ATI RN
Behavioral Health Nurse Certification Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with acute depression states, 'God is punishing me for my past sins.' What is the nurse's most therapeutic response?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it acknowledges the patient's feelings without judgment or disagreement, showing empathy and understanding. Option B dismisses the patient's emotions and offers unsolicited reassurance. Option C could come off as confrontational and may make the patient feel defensive. Option D assumes the patient's beliefs and may not address the underlying emotional distress.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. The patient reports feeling nervous and anxious most of the time. Which of the following is the priority nursing diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Anxiety. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive and persistent worry and anxiety. Addressing the patient's anxiety is the priority to promote comfort and well-being. Choice A (Risk for injury) is not the priority because there is no indication of immediate physical harm. Choice C (Ineffective coping) may be relevant but addressing the anxiety itself takes precedence. Choice D (Imbalanced nutrition) is not the priority as it does not address the patient's immediate emotional distress.
Question 3 of 5
A new staff nurse completes an orientation to the psychiatric unit. This nurse will expect to ask an advanced practice nurse to perform which action for patients?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because only advanced practice nurses, such as psychiatric nurse practitioners, have the authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. This action falls under their scope of practice and requires advanced education and training in pharmacology and mental health. Asking an advanced practice nurse to prescribe psychotropic medication ensures that patients receive appropriate and safe pharmacological interventions. A: Mental health assessment interviews can be performed by staff nurses, not limited to advanced practice nurses. C: Establishing therapeutic relationships is a fundamental nursing skill that all nurses, including staff nurses, should possess. D: Individualizing nursing care plans is a responsibility of all nurses and does not specifically require involvement of advanced practice nurses.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is having difficulty making a decision. The nurse has mixed feelings about whether to provide advice. Which principle usually applies? Giving advice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: giving advice is rarely helpful. Providing unsolicited advice can undermine the patient's autonomy and decision-making process. It is important for the nurse to support the patient in exploring their options and making their own informed decisions. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because giving advice does not necessarily foster independence, lift the burden of personal decision-making, or help the patient develop feelings of personal adequacy. Rather, it can limit the patient's ability to think critically and make their own choices.
Question 5 of 5
A recent immigrant from Honduras comes to the clinic with a family member who has been a U.S. resident for 10 years. The family member says, 'The immigration to America has been very difficult.' Considering cultural background, which expression of stress by this patient would the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Somatic complaints. In many Latin American cultures, individuals may express emotional distress through physical symptoms due to cultural beliefs and practices. This phenomenon is known as somatization. The patient from Honduras is likely to present with physical complaints as a way of expressing their emotional stress, as discussing mental health openly may be stigmatized in their culture. In contrast, options A, C, and D are less likely as they do not align as closely with cultural patterns of stress expression in this context. Motor restlessness, memory deficiencies, and sensory perceptual alterations are not typically associated with stress expression in this cultural background.