A patient has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. During a recent interview, he shows the nurse a picture of a man holding a decapitated head. He describes this picture as horrifying but laughs loudly when looking at it. This behaviour is a display of:

Questions 36

ATI RN

ATI RN Test Bank

health assessment in nursing test bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

A patient has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. During a recent interview, he shows the nurse a picture of a man holding a decapitated head. He describes this picture as horrifying but laughs loudly when looking at it. This behaviour is a display of:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Inappropriate affect. Inappropriate affect refers to emotions that are not congruent with the situation. In this case, the patient's laughing while describing a horrifying image indicates a disconnect between his emotions and the context. This behavior is commonly seen in schizophrenia, where there is a lack of appropriate emotional response. A: Confusion does not accurately describe the patient's behavior, as he is able to describe the picture and his emotional response to it. B: Ambivalence refers to conflicting emotions or attitudes, which is not evident in the patient's behavior. C: Depersonalization involves feeling detached from oneself or reality, which is not evident in the patient's behavior. In summary, the patient's inappropriate laughter in response to a horrifying image is indicative of inappropriate affect, a common feature of schizophrenia.

Question 2 of 9

An Aboriginal woman who lives away from the reserve has come to the clinic to seek help with regulating her diabetes. In conducting an interview, the nurse's priority involves:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because determining if the patient can afford her medications is crucial in managing her diabetes effectively. Financial constraints can significantly impact a patient's ability to adhere to treatment, leading to poor health outcomes. By addressing affordability, the nurse can ensure the patient can access and comply with the prescribed medications. A, finding out why the patient is not compliant, is not the priority at this stage as addressing affordability comes first. B, reinforcing health teaching related to diet and exercise, is important but secondary to ensuring access to medications. D, sending the patient to the diabetic clinic for follow-up, is not as critical as addressing immediate financial concerns.

Question 3 of 9

A patient has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. During a recent interview, he shows the nurse a picture of a man holding a decapitated head. He describes this picture as horrifying but laughs loudly when looking at it. This behaviour is a display of:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Inappropriate affect. Inappropriate affect refers to emotions that are not congruent with the situation. In this case, the patient's laughing while describing a horrifying image indicates a disconnect between his emotions and the context. This behavior is commonly seen in schizophrenia, where there is a lack of appropriate emotional response. A: Confusion does not accurately describe the patient's behavior, as he is able to describe the picture and his emotional response to it. B: Ambivalence refers to conflicting emotions or attitudes, which is not evident in the patient's behavior. C: Depersonalization involves feeling detached from oneself or reality, which is not evident in the patient's behavior. In summary, the patient's inappropriate laughter in response to a horrifying image is indicative of inappropriate affect, a common feature of schizophrenia.

Question 4 of 9

The nurse is conducting a health interview with a patient named Salil. There is a language barrier, and no interpreter is available. Which of the following is the best example of an appropriate question for the nurse to ask in this situation?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Does Salil take medicine?" This is the best question because it is simple, direct, and focuses on gathering important medical information. It is clear and easy to understand even with a language barrier. Choice B is irrelevant and not related to the patient's health status. Choice C assumes symptoms without context. Choice D is inappropriate as it refers to the patient in the third person and includes a leading statement. Asking about medication directly is the most appropriate approach in this scenario.

Question 5 of 9

A nurse is providing education to a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should prioritize which of the following lifestyle changes?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Quitting smoking. Smoking is the most important lifestyle change for a patient with COPD as it is the primary cause of the disease and continues to worsen symptoms. Quitting smoking can slow down the progression of COPD, decrease exacerbations, and improve overall lung function. Summary of other choices: B: Increasing fluid intake - While staying hydrated is important for overall health, it is not the top priority for a patient with COPD. C: Increasing physical activity - Exercise is beneficial for COPD patients, but quitting smoking takes precedence as it directly impacts the disease progression. D: Taking over-the-counter cold medications - Cold medications may provide temporary relief for symptoms, but they do not address the underlying cause of COPD which is smoking.

Question 6 of 9

Which of the following responses might the nurse expect during the functional assessment of a patient whose leg is in a cast?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the nurse would expect the patient to demonstrate functional independence in activities like transferring from a wheelchair to the bed despite having a leg in a cast. This response indicates good mobility and strength, which are positive signs of recovery. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not directly address the functional assessment of the patient. Choice A provides historical information, choice B focuses on pain management, and choice C mentions a self-care routine that is not related to functional ability.

Question 7 of 9

A 45-year-old woman suffered a head injury in a car accident. A few months after recovering from her injuries, she is unable to differentiate between hot and cold and is unsure of how to dress for the weather. This is an example of:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Agnosia. Agnosia is the inability to recognize or interpret sensory information, such as temperature or clothing. In this case, the woman's inability to differentiate between hot and cold and dress appropriately for the weather indicates a sensory processing issue, characteristic of agnosia. A: Mania is a mood disorder characterized by extreme excitement and impulsivity, not related to sensory perception issues. C: Dementia is a broad term for cognitive decline, which typically includes memory loss and impaired decision-making, but not necessarily sensory perception deficits. D: Amnestic disorder refers to memory impairment, not the inability to interpret sensory information.

Question 8 of 9

A 90-year-old patient tells the nurse that he is unable to remember the names of the medications he is taking or what they are for. An appropriate response would be:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because asking the patient's family to bring in the medications will ensure accurate identification and understanding of the medications. This step is crucial in ensuring the patient's safety and well-being. Choice A is incorrect as appearance alone may not provide accurate information. Choice B is dismissive and does not address the issue. Choice C focuses on duration rather than addressing the immediate concern of medication identification.

Question 9 of 9

Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of a health history?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a health history aims to gather subjective information about a patient's past and current health. It helps in understanding the patient's health concerns, medical history, lifestyle factors, and other relevant information. By collecting this data, healthcare providers can make informed decisions regarding the patient's care. Option A is incorrect as the purpose is more than just interaction. Option B is incorrect as it focuses solely on biographical information. Option C is incorrect as it pertains to physical assessment findings, not subjective health information.

Access More Questions!

ATI RN Basic


$89/ 30 days

ATI RN Premium


$150/ 90 days