a psychiatric nurse is reviewing prescriptions for a patient with major depression at the county clinic since the patient has a mild intellectual disa
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam 2023

1. A nurse is reviewing prescriptions for a patient with major depression at the county clinic. Since the patient has a mild intellectual disability, the nurse would question which classification of antidepressant drugs:

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are less suitable for patients with intellectual disabilities due to the need for dietary restrictions and close monitoring. These restrictions can be challenging for patients with mild intellectual disabilities to follow, making this drug class a concern for this patient population.

2. A client is experiencing severe anxiety. Which of the following is an appropriate intervention?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging the client to verbalize feelings of anxiety is an appropriate intervention for severe anxiety. Verbalizing emotions can help the client process their feelings and reduce the intensity of anxiety. It promotes emotional expression and may lead to a better understanding of the underlying causes of anxiety, paving the way for effective coping strategies. Choices A, C, and D are not the most appropriate interventions for severe anxiety. While group therapy can be beneficial, it may not be suitable for someone experiencing severe anxiety. Limiting caffeine intake and avoiding stressful situations are helpful strategies but may not address the root of the severe anxiety or provide immediate relief.

3. When assessing a client experiencing severe anxiety, which symptom should the nurse expect to observe?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client is experiencing severe anxiety, a rapid heart rate is a common physiological response. This increased heart rate is due to the body's fight-or-flight response, where adrenaline is released, causing the heart to beat faster. Monitoring the client's heart rate is crucial in assessing and managing their anxiety. Restlessness (choice A) can also be present in anxiety but is more of a behavioral manifestation rather than a physiological symptom. Sweating (choice C) can occur in anxiety, but it is not as specific or consistent as a rapid heart rate. Dry mouth (choice D) is associated with anxiety but is not as immediate or directly linked to the body's physiological response to stress as a rapid heart rate.

4. When assessing a client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, which of the following findings should the nurse expect? Select one that does not apply.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In a client diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, expected findings include amenorrhea, lanugo, hypotension, and bradycardia. Hyperkalemia is not typically associated with anorexia nervosa; instead, hypokalemia, which is low potassium levels, is more common. Hypokalemia can result from decreased intake of potassium-rich foods or excessive purging behaviors commonly seen in individuals with anorexia nervosa.

5. A client has been diagnosed with dependent personality disorder. Which of the following behaviors should the nurse expect?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Individuals with dependent personality disorder typically struggle with making decisions independently and rely heavily on others for guidance and reassurance. This can manifest as difficulty in initiating or making choices without the input of others. Clients with this disorder often display clingy, submissive behaviors and fear being alone, which aligns with the characteristic of difficulty making decisions seen in option A. Choices B, C, and D are not typically associated with dependent personality disorder. Preoccupation with orderliness may be seen in obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, attention-seeking behavior in histrionic personality disorder, and aggression in other disorders such as antisocial personality disorder.

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