ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Test Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a group of hospitalized patients with various psychiatric diagnoses. The nurse identifies which patient as having the greatest risk for a suicide attempt?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Man with major depressive disorder. Patients with major depressive disorder have a higher risk of suicide due to the intense feelings of hopelessness and despair associated with the condition. Individuals with depression may experience suicidal ideation and have a higher likelihood of attempting suicide. Bipolar I disorder (A) may also present a risk, but major depressive disorder has a more consistent association with suicide. Acute stress disorder (B) typically does not have as direct a link to suicide as major depressive disorder. Somatoform disorder (D) is characterized by physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation and is not specifically linked to an increased risk of suicide.
Question 2 of 5
A 20-year-old man arrives at the emergency department by ambulance. He is unconscious, with slow respirations and pinpoint pupils. There are 'tracks' visible on his arms. The friend who came with him reports that the client had just 'shot up' heroin when he became unconscious. Which medication would the nurse most likely expect to administer?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Naloxone. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. In this case, the man's symptoms of slow respirations and pinpoint pupils are indicative of opioid overdose. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing and consciousness. Naltrexone (B) is used for opioid addiction treatment but not for acute overdose reversal. Bupropion (C) is an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid, not indicated for opioid overdose. Varenicline (D) is a smoking cessation aid and is not used for opioid overdose reversal.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is preparing to interview a 6-year-old girl and her mother in an outpatient psychiatric setting. To establish a treatment alliance with the child, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Option C is correct as it demonstrates empathy and acknowledges the child's emotions, helping to establish trust and a therapeutic alliance. By recognizing the child's potential fear, the nurse shows understanding and provides reassurance. This approach creates a safe environment for the child to open up and build rapport with the nurse. Summary: A: Incorrect. Sharing personal information might not be relevant or comforting to the child, and it does not focus on the child's feelings. B: Incorrect. Standing and looking down can be intimidating and may not promote a sense of safety and trust in the child. D: Incorrect. Asking to interview the child alone without considering the child's comfort and feelings may lead to distrust and hinder the therapeutic relationship.
Question 4 of 5
A new graduate nurse is considering taking a job that focuses on meeting the mental health needs of homeless populations. During the graduate nurse's pre-employment interview, the graduate nurse asks the interviewer what characteristics are common in this population. Which response by the interviewer would be most likely?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because homeless populations come from diverse backgrounds and often face chronic illnesses and unemployment. This response acknowledges the variability within the homeless population and highlights common challenges they may face. Option A makes assumptions about education and employment, which are not necessarily true for all homeless individuals. Option C stereotypes the population as having squandered their resources, which is not accurate for everyone. Option D incorrectly focuses on elderly individuals and downplays the prevalence of addiction and mental illness among the homeless. Overall, choice B provides a balanced and realistic view of the characteristics commonly found in homeless populations.
Question 5 of 5
A nursing student expresses concerns that mental health nurses 'lose all their clinical nursing skills.' Select the best response by the mental health nurse.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because psychiatric nurses require complex communication skills and critical thinking to assess, support, and intervene effectively with patients experiencing mental health issues. This is crucial for building therapeutic relationships and promoting recovery. Choice A is incorrect because the safety of the environment does not determine the need for clinical skills. Choice C is incorrect as mental health nursing typically involves more therapeutic communication than the use of high-tech equipment. Choice D is incorrect because psychiatric nurses often work with individuals experiencing significant emotional pain and distress, requiring a high level of clinical skill and empathy.