ATI RN
Nursing Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
An older patient tells the nurse that she is becoming more forgetful. The nurse explains to the patient that this is most likely related to which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Medications. Older patients commonly experience medication side effects that can cause memory issues. Medications like sedatives, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines can impair memory. This is a logical explanation as the patient's forgetfulness could be a result of medication-induced cognitive impairment. Explanation for other choices: A: Anxiety - While anxiety can affect memory, it is less likely to be the primary cause of cognitive decline in an older patient. B: Organic brain syndrome - This term is broad and not specific enough to pinpoint the cause of the forgetfulness in this scenario. C: Plaques in the brain tissue - Plaques are commonly associated with conditions like Alzheimer's disease, but there is no indication in the question that this patient's forgetfulness is due to this specific pathology.
Question 2 of 5
The plan of care for a client diagnosed with depression includes cognitive interventions. The nurse would expect to assist with which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Thought stopping. Cognitive interventions for depression aim to challenge and change negative thought patterns. Thought stopping is a technique used to interrupt and replace negative thoughts with more positive or neutral ones. This helps the client break the cycle of negative thinking associated with depression. A: Social skills training focuses on improving interpersonal interactions, not directly addressing cognitive distortions. B: Activity scheduling involves planning and engaging in activities to increase positive experiences, but it does not directly target cognitive distortions. D: Interpersonal therapy focuses on improving relationships and communication skills, rather than directly addressing cognitive distortions.
Question 3 of 5
A client is brought into the emergency department because he was involved in an automobile accident. His blood alcohol level (BAL) is 0.10 mg %. Based on this finding, the nurse would expect to assess which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Difficulty with coordination. A BAL of 0.10 mg % indicates the client is legally intoxicated. Alcohol affects the cerebellum, impairing coordination and balance. Stupor (B) suggests a higher level of intoxication. Emotional lability (C) refers to rapid and exaggerated changes in mood, which is not directly related to BAL. Ataxia (D) is a lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements, which is more severe than difficulty with coordination.
Question 4 of 5
A child and the child's family visit a psychiatric outpatient setting because the parent is concerned about the child's behavior at school. The child scores 65 on the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. The nurse interprets this finding as which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The child can be treated effectively as an outpatient. A GAF score of 65 indicates mild symptoms and the child is able to function adequately in most areas. The child does not require inpatient therapy (choice A) as the symptoms are not severe. There is no indication of homicidal thoughts (choice B) based on the GAF score. While the child may be struggling in some areas, the score suggests that they are functioning relatively well overall and can benefit from outpatient treatment (choice D).
Question 5 of 5
A nursing instructor is preparing a teaching plan for a group of nursing students who will be working with homeless populations. As part of the class, the instructor will be including information about barriers to successful treatment of homeless clients who are mentally ill. Which reason would the instructor include as contributing to lack of compliance with psychotropic medications?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lack of proper medication storage. Homeless individuals may lack access to safe and secure storage for medications, leading to issues such as loss, theft, or spoilage. This can result in inconsistent or missed doses, affecting treatment effectiveness. Other choices are incorrect because: A: Mistrust of medical personnel may be a barrier to seeking care but does not directly relate to medication compliance. C: Chemical dependence on prescription medications is a separate issue and not necessarily a common barrier for homeless individuals. D: Lack of motivation and literacy skills can impact overall engagement in treatment but may not specifically address medication storage as a barrier.