Nurse Jon is caring for a client with severe anxiety. Their anxiety has recently increased so much that the client is unable to go to work. Identify the category of the continuum of mental health to mental wellness that applies to Nurse Jon's client.

Questions 20

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ATI Mental Health Practice A 2023 Questions

Question 1 of 9

Nurse Jon is caring for a client with severe anxiety. Their anxiety has recently increased so much that the client is unable to go to work. Identify the category of the continuum of mental health to mental wellness that applies to Nurse Jon's client.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: mental illness. Severe anxiety that impacts daily functioning is indicative of a mental illness. Mental illnesses are conditions that affect a person's thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. In this case, the client's inability to work due to increased anxiety indicates a significant impairment in their mental health. This falls within the category of mental illness on the continuum of mental health to mental wellness. Summary: A: Emotional problems or concerns typically refer to temporary issues such as stress or relationship difficulties, not as severe as a mental illness. B: Well-being signifies a positive state of overall health and happiness, which is not the case when a person is unable to function due to severe anxiety. D: Between well-being and emotional problems does not accurately capture the severity of the client's condition, which is indicative of a mental illness.

Question 2 of 9

A client with body dysmorphic disorder is admitted to the inpatient unit. Based on the nurse's understanding about this disorder, the nurse would assess this client closely for which of the following?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Suicidal ideation. Clients with body dysmorphic disorder often experience severe distress and preoccupation with perceived flaws in their appearance, leading to significant emotional and psychological distress. This can increase the risk of suicidal ideation and self-harm. Assessing for suicidal ideation is crucial to ensure the client's safety and provide appropriate interventions. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: Escalating violence - While individuals with body dysmorphic disorder may experience distress and frustration, there is no direct correlation between the disorder and escalating violence. C: Anorexia - Body dysmorphic disorder and anorexia are separate disorders, although they may co-occur. Anorexia focuses on distorted body image related to weight and shape, while body dysmorphic disorder focuses on specific perceived flaws in appearance. D: Psychosis - Body dysmorphic disorder is not typically associated with psychosis, which involves a loss of touch with reality. Clients with body

Question 3 of 9

The nurse working with patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is aware of the need to intervene early in order to de-escalate a patient's increasing anxiety level. Which patient behavior is likely an early indication of escalating anxiety?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Talking rapidly. This behavior is likely an early indication of escalating anxiety because rapid speech can reflect heightened arousal and internal distress. When a person starts talking rapidly, it can indicate a sense of urgency or agitation, which are common signs of increasing anxiety levels. In contrast, pacing around the unit (B) may indicate restlessness or agitation but not necessarily escalating anxiety. Staring out the window (C) could suggest dissociation or introspection rather than escalating anxiety. Refusing to go to therapy (D) might indicate resistance or avoidance but does not directly correlate with escalating anxiety levels.

Question 4 of 9

The nurse is employed by a long-term residential treatment center that provides care to a variety of patients with chronic mental disorders. Which role would the nurse primarily assume when working with these patients?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Educator. In a long-term residential treatment center for patients with chronic mental disorders, the nurse primarily assumes the role of an educator. The nurse educates patients about their conditions, treatment plans, medications, coping strategies, and self-care techniques. This helps empower patients to actively participate in their own care and improve their overall well-being. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: A: Therapist - While nurses may provide therapeutic communication and support, their primary focus is not to provide therapy which is typically done by mental health professionals such as psychologists or counselors. B: Medication administrator - While nurses do administer medications, it is not their primary role in working with patients with chronic mental disorders. C: Mediator - While nurses may help facilitate communication and resolve conflicts, mediating is not their primary role in providing care to patients with chronic mental disorders.

Question 5 of 9

A nurse is caring for an infant who has a prescription for continuous pulse oximetry. The following is an appropriate action for the nurse to take?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Move the probe site every 3 hours. This is important to prevent skin breakdown and ensure accurate readings. Moving the probe site helps to redistribute pressure and prevent tissue damage. Placing the infant under a radiant warmer (A) is not necessary for pulse oximetry monitoring. Heating the skin (C) can cause burns or discomfort. Placing the sensor on the index finger (D) may not provide accurate readings for an infant. Moving the probe site every 3 hours is the best practice to maintain skin integrity and ensure accurate monitoring.

Question 6 of 9

Nurse Jon is caring for a client with severe anxiety. Their anxiety has recently increased so much that the client is unable to go to work. Identify the category of the continuum of mental health to mental wellness that applies to Nurse Jon's client.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: mental illness. Severe anxiety that impacts daily functioning is indicative of a mental illness. Mental illnesses are conditions that affect a person's thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. In this case, the client's inability to work due to increased anxiety indicates a significant impairment in their mental health. This falls within the category of mental illness on the continuum of mental health to mental wellness. Summary: A: Emotional problems or concerns typically refer to temporary issues such as stress or relationship difficulties, not as severe as a mental illness. B: Well-being signifies a positive state of overall health and happiness, which is not the case when a person is unable to function due to severe anxiety. D: Between well-being and emotional problems does not accurately capture the severity of the client's condition, which is indicative of a mental illness.

Question 7 of 9

A nurse explains to the family of a mentally ill patient how a nurse–patient relationship differs from social relationships. Which is the best explanation?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it highlights the key difference in a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship: the focus on the patient's needs and active participation in problem-solving. The nurse facilitates discussion but empowers the patient to make decisions and implement solutions, promoting autonomy and self-efficacy. Choice B is incorrect because it suggests a more equal exchange of advice and implementation of solutions, which can blur professional boundaries and hinder the patient's growth. Choice C is incorrect as it emphasizes socialization and meeting mutual needs, which are more characteristic of social relationships rather than therapeutic ones focused on the patient's mental health needs. Choice D is incorrect because it describes a partnership focused on mutual growth and satisfaction, which may not always align with the therapeutic goals of addressing the patient's mental health issues effectively.

Question 8 of 9

When describing the concept of allostatic load to a group of students, which of the following would the instructor identify as abnormalities of which of the following as indicative of the overall changes?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Laboratory test results. Allostatic load refers to the cumulative wear and tear on the body as a result of chronic stress. Laboratory test results, such as cortisol levels, inflammation markers, and lipid profiles, provide direct indicators of physiological changes associated with stress. These results offer insights into how the body is responding to stress at a biochemical level. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: A: Nuclear imaging studies - While nuclear imaging studies can provide valuable information about organ function, they are not typically used to directly measure the impact of stress on the body. C: Bone radiographs - Bone radiographs are used to assess bone structure and density, not typically associated with measuring allostatic load or stress-related changes. D: Cardiac studies - Cardiac studies focus on heart function and cardiovascular health, which can be influenced by stress but may not directly reflect the overall changes associated with allostatic load as comprehensively as laboratory test results.

Question 9 of 9

Assessment of a family reveals that the youngest child has moved out of the family home to live by herself. One of the other two children is married, and the other child has just gotten engaged. The nurse interprets this family to be in which stage of the family life cycle?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Launching children and moving on. This stage typically occurs when children leave the family home to live independently, get married, or become engaged. In this scenario, the youngest child has already moved out to live by herself, and one of the other children is married while the remaining child has just gotten engaged. These events indicate that the family is transitioning into the stage of launching children and moving on, where parents adjust to an empty nest and focus on their own pursuits. Choices analysis: A: Families with adolescents - This stage typically involves children still living at home during their teenage years, which does not align with the information provided in the question. C: Families in later life - This stage occurs later in the family life cycle when children have grown up and left the family home, usually after retirement. The events in the question do not indicate this stage. D: Leaving home: single young adults - This stage involves young adults leaving the family home for the first time to

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