ATI RN
Psychiatric Nurse Certification Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse suspects that a patient is abusing alcohol while taking prescribed medications. The nurse plans to educate the patient on the dangers of mixing medicine with alcohol. Which of the following would be the most effective way for the nurse to approach this subject with the patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Noncompliance with prescribed medications is an important area. If the client has stopped taking medication or is taking medication other than as prescribed, the nurse must help the client feel comfortable enough to reveal this information. The nurse also explores the client's use of alcohol and over-the-counter or illicit drugs. Such questions require nonjudgmental phrasing; the nurse must reassure the client that truthful information is crucial in determining the client's plan of care.
Question 2 of 5
A client was brought to the emergency department by police after neighbors complained that he was loud and disruptive. The client is paranoid and upset and states, 'No one can be trusted.' Which of the criteria for involuntary admission does this client meet?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 3 of 5
A client being served in a busy inpatient psychiatric unit becomes very noisy and combative. The other clients are complaining about the noise and are afraid that they will be hurt by the client. The nurse determines that the best course of action for all involved is to seclude the client until the client is able to regain control of his behavior. On which ethical principle did the nurse base this decision?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Utilitarianism is a theory that bases decisions on the 'greatest good for the greatest number.' While the client may experience a temporary loss of freedom, all of the clients on the nursing unit and their visitors will benefit by not being at risk for harm from this client. Deontology is a theory that says decisions should be based on whether or not an action is morally right with no regard for the result or consequences. It may not be considered morally right to deny this client his freedom for any amount of time, irrespective of the consequences (harm to others). Nonmaleficence is the requirement to do no harm to others either intentionally or unintentionally. In this circumstance, it could be argued that secluding the client could be maleficence, but it also could be argued that the other clients' rights to not be harmed would be violated by not secluding this client until he is able to regain control of his behavior. Justice refers to fairness, that is, treating all people fairly and equally without regard for social or economic status, race, sex, marital status, religion, ethnicity, or cultural beliefs. It could be argued that the client was not treated fairly when he was secluded, but it also could be argued that the others were not treated fairly if the client was allowed to continue to freely engage in the disrupting behavior.
Question 4 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: Adhering to the agreed session time respects the therapeutic contract and builds trust with the current patient. Option D sets a boundary with the interrupting patient while honoring the commitment to the silent patient. Option A violates privacy, Option B is abrupt and dismissive, and Option C abandons the current patient, undermining trust.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse wants to enhance growth of a patient by showing positive regard. The nurse’s action most likely to achieve this goal is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.