ATI RN
psychiatric nurse certification Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is talking with a patient, and 5 minutes remain in the session. The patient has been silent most of the session. Another patient comes to the door of the room, interrupts, and says to the nurse, 'I really need to talk to you.' The nurse should
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a specific duration for sessions has been set, the nurse must adhere to the schedule. Leaving the first patient would be equivalent to abandonment and would destroy any trust the patient had in the nurse. Adhering to the contract demonstrates that the nurse can be trusted and that the patient and the sessions are important. The incorrect responses preserve the nurse-patient relationship with the silent patient but may seem abrupt to the interrupting patient, abandon the silent patient, or fail to observe the contract with the silent patient.
Question 2 of 5
A patient tells the nurse, 'I don't think I'll ever get out of here.' Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: By asking if the patient does not believe that progress has been made, the nurse is reflecting or paraphrasing by putting into words what the patient is hinting. By making communication more explicit, issues are easier to identify and resolve. The remaining options are nontherapeutic techniques. Telling the patient not to 'talk that way' is disapproving. Saying that everyone feels that way at times minimizes feelings. Telling the patient that good work will always result in success is falsely reassuring.
Question 3 of 5
When a patient is having difficulty making a decision, the nurse has mixed feelings about whether to provide advice. Which principle usually applies? Giving advice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Giving advice fosters dependence on the nurse and interferes with a patient's right to make personal decisions. It robs the patient of the opportunity to weigh alternatives and develop problem-solving skills. Furthermore, it may contribute to a patient's feelings of personal inadequacy. Giving advice also keeps the nurse in control and feeling powerful.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The patient states, 'I don't feel anything anymore. Nothing matters.' What is the priority nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is working with a patient diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. The patient states, 'I don't feel hungry, and I don't need to eat.' Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.