ATI RN
psychiatric nurse certification Questions
Question 1 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: The most appropriate nursing intervention in this scenario is option B) Provide the patient with a structured meal plan and monitor their eating. This option is correct because individuals with anorexia nervosa often have distorted perceptions of hunger and may resist or deny the need to eat. A structured meal plan helps establish a routine around eating, which is crucial for patients struggling with disordered eating patterns. Monitoring their eating ensures that the patient is consuming adequate nutrition for their physical well-being. Option A) to encourage the patient to eat small meals every few hours may not be effective as it overlooks the need for a structured approach to meal planning and monitoring. Anorexia nervosa patients may struggle with portion sizes, so a structured plan is more beneficial. Option C) allowing the patient to make their own decisions about food intake can be risky as it enables the continuation of maladaptive behaviors related to food restriction. Option D) reassuring the patient that their lack of hunger is normal and will improve is not appropriate as it validates their distorted beliefs and may perpetuate their disordered eating habits. In an educational context, it is essential for psychiatric nurses to understand the complexities of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and the importance of structured interventions in promoting recovery and better health outcomes for patients. By providing a rationale behind the correct intervention and explaining why the other options are not as effective, nurses can enhance their critical thinking skills and clinical judgment when caring for individuals with eating disorders.
Question 2 of 5
While talking with a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder, a nurse notices the patient is unable to maintain eye contact. The patient's chin lowers to the chest. The patient looks at the floor. Which aspect of communication has the nurse assessed?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is A) Nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication refers to the transmission of messages or information without the use of words. In the context of the patient with major depressive disorder, the inability to maintain eye contact, lowering the chin to the chest, and looking at the floor are all nonverbal cues that indicate the patient's emotional state and level of engagement. Option B) A message filter is incorrect because it does not relate to the observed behaviors of the patient. A message filter typically refers to factors that interfere with the accurate transmission or reception of a message, such as noise or distractions. Option C) A cultural barrier is also incorrect in this context because the observed behaviors are more indicative of emotional distress rather than a cultural difference. Cultural barriers typically involve differences in beliefs, values, or communication styles between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Option D) Social skills is not the correct answer as well because the observed behaviors are not related to the patient's ability to interact or engage with others in a social setting. Social skills encompass a broader range of abilities related to communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building. Understanding nonverbal communication cues is essential for healthcare providers, especially in psychiatric nursing, as these cues can provide valuable insights into a patient's emotional state, needs, and responses to treatment. By recognizing and interpreting nonverbal cues, nurses can enhance their communication with patients, build rapport, and provide more effective care.
Question 3 of 5
A patient diagnosed with emphysema has severe shortness of breath and needs portable oxygen when leaving home. Recently the patient has reduced activity because of fear that breathing difficulty will occur. A nurse suggests using guided imagery. Which image should the patient be encouraged to visualize?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient has dysfunctional images of dyspnea. Guided imagery can help replace the dysfunctional image with a positive coping image. Athletes have found that picturing successful images can enhance performance. Encouraging the patient to imagine a regular breathing depth and rate will help improve oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange and help achieve further relaxation. Other options focus on unrealistic goals (being younger, not needing supplemental oxygen) or restrict her quality of life.
Question 4 of 5
A patient who had been experiencing significant stress learned to use progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises. When the patient returns to the clinic 2 weeks later, which finding most clearly shows the patient is coping more effectively with stress?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Objective measures tend to be the most reliable means of gauging progress. In this case, the patient's elevated blood pressure, an indication of the body's physiological response to stress, has diminished. The patient's report regarding activity level is subjective; sitting quietly could reflect depression rather than improvement. Appetite, mood, and energy levels are also subjective reports that do not necessarily reflect physiological changes from stress and may not reflect improved coping with stress. The patient's weight change could be a positive or negative indicator; the blood pressure change is the best answer.
Question 5 of 5
A patient undergoing diagnostic tests says, 'Nothing is wrong with me except a stubborn chest cold.' The spouse reports the patient smokes, coughs daily, lost 15 pounds, and is easily fatigued. Which defense mechanism is the patient using?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Denial is an unconscious blocking of threatening or painful information or feelings. Regression involves using behaviors appropriate at an earlier stage of psychosexual development. Displacement shifts feelings to a more neutral person or object. Projection attributes one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another.