ATI RN
2019 ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is working with a patient who is being treated for depression. Which patient statement would indicate that her spirituality is intact?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient's statement reflects a sense of acceptance and inner peace despite challenging circumstances, indicating a belief in a higher power or spirituality. This indicates that her spirituality is intact. Choice A implies social support but does not necessarily indicate spirituality. Choice B expresses hopelessness and suicidal ideation, which are not indicative of intact spirituality. Choice D reflects feelings of guilt and punishment, which do not align with a sense of spiritual well-being.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse documents: "Patient is mute despite repeated efforts to elicit speech. Makes no eye contact. Inattentive to staff. Gazes off to the side or looks upward rather than at speaker." Which nursing diagnosis should be considered?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Impaired verbal communication. The patient's inability to speak, make eye contact, and focus on the speaker indicates a communication issue. Impaired verbal communication relates to difficulty expressing thoughts, feelings, or needs. The patient's behavior aligns with this diagnosis as they are mute, inattentive, and not making eye contact. Defensive coping (A) involves protecting oneself from emotional pain. Decisional conflict (B) pertains to uncertainty about choices. Risk for other-directed violence (C) involves potential harm to others, which is not evident in the scenario. Thus, D is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse has instructed a client with panic disorder about how to use the technique of positive self-talk. The nurse determines that the client has understood the instructions when the client verbalizes which statement to use during an impending panic attack?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "I can handle this anxiety; it will be over shortly." This statement reflects positive self-talk by acknowledging the anxiety but also affirming the client's ability to cope and that the situation is temporary. This empowers the client to manage the panic attack effectively. Incorrect Choices: A: "I am feeling very nervous right now." This choice focuses only on acknowledging the feeling without providing a positive coping strategy. C: "I am taking medication to eliminate these symptoms." This choice relies solely on medication and does not address the client's ability to cope with the panic attack. D: "Relax your muscles, relax your muscles." This choice provides a relaxation technique but lacks the empowering and affirming aspect of positive self-talk.
Question 4 of 5
While leading a group, a nurse leader says to a patient, 'This is the fourth time that you've changed the subject when we have talked about child abuse. Is something going on?' The nurse is using which technique?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Confrontation. In this scenario, the nurse leader directly addresses the patient's behavior of changing the subject, which is a key aspect of confrontation technique. Confrontation is used to address discrepancies or inconsistencies in a nonjudgmental manner to promote self-awareness and insight. This technique encourages the patient to explore their thoughts and behaviors. Incorrect Choices: A: Support - Support involves providing empathy, understanding, and validation to the patient. The nurse in the scenario is not offering support, but rather challenging the patient's behavior. C: Summarizing - Summarizing involves restating key points to ensure understanding and facilitate communication. The nurse's statement does not summarize but rather confronts the patient's behavior. D: Clarification - Clarification is used to ensure mutual understanding by seeking clarification on unclear statements. The nurse's statement is not seeking clarification but rather addressing a specific behavior pattern.
Question 5 of 5
The parent of a 4-year-old rewards and praises the child for helping a sibling, being polite, and using good manners. These qualities are likely to be internalized and become part of which system of the personality?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Superego. The superego is responsible for internalizing societal norms, values, and moral standards. By rewarding and praising the child for positive behaviors such as helping a sibling and using good manners, the parent is reinforcing these moral values, which are then internalized by the child through the development of the superego. The superego acts as the conscience and strives for perfection based on societal expectations. Option A (Id) is incorrect because the Id is the instinctual and impulsive part of the personality driven by the pleasure principle. Option B (Ego) is incorrect as the Ego mediates between the Id and the external world, dealing with reality. Option D (Preconscious) is incorrect as it refers to the part of the mind that contains thoughts and memories that are not currently in awareness but can be easily accessed.