ATI RN
ATI Proctored Mental Health Questions
Question 1 of 5
Josie, a 27-year-old patient, complains that most of the staff do not like her. She says she can tell that you are a caring person. Josie is unsure of what she wants to do with her life and her 'mixed-up feelings' about relationships. When you tell her that you will be on vacation next week, she becomes very angry. Two hours later, she is found using a curling iron to burn her underarms and explains that it 'makes the numbness stop.' Given this presentation, which personality disorder would you suspect?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Borderline Personality Disorder. Josie's intense fear of abandonment, unstable self-image, impulsivity, and self-harming behavior are classic symptoms of borderline personality disorder. Her sudden anger when you mention your vacation and her self-harming behavior to cope with emotional distress are indicative of this disorder. A: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness and control, not by self-harm or intense emotional instability like Josie's case. C: Antisocial personality disorder involves a disregard for others' rights and feelings, which does not align with Josie's fear of abandonment and self-harm behavior. D: Schizotypal personality disorder features odd beliefs and behaviors, social isolation, and paranoia, not the impulsive, self-destructive behavior seen in Josie.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse caring for a withdrawn, suspicious patient recognizes development of feelings of anger toward the patient. The nurse should
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because discussing the anger with a clinician during a supervisory session allows the nurse to process and understand their emotions in a professional setting. This approach promotes self-awareness, reflection, and potential strategies for managing emotions constructively. Choice A (suppressing anger) can lead to unresolved feelings impacting patient care. Choice B (expressing anger openly) can harm the therapeutic relationship. Choice C (asking to reassign the patient) avoids addressing the underlying issue and may not be feasible in all situations.
Question 3 of 5
What term refers to the pain that has a slower onset, is diffuse, radiates, and is marked by somatic pain from organs in any body activity?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Visceral pain refers to pain originating from internal organs. It has a slower onset, is diffuse, and often radiates. Somatic pain refers to pain originating from the skin, muscles, or bones, not internal organs. Acute pain is sudden and short-lived, not slow onset. Chronic pain is persistent and long-lasting, not necessarily marked by somatic pain from internal organs. Superficial pain is pain originating from the surface of the body, not internal organs. Therefore, the correct answer is D (visceral pain) as it aligns with the characteristics described in the question.
Question 4 of 5
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia had an exacerbation related to medication non-adherence and was hospitalized for 5 days. The patient's thoughts are now more organized and discharge is planne The patient's family says, "It's too soon for discharge. We will just go through all this again." The nurse should
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: explain that the patient will continue to improve if the medication is taken regularly. This is the best course of action because educating the family about the importance of medication adherence can help them understand the patient's need for ongoing treatment. This approach promotes shared decision-making and empowers the family to support the patient's recovery. Choice A is incorrect because transferring the patient to a long-term care facility is premature and may not be necessary if the patient's condition improves with medication adherence. Choice B is incorrect as involving hospital security and forcibly removing the family is not an appropriate or therapeutic response to their concerns. Choice D is also incorrect as contacting the health care provider to meet with the family may not address the underlying issue of medication adherence and may not effectively educate the family about the importance of continued treatment.
Question 5 of 5
A psychiatric nurse is reviewing prescriptions for a patient with major depression at the county clinic. Since the patient has a mild intellectual disability, the nurse would question which classification of antidepressant drugs:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Patients with intellectual disabilities may have difficulty understanding and adhering to dietary restrictions required with MAOIs, increasing the risk of hypertensive crisis. SSRIs and SNRIs (A and C) are generally safer and easier to manage in such patients. Therefore, MAOIs would be the classification of antidepressants that the nurse would question for a patient with a mild intellectual disability.