ATI RN
ATI Practice Questions Mental Health Questions
Question 1 of 5
While providing care to a patient with a mental disorder, the patient asks the nurse, 'Does mental illness run in your family?' Which response by the nurse would be most inappropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct response is C because it discloses personal information about the nurse's family member, which is unprofessional and breaches patient confidentiality. The nurse should maintain professional boundaries and focus on the patient's needs, not their own personal experiences. Choices A, B, and D maintain appropriate boundaries and redirect the conversation back to the patient's concerns, demonstrating empathy and respect for the patient's privacy.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is reviewing the medical records of several older adult patients who have come to the clinic for evaluation. The nurse would classify a patient of which age as being in the middle-old stage?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C (78-year-old adult) because the middle-old stage typically refers to individuals aged 75-84. This age range is considered the transition from the young-old stage (65-74) to the oldest-old stage (85+). Choice A (66-year-old adult) falls into the young-old stage, choice B (70-year-old adult) is also in the young-old stage, and choice D (86-year-old adult) is in the oldest-old stage. Therefore, based on the age range classification, the 78-year-old adult (choice C) is classified as being in the middle-old stage.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a patient who has attempted suicide. Which of the following would the nurse identify as relating to a psychological cause?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cluster B personality disorder. This is because personality disorders are deeply ingrained patterns of behavior that cause distress or impairment. Cluster B includes disorders characterized by dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior, such as borderline, narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial personality disorders. Individuals with Cluster B personality disorders may have underlying psychological issues that contribute to suicidal behavior. A: While a history of childhood trauma can certainly contribute to suicidal ideation, it is not specifically related to a psychological cause in the context of this question. C: Social isolation can be a risk factor for suicide, but it is not a direct psychological cause. D: Suicide contagion refers to the phenomenon where exposure to suicide or suicidal behavior influences others to attempt suicide. It is not a psychological cause but rather a social factor.
Question 4 of 5
A client with bipolar disorder is receiving divalproex sodium as part of the treatment plan. When monitoring the client's blood level for this drug, which level would alert the nurse to the need to change the dosage?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (30 ng/mL). The therapeutic range for divalproex sodium is typically 50-100 ng/mL. A level of 30 ng/mL is below the therapeutic range, indicating that the client may not be receiving enough of the medication to manage their symptoms effectively. This would alert the nurse to consider adjusting the dosage to bring the blood level within the therapeutic range. Choices B, C, and D are all within or above the therapeutic range, indicating that the dosage is likely adequate or potentially too high, but not in need of an immediate change based on blood level monitoring.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has been hospitalized with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following would the nurse include in the teaching plan?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Setting realistic goals. This is crucial for clients with anorexia nervosa as they often have distorted perceptions of their bodies and unrealistic weight loss goals. Setting achievable and healthy goals is essential for recovery. A: Knowing the calorie content of numerous foods may reinforce obsessive behavior and further exacerbate the client's eating disorder. B: Learning strategies to control impulses may not address the underlying psychological issues contributing to anorexia nervosa. C: Describing physiologic consequences of anorexia nervosa may be important for understanding the severity of the condition, but it may not directly help the client in their recovery process.