ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Final Questions
Question 1 of 9
A Red Cross nurse is working with tornado victims. The nurse is interviewing a woman whose house was totally destroyed during the night by the tornado; the woman's pet poodle died as a result of the tornado. Which of the following would the nurse most likely expect to hear from the woman?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nurse would most likely expect to hear the woman express shock and numbness due to the traumatic event. This response aligns with the concept of psychological numbing, which is a common immediate reaction to severe trauma. The woman's statement of not being able to feel anything and nothing seeming real indicates a dissociative response, which is a typical initial coping mechanism in such situations. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they primarily focus on emotional devastation, practical concerns (insurance claim), and grief over the loss of the pet poodle, respectively. While these responses are valid emotional reactions, they do not reflect the typical immediate psychological response to a traumatic event like the one described. In contrast, choice A captures the expected initial shock and numbness often experienced in such circumstances.
Question 2 of 9
A patient with depression asks the nurse about possible herbal supplements. Which of the following would the nurse identify as being commonly used?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: St. John's wort. St. John's wort is commonly used for treating depression due to its potential antidepressant effects. It works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Valerian (A) is primarily used for insomnia and anxiety. Kava (C) is used for anxiety and stress, not depression. Melatonin (D) is used for sleep disorders, not depression. Therefore, St. John's wort is the most appropriate choice for a patient with depression.
Question 3 of 9
Lester and Eileen have always enjoyed gambling. Lately, Eileen has discovered that their savings account is down by $50,000. Eileen insists that Lester undergo therapy for his gambling behavior. The nurse recognizes that Lester is making progress when he states:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice B is correct: 1. Gambling activating the reward pathways in the brain is a scientific fact. 2. Recognizing this fact shows self-awareness and understanding of the underlying issue. 3. Acknowledging the neurological aspect of gambling addiction is crucial in therapy. 4. This awareness can lead to developing healthier coping mechanisms. 5. Understanding the brain's response to gambling can aid in breaking the addiction cycle. Summary of other choices: A. Blaming oneself as a bad person does not address the root cause of the addiction. C. Associating gambling with feeling alive does not indicate progress towards overcoming addiction. D. Dismissing Eileen's concerns and not recognizing the addiction's impact is a sign of denial and lack of progress.
Question 4 of 9
While the nurse is caring for a hospitalized client in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, the client begins to have a catastrophic reaction to feeding himself. Which of the following should the nurse do first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Remain calm and reassuring. In this situation, the nurse should first prioritize maintaining a calm and reassuring presence to help de-escalate the situation. Remaining calm can help prevent further agitation in the client. Restraining the client (B) could escalate the situation and should only be used as a last resort for safety. Drawing the curtains (C) may not address the immediate issue of the client's distress. Offering to feed the client (D) may be a helpful intervention, but establishing a calm environment and approach should come first.
Question 5 of 9
A Red Cross nurse is working with tornado victims. The nurse is interviewing a woman whose house was totally destroyed during the night by the tornado; the woman's pet poodle died as a result of the tornado. Which of the following would the nurse most likely expect to hear from the woman?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nurse would most likely expect to hear the woman express shock and numbness due to the traumatic event. This response aligns with the concept of psychological numbing, which is a common immediate reaction to severe trauma. The woman's statement of not being able to feel anything and nothing seeming real indicates a dissociative response, which is a typical initial coping mechanism in such situations. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they primarily focus on emotional devastation, practical concerns (insurance claim), and grief over the loss of the pet poodle, respectively. While these responses are valid emotional reactions, they do not reflect the typical immediate psychological response to a traumatic event like the one described. In contrast, choice A captures the expected initial shock and numbness often experienced in such circumstances.
Question 6 of 9
An unconscious client with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head is admitted. Family members allude to the existence of a living will in which the client mandates no implementation of life support. What is the legal obligation of the health-care team?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Follow the directions given in the living will because of mandates by state law. In this scenario, the living will is a legal document that expresses the client's wishes regarding medical treatment in case they become incapacitated. State laws typically require healthcare providers to honor living wills. This legal obligation supersedes the family's wishes, ethical principles like nonmaleficence (do no harm) or beneficence (do good). Therefore, it is essential for the health-care team to follow the specific directives outlined in the living will to respect the client's autonomy and ensure their wishes are honored.
Question 7 of 9
When reviewing the evolution of mental health and illness care, which event is associated with mental disorders beginning to be viewed as illnesses requiring treatment?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Establishment of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. This is because the Pennsylvania Hospital, founded in 1751, was the first institution in America to treat mental illness as a medical condition requiring specialized care. Prior to this, mental disorders were often viewed as signs of moral failing or demonic possession. The hospital's approach paved the way for the medicalization of mental health and the development of psychiatric treatment. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because: B: Quaker establishment of asylums, while important for providing care to those with mental illness, did not necessarily view mental disorders as medical conditions requiring treatment. C: Creation of the state hospital system, although significant in expanding access to mental health care, did not necessarily mark the shift towards treating mental disorders as medical illnesses. D: Freud's views on the causes of mental illnesses, while influential in shaping the field of psychiatry, focused more on psychological and unconscious factors rather than the medicalization of mental health care.
Question 8 of 9
The nursing student is experiencing a severe family crisis. In what way might this situation affect the student's performance in a psychiatric rotation?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nursing student experiencing a severe family crisis might overidentify with clients, projecting their own needs onto them. This can lead to blurred professional boundaries and compromised care. Choice B is incorrect because fear of clients is more likely to stem from personal anxiety rather than a family crisis. Choice C is incorrect as feeling inadequate is a separate issue from overidentification. Choice D is incorrect because self-doubt due to lack of knowledge is not directly related to family crisis-induced overidentification.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is reviewing the prescription for doxazosin with a client. Which of the following should be included in the teaching?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Rise slowly when sitting up from bed. This is important for clients taking doxazosin, which is an alpha-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and urinary symptoms of enlarged prostate. Doxazosin can cause orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing positions. Instructing the client to rise slowly helps prevent dizziness and potential falls. Choices A and B are unrelated to the medication's mechanism or side effects. Choice D, taking the medication in the morning, is not as crucial as the safety measure of rising slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension.