ATI RN
ATI Practice Questions Mental Health Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is preparing a presentation for a local community group about mental disorders and plans to include how mental disorders are different from medical disorders. Which statement would be most appropriate for the nurse to include?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because mental disorders are typically diagnosed based on a cluster of observable behaviors, thoughts, and feelings, rather than a specific biological pathology or laboratory tests. This statement is appropriate as it aligns with the current understanding of mental disorders as complex conditions that involve a combination of psychological, behavioral, and emotional symptoms. Choice A is incorrect because while some mental disorders may have underlying biological components, not all are solely defined by biological pathology. Choice B is incorrect because laboratory tests are not the primary method for diagnosing mental disorders. Choice D is incorrect because manifestations of mental disorders often fall outside of normal, expected parameters, which is why they are considered disorders in the first place.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is planning a presentation for a group of mental health care providers on the topic of co-occurring disorders. The nurse plans to include information about health care providers and their response to these clients. Which of the following would the nurse include as a major reason for these clients being often underserved and undertreated?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step 1: Individuals with co-occurring disorders have complex needs, requiring providers to prioritize which issue to address first. Step 2: Difficulty in determining which problem is in most immediate need can lead to undertreatment of one or both disorders. Step 3: This can result in clients being underserved and not receiving the comprehensive care they require. Step 4: Option A is incorrect because not all providers focus solely on 12-step programs; Option B is incorrect as underdiagnosing personality disorders is not the main reason for underserving co-occurring clients; Option C is incorrect as providers are aware of concurrent mental health disorders but may struggle with prioritization. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is D as it highlights the critical issue of determining immediate treatment needs for clients with co-occurring disorders.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has been hospitalized with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following would the nurse include in the teaching plan?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Setting realistic goals. This is crucial for clients with anorexia nervosa as they often have distorted perceptions of their bodies and unrealistic weight loss goals. Setting achievable and healthy goals is essential for recovery. A: Knowing the calorie content of numerous foods may reinforce obsessive behavior and further exacerbate the client's eating disorder. B: Learning strategies to control impulses may not address the underlying psychological issues contributing to anorexia nervosa. C: Describing physiologic consequences of anorexia nervosa may be important for understanding the severity of the condition, but it may not directly help the client in their recovery process.
Question 4 of 9
While providing care to a patient with a mental disorder, the patient asks the nurse, 'Does mental illness run in your family?' Which response by the nurse would be most inappropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct response is C because it discloses personal information about the nurse's family member, which is unprofessional and breaches patient confidentiality. The nurse should maintain professional boundaries and focus on the patient's needs, not their own personal experiences. Choices A, B, and D maintain appropriate boundaries and redirect the conversation back to the patient's concerns, demonstrating empathy and respect for the patient's privacy.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse wants to find information on current evidence-based research, programs, and practices regarding mental illness and addictions. Which resource should the nurse consult?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA is the best resource for evidence-based research, programs, and practices on mental illness and addictions as it is the leading agency in the U.S. for improving behavioral health. SAMHSA provides up-to-date information, guidelines, and resources based on scientific research and best practices. It focuses specifically on mental health and substance abuse issues, making it the most relevant and reliable source for the nurse's needs. A: The American Psychiatric Association focuses more on the professional organization for psychiatrists rather than providing specific resources on evidence-based research and programs. B: The American Psychological Association is more focused on psychology-related research and practices, not specifically on mental illness and addictions. C: The Clinician's Quick Guide to Interpersonal Psychotherapy is a specific resource on a therapy approach, which may not cover the broad range of information the nurse is seeking on mental illness and addictions.
Question 6 of 9
A client with bipolar disorder is receiving divalproex sodium as part of the treatment plan. When monitoring the client's blood level for this drug, which level would alert the nurse to the need to change the dosage?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (30 ng/mL). The therapeutic range for divalproex sodium is typically 50-100 ng/mL. A level of 30 ng/mL is below the therapeutic range, indicating that the client may not be receiving enough of the medication to manage their symptoms effectively. This would alert the nurse to consider adjusting the dosage to bring the blood level within the therapeutic range. Choices B, C, and D are all within or above the therapeutic range, indicating that the dosage is likely adequate or potentially too high, but not in need of an immediate change based on blood level monitoring.
Question 7 of 9
Which initial information gathered by the nurse is most important when assessing Erikson's stages of development?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B - The developmental age exhibited through behaviors. This is crucial because Erikson's stages of development focus on psychosocial milestones and individuals can exhibit behaviors that reflect their current stage, regardless of chronological age. Understanding the developmental age exhibited through behaviors provides insights into which stage the individual is in and helps tailor appropriate interventions. The other choices are incorrect because: A: The chronological age may not accurately reflect the individual's stage of development. C: The time frame needed to complete a successful outcome at a previous stage is not directly relevant to assessing Erikson's stages. D: The implementation of interventions based on developmental age is important but not as crucial as assessing the developmental age exhibited through behaviors in understanding Erikson's stages.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse is reviewing the medical records of several older adult patients who have come to the clinic for evaluation. The nurse would classify a patient of which age as being in the middle-old stage?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C (78-year-old adult) because the middle-old stage typically refers to individuals aged 75-84. This age range is considered the transition from the young-old stage (65-74) to the oldest-old stage (85+). Choice A (66-year-old adult) falls into the young-old stage, choice B (70-year-old adult) is also in the young-old stage, and choice D (86-year-old adult) is in the oldest-old stage. Therefore, based on the age range classification, the 78-year-old adult (choice C) is classified as being in the middle-old stage.
Question 9 of 9
A patient tells a nurse, "My best friend is a perfect person. She is kind, considerate, good-looking, and successful with every task. I could have been like her if I had the opportunities, luck, and money she's ha" This patient is demonstrating
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: C: Rationalization is when a person justifies their behaviors or feelings by providing logical reasoning that may not be valid. In this case, the patient is rationalizing their shortcomings by attributing them to external factors like opportunities, luck, and money. This defense mechanism helps protect their self-esteem by avoiding taking responsibility for their own traits. Incorrect choices: A: Denial is refusing to accept reality, which is not evident in this scenario. B: Projection is attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to others, which is not present here. D: Compensation is making up for a perceived weakness by emphasizing a strength, which is not demonstrated by the patient's statement.