ATI RN
ATI Psychiatric Exam 1 Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is discussing schizophrenia spectrum disorders with a client. The client states, 'My friend says that before I started hearing voices, I stopped hanging out with them. Why is that?' Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Social withdrawal is a common early warning sign of schizophrenia, often occurring before psychotic symptoms like hearing voices. This response provides accurate information, validating the client’s experience and offering insight into the disorder’s progression. Other responses either dismiss the concern, misattribute it to personality, or make unfounded assumptions.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed clozapine. Which of the following topics should the nurse prepare to discuss with the client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Medication adherence is critical for clozapine to prevent relapse of psychotic symptoms, as discontinuation can lead to rapid symptom recurrence. Routine white (not red) blood cell counts monitor for agranulocytosis, fluid intake is not restricted, and tyramine interactions are unrelated to clozapine.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is providing mental health education to a group of high school students. Which of the following information about screening for mental illness should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Most mental illnesses are diagnosed through clinical assessments and symptom observation, not laboratory tests, making screening challenging. Physical exams, unknown risk factors, or blood tests are not primary methods for diagnosing mental illness, though tests may rule out other conditions or monitor medications.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has dementia. Which of the following requests should the nurse make to determine the client's social cognition?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Social cognition involves understanding social cues, such as recognizing emotions on faces, which is assessed by asking the client to identify emotions on cards. Repeating words tests memory, interpreting pictures tests visual processing, and imitating gestures tests motor skills, none of which specifically assess social cognition.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a serious mental illness and has developed tardive dyskinesia from anti-psychotic medication use. Which of the following adverse effects from anti-psychotic medication use would be expected for the client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements, particularly around the mouth (e.g., lip smacking, tongue protrusion), as a side effect of long-term antipsychotic use. Hallucinations/delusions are symptoms of the treated condition, nausea/vomiting are early side effects, and seizures/tremors are unrelated to tardive dyskinesia.