ATI RN
Behavioral Health Certification for Nurses Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse prepares to assess a new patient who moved to the United States from Central America three years ago. After introductions, what is the nurses next comment?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 2 of 5
Knowing that relationships with others are significant to mental health, the nurse effectively assesses a patient's family relationships through which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following is the most compelling reason for the nurse to discuss matters of sexuality and suicide?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: It is the nurse's professional responsibility to keep the client's safety needs first and foremost, and this includes overcoming any personal discomfort in talking about suicide. This is not required by any laws nor is it commonly required documentation for every encounter with every client. The nurse needs to gain experience in these kind of difficult discussions, but that is not a compelling reason for the nurse to discuss it if not warranted.
Question 4 of 5
Two nurses are discussing the rights of hospitalized psychiatric clients. Which of the following statements is an error?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Being committed and/or incompetent does not negate the Patient's Bill of Rights. However, if a guardian is appointed, the client loses the right to enter into legal contracts or agreements that require a signature. Confidentiality does allow for the disclosure of information under specific circumstances such as to another health-care provider who has a need to know or if the client specifically consents that information be shared with persons of his or her choice and also the duty to warn if the client threatens to harm others. Privileged communication relates to the privacy of what was discussed during therapy sessions and this can be documented in medical records. Clients may be held against their will if they are committed to a facility for psychiatric care until they no longer pose a danger to themselves or to anyone else.
Question 5 of 5
A malpractice lawsuit was filed after a nurse restrained the client for screaming at and attempting to strike anyone who was within striking distance. The nurse followed agency procedures that were consistent with Joint Commission Standards. For which reason is this malpractice lawsuit most likely to be unsuccessful?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For a malpractice suit to be successful, the client or family needs to prove the following four elements: (1) Duty: a legally recognized relationship (i.e., physician to client, nurse to client) existed. The nurse had a duty to the client, meaning that the nurse was acting in the capacity of a nurse. (2) Breach of duty: the nurse (or physician) failed to conform to standards of care, thereby breaching or failing the existing duty. The nurse did not act as a reasonable, prudent nurse would have acted in similar circumstances. (3) Injury or damage: the client suffered some type of loss, damage, or injury. (4) Causation: the breach of duty was the direct cause of the loss, damage, or injury. In other words, the loss, damage, or injury would not have occurred if the nurse had acted in a reasonable, prudent manner. The nurse did have a duty to the client. The nurse did not breach this duty by the nursing actions. The client did experience loss of autonomy from being restrained. Since there was no breach of duty, there was no evidence that a breach of duty was a direct cause of the loss, damage, or injury.