ATI RN
Behavioral Questions for Nurse Questions
Question 1 of 5
An adolescent was arrested for theft. At the program, the adolescent refused to join in planned activities and pushed a staff member, causing a fall. Which approach by nursing staff will be most therapeutic?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Firm limits are necessary to ensure physical safety and emotional security. Limit setting will also protect other patients from the teen's thoughtless or aggressive behavior. Permitting refusals to participate in the treatment plan, ignoring, coaxing, and bargaining are strategies that do not help the patient learn to abide by rules or structure.
Question 2 of 5
A patient who is visiting the crisis clinic for the first time asks, "How long will I be coming here?" The nurse's reply should consider that the usual duration of crisis intervention is
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The disorganization associated with crisis is so distressing that it usually cannot be tolerated for more than 4 to 6 weeks. If it is not resolved by that time, the individual usually adopts dysfunctional behaviors that reduce anxiety without solving the problem. Crisis intervention can shorten the duration.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse assesses a patient in crisis. Select the most appropriate question for the nurse to ask to assess this patient's situational support.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
Question 4 of 5
During a group therapy session, a newly admitted patient suddenly says to the nurse, "How old are you? You seem too young to be leading a group." Select the nurse's most appropriate response.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient's comment is a test of the leader's competence and authority. The leader should respond in a way that acknowledges the patient's concern while maintaining authority. The correct response does this by making explicit the implied question and inviting further discussion. The other responses either deflect the question or fail to address the patient's concern directly.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse assesses a patient for inclusion in group therapy. This patient has a childhood history of neglect and ridicule by parents. The patient says to the nurse, "My boss always expects more of me than the others, but talking to him would only make it worse." Which type of group would best address the patient's needs?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral group therapy focuses on specific maladaptive behaviors and thought patterns. Patients often repeat patterns of behavior in a group that they learned in their families. This type of group will afford the patient an opportunity for a corrective recapitulation of the primary family group. The incorrect answers identify groups appropriate for other types of problems.