ATI RN
Mental Health Nursing ATI Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is fearful of riding on elevators. The therapist first rides an escalator with the patient. The therapist and patient then stand in an elevator with the door open for 5 minutes and later with the elevator door closed for 5 minutes. Which technique has the therapist used?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Systematic desensitization. This technique involves exposing the patient gradually to the feared stimulus (elevator) in a controlled manner to reduce fear response. By starting with riding an escalator and then gradually progressing to standing in an elevator with the door open and closed, the therapist is helping the patient build up tolerance and reduce fear through systematic exposure. A: Classic psychoanalytic therapy focuses on exploring unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences, not directly addressing phobias through systematic exposure. C: Rational emotive therapy involves challenging irrational beliefs and is not focused on exposure to feared stimuli. D: Biofeedback involves monitoring and controlling physiological responses, not directly addressing phobias through exposure.
Question 2 of 5
Which clinical scenario predicts the highest risk for directing violent behavior toward others?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because paranoid delusions of being followed by alien monsters indicate severe psychosis and a distorted perception of reality, leading to potential violent behavior. Delusions involving external threats are associated with a higher risk of aggression. A: Major depressive disorder with delusions of worthlessness may lead to self-harm but not necessarily violence towards others. B: Obsessive-compulsive disorder with rituals is more about controlling anxiety and unlikely to result in violent behavior. D: Completed alcohol withdrawal and starting a rehabilitation program suggest the individual is seeking help and support, which reduces the risk of violence towards others.
Question 3 of 5
During assessment, a patient tells the nurse that he follows Buddhist beliefs. The nurse would integrate understanding of which of the following when developing the patient's plan of care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Buddhism teaches that desire is the root cause of suffering (dukkha). Step 2: By understanding this core belief, the nurse can tailor the care plan to address the patient's desires and potential sources of suffering. Step 3: Integrating this understanding will help the nurse support the patient in reducing attachments and finding inner peace. Step 4: Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with Buddhist beliefs and principles, which emphasize the cessation of desires and ego rather than self-indulgence, present unhappiness, or salvation through faith and humility.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is reviewing the drawing that a patient completed as a self-portrait. The nurse observes that the drawing lacks arms and feet. The nurse interprets this as indicating which of the following? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Inadequacy. The patient's drawing lacking arms and feet suggests feelings of inadequacy, as these missing body parts symbolize a lack of capability and completeness. The absence of arms and feet can be interpreted as the patient feeling incapable or incomplete in some aspect of their life. This interpretation aligns with the concept of inadequacy, where the individual may perceive themselves as not measuring up to standards or feeling insufficient. In contrast, choices A, B, and C do not directly relate to the specific symbolism of the missing body parts and are not supported by the information provided in the question.
Question 5 of 5
A male patient has recently been diagnosed with type II diabetes. His family is having trouble incorporating the dietary and exercise regimen prescribed by his physician into their daily routines. They tell the nurse that they are all tired when they return home from school and work and that the last thing any of them want to do is go on a walk. In addition, the patient's wife discloses that she is unable to prepare any sugar-free or low-sugar foods that her husband enjoys eating. Based on this information, which nursing diagnosis would be most appropriate for this family?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ineffective Family Therapeutic Regimen Management. This nursing diagnosis is appropriate because it addresses the family's struggle in incorporating the prescribed dietary and exercise regimen for the patient's type II diabetes. The family's inability to adjust to the new routine and the wife's difficulty in preparing suitable meals indicate ineffective management of the therapeutic regimen. Choice A, Interrupted Family Processes, is incorrect because there is no evidence of a disruption in family dynamics. Choice B, Ineffective Denial, is incorrect as the family is not in denial but rather facing practical challenges. Choice C, Caregiver Role Strain, is not the most appropriate diagnosis as the main issue lies in the family's ability to manage the therapeutic regimen, not in the caregiver's emotional strain. In summary, the correct nursing diagnosis, D, directly addresses the family's challenges in following the prescribed regimen, making it the most appropriate choice in this scenario.