ATI Mental Health Practice A Exam
Questions With New Update Solutions
/. A nurse is assessing a school-age child who experienced the traumatic loss of a
parent 8 months ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an
indication that the child is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Clinging behaviors directed towards a teacher
Increasing time spent sleeping
Intense focus on school work
Lack of interest in an upcoming holiday - Answer-Lack of interest in an upcoming
holiday
The child who has PTSD will have negative moods and difficulty remembering aspects
of the traumatic event. The child can also have a loss of interest or lack of participation
in significant activities and events such as holidays.
/.A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report?
A client who is taking clozapine and has a WBC count of 7500 (5000-10000)
A client who is taking lamotrigine and has developed a rash
A client who is taking valproate and has a platelet count of 200000 (150k-400k)
A client who is taking lithium and has increased thirst - Answer-A client who is taking
lamotrigine and has developed a rash
Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication that is used as a mood stabilizer. The
nurse should identify that a rash is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of the
medication and report this finding immediately.
/.A nurse is caring for a male client who has schizophrenia and is taking clozapine.
Which of the following client findings should the nurse identify as a contraindication for
receiving clozapine?
WBC count 2500
Hgb 11.5
,Alogia
Client reports having a dry mouth - Answer-WBC 2500
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis which can be fatal due to overwhelming infection.
/.A nurse is planning care for a client who has depression and has made frequent
suicide attempts. Which of the following statements indicates the client has a decreased
risk for suicide?
"I'm relieved now that my financial affairs are in order."
"It is easier to talk about my feelings now."
"Suddenly I have enough energy to do anything I want."
"Thank you for always taking such good care of me." - Answer-It is easier to talk about
my feelings now.
When clients express their feelings, this indicates a positive treatment outcome.
/.During a client's initial interview in a mental health inpatient setting, a nurse identifies
that the client is maintaining eye contact and leaning forward. Which of the following
assumptions should the nurse make based on the client's nonverbal behaviors
The client is interested in what the nurse is saying.
The client is attempting to manipulate the nurse.
The client is physically attracted to the nurse.
The client is seeking acceptance by the nurse. - Answer-The client is interested in what
the nurse is saying.
/.A nurse is planning care for a client who has schizophrenia and reports auditory
hallucinations. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
Promote the use of music to compete with the clients auditory hallucinations.
Inform the client that the auditory hallucinations are not real.
Avoid asking the client if they are experiencing auditory hallucinations.
Instruct the client on the use of voice recognition regarding the auditory hallucinations. -
Answer-Promote the use of music to compete with the client's auditory hallucinations.
, Competing reality-based stimulation such as the use of music or tv during auditory
hallucinations can assist in limiting the effect the hallucinations have on the client's
stress level.
/.A nurse is caring for a client who has impaired cognition.
A nurse is updating the c clients plan of care. For each of the following potential nursing
interventions, click to specify if the potential intervention is anticipated, nonessential or
contraindicated for the client. - Answer-Anticipated: Approach from front, give directions
slowly and moderate tone, decrease sensory stimulation, assign the client to a room
near nurses' station
Nonessential: High calorie hourly protein
Contraindicated: vest to restrain, bed is kept at working height, lights in bedroom and
bathroom off at night.
/.A nurse is planning discharge teaching with a family member of a client who has a new
diagnosis of depression. Which of the following information about relapse should the
nurse include?
Additional acute episodes of depression are unlikely following inpatient care.
Early identification of changes, such as decreased social involvement, is important.
Medication compliance will prevent further need for inpatient hospitalization.
It is helpful to regularly reinforce to the client that things will get better. - Answer-Early
identification of changes, such as decreased social involvement is important.
Decreased social involvement is a manifestation of depression, and early identification
of findings can lead to early intervention.
/.A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client who has antisocial
personality disorder. Which of the following strategies should the nurse use when
communicating with this client?
Behave in a friendly manner toward the client.
Set realistic limits on the client's behavior.
Show respect for the client's needs for isolation
Act as a role model for assertiveness - Answer-Set realistic limits on the client's
behavior.
Questions With New Update Solutions
/. A nurse is assessing a school-age child who experienced the traumatic loss of a
parent 8 months ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an
indication that the child is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Clinging behaviors directed towards a teacher
Increasing time spent sleeping
Intense focus on school work
Lack of interest in an upcoming holiday - Answer-Lack of interest in an upcoming
holiday
The child who has PTSD will have negative moods and difficulty remembering aspects
of the traumatic event. The child can also have a loss of interest or lack of participation
in significant activities and events such as holidays.
/.A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report?
A client who is taking clozapine and has a WBC count of 7500 (5000-10000)
A client who is taking lamotrigine and has developed a rash
A client who is taking valproate and has a platelet count of 200000 (150k-400k)
A client who is taking lithium and has increased thirst - Answer-A client who is taking
lamotrigine and has developed a rash
Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication that is used as a mood stabilizer. The
nurse should identify that a rash is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of the
medication and report this finding immediately.
/.A nurse is caring for a male client who has schizophrenia and is taking clozapine.
Which of the following client findings should the nurse identify as a contraindication for
receiving clozapine?
WBC count 2500
Hgb 11.5
,Alogia
Client reports having a dry mouth - Answer-WBC 2500
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis which can be fatal due to overwhelming infection.
/.A nurse is planning care for a client who has depression and has made frequent
suicide attempts. Which of the following statements indicates the client has a decreased
risk for suicide?
"I'm relieved now that my financial affairs are in order."
"It is easier to talk about my feelings now."
"Suddenly I have enough energy to do anything I want."
"Thank you for always taking such good care of me." - Answer-It is easier to talk about
my feelings now.
When clients express their feelings, this indicates a positive treatment outcome.
/.During a client's initial interview in a mental health inpatient setting, a nurse identifies
that the client is maintaining eye contact and leaning forward. Which of the following
assumptions should the nurse make based on the client's nonverbal behaviors
The client is interested in what the nurse is saying.
The client is attempting to manipulate the nurse.
The client is physically attracted to the nurse.
The client is seeking acceptance by the nurse. - Answer-The client is interested in what
the nurse is saying.
/.A nurse is planning care for a client who has schizophrenia and reports auditory
hallucinations. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
Promote the use of music to compete with the clients auditory hallucinations.
Inform the client that the auditory hallucinations are not real.
Avoid asking the client if they are experiencing auditory hallucinations.
Instruct the client on the use of voice recognition regarding the auditory hallucinations. -
Answer-Promote the use of music to compete with the client's auditory hallucinations.
, Competing reality-based stimulation such as the use of music or tv during auditory
hallucinations can assist in limiting the effect the hallucinations have on the client's
stress level.
/.A nurse is caring for a client who has impaired cognition.
A nurse is updating the c clients plan of care. For each of the following potential nursing
interventions, click to specify if the potential intervention is anticipated, nonessential or
contraindicated for the client. - Answer-Anticipated: Approach from front, give directions
slowly and moderate tone, decrease sensory stimulation, assign the client to a room
near nurses' station
Nonessential: High calorie hourly protein
Contraindicated: vest to restrain, bed is kept at working height, lights in bedroom and
bathroom off at night.
/.A nurse is planning discharge teaching with a family member of a client who has a new
diagnosis of depression. Which of the following information about relapse should the
nurse include?
Additional acute episodes of depression are unlikely following inpatient care.
Early identification of changes, such as decreased social involvement, is important.
Medication compliance will prevent further need for inpatient hospitalization.
It is helpful to regularly reinforce to the client that things will get better. - Answer-Early
identification of changes, such as decreased social involvement is important.
Decreased social involvement is a manifestation of depression, and early identification
of findings can lead to early intervention.
/.A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client who has antisocial
personality disorder. Which of the following strategies should the nurse use when
communicating with this client?
Behave in a friendly manner toward the client.
Set realistic limits on the client's behavior.
Show respect for the client's needs for isolation
Act as a role model for assertiveness - Answer-Set realistic limits on the client's
behavior.
