ATI RN
Behavioral Health Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
A black patient says to a white nurse, 'There's no sense talking about how I feel. You wouldn't understand because you live in a white world.' The nurse's best action would be to
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it demonstrates active listening and empathy, inviting the patient to share their perspective. By asking for an example, the nurse acknowledges the patient's feelings and opens up a dialogue for better understanding. Explanation of other choices: A: This choice dismisses the patient's unique experiences and feelings, lacking empathy. C: This choice could come off as minimizing the patient's concerns and not addressing the core issue of feeling misunderstood. D: Changing the subject avoids addressing the patient's feelings and could lead to further disconnect.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is working with a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia. The patient reports hearing voices and states, 'The voices tell me to hurt myself.' What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the priority in this situation is to ensure the patient's safety. By ensuring the patient is in a safe environment and assessing for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the nurse can prevent harm to the patient. Encouraging reality-based activities (B) and providing reassurance (C) may not address the immediate risk of harm posed by the voices. Asking about the content of the voices and validating their experiences (D) may be important for understanding the patient's perspective, but safety should come first.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The patient states, 'I feel like I have failed in everything I've done.' What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Assess the patient for suicidal thoughts and plans. Rationale: 1. Suicidal ideation is a serious concern in major depressive disorder. 2. It is crucial to assess the patient's current risk for self-harm. 3. Assessing for suicidal thoughts and plans allows for appropriate safety measures to be implemented. 4. This intervention addresses the immediate safety of the patient. Summary: - Option A focuses on positivity but does not address the risk of harm. - Option B offers reassurance but does not directly address suicidal ideation. - Option D suggests a treatment modality but does not address the immediate safety concern.
Question 4 of 5
The desired outcome for a patient experiencing insomnia is, 'Patient will sleep for a minimum of 5 hours nightly within 7 days.' At the end of 7 days, review of sleep data shows the patient sleeps an average of 4 hours nightly and takes a 2-hour afternoon nap. The nurse will document the outcome as
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: never demonstrated. This is because the patient did not meet the desired outcome of sleeping for a minimum of 5 hours nightly within 7 days. Despite taking a 2-hour afternoon nap, the average nightly sleep is still below the target. Choice A, B, and C are incorrect because the patient did not consistently, often, or sometimes demonstrate the desired outcome as specified in the question. The key factor in determining the correct answer is comparing the actual outcome (4 hours of sleep) to the desired outcome (minimum of 5 hours of sleep).
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with bulimia nervosa. The patient states, 'I feel so ashamed after I eat.' What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Empathy: By acknowledging the patient's feelings of shame, the nurse validates their emotions and shows understanding. 2. Therapeutic Communication: Expressing empathy creates a supportive environment and encourages the patient to open up about their struggles. 3. Building Trust: Acknowledging the patient's emotions helps in building a trusting nurse-patient relationship, essential for effective care. 4. Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior: By stating "we are here to help you," the nurse encourages the patient to seek assistance and engage in treatment. Summary: A: This response oversimplifies the issue and doesn't address the patient's emotional needs. C: Ignoring the patient's feelings and focusing solely on eating habits may be counterproductive. D: This response lacks empathy and fails to provide the necessary support for the patient's emotional well-being.