ATI RN
ATI Capstone Mental Health Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client on an inpatient psychiatric unit states,"My mother hates me. My father is a drunk. Right now, I am homeless." The nurse responds,"Let's talk more about your feelings toward your mother." Which is a description of the technique used by the nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the nurse is using questions or statements to help the client expand on a topic of importance, which in this case is the client's feelings towards their mother. By encouraging the client to talk more about their feelings, the nurse is facilitating a deeper exploration of the client's emotions and thoughts. This technique fosters trust, empathy, and a therapeutic relationship. Incorrect Choices: B: The nurse is not asking the client to select a topic for discussion but rather guiding the conversation based on the client's initial statement. C: While the nurse is delving further into the client's feelings about their mother, the focus is on the client's emotions rather than a subject or idea. D: The nurse is not being persistent with questioning but rather offering a supportive and open-ended approach to exploring the client's feelings.
Question 2 of 5
The desired outcome for a patient experiencing insomnia is, "Patient will sleep for a minimum of 5 hours nightly within 7 days." At the end of 7 days, review of sleep data shows the patient sleeps an average of 4 hours nightly and takes a 2-hour afternoon nap. The nurse will document the outcome as
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: never demonstrate. The rationale is that the desired outcome was for the patient to sleep for a minimum of 5 hours nightly within 7 days. However, the patient only sleeps an average of 4 hours nightly and takes a 2-hour afternoon nap, which does not meet the desired outcome. Therefore, the nurse would document that the patient has never demonstrated the desired outcome of sleeping for a minimum of 5 hours nightly within 7 days. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the patient did not consistently, often, or sometimes demonstrate meeting the desired outcome.
Question 3 of 5
A patient fearfully runs from chair to chair crying, "They're coming! They're coming!" The patient does not follow the staff's directions or respond to verbal interventions. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Risk for injury. This diagnosis takes priority because the patient's behavior poses an immediate threat to their safety. Running and not responding to staff instructions increases the risk of falls and accidents. Addressing this risk is crucial to ensure the patient's physical well-being. Choice A (Fear) is important but not as urgent as addressing the immediate risk of injury. Choice C (Self-care deficit) and D (Disturbed thought processes) are not the priority in this scenario as the patient's safety is the primary concern.
Question 4 of 5
A female patient was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, and in the course of her treatment, it was determined that she was experiencing alcohol dependence because she began experiencing alcohol withdrawal while she was in the hospital. When the psychiatrist who was called in as a consultant documented the patient's mental disorder, he identified her alcohol dependence on which axis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Axis I. In the DSM-IV-TR, mental disorders, including substance-related disorders like alcohol dependence, are classified under Axis I. This axis is for clinical disorders and other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention. Alcohol dependence is a primary psychiatric disorder that affects the patient's mental and behavioral functioning, which is why it is categorized under Axis I. Choice B: Axis II is incorrect because Axis II is for personality disorders and mental retardation, not for substance-related disorders like alcohol dependence. Choice C: Axis III is incorrect because Axis III is for general medical conditions that may be relevant to the individual's mental health, not for mental disorders like alcohol dependence. Choice D: Axis IV is incorrect because Axis IV is for psychosocial and environmental problems that may influence the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mental disorders, not for the mental disorders themselves.
Question 5 of 5
When engaged in therapeutic communication in a therapeutic relationship with a patient with a mental health problem, which of the following would be most important for the nurse to keep in mind?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because in a therapeutic relationship, the patient should be the primary focus to address their needs effectively. Self-disclosure (A) may shift the focus from the patient to the nurse, affecting the therapeutic process. Empathy (C) is important but not the most crucial aspect; the patient's needs should come first. Recording conversations (D) violates patient confidentiality and trust, hindering the therapeutic relationship. Thus, maintaining the patient as the primary focus ensures effective communication and support.