ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Test Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses 'lose all their clinical nursing skills.' Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because psychiatric nurses require complex communication skills and critical thinking to assess, support, and intervene effectively with patients experiencing mental health issues. This is crucial for building therapeutic relationships and promoting recovery. Choice A is incorrect because the safety of the environment does not determine the need for clinical skills. Choice C is incorrect as mental health nursing typically involves more therapeutic communication than the use of high-tech equipment. Choice D is incorrect because psychiatric nurses often work with individuals experiencing significant emotional pain and distress, requiring a high level of clinical skill and empathy.
Question 2 of 9
A new graduate nurse is considering taking a job that focuses on meeting the mental health needs of homeless populations. During the graduate nurse's pre-employment interview, the graduate nurse asks the interviewer what characteristics are common in this population. Which response by the interviewer would be most likely?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because homeless populations come from diverse backgrounds and often face chronic illnesses and unemployment. This response acknowledges the variability within the homeless population and highlights common challenges they may face. Option A makes assumptions about education and employment, which are not necessarily true for all homeless individuals. Option C stereotypes the population as having squandered their resources, which is not accurate for everyone. Option D incorrectly focuses on elderly individuals and downplays the prevalence of addiction and mental illness among the homeless. Overall, choice B provides a balanced and realistic view of the characteristics commonly found in homeless populations.
Question 3 of 9
There is conflict surrounding the dying experience in modern medicine. The medical model of treatment in the United States has traditionally been focused on the prolongation of life. What intrinsic factor plays into this medical model?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Medicare is a fee-for-service model. In the United States, the fee-for-service model incentivizes healthcare providers to perform more procedures and tests to generate more revenue. This directly contributes to the focus on prolonging life rather than quality end-of-life care. Healthcare workers' intentions (A) and ethical considerations (D) may vary, and palliative care costs (C) are not the primary intrinsic factor shaping the medical model.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse is planning care for a client with a sealed radiation implant who is to remain in the hospital for 1 week. Which of the following should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for the correct answer B: 1. Wearing a dosimeter film badge helps monitor the nurse's radiation exposure. 2. This is important as the nurse will be in close proximity to the client with the radiation implant. 3. The badge will measure the nurse's radiation exposure levels to ensure they are within safe limits. 4. This precaution is crucial to protect the nurse's health during the client's stay. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: A: Removing dirty linens does not directly relate to radiation safety for the nurse. C: Limiting client visits does not address the nurse's radiation exposure. D: Ensuring family members stay 3 feet away does not protect the nurse from radiation exposure.
Question 5 of 9
The DSM-V classifies:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the DSM-V classifies mental disorders people have. This classification is based on a comprehensive assessment of specific criteria outlined in the DSM-V for various mental health conditions. Deviant behaviors (A) alone do not necessarily indicate a mental disorder. Present disability or distress (B) is a consequence of mental disorders, but not the sole criteria for classification. Classifying all people with mental disorders (C) is too broad and does not account for individuals without a diagnosed mental disorder. Therefore, the correct classification focuses on mental disorders individuals have (D) based on specific diagnostic criteria.
Question 6 of 9
A patient experiencing moderate anxiety says, "I feel undone." An appropriate response for the nurse would be:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Choice C is correct as it demonstrates active listening and encourages the patient to elaborate on their feelings, promoting therapeutic communication. It acknowledges the patient's emotions and seeks clarification to better understand their experience. This response shows empathy and validates the patient's feelings, fostering trust and rapport. Choices A and D lack empathy and may come off as dismissive or directive. Choice B focuses on the cause of anxiety rather than addressing the immediate emotional distress.
Question 7 of 9
A 20-year-old man arrives at the emergency department by ambulance. He is unconscious, with slow respirations and pinpoint pupils. There are 'tracks' visible on his arms. The friend who came with him reports that the client had just 'shot up' heroin when he became unconscious. Which medication would the nurse most likely expect to administer?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Naloxone. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. In this case, the man's symptoms of slow respirations and pinpoint pupils are indicative of opioid overdose. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing and consciousness. Naltrexone (B) is used for opioid addiction treatment but not for acute overdose reversal. Bupropion (C) is an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid, not indicated for opioid overdose. Varenicline (D) is a smoking cessation aid and is not used for opioid overdose reversal.
Question 8 of 9
After teaching a group of students about protective factors for mental illness, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Social support. Social support is a well-established protective factor for mental illness as it provides individuals with a network of resources, emotional support, and coping strategies. Having a strong social support system can help individuals better manage stress, improve self-esteem, and reduce feelings of isolation. A, B, and C are incorrect choices. Unemployment (A) is a risk factor for mental illness, not a protective factor. Younger age (B) is not necessarily a protective factor, as mental illness can affect individuals of all ages. Single status (C) can be a risk or protective factor depending on the individual's social support system.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is developing a plan of care integrating Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Which of the following would the nurse identify as the priority?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Activity level. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs like food, water, and rest are the most basic and essential for survival. Activity level falls under the physiological needs category and takes precedence over other needs like social acceptance or self-image. Without meeting the basic physiological needs, an individual's health and well-being would be compromised. Choices B, C, and D are related to higher-level needs such as social belonging and self-esteem, which become important once the lower-level physiological needs are satisfied.