ATI RN
Behavioral Health Certification for Nurses Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse assesses an older adult patient brought to the emergency department by a family member. The patient was wandering outside saying, I cant find my way home. The patient is confused and unable to answer questions. Select the nurses best action.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When the patient (primary source) is unable to provide information due to confusion, secondary sources such as family members should be utilized. Option D is the best action as it ensures the nurse gathers critical data efficiently from the family member, who likely knows the patient’s history. Option A is impractical since the patient cannot answer, Option B unnecessarily escalates the task beyond the staff nurse’s scope, and Option C is irrelevant as a mental health advocate isn’t needed for this assessment.
Question 2 of 5
A patient shows no facial expression when engaging in a game with peers during an outing at a park. The nurse uses which of the following terms when documenting the patient's affect?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Common terms used in assessing affect include blunted affect: showing little or a slow-to-respond facial expression; broad affect: displaying a full range of emotional expressions; flat affect: showing no facial expression; inappropriate affect: displaying a facial expression that is incongruent with mood or situation, often silly or giddy regardless of circumstances; restricted affect: displaying one type of expression, usually serious or somber.
Question 3 of 5
Knowing that relationships with others are significant to mental health, the nurse effectively assesses a patient's family relationships through which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following is the most compelling reason for the nurse to discuss matters of sexuality and suicide?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: It is the nurse's professional responsibility to keep the client's safety needs first and foremost, and this includes overcoming any personal discomfort in talking about suicide. This is not required by any laws nor is it commonly required documentation for every encounter with every client. The nurse needs to gain experience in these kind of difficult discussions, but that is not a compelling reason for the nurse to discuss it if not warranted.
Question 5 of 5
Two nurses are discussing the rights of hospitalized psychiatric clients. Which of the following statements is an error?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Being committed and/or incompetent does not negate the Patient's Bill of Rights. However, if a guardian is appointed, the client loses the right to enter into legal contracts or agreements that require a signature. Confidentiality does allow for the disclosure of information under specific circumstances such as to another health-care provider who has a need to know or if the client specifically consents that information be shared with persons of his or her choice and also the duty to warn if the client threatens to harm others. Privileged communication relates to the privacy of what was discussed during therapy sessions and this can be documented in medical records. Clients may be held against their will if they are committed to a facility for psychiatric care until they no longer pose a danger to themselves or to anyone else.