ATI RN
Mental Health Nursing Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client who experiences stress on a regular basis asks a nurse what causes these feelings. Which is the most appropriate nursing response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate nursing response is B: How you reacted to past experiences influences how you feel now. This response highlights the concept of cognitive appraisal, where an individual's interpretation of past experiences can influence their current stress levels. By acknowledging the role of past experiences and reactions, the nurse can help the client understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and stress responses. This response empowers the client to explore their coping mechanisms and cognitive patterns to better manage stress in the future. It also opens up the opportunity for further discussion and guidance on healthier coping strategies and stress management techniques.
Question 2 of 5
A new psychiatric nurse states, This clients use of defense mechanisms should be eliminated. Which is a correct evaluation of this nurses statement?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that individuals unconsciously use to cope with stress, anxiety, and threats to their self-esteem. It is not necessary to eliminate defense mechanisms entirely, as they can serve as adaptive responses to protect oneself in certain situations. While some defense mechanisms can be maladaptive or harmful if used excessively, it is essential to understand that addressing the root causes of the underlying issues that trigger the use of defense mechanisms is more important than simply trying to eradicate them. Encouraging healthy coping mechanisms and providing appropriate support and interventions can help individuals develop resilience and better ways of managing stress without completely eliminating all defense mechanisms.
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following are identified as psychoneurotic responses to severe anxiety as they appear in the DSM-5?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In the DSM-5, somatic symptom disorders are identified as psychoneurotic responses to severe anxiety. These disorders involve physical symptoms that are either very distressing or result in significant disruption of daily life. Examples of somatic symptom disorders include somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, and conversion disorder. Grief responses, psychosis, and bipolar disorder are not specifically categorized as psychoneurotic responses in the DSM-5.
Question 4 of 5
Which nursing statement about the concept of psychoses is most accurate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most accurate statement about individuals experiencing psychoses is that they are not based in reality. Psychoses involve a severe mental disorder where the person may have difficulty distinguishing what is real and what is not. This can manifest as hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking. Individuals experiencing psychoses often have a distorted perception of reality, which can lead to behaviors and beliefs that are not grounded in the actual world. It is important to recognize and address these symptoms in order to provide appropriate care and support for individuals with psychoses.
Question 5 of 5
Which is an example of the ego defense mechanism of regression?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The example provided in option A represents the ego defense mechanism of regression. In this scenario, the adult reverting to throwing a temper tantrum when not getting his way is exhibiting a behavior typically associated with children, hence regressing to a more immature response. Regression involves reverting to an earlier stage of development under stress, which can manifest as behavior more typical of a younger age group. In this case, the individual resorts to a tantrum similar to that of a child, showcasing regression as a defense mechanism to cope with the situation.