ATI RN
Psychiatric Emergency Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient is pacing the hall near the nurses' station, swearing loudly. An appropriate initial intervention for the nurse would be to address the patient by name and say:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it demonstrates empathy and a desire to understand the patient's feelings. By addressing the patient by name and expressing a willingness to talk about their emotions, the nurse shows respect and attempts to de-escalate the situation. Choice A is too generic and may come off as confrontational. Choice B is authoritarian and dismissive of the patient's emotions. Choice D is coercive and does not address the underlying issues causing the behavior. Overall, choice C promotes therapeutic communication and patient-centered care.
Question 2 of 5
Family members ask the nurse, 'What can we say when our loved one says, 'Death is coming soon?' To promote communication, which response could the nurse suggest for family members?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it acknowledges the loved one's feelings and opens up a conversation about their fears and concerns. It shows empathy and understanding, which can help strengthen the emotional connection between the family members and the loved one. Choice B focuses on hope for recovery, which may not be realistic in this situation. Choice C provides false reassurance and denies the reality of the situation. Choice D shifts the focus away from the loved one's emotional expression and memories may not be what the loved one wants to talk about at that moment.
Question 3 of 5
A terminally ill patient says, 'I know I will never get well, but,' and the patient's voice trails off. Select the most therapeutic response by the nurse.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it encourages the patient to express their thoughts and feelings, showing empathy and support. It validates the patient's emotions and allows them to explore their hopes and concerns. Choice B focuses on information rather than emotional support. Choice C is dismissive and lacks empathy, potentially causing distress. Choice D deflects the patient's expression of emotions and directs them elsewhere, missing an opportunity for therapeutic communication.
Question 4 of 5
Which event is most likely to precipitate grief across a community?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the sudden and violent death of a community leader like the principal of a local high school is likely to have a profound impact on the community, leading to widespread grief. This event directly affects the safety and well-being of individuals within the community, causing shock and emotional turmoil. It disrupts the sense of security and stability that the principal represents. In contrast, the other choices may cause concern or inconvenience, but they are less likely to evoke the same level of emotional response and communal grief. Robberies, the death of an elderly pastor, or infrastructure issues like crumbling concrete pilings may be concerning, but they do not have the same emotional weight and impact on the community as the tragic and violent death of a school principal.
Question 5 of 5
During group therapy, one patient says to another, 'When I first started in this group, you were unable to make a decision, but now you can. You've made so much progress that I am beginning to think maybe I can conquer my fears too.' Which therapeutic factor is evident by this statement?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hope. The patient expressing belief in their own ability to overcome fears based on observing another's progress demonstrates the therapeutic factor of hope. This instills optimism and motivation in the patient, showing that change is possible. Altruism (B) involves gaining satisfaction from helping others, not necessarily from receiving inspiration. Catharsis (C) is the emotional release of pent-up feelings, not directly related to the patient's progress. Cohesiveness (D) refers to the bond and unity within the group, not the individual's personal growth.