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ATI RN CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH
PRE-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
A nurse in a mental health clinic is assessing a client who was
brought in by her adult daughter stating that her mother has not
been able to leave her home for weeks because she is afraid to
be outdoors alone. the nurse should anticipate planning care
for managing which of the following phobias?
a. Xenophobia
b. Acrophobia
c. Mysophobia
d. Agoraphobia - correct answer- d. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an irrational fear about being in places or
circumstances where the client would not have help in the
event of panic or other forms of anxiety. Fear of being alone
outdoor is a common example.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has
multiple medication prescriptions and must take the
medications at specific intervals when at home. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. "You really shouldn't change the schedule we established
here in the facility."
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b. "Let's work together to devise a time schedule that is
convenient for you on a daily basis."
c. "We'll have to talk to your provider about switching to an
alternative schedule."
d. "It doesn't really matter what time you take your medications
as long as you don't skip any doses." - correct answer- b. "Let's
work together to devise a time schedule that is convenient for
you on a daily basis."
This response illustrates the therapeutic communication
technique of formulating a plan of action. It demonstrates the
nurse's willingness to work with the client to modify the
schedule so that it meets the client's needs at this time.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to. client who has
bipolar disorder and will be discharged with a prescription for
lithium. The nurse should teach the client that which of the
following factors puts her at risk for lithium toxicity?
a. The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon.
b. The client drinks 2 liters of liquids daily.
c. The client eats 2 to 3 grams of sodium-containing foods daily.
d. The client eats foods high in tyramine. - correct answer- a.
The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon.
Strenuous exercise in outdoor heat, which can lead to
dehydration, puts the client at risk for lithium toxicity. Mild to
moderate exercise will not lead to lithium toxicity, but if the
client engages in strenuous exercise during hot weather, she
should take care to replace any water that may have been lost
through profuse sweating. this also applies to other factors that
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can cause the client to become dehydrated, such as having
diarrhea or taking diuretics.
A nurse in a emergency department is assessing a client for
suspected cocaine intoxication. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
a. Nystagmus
b. Dilated pupils
c. Hypersomnia
d. Depression - correct answer- b. Dilated pupils
Dilated pupils are a finding of cocaine intoxication due to the
stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
A nurse enters the room of a client who becomes verbally
abusive. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Inform the client of consequences.
b. Speak slowly in a low, calm voice.
c. Forbid the client from speaking in an abusive manner.
d. Remain a distance of 1 ft away from the client. - correct
answer- b. Speak slowly in a low, calm voice.
Speaking in this manner conveys to the client that the nurse is
controlled, nonthreatening, and caring.
ATI RN CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH
PRE-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
A nurse in a mental health clinic is assessing a client who was
brought in by her adult daughter stating that her mother has not
been able to leave her home for weeks because she is afraid to
be outdoors alone. the nurse should anticipate planning care
for managing which of the following phobias?
a. Xenophobia
b. Acrophobia
c. Mysophobia
d. Agoraphobia - correct answer- d. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an irrational fear about being in places or
circumstances where the client would not have help in the
event of panic or other forms of anxiety. Fear of being alone
outdoor is a common example.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has
multiple medication prescriptions and must take the
medications at specific intervals when at home. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. "You really shouldn't change the schedule we established
here in the facility."
,2 | Page
b. "Let's work together to devise a time schedule that is
convenient for you on a daily basis."
c. "We'll have to talk to your provider about switching to an
alternative schedule."
d. "It doesn't really matter what time you take your medications
as long as you don't skip any doses." - correct answer- b. "Let's
work together to devise a time schedule that is convenient for
you on a daily basis."
This response illustrates the therapeutic communication
technique of formulating a plan of action. It demonstrates the
nurse's willingness to work with the client to modify the
schedule so that it meets the client's needs at this time.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to. client who has
bipolar disorder and will be discharged with a prescription for
lithium. The nurse should teach the client that which of the
following factors puts her at risk for lithium toxicity?
a. The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon.
b. The client drinks 2 liters of liquids daily.
c. The client eats 2 to 3 grams of sodium-containing foods daily.
d. The client eats foods high in tyramine. - correct answer- a.
The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon.
Strenuous exercise in outdoor heat, which can lead to
dehydration, puts the client at risk for lithium toxicity. Mild to
moderate exercise will not lead to lithium toxicity, but if the
client engages in strenuous exercise during hot weather, she
should take care to replace any water that may have been lost
through profuse sweating. this also applies to other factors that
, 3 | Page
can cause the client to become dehydrated, such as having
diarrhea or taking diuretics.
A nurse in a emergency department is assessing a client for
suspected cocaine intoxication. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
a. Nystagmus
b. Dilated pupils
c. Hypersomnia
d. Depression - correct answer- b. Dilated pupils
Dilated pupils are a finding of cocaine intoxication due to the
stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
A nurse enters the room of a client who becomes verbally
abusive. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Inform the client of consequences.
b. Speak slowly in a low, calm voice.
c. Forbid the client from speaking in an abusive manner.
d. Remain a distance of 1 ft away from the client. - correct
answer- b. Speak slowly in a low, calm voice.
Speaking in this manner conveys to the client that the nurse is
controlled, nonthreatening, and caring.
