ATI RN
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam 2023
1. Which drug group requires nursing assessment for the development of abnormal movement disorders in individuals taking therapeutic dosages?
- A. SSRIs
- B. Antipsychotics
- C. Benzodiazepines
- D. Tricyclic antidepressants
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Antipsychotics are known to cause extrapyramidal symptoms, which manifest as abnormal movement disorders. Nursing assessments are crucial in monitoring patients taking antipsychotics to promptly identify and manage these potential side effects.
2. When a husband accuses his wife of infidelity, which situation would indicate to the nurse the husband's use of the ego defense mechanism of projection?
- A. The husband cries and stamps his feet, demanding that his wife be true to her marriage vows.
- B. The husband ignores the wife's continued absence from the home.
- C. The husband has already admitted to having an affair with a coworker.
- D. The husband takes out his marital frustrations through employee abuse.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Projection is a defense mechanism where one attributes their unacceptable feelings or impulses to another person. In this scenario, the husband, by admitting to having an affair with a coworker, is projecting his infidelity onto his wife, indicating the use of the projection defense mechanism. Choice A is incorrect as it describes a different behavior, not projection. Choice B does not demonstrate projection but rather avoidance or denial. Choice D shows displacement of aggression, not projection.
3. A client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being assessed by a healthcare professional. Which symptom would the healthcare professional expect the client to exhibit?
- A. Delusions of grandeur
- B. Hypervigilance
- C. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors
- D. Periods of excessive sleeping
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hypervigilance is a common symptom. Hypervigilance refers to a state of increased alertness, awareness, and sensitivity to potential threats or danger. This heightened state of vigilance can manifest as being easily startled, having difficulty relaxing or sleeping, and constantly scanning the environment for signs of danger. It is an adaptive response to the trauma experienced and can significantly impact the individual's daily functioning. The other options are not typically associated with PTSD. Delusions of grandeur are more commonly seen in certain psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors are characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), not PTSD. Periods of excessive sleeping may be seen in conditions like depression, but they are not a hallmark symptom of PTSD.
4. A healthcare provider is caring for a client diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which intervention is most appropriate to address the client's delusions?
- A. Challenge the client's delusions directly.
- B. Provide evidence to disprove the delusions.
- C. Acknowledge the client's feelings without reinforcing the delusions.
- D. Ignore the client's delusions.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When caring for a client with schizophrenia experiencing delusions, the most appropriate intervention is to acknowledge the client's feelings without reinforcing the delusions. This approach helps maintain trust and communication, fostering a therapeutic relationship. Challenging the delusions directly can lead to increased distress and resistance from the client. Providing evidence to disprove the delusions may not be effective due to the deeply ingrained nature of the client's beliefs. Ignoring the delusions may make the client feel dismissed or unheard, which can hinder the therapeutic process.
5. A client has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and expresses worrying about their job, family, and health, feeling a loss of control. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer a prescribed antianxiety medication.
- B. Encourage the client to attend a support group.
- C. Identify triggers of the client's anxiety.
- D. Teach the client deep breathing techniques.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The initial step for the nurse is to teach the client deep breathing techniques to aid in managing anxiety symptoms. Deep breathing exercises can help the client relax, reduce anxiety levels, and regain a sense of control. This intervention is non-invasive, empowering the client to develop a coping strategy for immediate use when feeling overwhelmed by anxiety. Administering medication (Choice A) should not be the first action unless the client is in severe distress. Encouraging attendance at a support group (Choice B) and identifying triggers of anxiety (Choice C) are important but teaching coping strategies like deep breathing comes first to help the client feel more in control of managing their anxiety.
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