ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam 2023
1. Luc's family comes home one evening to find him extremely agitated, and they suspect he is in a full manic episode. The family calls emergency medical services. While one medic is talking with Luc and his family, the other medic is counting something on his desk. What is the medic most likely counting?
- A. Hypodermic needles
- B. Fast food wrappers
- C. Empty soda cans
- D. Energy drink containers
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Energy drink containers are often associated with exacerbating manic episodes due to their high caffeine content, which can worsen symptoms of agitation and restlessness.
2. April, a 10-year-old admitted to inpatient pediatric care, has been getting more and more wound up and is losing self-control in the day room. Time-out does not appear to be an effective tool for April to engage in self-reflection. April's mother admits to putting her in time-out up to 20 times a day. The nurse recognizes that:
- A. Time-out is an important part of April's baseline discipline.
- B. Time-out is no longer an effective therapeutic measure.
- C. April enjoys time-out, and acts out to get some alone time.
- D. Time-out will need to be replaced with seclusion and restraint.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Frequent use of time-out has reduced its effectiveness as a therapeutic measure for April.
3. You have been working closely with a patient for the past month. Today he tells you he is looking forward to meeting with his new psychiatrist but frowns and avoids eye contact while reporting this to you. Which of the following responses would most likely be therapeutic?
- A. A new psychiatrist is a chance to start fresh; I'm sure it will go well for you.
- B. You say you look forward to the meeting, but you appear anxious or unhappy.
- C. I notice that you frowned and avoided eye contact just now. Don't you feel well?
- D. I get the impression you don't really want to see your psychiatrist—can you tell me why?
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Choice B is the most therapeutic response as it acknowledges the discrepancy between the patient's verbal statement and nonverbal cues. By addressing both the patient's expressed anticipation and the conflicting nonverbal cues of frowning and avoiding eye contact, the responder demonstrates attentiveness to the patient's emotional state and encourages further exploration of underlying feelings. This approach fosters open communication and helps the patient feel understood and supported.
4. Why is it important to establish a contract with a client with an eating disorder at the beginning of treatment?
- A. The client and healthcare provider form a partnership that is challenging for the family to disrupt.
- B. A collaborative approach to treatment planning ensures that both physical and emotional needs will be addressed.
- C. Involving the client in decision-making enhances the feeling of control and fosters cooperation.
- D. Permission for refeeding is crucial as it can have adverse effects.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Establishing a contract with a client with an eating disorder at the start of treatment is crucial to involve the client in decision-making processes. By engaging the client in decision-making, it enhances their sense of control over their treatment, which can lead to increased cooperation and better treatment outcomes. This collaborative approach empowers the client and fosters a therapeutic alliance between the client and the healthcare provider, rather than excluding the family or causing disruptions. It focuses on addressing both the physical and emotional needs of the client, ensuring a comprehensive treatment plan.
5. A nursing student new to psychiatric-mental health nursing asks a peer what resources he can use to identify the symptoms present in a specific psychiatric disorder. The best answer would be:
- A. Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
- B. Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)
- C. NANDA-I nursing diagnoses
- D. DSM-5
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The DSM-5 is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals in the U.S. It provides criteria for diagnosing different psychiatric disorders based on symptoms and clinical observations. Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) are focused on nursing interventions and outcomes, respectively, while NANDA-I nursing diagnoses are related to identifying nursing problems and their contributing factors.
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