ATI RN
ATI Mental Health
1. A healthcare professional is assessing a client who is experiencing severe anxiety. Which of the following symptoms should the healthcare professional expect to observe?
- A. Restlessness
- B. Rapid heart rate
- C. Sweating
- D. Dry mouth
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Rapid heart rate is a characteristic symptom of severe anxiety due to the body's fight-or-flight response being activated. This physiological response leads to an increased heart rate to prepare the body to deal with perceived threats. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant in monitoring and managing this symptom in clients experiencing severe anxiety.
2. A healthcare provider is providing care for a patient with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Which therapeutic intervention is most effective for this condition?
- A. Group therapy
- B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- C. Psychoanalysis
- D. Family therapy
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective therapeutic intervention for managing ADHD symptoms. CBT helps individuals with ADHD develop coping strategies, improve focus, organization, and time management skills, and address behavioral challenges effectively. Group therapy might not provide the specific skills training needed for ADHD management. Psychoanalysis focuses on exploring deeper unconscious processes and may not be as practical for addressing ADHD symptoms. Family therapy can be beneficial for family dynamics but may not directly target individual ADHD symptoms as effectively as CBT.
3. What principle about patient-nurse communication should guide a nurse's fear of saying the wrong thing to a patient?
- A. Patients tend to appreciate a well-meaning person who conveys genuine acceptance, respect, and concern for their situation.
- B. Patients are more interested in conversing with you than in hearing your perspective, making offense unlikely.
- C. Considering the patient's background, the likelihood of the comment causing harm is minimal.
- D. Individuals with mental illness often possess a heightened capacity for forgiveness.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Patients value interactions with healthcare providers who express genuine acceptance, respect, and concern for their well-being. By focusing on conveying these qualities, a nurse can help alleviate fears of saying the wrong thing as patients appreciate the sincerity and empathy in the communication. This approach fosters trust and a positive therapeutic relationship, enhancing the effectiveness of patient-nurse communication.
4. The school nurse has been alerted to the fact that an 8-year-old boy routinely playacts as a police officer, 'locking up' other children on the playground to the point where the children get scared. The nurse recognizes that this behavior is most likely an indication of:
- A. The need to dominate others
- B. Inventing traumatic events
- C. A need to develop close relationships
- D. A potential symptom of traumatization
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The behavior of an 8-year-old boy playacting as a police officer and 'locking up' other children to the point of scaring them is likely a symptom of traumatization. Children may reenact traumatic experiences through play, and acting out aggressive or controlling roles can be a sign of underlying trauma. This behavior should be further assessed and addressed with appropriate support and intervention to help the child process and cope with any potential trauma.
5. After fasting from 10 p.m. the previous evening, a client finds out that the blood test has been canceled. The client swears at the nurse and states, 'You are incompetent!' Which is the nurse's best response?
- A. Do you believe that I was the cause of your blood test being canceled?
- B. I see that you are upset, but I feel uncomfortable when you swear at me.
- C. Have you ever thought about ways to express anger appropriately?
- D. I'll give you some space. Let me know if you need anything.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the most appropriate response for the nurse is option B. By acknowledging the client's feelings and setting a boundary regarding inappropriate behavior, the nurse addresses the situation with empathy. This response demonstrates understanding of the client's emotions while also maintaining a professional standard by expressing discomfort with swearing. Option A could come off as defensive and may escalate the situation. Option C may be perceived as condescending and not immediately address the client's behavior. Option D, although offering space, does not directly address the inappropriate behavior and misses an opportunity to set a professional boundary.
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