ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Test Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
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 2 of 5
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.
Question 3 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 4 of 5
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 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for a group of hospitalized patients with various psychiatric diagnoses. The nurse identifies which patient as having the greatest risk for a suicide attempt?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Man with major depressive disorder. Patients with major depressive disorder have a higher risk of suicide due to the intense feelings of hopelessness and despair associated with the condition. Individuals with depression may experience suicidal ideation and have a higher likelihood of attempting suicide. Bipolar I disorder (A) may also present a risk, but major depressive disorder has a more consistent association with suicide. Acute stress disorder (B) typically does not have as direct a link to suicide as major depressive disorder. Somatoform disorder (D) is characterized by physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation and is not specifically linked to an increased risk of suicide.