ATI RN
ATI Practice Questions Mental Health Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse has begun group counseling sessions for several hospitalized patients in the psychiatric facility. Which of the following would be most effective for the nurse to do to promote group cohesiveness?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Use team-building exercises. Team-building exercises help foster trust, communication, and camaraderie among group members, promoting group cohesiveness. By engaging in activities that require collaboration and problem-solving, group members can develop a sense of unity and support for each other. Option B: Encouraging task completion focuses more on achieving goals rather than building relationships, which may not necessarily enhance group cohesiveness. Option C: Spending time individually with each member may lead to unequal attention and could hinder the development of group dynamics. Option D: Being consistent with group themes is important but may not directly contribute to promoting group cohesiveness as team-building exercises do.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a patient who has attempted suicide. Which of the following would the nurse identify as relating to a psychological cause?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cluster B personality disorder. This is because personality disorders are deeply ingrained patterns of behavior that cause distress or impairment. Cluster B includes disorders characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior, such as borderline, narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial personality disorders. Individuals with Cluster B personality disorders may have underlying psychological issues that contribute to suicidal behavior. A: While a history of childhood trauma can certainly contribute to suicidal ideation, it is not specifically related to a psychological cause in the context of this question. C: Social isolation can be a risk factor for suicide, but it is not a direct psychological cause. D: Suicide contagion refers to the phenomenon where exposure to suicide or suicidal behavior influences others to attempt suicide. It is not a psychological cause but rather a social factor.
Question 3 of 5
A client with bipolar disorder is receiving divalproex sodium as part of the treatment plan. When monitoring the client's blood level for this drug, which level would alert the nurse to the need to change the dosage?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (30 ng/mL). The therapeutic range for divalproex sodium is typically 50-100 ng/mL. A level of 30 ng/mL is below the therapeutic range, indicating that the client may not be receiving enough of the medication to manage their symptoms effectively. This would alert the nurse to consider adjusting the dosage to bring the blood level within the therapeutic range. Choices B, C, and D are all within or above the therapeutic range, indicating that the dosage is likely adequate or potentially too high, but not in need of an immediate change based on blood level monitoring.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has been hospitalized with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following would the nurse include in the teaching plan?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Setting realistic goals. This is crucial for clients with anorexia nervosa as they often have distorted perceptions of their bodies and unrealistic weight loss goals. Setting achievable and healthy goals is essential for recovery. A: Knowing the calorie content of numerous foods may reinforce obsessive behavior and further exacerbate the client's eating disorder. B: Learning strategies to control impulses may not address the underlying psychological issues contributing to anorexia nervosa. C: Describing physiologic consequences of anorexia nervosa may be important for understanding the severity of the condition, but it may not directly help the client in their recovery process.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is preparing to interview a 4-year-old preschooler. Which of the following would be most effective to use for the assessment?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Play materials such as blocks. This method is most effective for assessing a 4-year-old preschooler as it allows the child to communicate through play, which is developmentally appropriate and engaging. Play materials help the child express themselves, display their emotions, and provide insight into their thoughts and behaviors. Direct, simple questions (A) may not be as effective as children at this age may have limited verbal abilities. Using a Pediatric anxiety rating scale (C) or Children's Depression Inventory (D) is not suitable for this age group as they may not understand the concepts being assessed, leading to inaccurate results.