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ATI Mental Health Questions
1. Child protective services have removed 10-year-old Christopher from his parents’ home due to neglect. Christopher reveals to the nurse that he considers the woman next door his “nice” mom, that he loves school, and gets above-average grades. The strongest explanation for this response is:
- A. Temperament
- B. Genetic factors
- C. Resilience
- D. Paradoxical effects of neglect
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Resilience is the ability to adapt well despite adversity, which is demonstrated by Christopher's positive relationships and school performance. Despite the challenging situation of being removed from his parents' home, Christopher's ability to form a positive bond with the neighbor, enjoy school, and excel academically showcases his resilience in coping with the circumstances.
2. Ted, a former executive, is now unemployed due to manic episodes at work. He was diagnosed with bipolar I 8 years ago. Ted has a history of IV drug abuse, which resulted in hepatitis C. He is taking his lithium exactly as scheduled, a fact that both Ted’s wife and his blood tests confirm. To reduce Ted’s mania, the psychiatric nurse practitioner recommends:
- A. Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- B. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- C. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- D. Lurasidone (Latuda)
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Lurasidone (Latuda) is an atypical antipsychotic medication commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It can help manage symptoms of mania by stabilizing mood and reducing the intensity of manic episodes. Given Ted's history of bipolar I disorder and the need to address his manic symptoms, Lurasidone (Latuda) is a suitable recommendation by the psychiatric nurse practitioner to aid in managing Ted's condition effectively.
3. Tomas is a 21-year-old male with a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia. Tomas’s nurse recognizes that self-medicating with excessive alcohol is common in this disease and can co-occur along with:
- A. Generally good health despite the mental illness.
- B. An aversion to drinking fluids.
- C. Anxiety and depression.
- D. The ability to express his needs.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Individuals with schizophrenia often turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication to manage co-occurring symptoms of anxiety and depression. This coping mechanism can exacerbate the underlying mental health condition and hinder proper treatment. Recognizing and addressing these co-occurring issues are essential in providing holistic care for individuals with schizophrenia.
4. Which therapeutic communication statement might a healthcare professional use when a patient’s nursing diagnosis is altered thought processes?
- A. I know you mention hearing voices, but I cannot hear them.
- B. Stop listening to the voices, they are NOT real.
- C. You say you hear voices, what are they telling you?
- D. Please ask the voices to leave you alone for now.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is the most appropriate therapeutic communication statement in this scenario. By asking the patient what the voices are telling them, the healthcare professional encourages the patient to express their thoughts and feelings, aiding in understanding their altered thought processes. This approach can help establish a therapeutic relationship and provide valuable insight into the patient's experiences.
5. A 33-year-old female diagnosed with bipolar I disorder has been functioning well on lithium for 11 months. At her most recent checkup, the psychiatric nurse practitioner states, 'You are ready to enter the maintenance therapy stage, so at this time I am going to adjust your dosage by prescribing:'
- A. A higher dosage
- B. Once-a-week dosing
- C. A lower dosage
- D. A different drug
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In the maintenance therapy stage for bipolar disorder, a lower dosage of lithium is often prescribed to prevent toxicity and maintain stability while minimizing side effects. Lower doses are typically used once the patient has achieved mood stabilization to reduce the risk of adverse effects associated with long-term lithium use.
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