ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Practice A 2023 Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is employed by a long-term residential treatment center that provides care to a variety of patients with chronic mental disorders. Which role would the nurse primarily assume when working with these patients?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Educator. In a long-term residential treatment center for patients with chronic mental disorders, the nurse primarily assumes the role of an educator. The nurse educates patients about their conditions, treatment plans, medications, coping strategies, and self-care techniques. This helps empower patients to actively participate in their own care and improve their overall well-being. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: A: Therapist - While nurses may provide therapeutic communication and support, their primary focus is not to provide therapy which is typically done by mental health professionals such as psychologists or counselors. B: Medication administrator - While nurses do administer medications, it is not their primary role in working with patients with chronic mental disorders. C: Mediator - While nurses may help facilitate communication and resolve conflicts, mediating is not their primary role in providing care to patients with chronic mental disorders.
Question 2 of 5
Assessment of a family reveals that the youngest child has moved out of the family home to live by herself. One of the other two children is married, and the other child has just gotten engaged. The nurse interprets this family to be in which stage of the family life cycle?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Launching children and moving on. This stage typically occurs when children leave the family home to live independently, get married, or become engaged. In this scenario, the youngest child has already moved out to live by herself, and one of the other children is married while the remaining child has just gotten engaged. These events indicate that the family is transitioning into the stage of launching children and moving on, where parents adjust to an empty nest and focus on their own pursuits. Choices analysis: A: Families with adolescents - This stage typically involves children still living at home during their teenage years, which does not align with the information provided in the question. C: Families in later life - This stage occurs later in the family life cycle when children have grown up and left the family home, usually after retirement. The events in the question do not indicate this stage. D: Leaving home: single young adults - This stage involves young adults leaving the family home for the first time to
Question 3 of 5
When describing the concept of allostatic load to a group of students, which of the following would the instructor identify as abnormalities of which of the following as indicative of the overall changes?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Laboratory test results. Allostatic load refers to the cumulative wear and tear on the body as a result of chronic stress. Laboratory test results, such as cortisol levels, inflammation markers, and lipid profiles, provide direct indicators of physiological changes associated with stress. These results offer insights into how the body is responding to stress at a biochemical level. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: A: Nuclear imaging studies - While nuclear imaging studies can provide valuable information about organ function, they are not typically used to directly measure the impact of stress on the body. C: Bone radiographs - Bone radiographs are used to assess bone structure and density, not typically associated with measuring allostatic load or stress-related changes. D: Cardiac studies - Cardiac studies focus on heart function and cardiovascular health, which can be influenced by stress but may not directly reflect the overall changes associated with allostatic load as comprehensively as laboratory test results.
Question 4 of 5
When assessing a client for possible disordered water balance, the nurse checks the client's urine specific gravity. Which result would lead the nurse to suspect that the client is experiencing severe disordered water balance?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D (1.002). A urine specific gravity of 1.002 indicates very dilute urine, suggesting the client may be experiencing severe water imbalance, such as overhydration or excessive fluid intake. In contrast, choices A, B, and C represent more concentrated urine, which would typically be seen in conditions like dehydration or fluid retention. Therefore, D is the correct answer as it indicates a significant deviation from the normal range, signaling a severe water balance issue.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse working with patients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is aware of the need to intervene early in order to de-escalate a patient's increasing anxiety level. Which patient behavior is likely an early indication of escalating anxiety?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Talking rapidly. This behavior is likely an early indication of escalating anxiety because rapid speech can reflect heightened arousal and internal distress. When a person starts talking rapidly, it can indicate a sense of urgency or agitation, which are common signs of increasing anxiety levels. In contrast, pacing around the unit (B) may indicate restlessness or agitation but not necessarily escalating anxiety. Staring out the window (C) could suggest dissociation or introspection rather than escalating anxiety. Refusing to go to therapy (D) might indicate resistance or avoidance but does not directly correlate with escalating anxiety levels.