ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Test Questions Questions
Question 1 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 2 of 5
The nurse is preparing to interview a 6-year-old girl and her mother in an outpatient psychiatric setting. To establish a treatment alliance with the child, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Option C is correct as it demonstrates empathy and acknowledges the child's emotions, helping to establish trust and a therapeutic alliance. By recognizing the child's potential fear, the nurse shows understanding and provides reassurance. This approach creates a safe environment for the child to open up and build rapport with the nurse. Summary: A: Incorrect. Sharing personal information might not be relevant or comforting to the child, and it does not focus on the child's feelings. B: Incorrect. Standing and looking down can be intimidating and may not promote a sense of safety and trust in the child. D: Incorrect. Asking to interview the child alone without considering the child's comfort and feelings may lead to distrust and hinder the therapeutic relationship.
Question 3 of 5
A new graduate nurse is considering taking a job that focuses on meeting the mental health needs of homeless populations. During the graduate nurse's pre-employment interview, the graduate nurse asks the interviewer what characteristics are common in this population. Which response by the interviewer would be most likely?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because homeless populations come from diverse backgrounds and often face chronic illnesses and unemployment. This response acknowledges the variability within the homeless population and highlights common challenges they may face. Option A makes assumptions about education and employment, which are not necessarily true for all homeless individuals. Option C stereotypes the population as having squandered their resources, which is not accurate for everyone. Option D incorrectly focuses on elderly individuals and downplays the prevalence of addiction and mental illness among the homeless. Overall, choice B provides a balanced and realistic view of the characteristics commonly found in homeless populations.
Question 4 of 5
A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses 'lose all their clinical nursing skills.' Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because psychiatric nurses require complex communication skills and critical thinking to assess, support, and intervene effectively with patients experiencing mental health issues. This is crucial for building therapeutic relationships and promoting recovery. Choice A is incorrect because the safety of the environment does not determine the need for clinical skills. Choice C is incorrect as mental health nursing typically involves more therapeutic communication than the use of high-tech equipment. Choice D is incorrect because psychiatric nurses often work with individuals experiencing significant emotional pain and distress, requiring a high level of clinical skill and empathy.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is planning care for a client with a sealed radiation implant who is to remain in the hospital for 1 week. Which of the following should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for the correct answer B: 1. Wearing a dosimeter film badge helps monitor the nurse's radiation exposure. 2. This is important as the nurse will be in close proximity to the client with the radiation implant. 3. The badge will measure the nurse's radiation exposure levels to ensure they are within safe limits. 4. This precaution is crucial to protect the nurse's health during the client's stay. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: A: Removing dirty linens does not directly relate to radiation safety for the nurse. C: Limiting client visits does not address the nurse's radiation exposure. D: Ensuring family members stay 3 feet away does not protect the nurse from radiation exposure.