ATI RN
Psychiatry Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
According to Piaget, which of the following would the nurse consider normal when assessing a 6-year-old?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In understanding Piaget's theory of cognitive development, it is essential to recognize that children progress through stages that shape their understanding of the world. At the age of 6, children are typically in Piaget's concrete operational stage, characterized by logical thought and understanding of conservation and classification. The correct answer, option C, "Enjoying putting puzzles together," aligns with this stage as it reflects the child's ability to engage in structured, logical activities that require problem-solving skills. Enjoying puzzles indicates the child's developing cognitive abilities in terms of spatial awareness, reasoning, and problem-solving. Option A, "Playing with an imaginary friend," is more characteristic of Piaget's preoperational stage, where children engage in symbolic play. While common and developmentally appropriate, it is not the most indicative of a 6-year-old's cognitive abilities in the concrete operational stage. Option B, "Talking about their best friend," pertains more to social and emotional development rather than cognitive development in the context of Piaget's stages. This option focuses on interpersonal relationships rather than cognitive tasks. Option D, "Knowing it's wrong to tell a lie," involves moral development, which is not the primary focus of Piaget's theory of cognitive development. While moral reasoning is important, Piaget's stages primarily address cognitive processes such as problem-solving, classification, and logical thinking. In an educational context, understanding Piaget's stages of cognitive development is crucial for nurses working with children to assess their growth and development accurately. By recognizing the characteristics of each stage, nurses can tailor their interactions and interventions to support children's cognitive abilities effectively.
Question 2 of 5
Before assessing a new patient, a nurse is told by another health care worker, "I know that patient. No matter how hard we work, there isn’t much improvement by the time of discharge." The nurse’s responsibility is to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is B) Assess the patient based on data collected from all sources. This is the most appropriate response for the nurse because it upholds the principles of comprehensive assessment and evidence-based practice in pharmacology and psychiatry. By choosing option B, the nurse ensures that the assessment is thorough and objective, taking into account all available information about the patient's condition. This approach allows for a holistic understanding of the patient's situation, which is crucial in psychiatry where accurate diagnosis and treatment are highly dependent on comprehensive assessment. Options A, C, and D are incorrect in this context. Documenting the other worker's assessment (Option A) without conducting an independent assessment may lead to biased conclusions. Validating the worker's impression by contacting the patient's significant other (Option C) introduces a potential for information bias and does not prioritize direct assessment of the patient. Discussing the worker's impression with the patient during the assessment interview (Option D) can also bias the nurse's perception of the patient before conducting a comprehensive evaluation. Educationally, this question emphasizes the importance of conducting independent, thorough assessments in pharmacology and psychiatry. It highlights the significance of evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and the need to gather information from multiple sources to make informed clinical decisions. It also underscores the ethical responsibility of healthcare professionals to maintain objectivity and avoid biases in patient care.
Question 3 of 5
By discharge, which outcome is appropriate for a patient who hears voices telling them they are evil?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the context of pharmacology and psychiatry, the correct answer to the question is option C) Identify events that increase anxiety and promote hallucinations. This answer is appropriate because it focuses on addressing the underlying factors contributing to the patient's hallucinations, which is crucial in managing psychotic symptoms in psychiatric patients. Option A) Respond verbally to the voices may not be the best course of action as it does not address the root cause of the hallucinations and may even reinforce the patient's belief in the voices. Option B) Verbalize the reason the voices say they are evil does not address the need to manage the anxiety and hallucinations that the patient is experiencing. Understanding the reason behind the voices may not necessarily lead to effective symptom management. Option D) Integrate the voices into their personality structure in a positive manner can be a risky approach as it may lead to further entrenchment of the hallucinations and could potentially worsen the patient's condition. In an educational context, it is essential for healthcare providers to understand the importance of addressing underlying factors contributing to psychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations. By identifying and addressing triggers for hallucinations, healthcare providers can help patients better manage their symptoms and improve overall outcomes. This rationale highlights the significance of a holistic approach to psychiatric care that goes beyond just symptom management.
Question 4 of 5
A patient tries to gouge out their eye in response to auditory hallucinations. The nurse would analyze this behavior as indicating:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is C) Impaired impulse control. Impaired impulse control refers to the inability to resist or control impulsive behaviors. In the case described, the patient's action of trying to gouge out their eye in response to auditory hallucinations demonstrates a significant lack of control over their impulses. Option A) Derealization is not the correct answer because derealization refers to feeling detached from one's surroundings, which is not the behavior exhibited by the patient in the question. Option B) Inappropriate affect is also incorrect as it refers to emotions that are not suitable for the circumstances, rather than impulsive behavior like attempting self-harm. Option D) Inability to manage anger is not the best choice because the behavior described is more indicative of impulse control issues rather than solely anger management problems. From an educational standpoint, understanding the concept of impaired impulse control is crucial in psychiatric nursing as it helps nurses recognize and respond to behaviors that may pose a risk to the patient or others. By differentiating between various psychiatric symptoms and behaviors, nurses can provide appropriate care and interventions to ensure patient safety and well-being.
Question 5 of 5
What would be an appropriate short-term outcome for a patient diagnosed with residual schizophrenia who exhibits ambivalence?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the context of a patient diagnosed with residual schizophrenia exhibiting ambivalence, choosing between two outfits to wear each morning (Option C) would be the most appropriate short-term outcome. This choice provides the patient with a manageable decision-making task that can help them practice making choices and regain a sense of control over their daily routine. Option A, deciding their own daily schedule, might be overwhelming for a patient struggling with ambivalence due to the high level of complexity involved. Option B, deciding which unit groups to attend, may also be challenging as it requires more cognitive load and decision-making capacity. Option D, choosing which clinic staff member to work with, may not directly address the ambivalence issue and may not be as relevant to daily functioning as choosing an outfit. In the educational context, it is important to understand that individuals with schizophrenia often struggle with decision-making and may benefit from structured tasks that gradually build their confidence in making choices. Providing opportunities for small, manageable decisions like choosing an outfit can be a valuable therapeutic intervention in addressing ambivalence in schizophrenia.