ATI RN
Behavioral Health Nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient in the emergency department shows disorganized behavior and incoherence after a friend suggested a homosexual encounter. In which room should the nurse place the patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: An interview room furnished with a desk and two chairs. This room provides a private and calm environment for the patient to express themselves openly. It allows for a therapeutic conversation and assessment of the patient's mental status. Choice B is incorrect as it does not provide a suitable environment for patient care or communication. Choice C is more appropriate for a physical examination rather than a mental health assessment. Choice D is not ideal as it may not offer the privacy needed for the patient to discuss sensitive issues.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse works with a patient diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who has frequent flashbacks as well as persistent symptoms of arousal. Which intervention should be included in the plan of care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, "Explain that the physical symptoms are related to the psychological state." This intervention helps the patient understand the connection between their physical symptoms and their psychological state, promoting self-awareness and insight. By recognizing this link, the patient can begin to identify triggers and develop coping strategies. Choice A is incorrect because intentionally triggering flashbacks can be harmful and retraumatizing for the patient. Choice C is incorrect as encouraging repression of memories can worsen symptoms and hinder the healing process. Choice D is incorrect because supporting "numbing" as a coping mechanism may prevent the patient from processing and addressing underlying issues, leading to long-term negative effects.
Question 3 of 5
A patient diagnosed with depersonalization disorder tells the nurse, "It's starting again. I feel as though I'm going to float away." Which intervention would be most appropriate at this point?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Engage the patient in a physical activity such as exercise. Physical activity can help ground the patient by redirecting their focus and decreasing feelings of detachment and floating. Exercise releases endorphins which can improve mood and reduce anxiety. A: Notifying the health care provider may be necessary but engaging the patient in physical activity is the immediate priority. C: Isolating the patient may exacerbate feelings of detachment and increase anxiety. D: Administering antianxiety medication may be necessary in some cases, but engaging in physical activity is a non-pharmacological intervention that should be attempted first.
Question 4 of 5
Which assessment finding best supports dissociative fugue? The patient states
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because dissociative fugue involves sudden, unexpected travel away from home, with inability to recall one's past and personal identity. Choice A directly relates to memory loss regarding current circumstances, a hallmark feature of dissociative fugue. Choices B, C, and D do not align with the diagnostic criteria of dissociative fugue as they describe different symptoms such as feeling dreamy, experiencing internal conflict within the body, and feeling anxious, respectively.
Question 5 of 5
A patient has blindness related to conversion (functional neurological) disorder but is unconcerned about this problem. Which understanding should guide the nurse's planning for this patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for the correct answer (B): 1. Conversion disorder involves physical symptoms without underlying medical cause. 2. The patient's blindness is related to conversion disorder, indicating a psychological origin. 3. Unconcerned attitude suggests relief from anxiety through the physical symptom. 4. Nurse should focus on addressing underlying anxiety to help alleviate the symptom. 5. By addressing anxiety, the patient may experience improvement in the physical symptom. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: A: Incorrect because suppression of accurate feelings is not the primary issue in conversion disorder. C: Incorrect as the blindness is not due to physical impairment of the optic nerve. D: Incorrect assumption as the patient's lack of concern does not imply non-disclosure of fears.