ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
After threatening to jump off a bridge, a client is brought to an emergency department by police. To assess for suicide potential, which question should a nurse ask first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should first ask, "Are you currently thinking about harming yourself?" This question directly assesses the client's current suicidal ideation and immediate risk. It is crucial to determine the level of risk for self-harm before delving into reasons or consequences, as the client's safety is the top priority. By addressing the current thoughts of self-harm, the nurse can decide on appropriate interventions and ensure the client's safety.
Question 2 of 5
How would a nurse differentiate a client diagnosed with a social phobia from a client diagnosed with a schizoid personality disorder (SPD)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The key difference between a client diagnosed with social phobia and a client diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder (SPD) lies in their patterns of avoiding interactions. Clients with social phobia typically avoid interactions only in social settings where they fear judgment or negative evaluation. On the other hand, clients with SPD tend to avoid interactions in all areas of life, not just limited to social settings. This fundamental difference in the scope of avoidance behavior helps nurses differentiate between the two diagnoses.
Question 3 of 5
A cab driver stuck in traffic is suddenly lightheaded, tremulous, and diaphoretic and experiences tachycardia and dyspnea. An extensive workup in an emergency department reveals no pathology. Which medical diagnosis is suspected, and what nursing diagnosis takes priority?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The presentation of sudden lightheadedness, tremulousness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and dyspnea in a cab driver stuck in traffic with normal test results in an emergency department suggests a panic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, leading to intense fear and discomfort. The symptoms described align with a panic attack, which can mimic physical conditions.
Question 4 of 5
A college student is unable to take a final examination because of severe test anxiety. Instead of studying, the student relieves stress by attending a movie. Which priority nursing diagnosis should a campus nurse assign for this client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis of "Altered coping R/T anxiety" is the most suitable option for the college student in this scenario. The student's coping mechanism of avoiding the final examination due to severe test anxiety and choosing to attend a movie instead indicates an ineffective way of dealing with stress and anxiety. The altered coping mechanism is evident in the student's inability to face the source of anxiety (the exam) and resorting to avoidance behavior. By identifying and addressing the altered coping pattern, the nurse can help the student develop more effective coping strategies to manage and reduce anxiety in future challenging situations. Noncompliance, ineffective role performance, and powerlessness are not the primary issues in this case compared to the altered coping mechanism resulting from anxiety.
Question 5 of 5
A client is newly diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and spends 45 minutes folding clothes and rearranging them in drawers. Which nursing intervention would best address this clients problem?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most appropriate nursing intervention to address the client's obsessive-compulsive behavior of folding clothes and rearranging them in drawers for an extended period is to discuss the anxiety-provoking triggers that precipitate the ritualistic behaviors. By identifying and understanding the triggers that lead to the compulsive behavior, the client and the healthcare team can work on more effective coping strategies and interventions to manage the anxiety and reduce the compulsive behaviors. This approach focuses on addressing the root cause of the behavior rather than just attempting to distract or control the client's actions. Additionally, this intervention promotes communication, self-awareness, and collaborative problem-solving between the client and the healthcare team to promote long-term management of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.