ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam 2023
1. To provide effective care for the patient diagnosed with schizophrenia, the nurse should frequently assess for which associated condition? Select one that doesn't apply.
- A. Alcohol use disorder
- B. Major depressive disorder
- C. Stomach cancer
- D. Polydipsia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Schizophrenia is often associated with comorbid conditions such as alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, polydipsia, and metabolic syndrome. Stomach cancer is not a common associated condition with schizophrenia and would not be a typical focus of assessment in managing a patient with this mental health disorder.
2. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching regarding the treatment of major depressive disorder?
- A. I have been on this antidepressant for 3 days. I understand that the full effect may take weeks to occur.
- B. I am going to ask my nurse practitioner to discontinue my Prozac today and let me start taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor tomorrow.
- C. I may ask to have my medication changed to Wellbutrin due to the problems I am having being romantic with my wife.
- D. I realize that there are many antidepressants and it might take a while until we find the one that works best for me.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Choice B indicates a need for further teaching because the patient is planning to switch directly from Prozac, an SSRI, to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) without allowing for a washout period. This abrupt switch poses a risk of serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening. It is essential to educate the patient about the importance of consulting healthcare providers before changing medications to prevent potential adverse effects.
3. When patients diagnosed with schizophrenia suffer from anosognosia, they often refuse medication, believing that:
- A. Medications provided are ineffective.
- B. Nurses are trying to control their minds.
- C. The medications will make them sick.
- D. They are not actually ill.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Anosognosia is a lack of insight that affects patients with schizophrenia, leading them to deny or lack awareness of their illness. This lack of awareness often results in patients refusing medication because they genuinely believe they are not ill and do not need treatment. It is crucial for healthcare providers to approach such situations with understanding and empathy, recognizing the impact of anosognosia on treatment adherence.
4. During cognitive-behavioral therapy, a 12-year-old patient reports to the nurse practitioner:
- A. I was so mad I wanted to hit my mother.
- B. I thought that everyone at school hated me. That's not true. Most people like me and I have a friend named Todd.
- C. I forgot that you told me to breathe when I become angry.
- D. I scream as loud as I can when the train goes by the house.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In cognitive-behavioral therapy, recognizing and challenging negative thoughts is crucial for progress. Choice B demonstrates the patient's ability to identify and correct distorted thoughts, indicating positive advancement in therapy. This cognitive restructuring is a key component of cognitive-behavioral therapy, helping individuals develop healthier thinking patterns and coping strategies.
5. Kyle, a patient with schizophrenia, began taking the first-generation antipsychotic haloperidol (Haldol) last week. One day you find him sitting very stiffly and not moving. He is diaphoretic, and when you ask if he is okay, he seems unable to respond verbally. His vital signs are: BP 170/100, P 110, T 104.2°F. What is the priority nursing intervention? Select one that does not apply.
- A. Hold his medication and contact his prescriber.
- B. Wipe him with a washcloth wet with cold water or alcohol.
- C. Administer a medication such as benztropine IM to correct this dystonic reaction.
- D. Reassure him that although there is no treatment for his tardive dyskinesia, it will pass.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The patient's symptoms, including stiffness, diaphoresis, inability to respond verbally, and vital sign abnormalities, are indicative of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a serious and potentially life-threatening side effect of antipsychotic medications. Administering a medication such as benztropine intramuscularly is the priority to address the dystonic reaction associated with NMS. This intervention can help alleviate symptoms and prevent further complications. Holding the medication and contacting the prescriber may be necessary but addressing the acute symptoms takes precedence. Wiping the patient with a cold washcloth or alcohol would not address the underlying medical emergency. Reassuring the patient about tardive dyskinesia is irrelevant and not the immediate concern in this scenario.
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