ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam 2023 PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
A citizen at a community health fair asks the nurse, 'What is the most prevalent mental disorder in the United States?' Select the nurse's correct response.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Alzheimer's disease. This is because Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent mental disorder in the United States, affecting a large number of individuals, especially in older age groups. Schizophrenia (A) and bipolar disorder (B) are serious mental illnesses, but they are less common than Alzheimer's disease. Dissociative fugue (C) is a rare disorder characterized by amnesia and sudden travel away from home. While all these disorders are significant, Alzheimer's disease stands out as the most prevalent in the U.S. based on epidemiological data.
Question 2 of 5
When responding to the patient in question 7, the intervention that takes priority is to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Arrange shelter. Priority is to address the immediate physical needs of the patient first. Providing shelter ensures safety and basic human needs are met. This intervention takes precedence over other options. A: Reducing anxiety is important but not the priority. C: Contacting family is not urgent for immediate safety. D: Hospitalization is a last resort and should only be considered if there is imminent danger to the patient's life.
Question 3 of 5
The school nurse has been alerted to the fact that an 8-year-old boy routinely playacts as a police officer 'locking up' other children on the playground to the point where the children get scared. The nurse recognizes that this behavior is most likely an indication of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: A potential symptom of traumatization. This behavior of playacting as a police officer and causing fear in other children can be a red flag for trauma. Trauma can manifest in various ways in children, including through aggressive or controlling behaviors. The boy may be reenacting a traumatic event he witnessed or experienced, using the role of a police officer to process his feelings of powerlessness or fear. It is important for the nurse to consider the possibility of trauma and address it appropriately. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not directly address the concerning behavior displayed by the child. The behavior is not simply about the need to dominate others, inventing traumatic events, or developing close relationships. Instead, it suggests deeper psychological distress that requires a trauma-informed approach for intervention.
Question 4 of 5
After teaching a class about factors that enhance the risk of suicide, the instructor determines the need for additional teaching when the class identifies which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cautiousness. Cautiousness is not a risk factor for suicide; in fact, being cautious can be a protective factor. Factors like family history of suicide (A), delusions (C), and experiencing loss (D) are known risk factors for suicide. Family history increases susceptibility, delusions may distort reality, and experiencing loss can contribute to feelings of hopelessness. Therefore, the need for additional teaching is identified when the class incorrectly associates cautiousness with suicide risk.
Question 5 of 5
When engaged in a nontherapeutic relationship, which of the following would the nurse identify as occurring first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because in a nontherapeutic relationship, the first step would be the nurse failing to recognize the patient as a person with a need. This sets the foundation for the relationship to be unhelpful and potentially harmful. B, C, and D are incorrect as they are consequences or outcomes of a nontherapeutic relationship, not the initial cause. The nurse-patient relationship starts with the nurse acknowledging the patient's needs to establish trust and promote therapeutic communication.