ATI RN
ATI Capstone Mental Health Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient fearfully runs from chair to chair crying, "They're coming! They're coming!" The patient does not follow the staff's directions or respond to verbal interventions. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Risk for injury. This diagnosis takes priority because the patient's behavior poses an immediate threat to their safety. Running and not responding to staff instructions increases the risk of falls and accidents. Addressing this risk is crucial to ensure the patient's physical well-being. Choice A (Fear) is important but not as urgent as addressing the immediate risk of injury. Choice C (Self-care deficit) and D (Disturbed thought processes) are not the priority in this scenario as the patient's safety is the primary concern.
Question 2 of 5
When engaged in therapeutic communication in a therapeutic relationship with a patient with a mental health problem, which of the following would be most important for the nurse to keep in mind?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because in a therapeutic relationship, the patient should be the primary focus to address their needs effectively. Self-disclosure (A) may shift the focus from the patient to the nurse, affecting the therapeutic process. Empathy (C) is important but not the most crucial aspect; the patient's needs should come first. Recording conversations (D) violates patient confidentiality and trust, hindering the therapeutic relationship. Thus, maintaining the patient as the primary focus ensures effective communication and support.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is preparing to reinforce the use of cognitive behavior therapy with a patient. When interacting with the patient, which of the following would be appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Using a future-oriented goal focus. In cognitive behavior therapy, focusing on future-oriented goals helps the patient set achievable objectives and work towards positive outcomes. This approach encourages the patient to look forward and make changes that align with their desired future. Establishing the agenda (A) can be helpful but may not be as effective as focusing on goal setting. Focusing primarily on behavior (B) is too narrow and may not address the underlying thoughts and emotions. Identifying the problem from the nurse's perspective (D) is not client-centered and may not promote active participation in the therapy process.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is preparing to assess a 78-year-old patient who has been diagnosed with major depression. Which of the following would the nurse expect to assess as a normal finding?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Dulled taste sensation. Major depression can affect taste perception causing dulled taste sensation. This is a normal finding in older adults with depression due to changes in neurotransmitters. A: Decrease in body fat and B: Increased muscle mass are not typical findings in major depression, as it can lead to changes in appetite and weight loss. D: Enhanced visual acuity is not a normal finding in major depression; it is more likely a symptom of another condition or unrelated to the depressive disorder.
Question 5 of 5
A family member of an adolescent who has expressed a desire to commit suicide asks the nurse, 'What might predict the possibility of future suicide attempts?' Which of the following would the nurse include in the response?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Previous suicide attempt. This is a critical risk factor for future suicide attempts as individuals who have previously attempted suicide are at a higher risk of attempting it again. It indicates underlying mental health issues and distress. Unemployment (A), Death of a spouse (B), and Polydrug use (D) are also risk factors for suicide, but not as strong predictors as a previous suicide attempt. Unemployment and loss of a loved one can contribute to feelings of hopelessness, while polydrug use can impair judgment, but they do not directly indicate a previous suicide attempt like choice C does.