ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Practice A
1. A patient with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is prescribed venlafaxine. The nurse should educate the patient about which potential side effect?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Hypotension
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Hyperglycemia
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypertension. Venlafaxine, an SNRI, can lead to hypertension as a side effect. This medication can cause an increase in blood pressure, particularly at higher doses. Educating the patient about this potential adverse effect is crucial to enhance awareness and monitoring for any signs or symptoms of elevated blood pressure. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because venlafaxine is more likely to cause hypertension rather than hypotension, bradycardia, or hyperglycemia.
2. When evaluating a client's progress in psychotherapy, which outcome is appropriate for the client?
- A. The client will identify triggers for anxiety.
- B. The client will develop coping strategies.
- C. The client will decrease avoidance behaviors.
- D. The client will express feelings of anger.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In psychotherapy, identifying triggers for anxiety is a crucial step towards understanding and managing one's anxiety symptoms. By recognizing these triggers, clients can work on developing coping strategies and addressing the root cause of their anxiety, leading to improved mental health outcomes. Decreasing avoidance behaviors and expressing feelings of anger are also important aspects of therapy. However, identifying triggers for anxiety is a more specific and foundational goal in addressing anxiety disorders, making it the most appropriate outcome to evaluate a client's progress in psychotherapy.
3. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing delusions. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?
- A. Agree with the client's delusions to avoid confrontation.
- B. Challenge the client's delusions directly.
- C. Encourage the client to discuss their delusions in detail.
- D. Present reality and offer reassurance without reinforcing the delusions.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When caring for a client with schizophrenia experiencing delusions, the nurse should present reality and offer reassurance without reinforcing the client's delusions. This approach helps the client maintain a connection to reality while feeling supported. Agreeing with the delusions may perpetuate false beliefs, while directly challenging them can lead to increased distress for the client. Encouraging the client to discuss their delusions in detail may further exacerbate their symptoms or reinforce their false beliefs. Therefore, the most therapeutic intervention is to gently present reality and provide reassurance to the client.
4. 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.
5. How does emotional trauma typically affect individuals physically?
- A. Emotional trauma is a distinct category and unrelated to physical symptoms.
- B. Physical manifestations of emotional trauma are usually temporary.
- C. Emotional trauma is often manifested as physical symptoms.
- D. Patients are more aware of physical problems caused by trauma.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Emotional trauma can often manifest as physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, and other somatic complaints. These physical manifestations can be long-lasting and impact the individual's overall well-being.
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