ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Test Questions Questions
Question 1 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 2 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.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a group of hospitalized patients with various psychiatric diagnoses. The nurse identifies which patient as having the greatest risk for a suicide attempt?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Man with major depressive disorder. Patients with major depressive disorder have a higher risk of suicide due to the intense feelings of hopelessness and despair associated with the condition. Individuals with depression may experience suicidal ideation and have a higher likelihood of attempting suicide. Bipolar I disorder (A) may also present a risk, but major depressive disorder has a more consistent association with suicide. Acute stress disorder (B) typically does not have as direct a link to suicide as major depressive disorder. Somatoform disorder (D) is characterized by physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation and is not specifically linked to an increased risk of suicide.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is preparing to assess a middle-aged male client who was brought to the emergency department by his wife. She reports that the client has been extremely depressed lately. When assessing this client, which of the following would be a priority assessment?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thoughts of self-harm. This is the priority assessment because it indicates the client's risk of harm to himself. Assessing for self-harm is crucial in determining the immediate safety of the client. Changes in sleeping patterns, appetite, and fatigue are important assessments in evaluating depression but do not directly address the client's immediate safety. It is essential to address the most critical issue first to ensure the client's well-being.
Question 5 of 5
A 20-year-old man arrives at the emergency department by ambulance. He is unconscious, with slow respirations and pinpoint pupils. There are 'tracks' visible on his arms. The friend who came with him reports that the client had just 'shot up' heroin when he became unconscious. Which medication would the nurse most likely expect to administer?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Naloxone. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. In this case, the man's symptoms of slow respirations and pinpoint pupils are indicative of opioid overdose. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing and consciousness. Naltrexone (B) is used for opioid addiction treatment but not for acute overdose reversal. Bupropion (C) is an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid, not indicated for opioid overdose. Varenicline (D) is a smoking cessation aid and is not used for opioid overdose reversal.