ATI Mental Health Exam 2025 (Verified &
Certified!!!)
Three years ago, Anna's dog Lucky, whom she had for 16 years, was run over by a car and killed. Anna's
daughter reports that since that time, Anna has lost weight, rarely leaves her home, and just sits and
talks about Lucky. Anna's behavior would be considered maladaptive because:
a. it has been more than 3 years since Lucky died
b. her grief is too intense just over the loss of a dog
c. her grief is interfering with her functioning
d. cultural norms typically do not comprehend grief over the loss of a pet - <<<answer>>>c. her grief is
interfering with her functioning
Anna states that Lucky was her closest friend, and since his death, there is no one who could ever
replace the relationship they had. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which level of need is not
being met?
a. Physiological needs
b. Self-esteem needs
c. Safety and security needs
d. Love and belonging needs - <<<answer>>>d. Love and belonging needs
Anna's daughter notices that Anna appears to be listening to another voice when just the two of them
are in a room together. When questioned, Anna admits that she hears someone telling her that she was
,a horrible caretaker for Lucky and did not deserve to ever have a pet. Which of the following best
describes what Anna is experiencing?
a. Neurosis
b. Psychosis
c. Depression
d. Bereavement - <<<answer>>>b. Psychosis
Anna, who is 72 years old, is of the age when she may have experienced many losses coming close
together. What is this called?
a. Bereavement overload
b. Normal mourning
c. Isolation
d. Cultural relativity - <<<answer>>>a. Bereavement overload
Anna has been grieving the death of Lucky for 3 years. She is unable to take care of her normal activities
because she insists on visiting Lucky's grave daily. What is the most likely reason that Anna's daughter
has put off seeking help for Anna?
a. Women are less likely than men to seek help for emotional problems
b. Relatives often try to normalize behavior rather than label it mental illness
c. She knows that all older people are expected to be a little depressed
d. She is afraid that the neighbors will think her mother is "crazy" - <<<answer>>>b. Relatives often try
to normalize behavior rather than label it mental illness
Lucky's accident occurred when he got away from Anna while they were taking a walk. He ran into the
street and was hit by a car. Anna cannot remember the circumstances of his death. This is an example of
what defense mechanism?
a. Rationalization
b. Suppressant
c. Denial
d. Repression - <<<answer>>>d. Repression
,A client with a history of schizophrenia is brought to the emergency department by police who report
that she was knocking down food displays at a grocery store and yelling that the food is all poisoned.
The client reports to the nurse that she has no idea why she was brought to the emergency department
because "there is nothing wrong with me." Which of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good
clinical judgment?
a. Instruct the police officer that the client should be incarcerated because there is nothing that can be
done in an emergency department
b. Document that the client is manifesting suspicious ideation and anosognosia
c. Ask the doctor to order gastric lavage because the client reports having been poisoned
d. Instruct the client that the food is not poisoned and there is something wrong with her -
<<<answer>>>b. Document that the client is manifesting suspicious ideation and anosognosia
During a primary care physician appointment, a client who has been a widow for 7 years reports to the
nurse that she does not want to wake up in the morning and feels there is nothing left for her. Which of
these actions by the nurse is a priority?
a. Listen empathically and encourage the client to find some activities to increase socialization
b. Encourage the client to discuss this with her physician
c. Assess the client for symptoms of depression and suicide risk
d. Instruct the client that grief takes a long time to resolve but that she will be feeling better soon -
<<<answer>>>c. Assess the client for symptoms of depression and suicide risk
A client who has arrived at the health clinic for diabetic education is perspiring, wringing his hands, and
states, "I'm so anxious about giving myself shots I can hardly breathe. I don't know what to do." Which
of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good clinical judgment?"
a. Assist the client in relaxation exercises before commencing diabetes education
b. Instruct the client that it is not hard to give oneself a shot an commence teaching
c. Assess the client further for symptoms of anxiety
d. Cancel diabetic education and encourage the client to reschedule when he feels less anxious -
<<<answer>>>a. Assist the client in relaxation exercises before commencing diabetes education
A client who was admitted to the psychiatric unit for major depressive disorder reports to the nurse,
"Ever since my daughter died by suicide 10 years ago, I can't stand to be around my friends. They just
don't get it!" Which of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good clinical judgment?
a. Affirm that other people cannot possibly provide adequate support in circumstances like these
, b. Assist the client to explore the connection between grief and anger
c. Tell the client that her friends are doing the best they can and she should try to accept their support
d. Ask the client to describe how her daughter killed herself - <<<answer>>>b. Assist the client to
explore the connection between grief and anger
The nurse decides to go against family wishes and tell the client of his terminal status because that is
what she would want if she were the client. Which of the following ethical theories is considered in this
decision?
a. Kantianism
b. Christian ethics
c. Natural law theories
d. Ethical egoism - <<<answer>>>b. Christian ethics
The nurse decides to respect family wishes and not tell the client of his terminal status because that
would bring the most happiness to the most people. Which of the following ethical theories is
considered in this decision?
a. Utilitarianism
b. Kantianism
c. Christian ethics
d. Ethical egoism - <<<answer>>>a. Utilitarianism
The nurse decides to tell the client of his terminal status because she believes it is her duty to do so.
Which of the following ethical theories is considered in this decision?
a. Natural law theories
b. Ethical egoism
c. Kantianism
d. Utilitarianism - <<<answer>>>c. Kantianism
The nurse assists the physician with electroconvulsive therapy on a client who has refused to give
consent. With which of the following legal actions might the nurse be charged because of this nursing
action?
a. Assault
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Three years ago, Anna's dog Lucky, whom she had for 16 years, was run over by a car and killed. Anna's
daughter reports that since that time, Anna has lost weight, rarely leaves her home, and just sits and
talks about Lucky. Anna's behavior would be considered maladaptive because:
a. it has been more than 3 years since Lucky died
b. her grief is too intense just over the loss of a dog
c. her grief is interfering with her functioning
d. cultural norms typically do not comprehend grief over the loss of a pet - <<<answer>>>c. her grief is
interfering with her functioning
Anna states that Lucky was her closest friend, and since his death, there is no one who could ever
replace the relationship they had. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which level of need is not
being met?
a. Physiological needs
b. Self-esteem needs
c. Safety and security needs
d. Love and belonging needs - <<<answer>>>d. Love and belonging needs
Anna's daughter notices that Anna appears to be listening to another voice when just the two of them
are in a room together. When questioned, Anna admits that she hears someone telling her that she was
,a horrible caretaker for Lucky and did not deserve to ever have a pet. Which of the following best
describes what Anna is experiencing?
a. Neurosis
b. Psychosis
c. Depression
d. Bereavement - <<<answer>>>b. Psychosis
Anna, who is 72 years old, is of the age when she may have experienced many losses coming close
together. What is this called?
a. Bereavement overload
b. Normal mourning
c. Isolation
d. Cultural relativity - <<<answer>>>a. Bereavement overload
Anna has been grieving the death of Lucky for 3 years. She is unable to take care of her normal activities
because she insists on visiting Lucky's grave daily. What is the most likely reason that Anna's daughter
has put off seeking help for Anna?
a. Women are less likely than men to seek help for emotional problems
b. Relatives often try to normalize behavior rather than label it mental illness
c. She knows that all older people are expected to be a little depressed
d. She is afraid that the neighbors will think her mother is "crazy" - <<<answer>>>b. Relatives often try
to normalize behavior rather than label it mental illness
Lucky's accident occurred when he got away from Anna while they were taking a walk. He ran into the
street and was hit by a car. Anna cannot remember the circumstances of his death. This is an example of
what defense mechanism?
a. Rationalization
b. Suppressant
c. Denial
d. Repression - <<<answer>>>d. Repression
,A client with a history of schizophrenia is brought to the emergency department by police who report
that she was knocking down food displays at a grocery store and yelling that the food is all poisoned.
The client reports to the nurse that she has no idea why she was brought to the emergency department
because "there is nothing wrong with me." Which of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good
clinical judgment?
a. Instruct the police officer that the client should be incarcerated because there is nothing that can be
done in an emergency department
b. Document that the client is manifesting suspicious ideation and anosognosia
c. Ask the doctor to order gastric lavage because the client reports having been poisoned
d. Instruct the client that the food is not poisoned and there is something wrong with her -
<<<answer>>>b. Document that the client is manifesting suspicious ideation and anosognosia
During a primary care physician appointment, a client who has been a widow for 7 years reports to the
nurse that she does not want to wake up in the morning and feels there is nothing left for her. Which of
these actions by the nurse is a priority?
a. Listen empathically and encourage the client to find some activities to increase socialization
b. Encourage the client to discuss this with her physician
c. Assess the client for symptoms of depression and suicide risk
d. Instruct the client that grief takes a long time to resolve but that she will be feeling better soon -
<<<answer>>>c. Assess the client for symptoms of depression and suicide risk
A client who has arrived at the health clinic for diabetic education is perspiring, wringing his hands, and
states, "I'm so anxious about giving myself shots I can hardly breathe. I don't know what to do." Which
of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good clinical judgment?"
a. Assist the client in relaxation exercises before commencing diabetes education
b. Instruct the client that it is not hard to give oneself a shot an commence teaching
c. Assess the client further for symptoms of anxiety
d. Cancel diabetic education and encourage the client to reschedule when he feels less anxious -
<<<answer>>>a. Assist the client in relaxation exercises before commencing diabetes education
A client who was admitted to the psychiatric unit for major depressive disorder reports to the nurse,
"Ever since my daughter died by suicide 10 years ago, I can't stand to be around my friends. They just
don't get it!" Which of these actions by the nurse demonstrates good clinical judgment?
a. Affirm that other people cannot possibly provide adequate support in circumstances like these
, b. Assist the client to explore the connection between grief and anger
c. Tell the client that her friends are doing the best they can and she should try to accept their support
d. Ask the client to describe how her daughter killed herself - <<<answer>>>b. Assist the client to
explore the connection between grief and anger
The nurse decides to go against family wishes and tell the client of his terminal status because that is
what she would want if she were the client. Which of the following ethical theories is considered in this
decision?
a. Kantianism
b. Christian ethics
c. Natural law theories
d. Ethical egoism - <<<answer>>>b. Christian ethics
The nurse decides to respect family wishes and not tell the client of his terminal status because that
would bring the most happiness to the most people. Which of the following ethical theories is
considered in this decision?
a. Utilitarianism
b. Kantianism
c. Christian ethics
d. Ethical egoism - <<<answer>>>a. Utilitarianism
The nurse decides to tell the client of his terminal status because she believes it is her duty to do so.
Which of the following ethical theories is considered in this decision?
a. Natural law theories
b. Ethical egoism
c. Kantianism
d. Utilitarianism - <<<answer>>>c. Kantianism
The nurse assists the physician with electroconvulsive therapy on a client who has refused to give
consent. With which of the following legal actions might the nurse be charged because of this nursing
action?
a. Assault
