ATI RN
Behavioral Health Nurse Certification Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for an adolescent who is experiencing recurring manifestations of influenza. Which of the following phases of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) explains the possible cause for the adolescent's manifestations?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: 1. The correct answer is C: Exhaustion Phase. 2. In the Exhaustion Phase of GAS, prolonged stress depletes the body's resources, leading to increased vulnerability to illnesses like influenza. 3. Alarm Phase is the initial response to stress, not necessarily related to recurring manifestations of illness. 4. Adaptive Phase is when the body tries to adapt to stress, not directly linked to illness manifestations. 5. Resistance Phase involves coping mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, not explaining recurring illness manifestations.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has dementia and observes that the client becomes stressed and requires assistance and monitoring when their family visits. When the family leaves the room, the client returns to baseline and the deficits are gone. Using the Functional Assessment Stage Tool, the nurse should identify that the client is in which of the following stages of Alzheimer's disease?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Incipient. In the incipient stage of Alzheimer's disease, individuals may still be able to function independently but exhibit subtle memory deficits. In this scenario, the client's deficits are not always present and only occur when the family visits, suggesting a situational trigger for stress. This aligns with the early stages of Alzheimer's where symptoms may fluctuate. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because in severe, moderate, and mild stages of Alzheimer's disease, the deficits are more persistent and do not improve when triggers are removed.
Question 3 of 5
Which scenario is an example of a tort?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because giving an as-needed dose of an antipsychotic drug without proper assessment or authorization can be considered a tort, specifically the tort of battery. This is because the nurse is administering medication without consent, which violates the patient's right to autonomy and bodily integrity. It can also result in harm or adverse effects to the patient. Choice A is not a tort as it relates to a delay in completing a plan of care, which may be a violation of hospital policies but not a legal tort. Choice B involves appropriate care and assessment based on the patient's history and symptoms, so it is not a tort. Choice C is related to changes in patient status based on improvement in symptoms, which is not a tort as long as it is done following proper protocols and procedures.
Question 4 of 5
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder repeatedly tells staff members, 'I have cancer. It's my punishment for being a bad person.' Diagnostic tests reveal no cancer. Select the priority nursing diagnosis.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Risk for suicide. In this scenario, the patient's belief of having cancer as punishment indicates a distorted thought pattern and extreme guilt, which can increase the risk of suicidal ideation. Addressing the risk for suicide is the priority to ensure the patient's safety. Option A, powerlessness, may be relevant but is not the immediate concern. Option C, stress overload, is not as critical as the risk for suicide. Option D, spiritual distress, is not the priority compared to ensuring the patient's safety from self-harm.
Question 5 of 5
Which documentation is appropriate for a newly admitted patient diagnosed with schizophrenia who is exhibiting signs of catatonia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because catatonia is characterized by a state of unresponsiveness or immobility. In this case, the patient remaining in a fixed position and responding minimally to verbal cues aligns with catatonic symptoms. Option B is incorrect as mood shifts are not typically associated with catatonia. Option C is incorrect as hyperactivity is not a common feature of catatonia. Option D is incorrect as a flat affect and minimal verbal communication are more indicative of other conditions like depression or autism, not catatonia.