ATI PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS
Mental Health Review
Exam
Q&A
2024
, 1. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. The nurse hears the client talking to himself in his
room. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Ignore the client's behavior and document it in the chart.
b) Enter the room and ask the client what he is talking about.
c) Enter the room and distract the client with a different topic.
d) Enter the room and acknowledge the client's feelings without
reinforcing the hallucinations.*
Rationale: The nurse should enter the room and acknowledge the client's
feelings without reinforcing the hallucinations. This shows empathy and
respect for the client's reality, while also helping him to focus on reality-
based stimuli. Ignoring the client's behavior or asking him what he is
talking about might increase his anxiety or agitation. Distracting the client
with a different topic might be ineffective or disrespectful.
2. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination for a client who has
major depressive disorder. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
a) Increased psychomotor activity and pressured speech.
b) Decreased attention span and impaired memory.*
c) Elevated mood and grandiose delusions.
d) Paranoid thoughts and perceptual disturbances.
Rationale: The nurse should expect to find decreased attention span and
impaired memory in a client who has major depressive disorder. These are
signs of cognitive impairment that often accompany depression. Increased
psychomotor activity and pressured speech are more indicative of mania
or hypomania. Elevated mood and grandiose delusions are also signs of
mania or psychotic disorders. Paranoid thoughts and perceptual
disturbances are signs of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.
3. A nurse is planning care for a client who has bipolar disorder and is
experiencing a manic episode. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse include in the plan?
a) Provide frequent snacks and fluids to prevent dehydration and weight
loss.*
b) Encourage the client to participate in group activities to enhance
Mental Health Review
Exam
Q&A
2024
, 1. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. The nurse hears the client talking to himself in his
room. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Ignore the client's behavior and document it in the chart.
b) Enter the room and ask the client what he is talking about.
c) Enter the room and distract the client with a different topic.
d) Enter the room and acknowledge the client's feelings without
reinforcing the hallucinations.*
Rationale: The nurse should enter the room and acknowledge the client's
feelings without reinforcing the hallucinations. This shows empathy and
respect for the client's reality, while also helping him to focus on reality-
based stimuli. Ignoring the client's behavior or asking him what he is
talking about might increase his anxiety or agitation. Distracting the client
with a different topic might be ineffective or disrespectful.
2. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination for a client who has
major depressive disorder. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
a) Increased psychomotor activity and pressured speech.
b) Decreased attention span and impaired memory.*
c) Elevated mood and grandiose delusions.
d) Paranoid thoughts and perceptual disturbances.
Rationale: The nurse should expect to find decreased attention span and
impaired memory in a client who has major depressive disorder. These are
signs of cognitive impairment that often accompany depression. Increased
psychomotor activity and pressured speech are more indicative of mania
or hypomania. Elevated mood and grandiose delusions are also signs of
mania or psychotic disorders. Paranoid thoughts and perceptual
disturbances are signs of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.
3. A nurse is planning care for a client who has bipolar disorder and is
experiencing a manic episode. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse include in the plan?
a) Provide frequent snacks and fluids to prevent dehydration and weight
loss.*
b) Encourage the client to participate in group activities to enhance
