ATI RN
Population Based Health Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 35-year-old woman who is being interviewed by the advanced practice nurse indicates that she has few friends, fears criticism from others, and withholds information about her thoughts and feelings because she anticipates a negative reaction. Based on these data, the nurse suspects that Sarah may later be diagnosed as having:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Avoidant personality disorder. This is because the woman's fear of criticism, reluctance to share thoughts and feelings, and limited social interactions are characteristic of avoidant personality disorder. Individuals with this disorder have intense feelings of inadequacy, fear of rejection, and avoid situations where they may be criticized or judged. Choice A: Borderline personality disorder is not the correct answer because individuals with borderline personality disorder typically have unstable relationships, impulsivity, and a fear of abandonment. Choice B: Histrionic personality disorder is not the correct answer as individuals with this disorder seek attention and exhibit dramatic and attention-seeking behavior, which is not indicated in the scenario. Choice D: Schizoid personality disorder is not the correct answer as individuals with this disorder tend to have a limited range of emotional expression and lack interest in forming social relationships, which does not align with the woman's fear of criticism and desire to avoid negative reactions.
Question 2 of 5
Which of the following behaviors is most consistent with bulimia nervosa?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Binge eating followed by vomiting or use of laxatives. This behavior is most consistent with bulimia nervosa as it involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like self-induced vomiting or laxative use. This pattern of behavior is a key diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa. A: Severe food restriction and extreme weight loss is more indicative of anorexia nervosa, not bulimia nervosa. C: Excessive exercise and rigid dietary rules may be seen in various eating disorders, but it is not specific to bulimia nervosa. D: Overeating without attempts to control food intake is more characteristic of binge eating disorder, not bulimia nervosa.
Question 3 of 5
A psychiatric technician asks the nurse to explain the difference between schizotypal personality disorder and schizophrenia. The information that should serve as the basis for the nurse's response is the fact that with schizotypal personality disorder:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: There may be misinterpretation of events but not psychosis. In schizotypal personality disorder, individuals may have odd beliefs, behaviors, and experiences, leading to misinterpretation of events, but they do not typically experience full-blown psychosis as seen in schizophrenia. This is a key distinction between the two disorders. Choice A is incorrect because schizophrenia is characterized by more severe disorganization of thoughts and behaviors. Choice C is incorrect as individuals with schizotypal personality disorder typically do not require long hospitalizations compared to those with schizophrenia. Choice D is incorrect as individuals with schizotypal personality disorder tend to be more socially isolated and have difficulty forming close relationships.
Question 4 of 5
A patient with antisocial personality disorder tells Nurse A, 'You're a much better nurse than Nurse B said you were.' The patient tells Nurse B, 'Nurse A's upset with you for some reason.' To Nurse C the patient states, 'You'd like to think you're perfect, but I've seen three of your mistakes this morning.' Which nursing intervention would be most helpful for addressing this behavior?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold a weekly staff meeting to discuss feelings and conflicts related to such behavior. This intervention promotes open communication among staff members to address and understand the patient's behavior. It allows for collaboration in managing challenging situations and ensures consistency in approach. Confronting the patient (B) may escalate the behavior and damage the therapeutic relationship. Ignoring inappropriate behavior (C) does not address the underlying issues and may lead to staff frustration. Evaluating for medication increase or transfer (D) should be considered only after non-pharmacological interventions have been exhausted.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse has recently set limits for a patient with borderline personality disorder. The patient tells the nurse, 'You used to care about me. I thought you were wonderful. Now I can see I was mistaken. You're hateful.' Which phenomenon is represented by this response?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Splitting. Splitting is a defense mechanism commonly seen in individuals with borderline personality disorder where they perceive others as either all good or all bad. In this scenario, the patient's sudden shift from viewing the nurse as wonderful to hateful demonstrates splitting. The patient is unable to integrate both positive and negative aspects of the nurse's behavior, leading to extreme and polarized perceptions. Choice B: Denial involves refusing to accept reality to protect oneself from uncomfortable truths, which is not demonstrated in this response. Choice C: Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where an individual behaves in a way that is opposite to their true feelings, which is not evident in the patient's response. Choice D: Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings onto someone else, which is not the case in this scenario.