ATI RN
ATI Proctored Mental Health Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse caring for a withdrawn, suspicious patient recognizes development of feelings of anger toward the patient. The nurse should
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because discussing the anger with a clinician during a supervisory session allows the nurse to process and understand their emotions in a professional setting. This approach promotes self-awareness, reflection, and potential strategies for managing emotions constructively. Choice A (suppressing anger) can lead to unresolved feelings impacting patient care. Choice B (expressing anger openly) can harm the therapeutic relationship. Choice C (asking to reassign the patient) avoids addressing the underlying issue and may not be feasible in all situations.
Question 2 of 5
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia had an exacerbation related to medication non-adherence and was hospitalized for 5 days. The patient's thoughts are now more organized and discharge is planne The patient's family says, "It's too soon for discharge. We will just go through all this again." The nurse should
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: explain that the patient will continue to improve if the medication is taken regularly. This is the best course of action because educating the family about the importance of medication adherence can help them understand the patient's need for ongoing treatment. This approach promotes shared decision-making and empowers the family to support the patient's recovery. Choice A is incorrect because transferring the patient to a long-term care facility is premature and may not be necessary if the patient's condition improves with medication adherence. Choice B is incorrect as involving hospital security and forcibly removing the family is not an appropriate or therapeutic response to their concerns. Choice D is also incorrect as contacting the health care provider to meet with the family may not address the underlying issue of medication adherence and may not effectively educate the family about the importance of continued treatment.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is pulled from a medical/surgical floor to the psychiatric unit. Which of the following clients would the nurse manager assign to this nurse? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because a nurse with a background in medical/surgical care would likely have experience managing chronically depressed clients, who may require a more general medical approach. Choices B, C, and D involve more specialized psychiatric care, such as managing active psychosis, paranoid thinking, or personality disorders, which may require specific psychiatric training and interventions beyond the nurse's medical/surgical expertise. Therefore, assigning a nurse to care for a chronically depressed client aligns with their skill set and minimizes the risk of inadequate care or potential harm to clients with more acute psychiatric needs.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is performing an admission assessment. The patient complains that it has been taking larger and larger amounts of medication to get the desired effect. Based on this information, the nurse interprets this as suggesting which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tolerance. Tolerance refers to the body's reduced response to a drug over time, necessitating higher doses to achieve the same effect. In this scenario, the patient needing larger amounts of medication to achieve the desired effect indicates tolerance development. Desensitization (A) refers to reduced response due to receptor downregulation. Therapeutic index (C) is the ratio of a drug's effective dose to its toxic dose. Toxicity (D) is the harmful effects of a drug at excessive doses.
Question 5 of 5
Which nursing intervention would establish trust with a client who is experiencing concrete thinking?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because consistency in adhering to unit guidelines provides a structured environment that can help a client experiencing concrete thinking feel safe and secure. It establishes predictability, which is crucial for building trust. Calling the client by name (B) is a common courtesy but may not directly address the client's concrete thinking. Sharing what the client is feeling (C) may not be effective as the client may have difficulty understanding or processing emotions. Teaching the meaning of idioms (D) is irrelevant to establishing trust with a client experiencing concrete thinking.