ATI RN
Mental Health Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is the best nursing rationale for holding a debriefing session with clients and staff after clients have witnessed a peer being taken down after a violent outburst?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Holding a debriefing session with clients and staff after clients have witnessed a peer being taken down after a violent outburst is important to help process feelings and concerns related to the witnessed intervention. This type of event can be traumatic and unsettling for both clients and staff involved. By allowing a safe space for individuals to express their emotions, concerns, and ask questions, the debriefing session can help address any anxiety, fear, or confusion that may have arisen from the incident. It can also help prevent any lingering negative effects on the individuals involved by validating their experiences and providing support and information as needed. This debriefing session serves as a form of psychological first aid and supports the overall emotional well-being of the clients and staff in the aftermath of a distressing event.
Question 2 of 5
A cab driver stuck in traffic is suddenly lightheaded, tremulous, and diaphoretic and experiences tachycardia and dyspnea. An extensive workup in an emergency department reveals no pathology. Which medical diagnosis is suspected, and what nursing diagnosis takes priority?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The presentation of sudden lightheadedness, tremulousness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and dyspnea in a cab driver stuck in traffic with normal test results in an emergency department suggests a panic disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, leading to intense fear and discomfort. The symptoms described align with a panic attack, which can mimic physical conditions.
Question 3 of 5
A college student is unable to take a final examination because of severe test anxiety. Instead of studying, the student relieves stress by attending a movie. Which priority nursing diagnosis should a campus nurse assign for this client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis of "Altered coping R/T anxiety" is the most suitable option for the college student in this scenario. The student's coping mechanism of avoiding the final examination due to severe test anxiety and choosing to attend a movie instead indicates an ineffective way of dealing with stress and anxiety. The altered coping mechanism is evident in the student's inability to face the source of anxiety (the exam) and resorting to avoidance behavior. By identifying and addressing the altered coping pattern, the nurse can help the student develop more effective coping strategies to manage and reduce anxiety in future challenging situations. Noncompliance, ineffective role performance, and powerlessness are not the primary issues in this case compared to the altered coping mechanism resulting from anxiety.
Question 4 of 5
A client is newly diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and spends 45 minutes folding clothes and rearranging them in drawers. Which nursing intervention would best address this clients problem?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most appropriate nursing intervention to address the client's obsessive-compulsive behavior of folding clothes and rearranging them in drawers for an extended period is to discuss the anxiety-provoking triggers that precipitate the ritualistic behaviors. By identifying and understanding the triggers that lead to the compulsive behavior, the client and the healthcare team can work on more effective coping strategies and interventions to manage the anxiety and reduce the compulsive behaviors. This approach focuses on addressing the root cause of the behavior rather than just attempting to distract or control the client's actions. Additionally, this intervention promotes communication, self-awareness, and collaborative problem-solving between the client and the healthcare team to promote long-term management of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Question 5 of 5
A client has the following symptoms: preoccupation with imagined defect, verbalizations that are out of proportion to actual physical abnormalities, and numerous visits to plastic surgeons to seek relief. Which nursing diagnosis would best describe the problems evidenced by these symptoms?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms described in the client, such as preoccupation with imagined defect, verbalizations out of proportion to actual physical abnormalities, and numerous visits to plastic surgeons, are indicative of a disturbed body image. The client's perception of their physical appearance is distorted, leading to a preoccupation with perceived flaws and seeking multiple interventions to alleviate this distress. The nursing diagnosis of Disturbed body image is appropriate in this case as it reflects the client's altered self-perception and negative feelings related to their physical appearance. Ineffective coping, complicated grieving, and panic anxiety may also be present but are not the primary concern based on the symptoms provided.