ATI RN
ATI Capstone Mental Health Proctored Assessment Questions
Question 1 of 9
How will the nurse evaluate if trust has been established with the client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because when the client states, "I'll tell you about my sister," it shows a willingness to share personal information, indicating a level of trust. This statement implies a desire for the nurse to know more about their personal life, which is a positive sign of trust being established. Choice A does not necessarily indicate trust as it could just be a statement of longing. Choice B shows resistance or defensiveness, which is not indicative of trust. Choice D does not directly relate to the nurse-client relationship and does not provide insight into trust being established.
Question 2 of 9
A patient checks and rechecks electrical cords related to an obsessive thought that the house may burn down. The nurse and patient explore the likelihood of an actual fire. The patient states this event is not likely. This counseling demonstrates principles of
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: cognitive restructuring. This counseling technique involves challenging and changing irrational thoughts, like the fear of the house burning down, by exploring evidence and creating more balanced perspectives. In this scenario, the nurse and patient are addressing the patient's obsessive thought by examining the likelihood of an actual fire, which aligns with cognitive restructuring. A: Flooding involves exposing the patient to the feared stimulus at full intensity, which is not demonstrated in the scenario. B: Desensitization involves gradually exposing the patient to the feared stimulus, not directly challenging irrational thoughts. C: Relaxation techniques aim to reduce anxiety and stress but do not address the underlying irrational thoughts like cognitive restructuring does.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is caring for an adolescent in the outpatient psychiatric setting. To help the adolescent feel more in control of the initial therapy sessions, which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. By stating "If something is uncomfortable for you, you don't have to talk about it," the nurse empowers the adolescent to have control over the therapy session, fostering a sense of autonomy and trust. This statement respects the adolescent's boundaries and emotions, promoting a therapeutic relationship based on mutual understanding. Choice A is incorrect because it may undermine the adolescent's trust in confidentiality. Choice B is incorrect as it assumes distrust without allowing the adolescent to express their feelings. Choice C is incorrect as it may make the adolescent feel guilty or pressured by their parents' concern, potentially hindering open communication.
Question 4 of 9
A bereavement group run by a local hospice includes a woman who is distraught over her supervisor's death. The woman appears severely distressed. She has trouble functioning with activities of daily living and making the simplest of decisions. The group facilitator recognizes that this woman is suffering from disenfranchised grief after learning:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The woman was in love with her married supervisor. This is correct because disenfranchised grief occurs when a person experiences a loss that is not openly acknowledged or socially supported, such as a secret romantic relationship with the deceased. In this case, the woman's profound distress and inability to function suggest a deep emotional connection beyond a professional one, explaining her intense reaction. Incorrect choices: B: She has not taken enough time off work to grieve properly - This choice assumes that time off work is the primary factor in grieving, which may not be relevant to the woman's situation. C: The supervisor died over a year ago - The timeline of the supervisor's death is not necessarily indicative of disenfranchised grief, as the nature of the relationship matters more. D: Her family is not involved enough to support her - While family support is important, disenfranchised grief is more about the nature of the relationship with the deceased rather than familial support.
Question 5 of 9
Which assessment finding most clearly indicates that a patient may be experiencing a mental illness? The patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood is a hallmark symptom of many mental illnesses, such as depression. This persistent negative mood is a red flag for potential mental health concerns. A: Reports of occasional sleeplessness and anxiety are common and can be caused by various factors, not solely indicative of mental illness. C: Being able to differentiate between 'as if' and 'for real' is related to cognitive functioning and does not directly point to mental illness. D: Difficulty making decisions can be a symptom of mental illness, but it is not as specific as a consistently sad, discouraged, and hopeless mood in indicating potential mental health issues.
Question 6 of 9
The desired outcome for a patient experiencing insomnia is, "Patient will sleep for a minimum of 5 hours nightly within 7 days." At the end of 7 days, review of sleep data shows the patient sleeps an average of 4 hours nightly and takes a 2-hour afternoon nap. What is the nurse's next action?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The nurse should examine interventions for possible revision of the target date. This is because the patient is not meeting the desired outcome of sleeping for a minimum of 5 hours nightly within 7 days. By examining interventions, the nurse can assess the effectiveness of the current plan and make necessary adjustments to help the patient achieve the desired outcome. Continuing the current plan without changes (choice A) would not address the issue of the patient not meeting the sleep goal. Removing the nursing diagnosis from the plan of care (choice B) would neglect the patient's ongoing sleep difficulties. Writing a new nursing diagnosis (choice C) does not address the need to evaluate and adjust the current interventions.
Question 7 of 9
A hospitalized patient diagnosed with depression asks the nurse, 'Should I go home this weekend?' Which response by the nurse uses the technique of reflection?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Option A reflects the patient's question back to them without adding any personal interpretation, allowing them to further explore their feelings. Step 2: This technique of reflection demonstrates active listening and encourages the patient to delve deeper into their thoughts. Step 3: Option B is a therapeutic technique called clarification, not reflection. Option C is an example of paraphrasing. Option D is a form of confrontation, not reflection. Summary: Choice A is correct as it reflects the patient's question back to them, facilitating self-exploration. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they represent different communication techniques.
Question 8 of 9
When assessing a client with depression, the client states, I just feel so sad and hopeless. I just don't care anymore. I don't even enjoy doing the crossword puzzles like I used to. The nurse documents this finding as indicative of which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Anhedonia. Anhedonia refers to the inability to experience pleasure or joy in activities that were previously enjoyable. In the scenario provided, the client's statement about not enjoying crossword puzzles anymore indicates a loss of pleasure, which is a key symptom of anhedonia commonly seen in depression. A: Dysthymic disorder is a type of chronic mood disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood. The client's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder based on the information provided. C: Delusion refers to a fixed false belief that is not based in reality. The client's statement does not involve any delusional beliefs, so this choice is incorrect. D: Psychosis involves a loss of contact with reality, often manifesting as hallucinations or delusions. The client's statement does not indicate a break from reality, so psychosis is not the correct choice.
Question 9 of 9
Sigmund Freud, Karl Menninger, and Aaron Beck theorized that hopelessness was an integral part of why a person commits suicide. A more recent theory suggest suicide results from:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The diathesis-stress model. This model suggests that individuals have a predisposition (diathesis) towards a certain mental health condition, such as depression, and this predisposition interacts with environmental stressors to trigger the condition. Suicide can result from the combination of genetic vulnerability (diathesis) and stressful life events (stressors). Elevated serotonin levels (choice A) are more associated with mood disorders like depression, not directly linked to suicide. Outward aggression turned inward (choice C) is more related to internalizing behaviors like self-harm, but not necessarily suicide. A lack of perfectionism (choice D) is not a widely recognized factor in suicide risk. The diathesis-stress model provides a comprehensive explanation for the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors leading to suicide.