ATI RN
Mental Health Nursing ATI Exam Questions
Question 1 of 9
A group of students are reviewing the events associated with the fight-or-flight response. They demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which of the following results from sympathetic nervous stimulation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tachycardia. Sympathetic nervous stimulation in the fight-or-flight response leads to increased heart rate to pump more blood to the muscles. This helps prepare the body for physical activity during stress. A: Hypoglycemia is incorrect because sympathetic stimulation actually leads to increased blood sugar levels for energy. C: Hypotension is incorrect as sympathetic activation causes vasoconstriction, raising blood pressure, not lowering it. D: Hypercoagulability is incorrect as sympathetic activation can lead to increased blood clotting but is not a direct result of sympathetic nervous stimulation.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse is assessing a client in the PACU. Which of the following findings indicates decreased cardiac output?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B (Oliguria) Rationale: 1. Oliguria (decreased urine output) is a classic sign of decreased cardiac output due to poor perfusion to the kidneys. 2. Decreased cardiac output results in reduced blood flow to the kidneys, leading to decreased urine production. 3. Shivering is a common postoperative response, not directly related to cardiac output. 4. Bradypnea (slow breathing) and constricted pupils are not typical signs of decreased cardiac output.
Question 3 of 9
Pedophilic disorder is the most common paraphilic disorder where adults who have a primary or exclusive sexual preference for prepubescent children. A subset of this disorder is termed hebephilia and is defined as attraction to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pubescent individuals. Hebephilia is a paraphilic disorder characterized by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in individuals who are in the early stages of puberty, typically around the ages of 11 to 14. This is different from pedophilic disorder, which involves a sexual preference for prepubescent children. Choice A (Infants) is incorrect as infants are prepubescent. Choice C (Teens between the ages of 15 and 19) is incorrect as these individuals are typically considered adolescents rather than pubescent. Choice D (Males only) is incorrect as hebephilia can occur in individuals of any gender.
Question 4 of 9
During an interview with a patient, which question asked of an older adult is associated with the Patient Self-Determination Act?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the Patient Self-Determination Act emphasizes the importance of discussing end-of-life choices with family or a designated surrogate. This question aligns with the act's goal of promoting patient autonomy and ensuring that patients have a say in their healthcare decisions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the act's focus on end-of-life planning and decision-making with family or a designated surrogate. A focuses on access to medical information, C on informed decision-making about treatment, and D on helping the patient feel comfortable, which are important but not specifically related to the Patient Self-Determination Act.
Question 5 of 9
A nursing student new to psychiatric-mental health nursing asks a peer what resources he can use to figure out which symptoms are present in a specific psychiatric disorder. The best answer would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: DSM-5. The DSM-5 is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals. It provides criteria for diagnosing specific psychiatric disorders based on symptoms, behaviors, and other clinical features. By using the DSM-5, the nursing student can accurately identify which symptoms are present in a specific psychiatric disorder. A: Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and B: Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) are not specifically designed to identify symptoms of psychiatric disorders. NIC focuses on nursing interventions, while NOC focuses on nursing outcomes. C: NANDA-I nursing diagnoses provide a framework for identifying nursing problems and developing care plans but do not provide specific information on symptoms of psychiatric disorders. In summary, the DSM-5 is the most appropriate resource for identifying symptoms of psychiatric disorders, while the other choices are not specifically designed for this purpose.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is preparing an in-service program for a group of psychiatric mental health nurses about schizophrenia. Which of the following would the nurse include as a major reason for relapse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Non-adherence to prescribed medications. Non-adherence to medications is a major reason for relapse in schizophrenia due to the importance of medication in managing symptoms and preventing relapses. Lack of family support (A) can impact recovery but may not directly lead to relapse. Accessibility to community resources (B) is important for support but not a major reason for relapse. Stigmatization of mental illness (D) can affect treatment seeking behavior but is not a direct cause of relapse.
Question 7 of 9
After teaching a class about the biochemical theories associated with panic disorder, the instructor determines a need for additional teaching when the students identify which neurotransmitter as being implicated?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dopamine. In the context of panic disorder, serotonin and norepinephrine are typically implicated due to their roles in regulating mood and anxiety. GABA is involved in inhibiting neurotransmission, thus helping to reduce anxiety. Dopamine, however, is not directly associated with panic disorder and its dysregulation is more commonly linked to disorders like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. Therefore, if students identify dopamine as being implicated in panic disorder, it indicates a need for additional teaching to correct this misconception and emphasize the roles of serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA instead.
Question 8 of 9
What is the desirable outcome for the orientation stage of a nurse–patient relationship? The patient will demonstrate behaviors that indicate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is C because establishing rapport and trust with the nurse in the orientation stage is crucial for building a therapeutic relationship. This foundation sets the tone for effective communication, collaboration, and patient engagement throughout the care process. Options A and B focus more on the patient's individuality and personal growth, which are important but secondary to the primary goal of establishing trust. Option D, resolved transference, is not relevant at this early stage and pertains more to deeper stages of therapy. Therefore, option C is the most appropriate outcome for the orientation stage of a nurse-patient relationship.
Question 9 of 9
A male patient has recently been diagnosed with type II diabetes. His family is having trouble incorporating the dietary and exercise regimen prescribed by his physician into their daily routines. They tell the nurse that they are all tired when they return home from school and work and that the last thing any of them want to do is go on a walk. In addition, the patient's wife discloses that she is unable to prepare any sugar-free or low-sugar foods that her husband enjoys eating. Based on this information, which nursing diagnosis would be most appropriate for this family?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ineffective Family Therapeutic Regimen Management. This nursing diagnosis is appropriate because it addresses the family's struggle in incorporating the prescribed dietary and exercise regimen for the patient's type II diabetes. The family's inability to adjust to the new routine and the wife's difficulty in preparing suitable meals indicate ineffective management of the therapeutic regimen. Choice A, Interrupted Family Processes, is incorrect because there is no evidence of a disruption in family dynamics. Choice B, Ineffective Denial, is incorrect as the family is not in denial but rather facing practical challenges. Choice C, Caregiver Role Strain, is not the most appropriate diagnosis as the main issue lies in the family's ability to manage the therapeutic regimen, not in the caregiver's emotional strain. In summary, the correct nursing diagnosis, D, directly addresses the family's challenges in following the prescribed regimen, making it the most appropriate choice in this scenario.