ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client living on the beachfront seeks help with an extreme fear of crossing bridges, which interferes with daily life. A psychiatric nurse practitioner decides to try systematic desensitization. Which explanation of this therapy should the nurse convey to the client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Systematic desensitization is a type of behavior therapy that is commonly used to treat phobias, including a fear of crossing bridges. The therapy involves exposing the individual to the feared object or situation in a gradual and systematic manner. By starting with less anxiety-provoking steps and gradually progressing to more anxiety-inducing steps, the individual can learn to manage their fear response and increase their tolerance to anxiety. This approach helps the client to confront their fears in a controlled and manageable way, allowing them to eventually overcome their phobia. Therefore, the explanation that should be conveyed to the client is that through a series of increasingly anxiety-provoking steps, their tolerance to anxiety will gradually increase.
Question 2 of 5
How should a nurse best describe the major maladaptive client response to panic disorder?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The major maladaptive client response to panic disorder is clients developing compulsions to deal with anxiety. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness. In an attempt to cope with the overwhelming anxiety associated with panic attacks, individuals may develop compulsions or rituals. These compulsions can vary widely and often serve as a way for the individual to try and regain a sense of control or alleviate their anxiety. This response is maladaptive because while the compulsions may provide temporary relief, they do not address the root cause of the anxiety and can contribute to the cycle of panic attacks.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse has been caring for a client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Which of the following nursing interventions would address this clients symptoms? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 4 of 5
Carly has been diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder. As the nurse is talking with Carly and her family, which of the following statements suggest primary or secondary gains that the physical symptoms are providing for the client?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This statement suggests that the physical symptoms Carly is experiencing may be serving as a secondary gain for her. Despite medical tests showing no evidence of a brain tumor, Carly's continued belief that her headaches are due to a serious condition could be providing her with a sense of significance or attention. This belief may also help her avoid dealing with underlying emotional issues or stressors, providing a psychological benefit as well. This points towards secondary gains related to the somatic symptom disorder.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following statements accurately describes dissociative fugue?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dissociative fugue is a subtype of dissociative amnesia and is characterized by sudden, unexpected travel or bewildered wandering during which the person is unable to recall some or all of their past. This dissociative disorder is typically triggered by extreme psychological stress or trauma. Unlike the other choices, dissociative fugue is intrinsically linked to memory loss and a specific behavior pattern of travel or wandering coupled with amnesia, making choice B the accurate description of dissociative fugue.