ATI RN
Mental Health Final ATI Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client in the outpatient setting who has been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Before the client is given a prescription for a tricyclic antidepressant, assessment for which of the following would be most important?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Suicide. Assessing for suicide risk is crucial before prescribing a tricyclic antidepressant due to the potential increase in suicidal ideation in the initial phase of treatment. Suicide risk assessment helps in determining the level of monitoring and support needed for the client. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as hypersomnia, cardiac arrhythmia, and erectile dysfunction are not directly related to the initiation of tricyclic antidepressants and do not pose an immediate risk to the client's safety compared to suicidal ideation.
Question 2 of 5
As part of a community program on crisis prevention, a nurse is describing the phases of crisis. Which of the following would the nurse identify as occurring first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Problem stimulating usual problem solving. In crisis intervention, the first phase is when the individual encounters a problem that triggers their usual problem-solving skills. This initial phase involves recognizing the crisis and attempting to assess and address the problem. This sets the stage for further crisis intervention strategies. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Trial and error attempts to alleviate problem - This typically occurs after the crisis has been recognized and initial problem-solving attempts have been made. C: Automatic relief behaviors take over - This is more likely to be a coping mechanism employed after the crisis has escalated and the individual is seeking immediate relief. D: Serious personality disorganization - This usually occurs in the later stages of a crisis when the individual's ability to cope is severely compromised.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is talking with the husband of a female client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. During the conversation, the husband tells the nurse that she often begins to scream and curse for no apparent reason. The nurse interprets this as which of the following?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hypervocalization. In Alzheimer's disease, individuals may exhibit increased vocalization, including screaming and cursing, due to various factors such as confusion, frustration, or agitation. This behavior is known as hypervocalization. Choice A, hypersexuality, refers to inappropriate sexual behavior, not vocalization. Choice B, disinhibition, involves lack of restraint in behaviors, not specifically vocalization. Choice D, apathy, refers to lack of interest or emotion, not excessive vocalization. Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation in this scenario is hypervocalization due to Alzheimer's disease.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse states to a client on an inpatient unit,"Tell me what's been on your mind." Which describes the purpose of this therapeutic communication technique?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: To have the client choose the topic of the conversation. By asking the client to share what's on their mind, the nurse is allowing the client to lead the discussion and express their concerns or thoughts. This empowers the client to direct the conversation towards what is most important to them, promoting client-centered care and fostering a sense of autonomy. Choice B is incorrect because the purpose is not to present new ideas but to encourage the client to share their own thoughts. Choice C is incorrect as conveying interest is important in therapeutic communication but not the primary purpose of this specific technique. Choice D is incorrect as the purpose is not specifically to provide time for reflection but to allow the client to initiate the conversation.
Question 5 of 5
After a Category 5 tornado hits a community and destroys many homes and businesses, a community mental health nurse encourages victims to describe their memories and feelings about the event. This action by the nurse best demonstrates
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: primary prevention. By encouraging victims to describe their memories and feelings about the tornado, the nurse is promoting emotional processing and resilience, which are key components of primary prevention. This approach aims to prevent the development of long-term mental health issues by addressing immediate emotional needs. Explanation for incorrect choices: A: Triage involves prioritizing and allocating resources based on the severity of the situation. While important after a disaster, encouraging victims to share their experiences is not directly related to triage. C: Psychosocial rehabilitation focuses on restoring functioning and quality of life for individuals with existing mental health issues. This choice does not align with the scenario of addressing immediate emotional responses to a traumatic event. D: Psychiatric case management involves coordinating services for individuals with severe mental illness. This choice is not relevant in the context of supporting victims of a natural disaster in processing their emotions.