ATI RN
ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions
Question 1 of 9
A patient has been placed in an anger management group because he has trouble controlling his angry outbursts. The nurse interprets this type group as an example of which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Psychoeducation. In an anger management group, the focus is on providing information and teaching strategies to help individuals understand and manage their anger effectively. This aligns with the concept of psychoeducation, which aims to educate individuals about their condition and equip them with skills to cope with it. A: Psychotherapy typically involves more in-depth exploration of underlying issues and emotions, which may not be the primary focus in an anger management group. B: Self-help usually refers to individuals independently seeking resources or support outside of a structured group setting. D: Supportive therapy focuses on providing emotional support rather than specific education or skill-building related to anger management.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse is teaching a group of hospitalized clients who have co-occurring disorders involving cognitive disorders and alcoholism about the relapse cycle. Which statement would the nurse most likely include during this teaching session?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it accurately describes the relapse cycle for individuals with co-occurring cognitive disorders and alcoholism. Step 1: Discharged from the hospital, leading to using alcohol instead of medication. Step 2: Alcohol use leads to resurfacing of psychiatric symptoms. Step 3: Rehospitalization and control of symptoms with medications. Step 4: Cycle repeats after discharge. Other choices lack the comprehensive explanation of the relapse cycle, such as hallucinations being the sole trigger (B), unrelated alcoholism and psychiatric illness (C), and the cycle being solely triggered by attempts to stop drinking (D).
Question 3 of 9
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is preparing a presentation about recovery for a group of newly hired nurses for the mental health facility. Which of the following would the nurse identify as one of the most important concepts?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hope. Hope is crucial in the recovery process as it motivates individuals to strive for a better future despite challenges. It instills optimism and belief in one's ability to overcome difficulties, which is essential in mental health recovery. Self-direction (A) and peer support (B) are important aspects of recovery but hope is foundational. Respect (C) is valuable but does not encompass the essence of fostering motivation and resilience like hope does in the recovery journey.
Question 4 of 9
A nursing instructor is preparing for a class discussion on polypharmacy and older adults. Which of the following would the instructor expect to include?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because older adults are more likely to experience adverse reactions due to physiological changes that affect drug metabolism and elimination. Aging can lead to decreased organ function, altered drug distribution, and increased sensitivity to medications. This increased risk for adverse reactions is a key consideration when discussing polypharmacy in older adults. Choice A is incorrect because the focus is on drug abuse, which is not the main concern when discussing polypharmacy in older adults. Choice C is incorrect because medications are typically started at lower doses and adjusted as needed to minimize adverse effects. Choice D is incorrect because age-related pharmacokinetic changes can actually reduce drug effectiveness or increase the risk of toxicity, rather than enhance therapeutic effectiveness.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse wants to assess an adult patient's recent memory. Which question would best yield the desired information?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking about what the patient had for breakfast this morning assesses recent memory by testing the ability to recall a specific event from the short-term memory. This question requires the patient to retrieve information stored just a few hours ago, providing insight into their recent memory functioning. A: Asking about elementary school tests long-term memory, not recent memory. C: Naming the current president tests general knowledge, not recent memory. D: Recalling the nurse's name tests working memory, not recent memory.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse responds to a patient's statement with silence based on the rationale that this technique is used primarily to do which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Permit the patient to gather his or her thoughts. Silence in communication allows the patient time to organize their thoughts and feelings before responding. This can lead to more meaningful and introspective dialogue. Choice A is incorrect because silence is not primarily used for the nurse to determine a response, but rather to facilitate patient expression. Choice C is incorrect as silence is meant to encourage patient self-reflection, not the nurse's. Choice D is incorrect as passive listening involves more than just remaining silent, it also requires attentiveness and nonverbal cues.
Question 7 of 9
A patient has been placed in an anger management group because he has trouble controlling his angry outbursts. The nurse interprets this type group as an example of which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Psychoeducation. In an anger management group, the focus is on providing information and teaching strategies to help individuals understand and manage their anger effectively. This aligns with the concept of psychoeducation, which aims to educate individuals about their condition and equip them with skills to cope with it. A: Psychotherapy typically involves more in-depth exploration of underlying issues and emotions, which may not be the primary focus in an anger management group. B: Self-help usually refers to individuals independently seeking resources or support outside of a structured group setting. D: Supportive therapy focuses on providing emotional support rather than specific education or skill-building related to anger management.
Question 8 of 9
During a routine health screening, a grieving widow whose husband died 15 months ago reports emptiness, a loss of self, difficulty thinking of the future, and anger at her dead husband. The nurse suggests bereavement counseling. The widow is most likely suffering from:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Major depression. The widow's symptoms of emptiness, loss of self, difficulty thinking of the future, and anger are indicative of major depression, which is a common reaction to a significant loss. The duration of symptoms (15 months) and their severity suggest a diagnosis of major depression rather than normal grieving or adjustment disorder. Posttraumatic stress disorder is characterized by specific trauma-related symptoms, which are not evident in this case.
Question 9 of 9
The nurse is counseling a family whose child has autism. When describing this condition, which of the following would the nurse most likely include?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Onset before child is 2.5 years old. This is because autism spectrum disorder typically presents in early childhood, with symptoms becoming noticeable before the age of 2.5 years. Early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes. A: Connection to ineffective parental practices is incorrect as autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic and environmental factors. B: Detection after the child enters school is incorrect as early signs of autism can be observed much earlier. D: Girls are more frequently affected than boys is incorrect as autism is diagnosed more frequently in boys than girls.