ATI RN
ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions
Question 1 of 9
A client who is receiving lithium comes to the clinic for an evaluation. During the visit, the client reports a fine hand tremor. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Fine hand tremor is a common side effect of lithium. 2. Assisting the client in minimizing exposure to stressors is most appropriate as stress can exacerbate tremors. 3. Stress management can help reduce tremors without needing to adjust medication dosage. 4. Obtaining blood drug level is not necessary for managing tremors. 5. Taking medication with meals or elevating hand would not directly address the underlying cause of tremors.
Question 2 of 9
Jane is a nursing student living with ADHD. She knows from her own experience that this neurodevelopmental disorder affects being able to pay attention and being overly active. What is one other statement that is true about ADHD?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 1. ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting about 5-7% of children worldwide. 2. This prevalence makes choice A correct as it highlights the widespread occurrence of ADHD. 3. Choice B is incorrect as ADHD can persist into adulthood, affecting around 2-5% of adults. 4. Choice C is incorrect as medication is not the only treatment option, and it is not commonly prescribed for children under six due to potential side effects. 5. Choice D is incorrect as individuals with ADHD are at higher risk for accidents and injuries due to impulsivity and inattention. In summary, choice A is the correct statement as ADHD is indeed one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse is part of a multidisciplinary team working with groups of depressed patients. One group receives supportive interventions and antidepressants. The other group receives only medication. The team measures outcomes for each group. Which type of study is evident?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Clinical epidemiology. Clinical epidemiology focuses on studying the outcomes of interventions in clinical settings. In this scenario, the nurse and the multidisciplinary team are evaluating the outcomes of different treatment approaches for depressed patients. This involves assessing the effectiveness of supportive interventions and antidepressants compared to medication alone. This type of study design allows for the evaluation of the impact of interventions on patient outcomes. Explanation for other choices: A: Incidence - Incidence refers to the rate of new cases of a condition in a population over a specified period. This choice is not relevant to the scenario described. B: Prevalence - Prevalence refers to the proportion of individuals in a population with a specific condition at a given point in time. This choice is not relevant to the scenario described. C: Comorbidity - Comorbidity refers to the presence of two or more conditions in an individual. This choice is not relevant to the scenario described.
Question 4 of 9
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is preparing a presentation about recovery for a group of newly hired nurses for the mental health facility. Which of the following would the nurse identify as one of the most important concepts?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hope. Hope is crucial in the recovery process as it motivates individuals to strive for a better future despite challenges. It instills optimism and belief in one's ability to overcome difficulties, which is essential in mental health recovery. Self-direction (A) and peer support (B) are important aspects of recovery but hope is foundational. Respect (C) is valuable but does not encompass the essence of fostering motivation and resilience like hope does in the recovery journey.
Question 5 of 9
A person who feels unattractive repeatedly says, "Although I'm not beautiful, I am smart." This is an example of
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: compensation. In this scenario, the person is compensating for feelings of unattractiveness by emphasizing their intelligence. This defense mechanism aims to balance out perceived shortcomings in one area by highlighting strengths in another. Repression (A) involves unconsciously pushing thoughts or memories out of awareness. Devaluation (B) is reducing the importance or value of oneself or others. Identification (C) is adopting characteristics of another person or group. In this case, the person is not identifying with anyone but rather compensating for perceived inadequacies.
Question 6 of 9
Randi feels excluded in group activities and social events and expresses sadness to the nurse. According to Maslow, where have needs not been met?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, social needs, such as belongingness and love, come after physiological and safety needs. Randi's feeling of exclusion in group activities and social events indicates a lack of fulfilling these social needs. Self-actualization needs relate to personal growth and achieving one's full potential, not the issue at hand. Safety needs focus on physical security, which is not the primary concern in this scenario. Esteem needs involve feeling respected and valued, but in Randi's case, the immediate issue is the lack of inclusion and connection in social settings, pointing to unmet social needs.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is teaching a group of hospitalized clients who have co-occurring disorders involving cognitive disorders and alcoholism about the relapse cycle. Which statement would the nurse most likely include during this teaching session?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it accurately describes the relapse cycle for individuals with co-occurring cognitive disorders and alcoholism. Step 1: Discharged from the hospital, leading to using alcohol instead of medication. Step 2: Alcohol use leads to resurfacing of psychiatric symptoms. Step 3: Rehospitalization and control of symptoms with medications. Step 4: Cycle repeats after discharge. Other choices lack the comprehensive explanation of the relapse cycle, such as hallucinations being the sole trigger (B), unrelated alcoholism and psychiatric illness (C), and the cycle being solely triggered by attempts to stop drinking (D).
Question 8 of 9
A nurse responds to a patient's statement with silence based on the rationale that this technique is used primarily to do which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Permit the patient to gather his or her thoughts. Silence in communication allows the patient time to organize their thoughts and feelings before responding. This can lead to more meaningful and introspective dialogue. Choice A is incorrect because silence is not primarily used for the nurse to determine a response, but rather to facilitate patient expression. Choice C is incorrect as silence is meant to encourage patient self-reflection, not the nurse's. Choice D is incorrect as passive listening involves more than just remaining silent, it also requires attentiveness and nonverbal cues.
Question 9 of 9
What situation associated with a caregiver presents the greatest risk that an older adult will experience abuse by that caregiver?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because caregivers who were neglected as children may have unresolved trauma, leading to higher likelihood of abusing older adults. Neglect in childhood can result in emotional issues, lack of empathy, and unhealthy coping mechanisms, increasing the risk of abusive behavior towards vulnerable individuals. Choice A (single male relative) does not have a direct correlation with increased risk of abuse. Choice C (caregiver under 30) is not necessarily indicative of abusive behavior. Choice D (little experience with the elderly) may lead to challenges in caregiving but does not inherently indicate a greater risk of abuse compared to a history of childhood neglect.