ATI RN
ATI 2019 Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which technique is most applicable to aversion therapy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aversion therapy aims to reduce unwanted behaviors by associating them with negative consequences. Punishment, option A, is the most applicable technique as it involves applying an unpleasant stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again. Desensitization (B) and positive reinforcement (D) aim to increase desired behaviors, which is not the goal of aversion therapy. Role modeling (C) involves observing and imitating others' behaviors, which is unrelated to aversion therapy's principles.
Question 2 of 5
When alprazolam is prescribed for a patient who experiences acute anxiety, health teaching should include instructions to
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: avoid alcoholic beverages. This is because alprazolam is a central nervous system depressant, and alcohol also has depressant effects. Combining the two can potentiate sedation and respiratory depression. Reporting drowsiness (A) is important but not specific to alprazolam. Eating a tyramine-free diet (B) is relevant for certain medications like MAOIs, not alprazolam. Adjusting dose and frequency based on anxiety level (D) is not recommended as it can lead to misuse or dependence.
Question 3 of 5
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is teaching a class about social factors associated with mental illness at a community health center. When describing the influence of poverty and effects of the downward economic spiral on mental health, which population would the nurse identify as being the most at risk?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Homeless individuals. Homeless individuals are the most at risk due to the severe impact of poverty and the downward economic spiral on their mental health. Homelessness often results from poverty, leading to chronic stress, lack of access to basic needs, social isolation, and increased vulnerability to mental health issues. Homeless individuals face multiple stressors that can exacerbate existing mental health conditions or lead to the development of new ones. Older adults (A) may face financial challenges but are not necessarily homeless. Individuals with physical disabilities (B) may encounter economic difficulties but are not automatically homeless. Single-parent families (C) may struggle financially, but homelessness is not exclusive to this group.
Question 4 of 5
Based on assessment data, the nurse formulates the nursing diagnosis for a patient as sleep pattern disturbance. After teaching the patient how to relax before bedtime, the nurse determines that the teaching was effective by which outcome?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because feeling rested upon awakening indicates improved sleep quality, reflecting effective teaching on relaxation techniques. Choice A does not directly measure the effectiveness of the teaching intervention. Choice C indicates reliance on medication rather than improved sleep hygiene. Choice D, sleeping for short intervals, does not necessarily signify improved sleep quality.
Question 5 of 5
While caring for a family, the nurse determines that first-order changes have occurred with which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because first-order changes refer to small, incremental adjustments within the system. In this scenario, the parent returning to work while the children are all in school signifies a gradual shift in the family dynamic. The other choices involve significant and more disruptive changes like a daughter leaving for college, a son getting married and moving out, and the death of a family member, which are considered second-order changes that lead to more substantial shifts in the family system.