites the client to explore the underlying reasons for her behavior, it might inadvertently suggest that the client should have insights or control over her behavior that she may not currently possess. It could potentially make the client feel blamed or misunderstood if she cannot provide a clear answer. This response is directive and judgmental, which can lead to the client feeling criticized or defensive. It does not acknowledge the complexity of the client's experience and may not be effective in building rapport or promoting trust between the nurse and client. This response acknowledges the client's self-awareness and validates her recognition of the problem, which can be empowering and supportive. However, it does not directly address her expressed feelings of helplessness, making it less therapeutic in this context.