ATI RN
Practice Nclex Questions Mental Health Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is getting ready to transfer a client diagnosed with schizophrenia to a partial hospital program. What is the next best step before that client is discharged?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because contacting the partial program and reviewing the client's history with the staff ensures a smooth transition and continuity of care. This step allows the receiving facility to be prepared to meet the client's needs effectively. Option A and B do not involve coordination with the receiving program, risking discontinuity of care. Option D includes providing records to the program but lacks the crucial step of reviewing the client's history with the staff beforehand, which could lead to potential misunderstandings or gaps in care.
Question 2 of 5
A staff nurse completes orientation to a psychiatric unit. This nurse may expect an advanced practice nurse to perform which additional intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because prescribing psychotropic medication is within the scope of practice of an advanced practice nurse (APN), such as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. APNs have advanced education and training that allows them to diagnose and prescribe medications for mental health conditions. A: Conducting mental health assessments is a common role for staff nurses and does not require advanced practice training. C: Establishing therapeutic relationships is a fundamental nursing skill that staff nurses and APNs both perform. D: Individualizing nursing care plans is also a standard nursing practice that does not necessarily require advanced practice skills.
Question 3 of 5
A community mental health nurse has worked for months to establish a relationship with a delusional, suspicious patient. The patient recently lost employment and could no longer afford prescribed medications. The patient says, "Only a traitor would make me go to the hospital." Select the nurse's best initial intervention.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates respect for the patient's autonomy and builds trust in the nurse-patient relationship. By contacting resources to provide medications without charge, the nurse addresses the patient's financial constraint while honoring their wishes to avoid the hospital. This intervention promotes continuity of care and supports the patient's well-being. Option B is incorrect because it does not address the patient's immediate need for medications and may not align with the patient's preferences. Option C is inappropriate as hospitalization should be a last resort and may not be necessary in this case. Option D is not the best initial intervention as it does not directly address the patient's concerns about being perceived as a traitor.
Question 4 of 5
During the first interview with a parent whose child died in a car accident, the nurse feels empathic and reaches out to take the patient's han Select the correct analysis of the nurse's behavior.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because during the first interview with a grieving parent, it is crucial to be sensitive to the patient's cultural and individual interpretation of touch. By reaching out to take the patient's hand, the nurse may unintentionally make the patient uncomfortable or feel intruded upon. It is important to establish trust and rapport first before physical touch is initiated. This approach respects the patient's boundaries and preferences, promoting a more effective therapeutic relationship. Incorrect answers: A: While empathy and compassion are important, premature physical touch may not always be well-received by the patient. C: Assuming the patient will perceive the gesture as intrusive is a generalization. However, it is important to be cautious and respect the patient's boundaries. D: This answer is not relevant to the scenario provided and does not address the cultural sensitivity and individual interpretation of touch.
Question 5 of 5
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is working on a committee that is developing programs that integrate the objectives for mental health and mental disorders as identified in Healthy People 2020. Which type of program would be least appropriate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Single substance abuse treatment programs. This is least appropriate because Healthy People 2020 emphasizes integrated programs that address mental health and mental disorders comprehensively. Substance abuse treatment programs, while important, focus on a specific issue and do not address the broader objectives of mental health promotion and disorder prevention. Choices B, C, and D align with Healthy People 2020 by promoting early detection, support for vulnerable populations, and holistic approaches to mental health, respectively.