ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Test Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder has gained 20 pounds over a few months and has suicidal ideation. The patient has taken antidepressant medication for 1 week without remission of symptoms. Select the priority nursing diagnosis.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis in this scenario is C: Risk for suicide. This is because the patient's suicidal ideation poses an immediate threat to their safety and needs to be addressed urgently to ensure their well-being. The patient's weight gain and lack of symptom improvement with antidepressants are important factors but do not take precedence over the risk of suicide. Imbalanced nutrition and chronic low self-esteem are not the priority as they are not immediately life-threatening. Hopelessness is also important but addressing the risk for suicide takes precedence in this critical situation.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is providing care to a patient with a mental disorder classified by the DSM-IV-TR. The nurse understands that although the first three axes appear to contain all the diagnostic information about a patient, a truly accurate picture of the client is incomplete without considering other factors such as an estimate of current functioning and:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Life stressors. Understanding the patient's life stressors is crucial in assessing their current functioning and overall well-being. Stressors can exacerbate symptoms, impact treatment outcomes, and affect daily functioning. Considering life stressors helps the nurse develop a comprehensive care plan. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while cultural background, marital status, and genetic history are important factors to consider, they do not directly provide insight into the patient's current functioning and how stressors may be influencing their mental health.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is developing a plan of care integrating Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Which of the following would the nurse identify as the priority?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Activity level. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs like food, water, and rest are the most basic and essential for survival. Activity level falls under the physiological needs category and takes precedence over other needs like social acceptance or self-image. Without meeting the basic physiological needs, an individual's health and well-being would be compromised. Choices B, C, and D are related to higher-level needs such as social belonging and self-esteem, which become important once the lower-level physiological needs are satisfied.
Question 4 of 5
During a solution-focused behavior therapy session, the therapist asks a patient to use his imagination based on a scenario in which a patient awakens and all his problems have disappeared. The therapist then asks the patient, 'How would your life be different?' Which type of question is the therapist using?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Miracle question. This question is used to help clients envision a future where their problems have miraculously disappeared, allowing them to explore how their life would be different without those issues. It encourages clients to imagine a positive change and helps them identify their desired outcomes. A: Exception question focuses on times when the problem did not occur. C: Relationship question explores how relationships may be impacting the issue. D: Scaling question involves rating progress or motivation levels, not imagining a problem-free scenario.
Question 5 of 5
After teaching a group of students about protective factors for mental illness, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Social support. Social support is a well-established protective factor for mental illness as it provides individuals with a network of resources, emotional support, and coping strategies. Having a strong social support system can help individuals better manage stress, improve self-esteem, and reduce feelings of isolation. A, B, and C are incorrect choices. Unemployment (A) is a risk factor for mental illness, not a protective factor. Younger age (B) is not necessarily a protective factor, as mental illness can affect individuals of all ages. Single status (C) can be a risk or protective factor depending on the individual's social support system.