ATI RN
Psychiatric Emergency Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 79-year-old client admits that his daughter hits him while helping him dress each morning. What is the appropriate nursing action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: The nurse is required to make sure the proper authority is informed. In this situation, the nurse has a duty to report any form of elder abuse to the appropriate authorities to ensure the client's safety and well-being. Reporting to the proper authority can lead to interventions to protect the client from further harm. Incorrect answers: A: The family member is to be charged for his offense - This is not the nurse's role and may escalate the situation. B: It is a requirement that he be removed for his safety - Removing the client may not address the root cause of the abuse. D: A competency hearing must be scheduled for the client - Competency is not the primary concern in this case; the focus should be on addressing the abuse.
Question 2 of 5
A child is admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of conduct disorder. The nurse would expect to find which of the following symptoms?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: History of cruelty towards people and animals. Conduct disorder is characterized by persistent patterns of behavior that violate the rights of others, such as aggression towards people or animals. This behavior includes physical harm or cruelty. This symptom is a key feature of conduct disorder and distinguishes it from other disorders. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the typical symptoms of conduct disorder. High anxiety related to separation from home and family (B) is more indicative of separation anxiety disorder. Constant complaints of physical symptoms (C) are more characteristic of somatic symptom disorder. Confabulation when confronted with inappropriate behaviors (D) is not a typical feature of conduct disorder.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is assessing the client in a fugue state. What assessment findings would the nurse recognize as most significant to experiencing a fugue state?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because a recent history of severe trauma is most significant to experiencing a fugue state. Fugue state is often triggered by severe trauma or stress, causing a person to temporarily lose their sense of identity and wander aimlessly. Choice A, depersonalization, is more related to dissociative disorders rather than fugue state. Choice B, depressive symptoms, may be present but are not specific to a fugue state. Choice C, childhood trauma, may contribute to dissociative disorders but is not directly linked to experiencing a fugue state. Therefore, the recent history of severe trauma is the most relevant assessment finding in this scenario.
Question 4 of 5
A client is diagnosed with agoraphobia. Which question indicates the nurse understands the etiology related to this disorder?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because agoraphobia is characterized by a fear of places or situations where escape might be difficult. Asking about specific places causing fear demonstrates understanding of the etiology. Choice B is incorrect as parental support is not directly related to agoraphobia. Choice C is incorrect as impulse control issues are not a primary feature of agoraphobia. Choice D is incorrect as feeling like the mind goes blank is not a typical symptom of agoraphobia.
Question 5 of 5
At which point would the nurse determine that a client is at risk for developing a mental illness?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step 1: Mental illness involves maladaptive responses and interference in daily functioning. Step 2: Maladaptive responses + interference = risk for mental illness. Step 3: Choice B states maladaptive responses + interference, aligning with the risk factors for mental illness. Summary: Choices A, C, and D do not specifically address the key factors of maladaptive responses and interference in daily functioning, which are crucial indicators of being at risk for developing a mental illness.