ATI RN
Nurse in Psychiatry Test Bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which person would the nurse assess as experiencing chronic sorrow?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because chronic sorrow is a continuous feeling of grief or sadness that occurs when there is a discrepancy between the reality of a situation and the individual's expectations or hopes. In this case, the father of an adult son who is schizophrenic is likely to experience chronic sorrow due to the ongoing challenges and difficulties associated with his son's mental illness. This long-term impact on his emotional well-being aligns with the concept of chronic sorrow. Choices A, C, and D do not necessarily imply a long-term or continuous feeling of grief. The mother of a child with asthma may experience anxiety or distress during asthma attacks, but it may not necessarily lead to chronic sorrow. The daughter whose father had a hip replacement may experience temporary worry or concern but not chronic sorrow. The wife whose husband requested a trial separation may experience sadness and distress, but it is not a situation that inherently leads to chronic sorrow.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is collecting the paintings from the patients after the art session is over. After art therapy, a patient hands the nurse a paper that consists of several black scribbles. Which statement demonstrates the nurse understands the goals and objectives of the therapy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it shows empathy and encouragement for the patient to express their feelings. By asking what prompted the artwork, the nurse demonstrates understanding and willingness to explore the patient's emotions. Choice A is judgmental and dismissive, not fostering a therapeutic relationship. Choice C is directive and may pressure the patient. Choice D makes an assumption about the patient's emotions without allowing them to share their perspective.
Question 3 of 9
Which intervention will the nurse implement in the first half hour after the patient has received ECT?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because reorienting the patient to time, place, and person is crucial in the immediate post-ECT period to help the patient regain orientation as consciousness improves. This intervention helps prevent confusion and disorientation commonly experienced after ECT. A: Continually stimulating the patient may be overwhelming and unnecessary. B: Continuing bagging is not relevant after ECT as the patient's respiratory function should have stabilized. D: Encouraging walking and eating can be unsafe immediately post-ECT due to potential disorientation and muscle weakness.
Question 4 of 9
Which physical disturbance is commonly assessed in patients experiencing acute grief?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tightness in the chest. This physical disturbance is commonly associated with acute grief due to the emotional pain experienced. It is a manifestation of the intense feelings of sadness and loss that accompany grief. Tightness in the chest can be a result of the stress response triggered by grief, leading to physical symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing. Summary: B: Hypersomnia and C: Increased appetite are more commonly associated with conditions like depression, while D: Cardiovascular problems may be a long-term consequence of chronic stress but are not typically assessed as a primary physical disturbance in acute grief.
Question 5 of 9
A patient begins a new program to assist with building social skills. In which part of the plan of care should a nurse record the item, "Encourage patient to attend one psychoeducational group daily"?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Implementation. In the nursing process, implementation involves carrying out the plan of care. Encouraging the patient to attend a psychoeducational group daily is an action that is part of implementing the care plan to improve social skills. This step focuses on putting the plan into action and actively supporting the patient in achieving the desired outcomes. A: Assessment is incorrect because assessment involves collecting data and information about the patient's condition, not actively implementing interventions. C: Analysis is incorrect as it involves interpreting and making sense of the assessment data to identify problems and strengths, not implementing interventions. D: Evaluation is incorrect because it involves assessing the effectiveness of the interventions implemented, not actively carrying out the interventions themselves.
Question 6 of 9
To plan care for a patient with a psychiatric disorder, the nurse keeps in mind that the primary nursing role related to therapeutic activities is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assisting the patient in accomplishing the activity. This is because the primary nursing role related to therapeutic activities is to support and facilitate the patient in engaging in the activity independently. By assisting the patient, the nurse promotes autonomy and empowerment, which are essential for therapeutic outcomes. Summary: - B: Ensuring that the patient will comply with the rules of the activity is incorrect as it focuses on compliance rather than empowering the patient. - C: Ensuring that the patient can accomplish the activity in a timely manner is incorrect as the focus should be on the patient's ability to engage in the activity, not just the speed. - D: Directing and controlling the activities to minimize patient anxiety and confusion is incorrect as it doesn't promote the patient's independence and may reinforce dependency.
Question 7 of 9
A new nurse asks, “My elderly patient has Lewy body disease. What should I do about assessing for pain?” Select the best response from the nurse manager.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because Lewy body disease can affect a patient's ability to communicate pain, making specialized pain assessment tools crucial. Special scales designed for patients with dementia can help in accurately assessing pain levels. These tools consider non-verbal cues and behavioral changes that may indicate pain. Asking the patient's family (A) may not always provide an accurate assessment of pain perception. Using a visual analog scale (B) may be challenging for a patient with cognitive impairment. Focusing solely on mental status (D) may overlook important indicators of pain in patients with Lewy body disease.
Question 8 of 9
Which patient would the group co-leaders determine is demonstrating Yalom’s therapeutic factor termed universality?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because universality in Yalom's therapeutic factors refers to the recognition that one is not alone in their struggles. Patient A demonstrates this by acknowledging that others also face loneliness, fostering a sense of commonality and reducing feelings of isolation. In contrast, patient B's dysfunctional patterns do not relate to universality. Patient C's sense of belonging is related to group cohesion, not universality. Patient D's anger expression is not directly linked to recognizing shared experiences.
Question 9 of 9
A teen states, "I miss my dog so much, but if I start crying, I will never stop." This reflects a fear of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the teen is expressing a fear of losing control over her emotions if she starts crying. This is evident from her belief that she will never stop crying once she starts. Option B (Losing the support of her friends and family) is incorrect as the statement does not suggest concern about losing support. Option C (Embarrassing herself by crying in public) is incorrect as the fear expressed is more about not being able to stop crying rather than embarrassment. Option D (Appearing emotionally immature) is incorrect as there is no indication that the teen is worried about how others perceive her emotional maturity.