ATI RN
2019 ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient who has been under severe stress while caring for her elderly mother who is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. The nurse explains that the patient is adapting to the stress she is experiencing because of which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A: Ability to survive in the midst of severe stress Rationale: 1. The patient is under severe stress due to caring for her mother with Alzheimer's disease. 2. Adaptation to stress involves the ability to survive and cope with challenging situations. 3. Surviving severe stress indicates the patient's resilience and ability to endure difficult circumstances. 4. This choice best reflects the patient's capacity to manage and withstand the stress she is facing. Summary: B: Acceptance of others' help in caring for her mother - This choice focuses on receiving help from others, which may not directly relate to the patient's ability to adapt to stress. C: Success at being able to solve problems - While problem-solving skills are valuable, adaptation to stress goes beyond just solving problems. D: Capability in setting reasonable personal goals - Setting goals is important but may not directly address the patient's adaptation to severe stress.
Question 2 of 5
While leading a group, a nurse leader says to a patient, 'This is the fourth time that you've changed the subject when we have talked about child abuse. Is something going on?' The nurse is using which technique?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Confrontation. In this scenario, the nurse leader directly addresses the patient's behavior of changing the subject, which is a key aspect of confrontation technique. Confrontation is used to address discrepancies or inconsistencies in a nonjudgmental manner to promote self-awareness and insight. This technique encourages the patient to explore their thoughts and behaviors. Incorrect Choices: A: Support - Support involves providing empathy, understanding, and validation to the patient. The nurse in the scenario is not offering support, but rather challenging the patient's behavior. C: Summarizing - Summarizing involves restating key points to ensure understanding and facilitate communication. The nurse's statement does not summarize but rather confronts the patient's behavior. D: Clarification - Clarification is used to ensure mutual understanding by seeking clarification on unclear statements. The nurse's statement is not seeking clarification but rather addressing a specific behavior pattern.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse has instructed a client with panic disorder about how to use the technique of positive self-talk. The nurse determines that the client has understood the instructions when the client verbalizes which statement to use during an impending panic attack?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "I can handle this anxiety; it will be over shortly." This statement reflects positive self-talk by acknowledging the anxiety but also affirming the client's ability to cope and that the situation is temporary. This empowers the client to manage the panic attack effectively. Incorrect Choices: A: "I am feeling very nervous right now." This choice focuses only on acknowledging the feeling without providing a positive coping strategy. C: "I am taking medication to eliminate these symptoms." This choice relies solely on medication and does not address the client's ability to cope with the panic attack. D: "Relax your muscles, relax your muscles." This choice provides a relaxation technique but lacks the empowering and affirming aspect of positive self-talk.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for an elderly client who has been taking an antipsychotic medication for 1 week. The nurse notifies the physician when he observes that the client has muscle rigidity that resembles Parkinson's disease. Which agent would the nurse expect the physician to prescribe?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anticholinergic. Antipsychotic medications can cause extrapyramidal symptoms like muscle rigidity resembling Parkinson's disease. Anticholinergics are used to manage these symptoms by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, which helps alleviate muscle rigidity. Anxiolytics (B), benzodiazepines (C), and beta-blockers (D) are not typically used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms associated with antipsychotic medications. Anxiolytics are for anxiety, benzodiazepines are for sedation or anxiety, and beta-blockers are for conditions like hypertension or heart-related issues.
Question 5 of 5
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is working with a patient who is being treated for depression. Which patient statement would indicate that her spirituality is intact?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the patient's statement reflects a sense of acceptance and inner peace despite challenging circumstances, indicating a belief in a higher power or spirituality. This indicates that her spirituality is intact. Choice A implies social support but does not necessarily indicate spirituality. Choice B expresses hopelessness and suicidal ideation, which are not indicative of intact spirituality. Choice D reflects feelings of guilt and punishment, which do not align with a sense of spiritual well-being.