ATI RN
Psychiatric Emergencies Questions
Question 1 of 5
During a psychiatric assessment, the nurse observes a patient's facial expression is without emotion. The patient says, 'Life feels so hopeless to me. I've been feeling sad for several months.' How will the nurse document the patient's affect and mood?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Affect flat; mood depressed. The patient's facial expression lacking emotion indicates a flat affect, while the verbal expression of feeling sad for several months indicates a depressed mood. Affect refers to the outward expression of emotion, while mood is the internal emotional state. In this scenario, the patient's flat affect and depressed mood align. Choice A is incorrect as the mood is not flat but depressed. Choice C is incorrect as the affect is not labile (fluctuating) but flat. Choice D is incorrect as the affect and mood are congruent in this case.
Question 2 of 5
Which goal for treatment of alcohol use disorder should the nurse address first?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Achieve physiological stability. This is the most crucial goal to address first because individuals with alcohol use disorder often experience physical health complications due to alcohol consumption. Achieving physiological stability involves addressing withdrawal symptoms, managing any medical issues related to alcohol use, and ensuring the individual's physical health is stable before moving on to other treatment goals. Learning about addiction and recovery (A), developing coping strategies (B), and establishing a peer support system (C) are important aspects of treatment but should come after ensuring the individual's physiological stability to prevent any medical emergencies or complications.
Question 3 of 5
A patient has smoked two packs of cigarettes daily for many years. When the patient tries to reduce smoking, anxiety, craving, poor concentration, and headache occur. This scenario describes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: substance addiction. This scenario describes a patient experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to reduce smoking, which is a key characteristic of substance addiction. Addiction involves compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite negative consequences, and withdrawal symptoms are common when the substance is not consumed. Cross-tolerance (A) refers to the development of tolerance to one substance due to exposure to another, which is not applicable here. Substance abuse (B) refers to harmful use of a substance without dependence, which does not explain the withdrawal symptoms in the scenario. Substance intoxication (D) refers to the physiological effects of a substance when taken in excess, which is also not relevant to the patient's situation.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is thin, tense, jittery, and has dilated pupils. The patient says, 'My heart is pounding in my chest. I need help.' The patient allows vital signs to be taken but then becomes suspicious and says, 'You could be trying to kill me.' The patient refuses further examination. Abuse of which substance is most likely?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Amphetamines. The patient's symptoms of agitation, dilated pupils, paranoia, and refusal of further examination are consistent with amphetamine intoxication. Amphetamines can cause increased heart rate, jitteriness, and paranoia. PCP (A) can also cause paranoia and hallucinations but typically presents with more dissociative symptoms. Heroin (B) typically causes sedation and respiratory depression, not agitation. Barbiturates (C) would likely cause sedation and impaired consciousness, not the symptoms described.
Question 5 of 5
A patient with fluctuating levels of awareness, confusion, and disturbed orientation shouts, 'Bugs are crawling on my legs.' Which problem is the patient experiencing?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Tactile hallucinations. The patient's complaint of bugs crawling on their legs indicates a sensory perception disturbance, which is characteristic of tactile hallucinations. This symptom is commonly associated with conditions like schizophrenia or substance use. Aphasia (A) is a language disorder, not related to sensory perceptions. Dystonia (B) is a movement disorder, not associated with hallucinations. Mnemonic disturbance (D) refers to memory issues, not sensory hallucinations. In this case, the patient's symptom points to a sensory perception distortion, making tactile hallucinations the most appropriate choice.