A patient attending group therapy mentions, “In the beginning, I was so sick that everyone had to help me. For the last few days, it’s felt good to be able to give something back to the group.” This statement can be assessed as an example of Yalom’s factor of:

Questions 29

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Question 1 of 9

A patient attending group therapy mentions, “In the beginning, I was so sick that everyone had to help me. For the last few days, it’s felt good to be able to give something back to the group.” This statement can be assessed as an example of Yalom’s factor of:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Altruism. This statement reflects the concept of altruism in group therapy, as the patient expresses the satisfaction of being able to give back to the group after receiving help in the beginning. Altruism refers to the unselfish concern for the well-being of others. In this case, the patient's experience of feeling good by being able to contribute positively to the group reflects a sense of altruism. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: A: Cohesiveness is the sense of belonging and unity within a group, which is not directly reflected in the patient's statement. B: Imitative behavior involves mimicking the actions of others, which is not evident in the patient's statement. D: Harmonizing refers to the process of resolving conflicts and reaching agreement, which is not explicitly mentioned in the patient's statement.

Question 2 of 9

A nurse is using Piaget’s model to assess a child’s developmental stage. Which behaviors would determine that a child is successfully achieving the skills required of the formal operations level of development? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer: B, D

Rationale: In Piaget's formal operations stage, children develop abstract thinking, planning abilities, and logical reasoning. Planning a trip and selecting appropriate clothing demonstrate these skills. Becoming sad over the pet's death and identifying objects by capacity are more related to emotional and concrete operational stages.

Question 3 of 9

When a patient asks the nurse, “How can jolting me with an electrical shock possibly do me any good?” the answer most reflective of current biologic theory would be:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment for severe depression and other mental health disorders. Step 2: Current biological theory suggests that ECT produces changes in brain chemistry, specifically neurotransmitters, leading to improved mood. Step 3: The correct answer (A) aligns with this theory by explaining how ECT impacts brain chemistry to alleviate symptoms. Step 4: Answer B is incorrect as ECT is not used as punishment but as a therapeutic intervention. Step 5: Answer C is incorrect as ECT is not primarily used to interrupt brain impulses causing hallucinations and delusions. Step 6: Answer D is incorrect as ECT does not shock the brain into re-establishing normal electrical patterns but rather affects neurotransmitter levels.

Question 4 of 9

A teen is grieving the loss of her pet dog. She states to her mother, “I miss my dog so much, but I know that if I start crying, I will never stop.” The teen is expressing a fear of:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Losing control over her emotions. The teen's statement indicates a fear of losing control if she starts crying. This fear suggests that she believes crying will lead to an inability to stop, indicating a concern about managing her emotions. This fear of losing control over her emotions aligns with the teen's hesitance to express her grief through tears. A: Appearing emotionally immature - This choice is incorrect as the teen's statement does not directly suggest a fear of appearing emotionally immature. B: Embarrassing herself by crying in public - This choice is incorrect as the teen's statement does not mention a fear of embarrassment. C: Losing the support of her friends and family - This choice is incorrect as the teen's statement does not indicate a fear of losing support from others.

Question 5 of 9

When differentiating between bereavement symptoms and depression, the nurse will base the formulation on knowledge that in bereavement:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because in bereavement, symptoms of grief and sadness tend to come and go, known as remitting and exacerbating, as the individual processes the loss over time. This is a normal part of the grieving process. On the other hand, in depression, symptoms are persistent and may not improve without intervention. Guilt feelings being overwhelming (B) is common in both bereavement and depression. Suicide thoughts being common (C) can occur in severe depression but are not a distinguishing factor between bereavement and depression. Psychomotor retardation being obvious (D) is a symptom more commonly associated with severe depression rather than bereavement.

Question 6 of 9

The wife of a patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia asks: “I’ve been told that my husband’s illness is probably related to imbalanced brain chemicals. Can you be more specific?”

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: An increase in the brain chemical dopamine explains the presence of delusions and hallucinations. In paranoid schizophrenia, there is an overactivity of dopamine receptors in the brain, leading to an excess of dopamine. This excess dopamine is associated with symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. Therefore, an increase in dopamine levels is directly linked to these specific symptoms in individuals with paranoid schizophrenia. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: A: Breakdown of dopamine producing LSD does not directly relate to the symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia. B: Decreased amounts of dopamine do not explain the presence of delusions and hallucinations in paranoid schizophrenia; it is the increase in dopamine that is associated with these symptoms. D: An increase in dopamine is more closely related to delusions and hallucinations rather than lack of motivation and disordered affect in paranoid schizophrenia.

Question 7 of 9

Nursing preparation for a client undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) resemble those used for general anesthesia. The nurse should follow these steps for this procedure (place in the order they will occur):

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Educating the patient and family is crucial as it helps alleviate anxiety and ensures informed consent. 2. Monitoring vital signs (A) should be done before, during, and after the procedure, not necessarily in a specific order. 3. Medication administration (B) should be based on physician's orders but is not the initial step. 4. Checking a signed consent (D) is important but typically done before proceeding with any procedure, not necessarily in a specific order.

Question 8 of 9

A chronically depressed and suicidal client is admitted to a psychiatric unit. The client is scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). During the course of ECT, a nurse should recognize the continued need for which critical intervention?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because suicide assessment must continue throughout the ECT course to ensure the safety and well-being of the client. During ECT, the client may experience changes in mood and behavior, which could impact their risk of suicide. It is essential for the nurse to monitor and assess the client's suicidal ideation and intent regularly. This ongoing assessment helps in identifying any exacerbation of suicidal thoughts and allows for timely intervention to prevent self-harm. Choice B is incorrect because antidepressant medications are not necessarily contraindicated throughout the ECT course. In some cases, a client may still require antidepressants in addition to ECT for optimal treatment outcomes. Choice C is incorrect because it is important to acknowledge and validate the client's feelings of hopelessness rather than discouraging them. By addressing and exploring these feelings, the nurse can provide support and facilitate the client's emotional processing. Choice D is incorrect because encouraging a high-caloric diet is not directly related to the critical intervention needed during

Question 9 of 9

The nurse determines that the most effective point of intervention for bereavement is:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because promoting mental and spiritual health across the lifespan addresses bereavement proactively by providing support and resources before, during, and after losses occur. This approach allows individuals to build resilience and cope effectively with grief. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on impending loss, missing the opportunity for early intervention. Choice C is incorrect as immediate intervention may not be suitable for everyone and may overlook the importance of ongoing support. Choice D is incorrect as waiting for the patient to request intervention may delay support and hinder the healing process.

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