ATI RN
Psychiatric Emergency Questions
Question 1 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 2 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 3 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.
Question 4 of 5
During an intake assessment, a nurse asks both physiological and psychosocial questions. The client angrily responds, “I'm here for my heart, not my head problems.†Which is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it provides a logical and evidence-based explanation for why psychosocial questions are relevant to the client's heart condition. By highlighting the connection between psychological factors and medical conditions, the nurse can help the client understand the importance of addressing both aspects for optimal health outcomes. Choice A is incorrect as it simply dismisses the client's concerns without providing a meaningful explanation. Choice B is incorrect as it fails to address the client's resistance and may come off as confrontational. Choice D is incorrect as it undermines the significance of psychosocial questions in the assessment process.
Question 5 of 5
When under stress, a client routinely uses alcohol to excess. When the client's husband finds her drunk, the husband yells at the client about her chronic alcohol abuse. Which action alerts the nurse to the client's use of the defense mechanism of denial?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the client's statement "I don't drink too much!" directly reflects denial, a defense mechanism where individuals refuse to accept reality to protect themselves from uncomfortable truths. This response shows the client's refusal to acknowledge their excessive alcohol use despite clear evidence. A is incorrect because hiding liquor bottles indicates deception, not denial. B is incorrect as yelling at her son for slouching is displacement, not denial. C is incorrect as burning dinner on purpose demonstrates passive-aggressive behavior, not denial. In summary, only answer D directly showcases denial as a defense mechanism in response to the husband's confrontation about alcohol abuse.