ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for an older patient in a residential care facility. The patient has been extremely irritable the entire day. When modifying the patient's plan of care, which of the following would be an appropriate snack to offer the patient to decrease the irritability?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Glass of milk. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to mood regulation. Offering the patient a glass of milk can help increase serotonin levels, potentially decreasing irritability. A: Chocolate candy bar is high in sugar and may lead to a spike in blood sugar levels, followed by a crash, which can worsen irritability. B: Raisins are a source of natural sugars but lack the necessary nutrients to help regulate mood. C: Granola bar may contain added sugars and lack the specific components like tryptophan found in milk to help improve mood.
Question 2 of 5
The head nurse in the ED has received word that a major fire in a high-rise office tower will result in many injured persons being brought to the hospital within the next few minutes. The head nurse tells the staff, 'You will need to assess for acute stress reactions as well as treating physical problems.' Which patient is exhibiting symptoms characteristic of acute stress reaction?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the female reporting still hearing her daughter's pleas for help is exhibiting symptoms characteristic of acute stress reaction, a common response to traumatic events like a major fire. This symptom indicates a re-experiencing of the traumatic event, known as intrusion, which is a key feature of acute stress reactions. This can include vivid memories, flashbacks, or hearing sounds related to the traumatic event. Choices A, C, and D do not align with acute stress reactions. A male with mood swings between mania and depression (Choice A) is more likely experiencing bipolar disorder. A male repeating 'I don't understand what's going on?' (Choice C) may indicate confusion or disorientation rather than acute stress reaction. A female rocking her young son and repeating 'it will be okay' (Choice D) may be demonstrating a coping mechanism rather than a symptom of acute stress reaction.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is working with a client diagnosed with complex somatic symptom disorder. Which of the following would the nurse identify as the most difficult aspect of providing care to this client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Developing the therapeutic relationship. In complex somatic symptom disorder, patients often have difficulty trusting healthcare providers and may resist treatment. Developing a therapeutic relationship requires patience, empathy, and understanding. It is crucial for effective care as it allows the nurse to address the underlying psychological issues contributing to the somatic symptoms. Pain management (choice A) and anxiety relief (choice B) are important but may be more straightforward compared to building trust and rapport. Monitoring treatment (choice D) is essential but can be done effectively once a therapeutic relationship is established.
Question 4 of 5
An 80-year-old client visits the mental health clinic with her daughter. During the assessment process, the client tells the nurse that she is taking an antidepressant, an antibiotic, and an occasional aspirin. Which question would be most important for the nurse to ask?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "How much grapefruit juice do you drink on a daily basis?" This is because grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications, including antidepressants, antibiotics, and aspirin, leading to potentially serious side effects. Grapefruit juice inhibits the enzyme CYP3A4, which can increase the concentration of these medications in the bloodstream, causing adverse effects. Therefore, it is crucial for the nurse to ask about grapefruit juice consumption to assess the risk of drug interactions. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because orange juice, tomato juice, and grape juice do not have significant interactions with the mentioned medications. While it is important to consider overall dietary habits, grapefruit juice specifically has a known interaction with many medications, making it the most critical question to ask in this scenario.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is preparing a presentation for an adolescent and young adult community group about stalking. Which group would the nurse identify as having the highest risk of being stalked?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D (ages 18 to 24 years Women) because young women in this age group are statistically at the highest risk of being stalked. Factors such as increased social media use, dating relationships, and independence make them vulnerable. They may also be more likely to encounter obsessive behaviors from current or former partners. Choice A (Boys and young men) is less likely as stalking affects women more frequently. Choice B (ages 12 to 21 years Men) is less likely as younger age groups are generally at a lower risk. Choice C (ages 24 to 28 years) is less likely as the risk tends to decrease slightly as individuals get older.