ATI RN
RN Mental Health 2023 ATI Proctored Questions
Question 1 of 5
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 5
A newly admitted patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder has gained 20 pounds over a few months and has suicidal ideation. The patient has taken antidepressant medication for 1 week without remission of symptoms. Select the priority nursing diagnosis.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis in this scenario is C: Risk for suicide. This is because the patient's suicidal ideation poses an immediate threat to their safety and needs to be addressed urgently to ensure their well-being. The patient's weight gain and lack of symptom improvement with antidepressants are important factors but do not take precedence over the risk of suicide. Imbalanced nutrition and chronic low self-esteem are not the priority as they are not immediately life-threatening. Hopelessness is also important but addressing the risk for suicide takes precedence in this critical situation.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is preparing to assess a middle-aged male client who was brought to the emergency department by his wife. She reports that the client has been extremely depressed lately. When assessing this client, which of the following would be a priority assessment?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thoughts of self-harm. This is the priority assessment because it indicates the client's risk of harm to himself. Assessing for self-harm is crucial in determining the immediate safety of the client. Changes in sleeping patterns, appetite, and fatigue are important assessments in evaluating depression but do not directly address the client's immediate safety. It is essential to address the most critical issue first to ensure the client's well-being.
Question 4 of 5
During a solution-focused behavior therapy session, the therapist asks a patient to use his imagination based on a scenario in which a patient awakens and all his problems have disappeared. The therapist then asks the patient, 'How would your life be different?' Which type of question is the therapist using?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Miracle question. This question is used to help clients envision a future where their problems have miraculously disappeared, allowing them to explore how their life would be different without those issues. It encourages clients to imagine a positive change and helps them identify their desired outcomes. A: Exception question focuses on times when the problem did not occur. C: Relationship question explores how relationships may be impacting the issue. D: Scaling question involves rating progress or motivation levels, not imagining a problem-free scenario.
Question 5 of 5
Which nursing intervention focuses on managing a common characteristic of major depressive disorder associated with the older population?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because conducting routine suicide screenings at a senior center is a crucial nursing intervention to manage the common characteristic of major depressive disorder associated with the older population, which is an increased risk of suicide. By conducting these screenings, nurses can identify individuals at risk and provide appropriate interventions to prevent suicide. Choice B is incorrect as depression is not a natural result of aging and should not be normalized. Choice C is incorrect as both males and females are at risk for developing depression. Choice D is incorrect as major depressive disorder is often a recurring condition, rather than a one-time episode for many individuals.