ATI RN
Nursing Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A child and the child's family visit a psychiatric outpatient setting because the parent is concerned about the child's behavior at school. The child scores 65 on the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. The nurse interprets this finding as which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The child can be treated effectively as an outpatient. A GAF score of 65 indicates mild symptoms and the child is able to function adequately in most areas. The child does not require inpatient therapy (choice A) as the symptoms are not severe. There is no indication of homicidal thoughts (choice B) based on the GAF score. While the child may be struggling in some areas, the score suggests that they are functioning relatively well overall and can benefit from outpatient treatment (choice D).
Question 2 of 9
A patient begins a new program to assist with building social skills. In which part of the plan of care should a nurse record the item, "Encourage patient to attend one psychoeducational group daily"?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: 1. Implementation involves carrying out the plan of care. 2. Encouraging the patient to attend a group aligns with implementing the intervention. 3. Implementation focuses on executing specific interventions to achieve desired outcomes. 4. Assessment (A) is about gathering data, analysis (B) is about identifying problems, and evaluation (D) is about assessing the effectiveness of interventions.
Question 3 of 9
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 4 of 9
A patient undergoing diagnostic tests says, "Nothing is wrong with me except a stubborn chest col" The spouse reports the patient smokes, coughs daily, lost 15 pounds, and is easily fatigue Which defense mechanism is the patient using?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Denial. This defense mechanism involves refusing to acknowledge a stressful situation or reality. In this case, the patient is denying their serious health issues by attributing it to just a "stubborn chest cold." The patient's symptoms of smoking, daily coughing, weight loss, and fatigue indicate a more significant health concern that is being downplayed through denial. A: Displacement involves redirecting emotions from the original source to a less threatening target, not applicable here. B: Regression involves reverting to an earlier stage of development in the face of stress, not relevant to the scenario. C: Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others, not demonstrated in this situation. In summary, denial is the most appropriate defense mechanism as it aligns with the patient's refusal to acknowledge the seriousness of their health issues.
Question 5 of 9
The dying patient with a neurocognitive disorder such as Alzheimer's disease is especially challenging to provide care for. They may have symptoms or pain that they are unable to adequately describe or define. Reversible conditions that respond to treatment that may affect level of consciousness, anxiety, or agitation include:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Distended bladder, constipation, or nausea. These conditions can cause discomfort and affect the patient's level of consciousness, anxiety, or agitation. Addressing these reversible conditions can improve the patient's overall well-being. Other choices are incorrect because: A: Inability to communicate does not directly address the reversible physical conditions affecting the patient's symptoms. C: Reduced urinary output may be a symptom of underlying issues, but it does not directly address the reversible conditions mentioned in the question. D: Weakness due to the dying process is a natural progression and not a reversible condition that responds to treatment to improve the patient's symptoms.
Question 6 of 9
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.
Question 7 of 9
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 8 of 9
A nursing instructor is preparing a teaching plan for a group of nursing students who will be working with homeless populations. As part of the class, the instructor will be including information about barriers to successful treatment of homeless clients who are mentally ill. Which reason would the instructor include as contributing to lack of compliance with psychotropic medications?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lack of proper medication storage. Homeless individuals may lack access to safe and secure storage for medications, leading to issues such as loss, theft, or spoilage. This can result in inconsistent or missed doses, affecting treatment effectiveness. Other choices are incorrect because: A: Mistrust of medical personnel may be a barrier to seeking care but does not directly relate to medication compliance. C: Chemical dependence on prescription medications is a separate issue and not necessarily a common barrier for homeless individuals. D: Lack of motivation and literacy skills can impact overall engagement in treatment but may not specifically address medication storage as a barrier.
Question 9 of 9
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.