A client on an inpatient psychiatric unit exhibits traits of borderline personality disorder. Which action by the nurse would initiate collaboration with the member of the mental health-care team who can best confirm this diagnosis?

Questions 20

ATI RN

ATI RN Test Bank

ATI Capstone Mental Health Assessment Questions

Question 1 of 9

A client on an inpatient psychiatric unit exhibits traits of borderline personality disorder. Which action by the nurse would initiate collaboration with the member of the mental health-care team who can best confirm this diagnosis?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Correct Answer: C. Collaborate with the clinical psychologist to prepare the client for personality testing. Rationale: 1. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis requires comprehensive assessment, including personality testing. 2. Clinical psychologists are trained to administer and interpret psychological tests, including those for personality disorders. 3. Collaborating with the clinical psychologist ensures the client receives appropriate evaluation and diagnosis. 4. Requesting medication or focusing on occupational or recreational needs may not address the core issue of confirming a BPD diagnosis. Summary: A: Requesting medication is premature without confirming the diagnosis. B: Occupational therapy focuses on retraining skills, not diagnosing personality disorders. D: Planning recreational activities may help with anxiety but does not address the need for a formal diagnosis like personality testing.

Question 2 of 9

Which comment best indicates a patient is self-actualized?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because it reflects self-actualization by showing an appreciation for simple pleasures and being in touch with nature, indicating a sense of fulfillment and inner peace. Choice A focuses on external factors, choice B relies on a plan for validation, and choice C emphasizes success through hard work, all of which are not necessarily indicative of self-actualization.

Question 3 of 9

How can a nurse determine that a client is experiencing ineffective coping?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because ineffective coping is characterized by difficulty managing day-to-day stress. This can manifest as increased anxiety, irritability, or withdrawal. The other choices are incorrect because: A indicates the client is actively coping; B suggests motivation for behavioral change; and D implies symptoms of depression, not necessarily ineffective coping.

Question 4 of 9

What personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of by others?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dependent personality disorder (DPD). This disorder is characterized by a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of by others, leading to submissive and clinging behavior. Individuals with DPD have difficulty making everyday decisions without reassurance from others. Rationale: 1. Dependent personality disorder aligns with the description of needing excessive care and being submissive. 2. Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by attention-seeking behavior, not a need for dependency. 3. Narcissistic personality disorder involves a grandiose sense of self-importance, not a need for dependency. 4. Avoidant personality disorder is marked by social inhibition and feelings of inadequacy, not a need for excessive care from others. In summary, the key characteristic of dependency and excessive need for care points to dependent personality disorder as the correct answer.

Question 5 of 9

Besides antianxiety agents, which classification of drugs is also commonly given to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Antidepressants. Antidepressants are commonly used to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders due to their ability to regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which play a role in mood regulation. They are effective in managing symptoms of anxiety over the long term. Antipsychotics (A) are not typically the first-line treatment for anxiety and are more commonly used for psychotic disorders. Mood stabilizers (B) are primarily used for conditions like bipolar disorder, not anxiety. Cholinesterase inhibitors (D) are used for conditions like Alzheimer's disease, not anxiety disorders.

Question 6 of 9

A client on an inpatient psychiatric unit exhibits traits of borderline personality disorder. Which action by the nurse would initiate collaboration with the member of the mental health-care team who can best confirm this diagnosis?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Correct Answer: C. Collaborate with the clinical psychologist to prepare the client for personality testing. Rationale: 1. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis requires comprehensive assessment, including personality testing. 2. Clinical psychologists are trained to administer and interpret psychological tests, including those for personality disorders. 3. Collaborating with the clinical psychologist ensures the client receives appropriate evaluation and diagnosis. 4. Requesting medication or focusing on occupational or recreational needs may not address the core issue of confirming a BPD diagnosis. Summary: A: Requesting medication is premature without confirming the diagnosis. B: Occupational therapy focuses on retraining skills, not diagnosing personality disorders. D: Planning recreational activities may help with anxiety but does not address the need for a formal diagnosis like personality testing.

Question 7 of 9

When assessing a patient diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder, which statement by the patient warrants immediate attention?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because expressing a desire to hurt someone is a red flag for potential harm to self or others. This statement indicates a risk of violent behavior and immediate attention is needed to ensure safety. Statements A, B, and C are not immediate concerns as they do not suggest immediate harm or danger. A: Grief over a past event, B: Medication compliance, and C: Issues with parental relationships are important but do not pose an immediate threat.

Question 8 of 9

A nurse is conducting a public information seminar on the topic of rape and sexual assault at a local community center. Which of the following would the nurse include when describing power rapists?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Power rapists target victims near their age to exert control. 2. They use minimal physical force and intimidation. 3. This control dynamic is central to the perpetrator's gratification. 4. The focus is on dominance and control, not sadistic pleasure like in A. 5. They do not specifically target very young or elderly victims as in B. 6. While victim injury can occur, it is not a defining characteristic as in C. Summary: Choice D is correct as power rapists target victims near their age and use minimal force for control. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not align with the characteristics of power rapists.

Question 9 of 9

A group of nurses is reviewing medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify methylphenidate as which of the following?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Psychostimulant. Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant commonly used to treat ADHD. It works by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps improve focus and attention in individuals with ADHD. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (A) primarily target serotonin levels and are not used to treat ADHD. Noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors (C) target norepinephrine levels but are not the primary mechanism of action for methylphenidate. Alpha agonists (D) work on a different pathway and are not the correct classification for methylphenidate.

Access More Questions!

ATI RN Basic


$89/ 30 days

ATI RN Premium


$150/ 90 days