ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administer the next dose of lithium. A lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L falls within the therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L) for maintenance therapy. Withholding the next dose (
A) may lead to subtherapeutic levels and ineffective treatment. Repeating the lithium level test (
B) is unnecessary as the current level is within the therapeutic range. Recommending a low sodium diet (
D) is not indicated for managing lithium levels.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is assessing a newly admitted client who has schizophrenia and takes thioridazine. Which of the following findings should the nurse document as an adverse effect of this medication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Contractions of the jaw. Thioridazine is an antipsychotic medication that can cause extrapyramidal side effects, such as jaw contractions known as trismus or dystonia. This is a common adverse effect that the nurse should document. Anhedonia (
A) is a symptom of schizophrenia, not an adverse effect of thioridazine. Waxy flexibility (
B) is a symptom of catatonia, not a side effect of thioridazine. Incongruent affect (
D) is a symptom related to the client's emotional expression, not a side effect of the medication.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse in a mental health facility is assessing a client who has schizophrenia. The nurse should document which of the following as a positive symptom?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Delusions. Positive symptoms refer to added behaviors or experiences not typically present in individuals without schizophrenia. Delusions are false beliefs that are not based on reality, which are considered a positive symptom. Social withdrawal (
A) is a negative symptom, involving a reduction or absence of normal behaviors. Flat affect (
B) is also a negative symptom, characterized by a lack of emotional expression. Lack of motivation (
D) is another negative symptom, reflecting reduced ability to initiate and sustain goal-directed activities.
Therefore, delusions (
C) align with positive symptoms of schizophrenia, making it the correct choice.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results on an adolescent who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hgb 10 g/dL. In anorexia nervosa, there is severe malnutrition leading to decreased hemoglobin levels (anemia) due to inadequate iron intake. This can result in fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Blood glucose levels (choice
A) are usually normal in anorexia nervosa as the body tries to maintain glucose levels for energy. T4 levels (choice
B) are typically low in anorexia nervosa due to a decrease in thyroid function. Potassium levels (choice
C) are usually low in anorexia nervosa due to malnutrition and purging behaviors.
Therefore, Hgb 10 g/dL is the most expected finding in an adolescent with anorexia nervosa.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who requires bupropion for smoking cessation. Which of the following findings in the client’s history should the nurse recognize as a contraindication for taking this medication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Seizures. Bupropion is contraindicated in clients with a history of seizures due to its potential to lower the seizure threshold. Seizures can be exacerbated by bupropion, increasing the risk of adverse effects. Anemia (
B), migraines (
C), and asthma (
D) are not contraindications for bupropion use. Anemia and migraines are not directly affected by bupropion, while asthma may even benefit from smoking cessation.