A female client is diagnosed with panic disorder. The client tells the nurse that she hasn't left her house in more than a month because she was afraid of another attack. She visited the mental health clinic today only because her son brought her. Which nursing diagnosis would be a priority for this client?

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Virtual ATI Mental Health Assessment Questions

Question 1 of 9

A female client is diagnosed with panic disorder. The client tells the nurse that she hasn't left her house in more than a month because she was afraid of another attack. She visited the mental health clinic today only because her son brought her. Which nursing diagnosis would be a priority for this client?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Social Isolation related to fear of recurrence of anxiety symptoms. This is the priority nursing diagnosis for the client because her inability to leave the house due to fear of another panic attack has led to significant social isolation. This isolation can exacerbate her anxiety and impact her overall well-being. By addressing social isolation, the nurse can help the client reconnect with the community and support systems, which is crucial for managing panic disorder. Choice A (Powerlessness related to symptoms of anxiety) is incorrect because while the client may feel powerless, the immediate concern is the social isolation impacting her daily functioning. Choice B (Decisional Conflict related to fear of leaving the house) is incorrect as the client's issue is more about the consequences of not leaving the house rather than a decisional conflict. Choice C (Ineffective Family Coping related to symptoms of anxiety) is also incorrect as the focus should be on the client's own coping mechanisms and isolation rather than the family's coping strategies.

Question 2 of 9

A female client is diagnosed with panic disorder. The client tells the nurse that she hasn't left her house in more than a month because she was afraid of another attack. She visited the mental health clinic today only because her son brought her. Which nursing diagnosis would be a priority for this client?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Social Isolation related to fear of recurrence of anxiety symptoms. This is the priority nursing diagnosis for the client because her inability to leave the house due to fear of another panic attack has led to significant social isolation. This isolation can exacerbate her anxiety and impact her overall well-being. By addressing social isolation, the nurse can help the client reconnect with the community and support systems, which is crucial for managing panic disorder. Choice A (Powerlessness related to symptoms of anxiety) is incorrect because while the client may feel powerless, the immediate concern is the social isolation impacting her daily functioning. Choice B (Decisional Conflict related to fear of leaving the house) is incorrect as the client's issue is more about the consequences of not leaving the house rather than a decisional conflict. Choice C (Ineffective Family Coping related to symptoms of anxiety) is also incorrect as the focus should be on the client's own coping mechanisms and isolation rather than the family's coping strategies.

Question 3 of 9

Obesity can be the end result of a binge-eating disorder. The nurse understands that the best treatment option in persons with a binge-eating disorder promotes:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Coping strategies. The best treatment option for persons with a binge-eating disorder focuses on addressing the underlying emotional issues that contribute to the disorder. Coping strategies help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and other triggers that lead to binge eating. This approach aims to break the cycle of emotional eating and promote healthier eating habits. Bariatric surgery (A) is not typically recommended for individuals with binge-eating disorder as it does not address the psychological aspects of the condition. Avoidance of public eating (C) may temporarily reduce triggers but does not address the root cause. Appetite suppression medications (D) do not address the underlying emotional issues and can have potential side effects.

Question 4 of 9

After assessing a patient, the nurse noted the following: he was tearful, he tried to kill himself before coming into the hospital, he had no immediate plan for another suicide attempt, he was unable to concentrate, and he reported having trouble sleeping and having little or no appetite. The nurse also noted that the patient's appearance was unkempt, that he spoke in a low monotone, and that he was unable to establish and maintain eye contact. Based on this information, which nursing diagnoses would be the most appropriate?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Risk for Suicide. Given the patient's presentation of being tearful, previous suicide attempt, inability to concentrate, sleep disturbances, poor appetite, unkempt appearance, low monotone speech, and lack of eye contact, these are all indicative of suicidal ideation and risk. The nurse should prioritize this nursing diagnosis to ensure the patient's safety. A: Ineffective Role Performance does not address the immediate risk of suicide. B: Risk for Infection is not indicated by the patient's symptoms. D: Risk for Self-Mutilation is not the priority as the patient's immediate risk is suicidal behavior.

Question 5 of 9

A 4-year-old grabs toys from other children and says, 'I want that now!' From a psychoanalytic perspective, this behavior is a product of impulses originating in which system of the personality?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Id. According to psychoanalytic theory by Freud, the Id is the primitive and instinctual part of the mind that operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of needs and desires without considering consequences. In this scenario, the child grabbing toys impulsively and demanding immediate satisfaction aligns with the characteristics of the Id. The Ego, on the other hand, mediates between the Id and the external world, considering reality and consequences. The Superego represents internalized societal and parental values, regulating moral and ethical behavior. The Preconscious refers to thoughts that are not currently in awareness but can be easily brought to consciousness.

Question 6 of 9

A client has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Assessment reveals that the client lives alone. His clothing is disheveled, his hair is uncombed and matted, and his body has a strange odor. During an interview, the client's family voices a desire for the client to live with them when he is discharged. Based on the assessment findings, which nursing diagnosis would be the priority?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Bathing Self-Care Deficit related to symptoms of schizophrenia. The priority nursing diagnosis should address the most immediate and essential need for the client's well-being. In this case, the client's disheveled appearance, uncombed and matted hair, and strange odor indicate a lack of self-care in terms of personal hygiene, specifically bathing. This can lead to physical health issues and negatively impact the client's self-esteem and social interactions. Addressing the bathing self-care deficit is crucial to improving the client's overall health and well-being. A: Ineffective Role Performance related to symptoms of schizophrenia - While this is a valid concern, addressing the client's basic self-care needs should take precedence over role performance. B: Social Isolation related to auditory hallucinations - While social isolation is important, the immediate focus should be on addressing the client's personal hygiene needs. C: Dysfunctional Family Processes related to psychosis - While involving the family is important, the priority

Question 7 of 9

A forensic nurse examiner is interviewing an individual accused of a homicide. Which question should the nurse ask in preparation for a possible legal insanity defense?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking about hallucinations is crucial for assessing the individual's mental state. Hearing voices that no one else can hear may indicate a psychotic disorder, which could be relevant for an insanity defense. Choice A is irrelevant to legal insanity defense as intellectual deficiency is not the same as legal insanity. Choice C focuses on the crime but does not directly address the individual's mental state. Choice D is also irrelevant to the legal insanity defense as knowing the victim does not determine legal sanity.

Question 8 of 9

The school nurse is caring for a 7-year-old child who has demonstrated a significantly lower-than-average score for mental age on standardized tests in reading. However, the child's IQ scores were within the average range. The nurse interprets this information as suggesting which of the following?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects reading ability despite average intelligence. In this case, the child's significantly lower-than-average mental age in reading but average IQ scores indicate a specific difficulty with reading and language processing, which aligns with dyslexia. A: Communication disorder does not specifically address the reading difficulties. B: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder does not directly relate to the child's reading challenges. C: Asperger syndrome is a developmental disorder primarily affecting social interaction and communication, not reading skills.

Question 9 of 9

A nurse is deciding about the size of the group. The nurse determines that a large group would be best based on which of the following?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a large group is more effective for dealing with a specific issue due to the diversity of perspectives and experiences that can be shared. In a large group, there are more opportunities for brainstorming, problem-solving, and support. This leads to a richer discussion and more comprehensive exploration of the issue at hand. Choice A is incorrect because transference and countertransference issues can still arise in a large group setting. Choice B is incorrect as group cohesiveness may actually be harder to achieve in a larger group. Choice C is incorrect as a large group offers more potential interactions and relationships, not limited ones.

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