Galen NUR 253 ATI Detailed Answer
Key – Coping Strategies Real Exam
With 80 Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationales/ NUR 253
ATI Mental Health – Coping
Strategies Test 2025-2026
Nur 253 Mental Health
, Detailed Answer Key- Coping
1. A nurse is admitting a client who has experienced a weight loss of 11 kg (25 lb) in the past 3 months. The client weighs 40 kg
(88 lb) and believes she is fat. Which of the following aspects of care should the nurse consider the first priority for this
client?
A. Identify the client's nutritional status.
Rationale: According to the nursing process, the nurse should perform an assessment first to gather enough data
regarding nutritional status and other findings in order to plan, implement, and evaluate care. The
assessment identifies client nutrition needs as well as complications the client might be experiencing
related to the eating disorder.
B. Request a mental health consult.
Rationale: Requesting a mental health consult might be necessary but another aspect of care is the priority.
C. Plan a therapeutic diet for the client.
Rationale: Rationale C. Planning a therapeutic diet for the client will be necessary but another aspect of care is the
priority.
D. Provide a structured environment for the client.
Rationale: It is important to provide a structured environment for the client regarding meals, times for weighing,
and monitoring of eating, but another aspect of care is the priority.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa and over- exercises to avoid gaining weight. Which of the following
nursing actions should the nurse take?
A. Praise the client for looking at herself in a mirror.
Rationale: A client who has anorexia nervosa monitors weight and appearance excessively, but does not have a
proper body image. The nurse should avoid sounding too complimentary of the client’s appearance
because it may reinforce negative thoughts.
B. Ask the client to agree to talk to a nurse whenever she feels the urge to exercise.
Rationale: To promote effectiveness of treatment, the nurse should implement actions which establish trust and
partnership with the client. This action should help the client view the nurse as a partner in treatment.
C. Reprimand the client about the potential damage that has occurred due to over- exercising her body.
Rationale: The nurse should focus teaching on healthy eating and addressing wrong thoughts about weight gain.
Confronting the client is not likely to be effective until the client can resolve the issues that underlie the
behaviors associated with anorexia nervosa.
D. Restrict the client from being weighed.
Rationale: During therapy, the nurse should weigh the client daily for the first week, then three times a week. A
client who has anorexia nervosa is likely to want to avoid weighing or seeing the weight.
Created on:07/10/2023 Page 1
, Detailed Answer Key- Coping
3. A nurse is caring for an adolescent female who has an eating disorder. The client is 162.6 cm (64 in) tall and weighs 38.56 kg
(85 lb). Upon assessment, which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Amenorrhea
B. Verbalized desire to gain weight
C. Altered body image
D. Hyperactivity
E. Bradycardia
Rationale: Amenorrhea is correct. A client who has anorexia nervosa and has had significant weight loss will
commonly experience amenorrhea, or cessation of menses.
Verbalized desire to gain weight is incorrect. A client who has anorexia nervosa sees herself as overweight and often
has fear of gaining weight.
Altered body image is correct. A client who has anorexia nervosa will commonly view her body as overweight no
matter how much weight is lost.
Hyperactivity is correct. A client who has anorexia nervosa will commonly engage in excessive exercising to prevent
weight gain.
Bradycardia is correct. A client who has anorexia nervosa can experience cardiac abnormalities, such as bradycardia
and hypotension.
4. A nurse is assessing an adolescent client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following client statements is a sign of
cognitive distortion?
A. "I like to cut my food into small pieces."
Rationale: The client's statement is an example of a stated behavior associated with anorexia nervosa; therefore,
this is not cognitive distortion.
B. "I really need to get into shape."
Rationale: The client's statement is an example of a stated behavior associated with anorexia nervosa; therefore,
this is not cognitive distortion.
C. "If I eat one piece of candy, I may as well eat ten."
Rationale: The client's statement is an example that displays all-or-nothing thinking, which is a form of cognitive
distortion.
D. "I can't afford to gain weight."
Rationale: The client's statement is an example of a stated thought associated with anorexia nervosa; therefore, this
is not cognitive distortion.
5. A nurse is discussing comorbidities associated with eating disorders with a newly admitted client. Which of the following
conditions should the nurse include in the discussion? (Select all that apply.)
Created on:07/10/2023 Page 2
, Detailed Answer Key- Coping
A. Anxiety
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Breathing-related sleep disorder
E. Depression
Rationale: Anxiety is correct. Anxiety is a comorbid condition common in clients who have an eating disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is correct. OCD is a comorbid condition common in clients who have an eating
disorder, especially anorexia nervosa.
Schizophrenia is incorrect. Personality disorders, rather than schizophrenia, are comorbid conditions common in
clients who have an eating disorder.
Breathing-related sleep disorder is incorrect. Breathing-related sleep disorder is not a comorbid
condition associated with eating disorders.
Depression is correct. Depression is a comorbid condition common in clients who have an eating
disorder.
6. A nurse is providing care for a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following nursing interventions should the nurse
take?
A. Compliment the client for weight gain.
Rationale: Comments about body image should be avoided because they are often distorted by a client with an
eating disorder. For example, the client may take this comment to mean that she looks fat. She may
renew efforts at weight-loss attempts. Reinforcement should focus on positive efforts to eat planned
meals and participate in other activities of the care plan. Patient privileges are often linked to weight
gain and adherence to the plan of care.
B. Allow the client to eat at any time.
Rationale: The therapeutic environment for clients who have eating disorders usually consists of designated meal
times and adherence to the selected menu. Clients will contract with the staff for rewards based upon
regular attendance at meals and the amount of the meal consumed. In addition, the client should be
closely monitored after meals to make sure the client is not vomiting.
C. Provide privacy when friends visit.
Rationale: Until the client earns this privilege, she will need to be monitored. Friends may bring laxatives, diuretics,
or other weight-reduction remedies. As the client participates in the plan of care, privileges will be
increased to lead to the transition to the home setting.
D. Schedule regular weigh-in times.
Rationale: Treatment for anorexia nervosa is structured. The client is weighed at regularly scheduled times.
The goal is to achieve 90% of ideal body weight.
Created on:07/10/2023 Page 3
Key – Coping Strategies Real Exam
With 80 Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationales/ NUR 253
ATI Mental Health – Coping
Strategies Test 2025-2026
Nur 253 Mental Health
, Detailed Answer Key- Coping
1. A nurse is admitting a client who has experienced a weight loss of 11 kg (25 lb) in the past 3 months. The client weighs 40 kg
(88 lb) and believes she is fat. Which of the following aspects of care should the nurse consider the first priority for this
client?
A. Identify the client's nutritional status.
Rationale: According to the nursing process, the nurse should perform an assessment first to gather enough data
regarding nutritional status and other findings in order to plan, implement, and evaluate care. The
assessment identifies client nutrition needs as well as complications the client might be experiencing
related to the eating disorder.
B. Request a mental health consult.
Rationale: Requesting a mental health consult might be necessary but another aspect of care is the priority.
C. Plan a therapeutic diet for the client.
Rationale: Rationale C. Planning a therapeutic diet for the client will be necessary but another aspect of care is the
priority.
D. Provide a structured environment for the client.
Rationale: It is important to provide a structured environment for the client regarding meals, times for weighing,
and monitoring of eating, but another aspect of care is the priority.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa and over- exercises to avoid gaining weight. Which of the following
nursing actions should the nurse take?
A. Praise the client for looking at herself in a mirror.
Rationale: A client who has anorexia nervosa monitors weight and appearance excessively, but does not have a
proper body image. The nurse should avoid sounding too complimentary of the client’s appearance
because it may reinforce negative thoughts.
B. Ask the client to agree to talk to a nurse whenever she feels the urge to exercise.
Rationale: To promote effectiveness of treatment, the nurse should implement actions which establish trust and
partnership with the client. This action should help the client view the nurse as a partner in treatment.
C. Reprimand the client about the potential damage that has occurred due to over- exercising her body.
Rationale: The nurse should focus teaching on healthy eating and addressing wrong thoughts about weight gain.
Confronting the client is not likely to be effective until the client can resolve the issues that underlie the
behaviors associated with anorexia nervosa.
D. Restrict the client from being weighed.
Rationale: During therapy, the nurse should weigh the client daily for the first week, then three times a week. A
client who has anorexia nervosa is likely to want to avoid weighing or seeing the weight.
Created on:07/10/2023 Page 1
, Detailed Answer Key- Coping
3. A nurse is caring for an adolescent female who has an eating disorder. The client is 162.6 cm (64 in) tall and weighs 38.56 kg
(85 lb). Upon assessment, which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Amenorrhea
B. Verbalized desire to gain weight
C. Altered body image
D. Hyperactivity
E. Bradycardia
Rationale: Amenorrhea is correct. A client who has anorexia nervosa and has had significant weight loss will
commonly experience amenorrhea, or cessation of menses.
Verbalized desire to gain weight is incorrect. A client who has anorexia nervosa sees herself as overweight and often
has fear of gaining weight.
Altered body image is correct. A client who has anorexia nervosa will commonly view her body as overweight no
matter how much weight is lost.
Hyperactivity is correct. A client who has anorexia nervosa will commonly engage in excessive exercising to prevent
weight gain.
Bradycardia is correct. A client who has anorexia nervosa can experience cardiac abnormalities, such as bradycardia
and hypotension.
4. A nurse is assessing an adolescent client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following client statements is a sign of
cognitive distortion?
A. "I like to cut my food into small pieces."
Rationale: The client's statement is an example of a stated behavior associated with anorexia nervosa; therefore,
this is not cognitive distortion.
B. "I really need to get into shape."
Rationale: The client's statement is an example of a stated behavior associated with anorexia nervosa; therefore,
this is not cognitive distortion.
C. "If I eat one piece of candy, I may as well eat ten."
Rationale: The client's statement is an example that displays all-or-nothing thinking, which is a form of cognitive
distortion.
D. "I can't afford to gain weight."
Rationale: The client's statement is an example of a stated thought associated with anorexia nervosa; therefore, this
is not cognitive distortion.
5. A nurse is discussing comorbidities associated with eating disorders with a newly admitted client. Which of the following
conditions should the nurse include in the discussion? (Select all that apply.)
Created on:07/10/2023 Page 2
, Detailed Answer Key- Coping
A. Anxiety
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Breathing-related sleep disorder
E. Depression
Rationale: Anxiety is correct. Anxiety is a comorbid condition common in clients who have an eating disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is correct. OCD is a comorbid condition common in clients who have an eating
disorder, especially anorexia nervosa.
Schizophrenia is incorrect. Personality disorders, rather than schizophrenia, are comorbid conditions common in
clients who have an eating disorder.
Breathing-related sleep disorder is incorrect. Breathing-related sleep disorder is not a comorbid
condition associated with eating disorders.
Depression is correct. Depression is a comorbid condition common in clients who have an eating
disorder.
6. A nurse is providing care for a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following nursing interventions should the nurse
take?
A. Compliment the client for weight gain.
Rationale: Comments about body image should be avoided because they are often distorted by a client with an
eating disorder. For example, the client may take this comment to mean that she looks fat. She may
renew efforts at weight-loss attempts. Reinforcement should focus on positive efforts to eat planned
meals and participate in other activities of the care plan. Patient privileges are often linked to weight
gain and adherence to the plan of care.
B. Allow the client to eat at any time.
Rationale: The therapeutic environment for clients who have eating disorders usually consists of designated meal
times and adherence to the selected menu. Clients will contract with the staff for rewards based upon
regular attendance at meals and the amount of the meal consumed. In addition, the client should be
closely monitored after meals to make sure the client is not vomiting.
C. Provide privacy when friends visit.
Rationale: Until the client earns this privilege, she will need to be monitored. Friends may bring laxatives, diuretics,
or other weight-reduction remedies. As the client participates in the plan of care, privileges will be
increased to lead to the transition to the home setting.
D. Schedule regular weigh-in times.
Rationale: Treatment for anorexia nervosa is structured. The client is weighed at regularly scheduled times.
The goal is to achieve 90% of ideal body weight.
Created on:07/10/2023 Page 3
