ATI RN
ATI Final Mental Health Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I'll ever get out of here." Select the nurse's most therapeutic response.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it reflects active listening and empathy. The nurse acknowledges the patient's feelings and opens the door for further discussion. Choice A dismisses the patient's feelings and may come off as insensitive. Choice B provides positive reinforcement but overlooks the patient's emotional state. Choice D generalizes the patient's feelings without addressing their specific concerns. Overall, choice C encourages the patient to express their thoughts and promotes therapeutic communication.
Question 2 of 5
A patient is brought to the emergency department by her brother, who reports that the patient became very agitated and 'started hallucinating.' Further assessment reveals tachycardia, incoordination, vomiting, and diarrhea. The brother states that the patient is taking paroxetine for depression. Which of the following would the nurse most likely suspect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Serotonin syndrome. The patient's symptoms of agitation, hallucinations, tachycardia, incoordination, vomiting, and diarrhea are consistent with serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonin levels. Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly used to treat depression, which can lead to serotonin syndrome when combined with other serotonergic medications. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (choice A) presents with muscle rigidity, fever, and altered mental status. Acute dystonic reaction (choice B) is characterized by sudden muscle contractions. Hypothyroidism (choice D) does not typically present with symptoms like agitation, hallucinations, and tachycardia.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client recovering from bowel surgery who has a nasogastric tube connected to low intermittent suction. Which of the following assessment findings should indicate to the nurse that the NG tube may not be functioning properly?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Abdominal rigidity. Abdominal rigidity can indicate a serious issue such as peritonitis, which may be caused by a malfunctioning NG tube allowing leakage of gastric contents into the peritoneal cavity. This requires immediate intervention. Choices A, B, and D are not indicative of NG tube malfunction. Greenish-yellow drainage is normal post-surgery, an aspirate pH of 3 is within the normal range for gastric contents, and air bubbles in the NG tube are common and do not necessarily indicate malfunction.
Question 4 of 5
A son brings his mother to the clinic for an evaluation. The son's mother has moderate Alzheimer's disease without delirium. The nurse assesses the client for which of the following as the priority?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Catastrophic reactions. In a client with Alzheimer's disease, catastrophic reactions can occur when they are overwhelmed or unable to cope with a situation. These reactions can lead to outbursts or extreme emotional responses. It is important to prioritize assessing and managing catastrophic reactions to ensure the safety and well-being of the client and others. Hearing deficits (choice A) may contribute to communication difficulties but are not as urgent as managing catastrophic reactions. Mania (choice B) and strange verbalizations (choice C) are not typically associated with Alzheimer's disease without delirium and are less concerning compared to potential catastrophic reactions.
Question 5 of 5
A client with insomnia is prescribed zolpidem. When describing the action of this medication to the client, the nurse would incorporate information related to the medication's effect on which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: 1. Zolpidem enhances the action of GABA neurotransmitter. 2. GABA inhibits brain activity, promoting relaxation and sleep. 3. Therefore, correct answer is A: GABA. Summary: B: Serotonin - Not directly affected by zolpidem. C: Dopamine - Not the primary neurotransmitter involved in sleep regulation. D: Norepinephrine - Not directly targeted by zolpidem for sleep promotion.