ATI RN
ATI Practice Questions Mental Health Questions
Question 1 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 2 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 3 of 9
The nurse has begun group counseling sessions for several hospitalized patients in the psychiatric facility. Which of the following would be most effective for the nurse to do to promote group cohesiveness?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Use team-building exercises. Team-building exercises help foster trust, communication, and camaraderie among group members, promoting group cohesiveness. By engaging in activities that require collaboration and problem-solving, group members can develop a sense of unity and support for each other. Option B: Encouraging task completion focuses more on achieving goals rather than building relationships, which may not necessarily enhance group cohesiveness. Option C: Spending time individually with each member may lead to unequal attention and could hinder the development of group dynamics. Option D: Being consistent with group themes is important but may not directly contribute to promoting group cohesiveness as team-building exercises do.
Question 4 of 9
A pregnant woman is in a relationship with a male who routinely abuses her. Her unborn child may engage in high-risk behavior as a teen as a result of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Maternal stress. Maternal stress during pregnancy can have long-term effects on the child's behavior, including an increased likelihood of engaging in high-risk behavior as a teen. Stress hormones released by the mother can impact the developing fetus, leading to changes in the child's brain development and stress response systems. This can contribute to behavioral issues later in life. Summary: - A: Maternal stress affects the unborn child's behavior. - B: Parental nurturing is not related to the impact of maternal stress. - C: Appropriate stress responses in the brain do not address the negative impact of maternal stress on the child. - D: Memories of the abuse would not directly influence the unborn child's behavior.
Question 5 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.
Question 6 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 7 of 9
A student nurse is learning about ASD. What statement to the clinical instructor demonstrates that the student understands the definition of this disorder?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "The signs and symptoms of this disorder usually begin before age three." This statement demonstrates understanding of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) because it aligns with the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5, where symptoms typically manifest in early childhood, often before age three. This early onset distinguishes ASD from other developmental disorders. Incorrect choices: A: The signs and symptoms of ASD do not go away at age eighteen. Symptoms persist into adulthood. C: ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, not primarily based on physical symptoms. D: Describing ASD as a developmental disorder is accurate, but it does not specifically address the typical onset before age three, which is crucial for understanding the disorder.
Question 8 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 9 of 9
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Poor problem-solving ability. This is expected in clients with schizophrenia due to cognitive deficits. Schizophrenia often impairs executive functions, leading to difficulties in problem-solving. Decreased level of consciousness (A) is not a typical finding in schizophrenia. Unable to identify common objects (B) is more characteristic of dementia. Preoccupation with somatic disturbance (D) is more common in somatic symptom disorders, not schizophrenia.