ATI RN
ATI Psychiatric Exam 1 Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing lack of sleep, lack of appetite, and difficulties with concentration. Which of the following types of dementia should the nurse expect this client to have?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prion diseases, like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, cause rapid cognitive decline, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and concentration difficulties due to neurodegenerative processes. Frontotemporal dementia, TBI, and HIV-related dementia present differently, with less emphasis on sleep and appetite changes.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and appears confused and has distortions in their thinking and speech patterns. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention for this client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Providing reassurance and comfort while ensuring safety is the priority for a client with schizophrenia experiencing confusion and distorted thinking, as it addresses immediate emotional distress and promotes a secure environment. Group activities, PRN medications, or distractions are secondary and require further assessment or clinical justification.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who reports feeling detached from their surroundings, as if they are in a dream. Which of the following disorders should the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Depersonalization/derealization disorder involves feelings of detachment from oneself or surroundings, often described as dream-like. Dissociative identity disorder involves multiple personalities, PTSD involves trauma-related symptoms, and schizophrenia involves psychosis, none of which primarily feature this detachment.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse on a mental health unit is planning care for a client who has a new diagnosis of non-suicidal self-harm (NSSH). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Encouraging the client to identify emotions before self-harm helps develop insight into triggers, aiding in the development of healthier coping mechanisms. NSSH does increase risks like accidental death, can become serious, and does not inherently indicate suicidal intent, making constant observation unnecessary without clinical justification.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is interviewing a client who states, 'I am at a total loss and don't know what to do anymore. I feel hopeless.' Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Reflecting the client’s feelings of hopelessness and validating their emotional state ('You feel like you have no remaining options...') demonstrates empathy and active listening, fostering trust and opening the door for further exploration of their concerns. Other responses either assume medication issues, redirect to future therapy, or misinterpret the client’s need, missing the opportunity to address their immediate emotional distress.