ATI RN
Behavioral Health Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient in the emergency department says, Voices say someone is stalking me. They want to kill me because I developed a cure for cancer. I have a knife and will stab anyone who is a threat. Which aspects of the patients mental health have the greatest and most immediate concern to the nurse? Select one that does not apply.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The aspects of mental health of greatest concern are the patients appraisal of and control over behavior. The appraisal of reality is inaccurate. There are auditory hallucinations, delusions of persecution, and delusions of grandeur. In addition, the patients control over behavior is tenuous, as evidenced by the plan to stab anyone who seems threatening. A healthy self-concept is lacking, as evidenced by the delusion of grandeur. Data are not present to suggest that the other aspects of mental health (happiness and effectiveness in work) are of immediate concern.
Question 2 of 5
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia has been stable for 2 months. Today the patients spouse calls the nurse to report the patient has not taken prescribed medication and is having disorganized thinking. The patient forgot to refill the prescription. The nurse arranges a refill. Select the best outcome to add to the plan of care.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should use the patients support system to meet patient needs whenever possible. Delivery of medication by the nurse should be unnecessary for the nurse to do if patient or a significant other can be responsible. The patient may not need more intensive follow-up as long as medication is taken as prescribed.
Question 3 of 5
A psychiatric nurse discusses rules of the therapeutic milieu and patients rights with a newly admitted patient. Which rights should be included? (Select one that does not apply..) The right to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients rights should be discussed shortly after admission. Patients have rights related to receiving/refusing visitors, privacy, filing complaints about inadequate care, and accepting/refusing treatments (including medications). Patients do not have a right to a private room or selecting which nurse will provide care.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse in the clinic has a full appointment schedule. A Hispanic American patient arrives at 1230 for a 1000 appointment. A Native American patient does not keep an appointment at all. What understanding will improve the nurses planning? These patients are:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hispanic Americans and Native Americans traditionally treat time in a way unlike the Western culture. They tend to be present-oriented; that is, they value the current interaction more than what is to be done in the future. If engaged in an activity, for example, they may simply continue the activity and appear later for an appointment. Understanding this, the nurse can avoid feelings of frustration and anger when the nurses future orientation comes into conflict with the patients present orientation.
Question 5 of 5
An experienced psychiatric nurse plans to begin a new job in a community-based medication clinic. The clinic sees culturally diverse patients. Which action should the nurse take first to prepare for this position?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An experienced nurse working on a mental health inpatient unit would be familiar with the action and side effects of most commonly prescribed psychotropic medications. However, because the clinic serves a culturally diverse population, reviewing cultural differences in patients responses to these medications is helpful and vital to patient safety. The distracters identify actions the nurse would take later.