ATI RN
2019 ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
Johnny is twelve-year-old boy who has had an increase in aggressive behaviors, picking fights with other students at his school. Johnny's mother calls his doctor's office to ask if there is medication to help decrease these behaviors. After gathering more information about the recent increase in Johnny's outbursts, what is the best response from the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Medication may not be indicated right away; there are other options. Rationale: 1. Medication should not be the first line of intervention for behavior issues in children. 2. It is important to explore other options such as therapy, counseling, behavior modification techniques. 3. Understanding the root cause of Johnny's behavior is crucial before considering medication. 4. Rushing into medication without exploring other avenues may not address the underlying issues. Summary: A: Allowing more freedom at home could potentially worsen Johnny's behavior by reinforcing the negative actions. C: Telling Johnny his behavior is unacceptable without addressing the underlying cause may not effectively reduce his aggression. D: Allowing Johnny to skip school is not a solution; addressing the behavior and providing appropriate support is essential.
Question 2 of 5
A client on a psychiatric unit is telling the nurse about anger toward the airline after losing an only child in a plane crash. In which situation is the nurse demonstrating active listening?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because assuming a relaxed posture and leaning toward the client demonstrates active listening by showing empathy and interest in what the client is saying. This nonverbal behavior encourages the client to continue expressing their feelings. A: Agreeing with the client can shut down communication and invalidate the client's emotions. B: Repeating everything the client says may come across as robotic and not conducive to building rapport. D: Expressing sorrow and sadness, while empathetic, may shift the focus from the client to the nurse's emotions. In summary, actively listening involves nonverbal cues that show understanding and support without interjecting personal opinions or emotions.
Question 3 of 5
A psychotherapist works with an anxious, dependent patient. Which strategy is most consistent with psychoanalytic psychotherapy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because focusing on the patient's feelings developed towards the therapist is consistent with psychoanalytic therapy. This approach allows the therapist to explore transference and countertransference dynamics, which are central in understanding the patient's inner conflicts and relational patterns. By addressing these feelings, the therapist can help the patient gain insight into unresolved issues from their past that are influencing their current behavior. Choice A is incorrect because while it can be beneficial in therapy, it is more aligned with a strengths-based or humanistic approach rather than psychoanalytic therapy. Choice B is also incorrect because praising the patient for describing feelings of isolation does not directly address the deeper unconscious processes that psychoanalytic therapy aims to explore. Choice D is incorrect because providing psychoeducation and emphasizing medication adherence are more commonly associated with cognitive-behavioral or medication-focused therapies, rather than psychoanalytic therapy.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse documents: "Patient is mute despite repeated efforts to elicit speech. Makes no eye contact. Inattentive to staff. Gazes off to the side or looks upward rather than at speaker." Which nursing diagnosis should be considered?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Impaired verbal communication. The patient's inability to speak, make eye contact, and focus on the speaker indicates a communication issue. Impaired verbal communication relates to difficulty expressing thoughts, feelings, or needs. The patient's behavior aligns with this diagnosis as they are mute, inattentive, and not making eye contact. Defensive coping (A) involves protecting oneself from emotional pain. Decisional conflict (B) pertains to uncertainty about choices. Risk for other-directed violence (C) involves potential harm to others, which is not evident in the scenario. Thus, D is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis.
Question 5 of 5
A person who has been unable to leave home for more than a week because of severe anxiety says, "I know it does not make sense, but I just can't bring myself to leave my apartment alone." Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, teaching the person to use positive self-talk techniques. This intervention is appropriate because it addresses the cognitive aspect of anxiety. By teaching the person to challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations, they can gradually overcome their fear and build confidence in leaving the apartment. Online video calls (A) may provide temporary relief but do not address the root cause of the anxiety. Advising the person to use a companion (B) may enable avoidance of the problem rather than actively working on overcoming it. Asking the person to explain their fear (C) may not be helpful if they are already aware that it is irrational. Positive self-talk techniques empower the individual to change their mindset and behavior effectively.