ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has bipolar disorder and a new prescription for lithium. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Drink 2-3 liters of water daily. Lithium can cause dehydration, so increasing water intake helps maintain adequate hydration levels and prevents lithium toxicity. Option A is incorrect as lithium should be taken with food to prevent stomach upset. Option B is incorrect because sodium intake does not directly affect lithium effectiveness. Option D is incorrect as caffeine can interact with lithium and should be limited.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has posttraumatic stress disorder related to military service. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assign the same staff to care for the client each day. This consistency helps establish trust and familiarity, promoting a sense of safety for the client with PTSD. It also aids in continuity of care and allows the client to build a therapeutic relationship with the staff. This approach can enhance the client's comfort level and reduce anxiety. Encouraging the client to suppress feelings (
A) is harmful as it can lead to further emotional distress. Addressing the client authoritatively (
C) may trigger feelings of threat or fear, worsening symptoms. Limiting time spent with the client (
D) can disrupt the therapeutic bond and hinder progress.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a negative symptom?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Social withdrawal. Negative symptoms in schizophrenia refer to the absence or reduction of normal behaviors or functions. Social withdrawal is a classic negative symptom, characterized by the client's lack of interest in social interactions or relationships. Delusions (
A) and hallucinations (
B) are positive symptoms involving distorted perceptions or beliefs. Agitation (
D) is a symptom of increased psychomotor activity, not a negative symptom. In summary, social withdrawal is the only choice that aligns with the definition of negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has major depressive disorder and is prescribed sertraline. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Avoid consuming grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice can inhibit the metabolism of sertraline, leading to increased levels of the medication in the body, potentially causing side effects or toxicity. It is important for the nurse to instruct the client to avoid grapefruit juice to ensure the medication's effectiveness and safety. Taking the medication at bedtime (choice
A) is not specifically indicated for sertraline. Expecting results within 1 to 2 days (choice
B) is unrealistic as antidepressants like sertraline may take weeks to show therapeutic effects. Stopping the medication once symptoms improve (choice
D) is dangerous and can lead to relapse or withdrawal symptoms.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is caring for a client who exhibits excessive compliance, passivity, and self-denial. The nurse should recognize that these findings are associated with which of the following personality disorders?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Borderline personality disorder. The client's behaviors of excessive compliance, passivity, and self-denial are characteristic of individuals with borderline personality disorder. People with borderline personality disorder often struggle with a fear of abandonment, unstable self-image, and intense emotions, leading to behaviors such as self-denial and compliance to avoid rejection.
Choice A (Dependent) is incorrect because dependent personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive need to be taken care of, rather than self-denial and excessive compliance.
Choice B (Paranoid) is incorrect as paranoid personality disorder involves distrust and suspicion of others, not self-denial and passivity.
Choice D (Histrionic) is incorrect because histrionic personality disorder is characterized by attention-seeking behavior and emotional dramatics, which do not align with the client's presentation of excessive compliance and self-denial.