ATI RN
Mental Health Nursing ATI Exam Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nursing student new to psychiatric-mental health nursing asks a peer what resources he can use to figure out which symptoms are present in a specific psychiatric disorder. The best answer would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: DSM-5. The DSM-5 is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals. It provides criteria for diagnosing specific psychiatric disorders based on symptoms, behaviors, and other clinical features. By using the DSM-5, the nursing student can accurately identify which symptoms are present in a specific psychiatric disorder. A: Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and B: Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) are not specifically designed to identify symptoms of psychiatric disorders. NIC focuses on nursing interventions, while NOC focuses on nursing outcomes. C: NANDA-I nursing diagnoses provide a framework for identifying nursing problems and developing care plans but do not provide specific information on symptoms of psychiatric disorders. In summary, the DSM-5 is the most appropriate resource for identifying symptoms of psychiatric disorders, while the other choices are not specifically designed for this purpose.
Question 2 of 9
A female client has been admitted to the inpatient psychiatric facility with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder after a history of violence by her boyfriend. During the initial assessment interview, which assessment would be the priority?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Suicide risk. This is the priority assessment because individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder, especially those who have experienced violence, are at increased risk for suicidal ideation and behaviors. Assessing suicide risk is crucial for ensuring the client's safety and implementing appropriate interventions. Nutritional status (A), hydration status (B), and sleep patterns (C) are also important assessments, but in this case, addressing the immediate risk of suicide takes precedence in order to prevent harm to the client.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is preparing to initiate a behavioral treatment program for a child with encopresis. Which of the following would the nurse most likely implement first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bowel cleansing. This would most likely be implemented first because it helps to clear the colon of retained stool, which is essential in managing encopresis. By cleansing the bowel, it can help reset the child's bowel habits and reduce the likelihood of accidents. Administering mineral oil (choice A) may be used as a lubricant, but it does not address the underlying issue of fecal impaction. A low-fiber diet (choice C) is not recommended as it can exacerbate constipation. Toilet sitting after each meal (choice D) is important but may not be as effective if the colon is impacted with stool.
Question 4 of 9
After teaching a class about the biochemical theories associated with panic disorder, the instructor determines a need for additional teaching when the students identify which neurotransmitter as being implicated?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dopamine. In the context of panic disorder, serotonin and norepinephrine are typically implicated due to their roles in regulating mood and anxiety. GABA is involved in inhibiting neurotransmission, thus helping to reduce anxiety. Dopamine, however, is not directly associated with panic disorder and its dysregulation is more commonly linked to disorders like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. Therefore, if students identify dopamine as being implicated in panic disorder, it indicates a need for additional teaching to correct this misconception and emphasize the roles of serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA instead.
Question 5 of 9
During assessment, a patient tells the nurse that he follows Buddhist beliefs. The nurse would integrate understanding of which of the following when developing the patient's plan of care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Buddhism teaches that desire is the root cause of suffering (dukkha). Step 2: By understanding this core belief, the nurse can tailor the care plan to address the patient's desires and potential sources of suffering. Step 3: Integrating this understanding will help the nurse support the patient in reducing attachments and finding inner peace. Step 4: Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with Buddhist beliefs and principles, which emphasize the cessation of desires and ego rather than self-indulgence, present unhappiness, or salvation through faith and humility.
Question 6 of 9
A male patient has recently been diagnosed with type II diabetes. His family is having trouble incorporating the dietary and exercise regimen prescribed by his physician into their daily routines. They tell the nurse that they are all tired when they return home from school and work and that the last thing any of them want to do is go on a walk. In addition, the patient's wife discloses that she is unable to prepare any sugar-free or low-sugar foods that her husband enjoys eating. Based on this information, which nursing diagnosis would be most appropriate for this family?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ineffective Family Therapeutic Regimen Management. This nursing diagnosis is appropriate because it addresses the family's struggle in incorporating the prescribed dietary and exercise regimen for the patient's type II diabetes. The family's inability to adjust to the new routine and the wife's difficulty in preparing suitable meals indicate ineffective management of the therapeutic regimen. Choice A, Interrupted Family Processes, is incorrect because there is no evidence of a disruption in family dynamics. Choice B, Ineffective Denial, is incorrect as the family is not in denial but rather facing practical challenges. Choice C, Caregiver Role Strain, is not the most appropriate diagnosis as the main issue lies in the family's ability to manage the therapeutic regimen, not in the caregiver's emotional strain. In summary, the correct nursing diagnosis, D, directly addresses the family's challenges in following the prescribed regimen, making it the most appropriate choice in this scenario.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is preparing an in-service program for a group of psychiatric mental health nurses about schizophrenia. Which of the following would the nurse include as a major reason for relapse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Non-adherence to prescribed medications. Non-adherence to medications is a major reason for relapse in schizophrenia due to the importance of medication in managing symptoms and preventing relapses. Lack of family support (A) can impact recovery but may not directly lead to relapse. Accessibility to community resources (B) is important for support but not a major reason for relapse. Stigmatization of mental illness (D) can affect treatment seeking behavior but is not a direct cause of relapse.
Question 8 of 9
Which clinical scenario predicts the highest risk for directing violent behavior toward others?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because paranoid delusions of being followed by alien monsters indicate severe psychosis and a distorted perception of reality, leading to potential violent behavior. Delusions involving external threats are associated with a higher risk of aggression. A: Major depressive disorder with delusions of worthlessness may lead to self-harm but not necessarily violence towards others. B: Obsessive-compulsive disorder with rituals is more about controlling anxiety and unlikely to result in violent behavior. D: Completed alcohol withdrawal and starting a rehabilitation program suggest the individual is seeking help and support, which reduces the risk of violence towards others.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is assessing a client in the PACU. Which of the following findings indicates decreased cardiac output?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B (Oliguria) Rationale: 1. Oliguria (decreased urine output) is a classic sign of decreased cardiac output due to poor perfusion to the kidneys. 2. Decreased cardiac output results in reduced blood flow to the kidneys, leading to decreased urine production. 3. Shivering is a common postoperative response, not directly related to cardiac output. 4. Bradypnea (slow breathing) and constricted pupils are not typical signs of decreased cardiac output.