mental health nursing ATI
study questions with
Detailed Answers A+ Grade
2026/2027
,level of consciousness this is described using the folowing terms, and observed behavior included in
documentation, alert, lethargy, stupor, coma, physical appearance, behavior,
alert this LOC is responsive and able to fully respond by opening her eyes and attending
to a normal tone of voice and speech. The client answers questions spontaneously
and appropriately.
lethargy the client is able to open her eyes and respond but is drowsy and falls asleep
readily.
stupor the client requires vigorous or painful stimuli (pinching a tendon or rubbing the
sternum) to elicit a brief response. She may not be able to respond verbally.
coma LOC is no response, can be achieved from repeated painful stimuli.
decorticate rigidity flexion and internal rotation of upper extremity joints and legs
decerbrate rigidity neck and elbow extension, wrist and finger flexion
mini mental state examination this examination is used to objectively collect data about a client's cognitive status
by evaluating the following, orientation to time and place, attention span and ability
to calculate by counting backward by seven, registration and recalling of objects,
language, including naming of objects, following of commands, and ability to write
glascow coma scale this examination is used to obtain baseline data of a client's level of consciousness,
and for ongoing monitoring. Eye, verbal, and motor response is evaluated, and a
number value based on that response is assigned. The highest value possible is 15,
which indicates that the client is awake and responding appropriately. A score of 7
or less indicates that the client is in a coma
home, education activities drugs sexuality suicide what is the acronym HEADSS used for in the assessment in an adolescent stand
for
diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders this is published by the american psychiatric association, is used as a diagnostic
tool to identify mental health diagnoses. It is used by mental health professionals for
clients who have mental health disorders.
tort this is a wrongful act or injury committed by an entity or person against another
person or another person's property. These can be used to decide liability issues, as
well as intentional issues that can involve criminal penalties, such as abuse of a
client.
ethical issues these are philosophical ideas regarding right and wrong
beneficence this relates to the quality of doing good and can be described as charity
,autonomy this refers to the client's right to make her own decisions. But the client must accept
the consequences of those decisions. The client also must respect the decisions of
others.
Justice This is fair and equal treatment for all.
Fidelity this relates to loyalty and faithfulness to the client and to one's duty.
Veracity This refers to being honest when dealing with a client
voluntary commitment the client or client's guardian chooses commitment to a mental health facility in
order to obtain treatment. A voluntarily committed client has the right to refuse
medication and treatment
involuntary commitment this is also called civil commitment, where the client enters the mental health facility
against her will for an indefinite period of time. the commitment is based on the
clien'ts need for treatment, the risk of harm to self or others, or the inability to
provide self care. The need for commitment could be determined by a judge of the
court or by another agency. The number of physicians which is usually two, ,
required to certify that the client's condition requires commitment varies from state
to state.
emergency involuntary commitment a type of involuntary commitment in which the client is hospitalized to prevent harm
to self or others. This is usually temporary. It is usually imposed by primary care
providers, mental health providers, or police officers.
observational involuntary commitment this is also called temporary commitment, a type of involuntary commitment in which
the client is in need of observation, a diagnosis, and a treatment plan. The time for
this type of commitment is controlled by state statute, and varies greatly between
states. This can be imposed by a family member, legal guardian, primary care
provider, or a mental health provider.
Long term involuntary commitment this is also called formal commitment, a type of commitment that is similar to
temporary commitment but must be imposed by the courts. Time of commitment
varies, but is usually 60 to 180 days. Sometimes there is no set release date.
false imprisonment confining a client to a specific area, such as a seclusion room, is
__________________ if the reason for such confinement is for the convenience of
the staff.
assault making a threat to a client's person, such as approaching the client in a threatening
manner with a syringe in hand, is considered
battery touching a client in a harmful or offensive way. This would occur if the nurse
threatening the client with a syringe acutally grabbed the client and gave an
injection.
intrapersonal communication this occurs within an individual, also identified as "self talk" This is the internal
discussion that takes place when an individual is thinking thoughts and not
outwardly verbalizing them. In nursing, this communication allows the nurse to
collect data from a client or situation and critically think about the client/situation
before communicating verbally
, interpersonal communication this occurs between two or more people in a small group. This is the most common
form of communication in nursing and requires an exchange of information with an
individual or small group.
public communication this occurs within large groups of people. In nursing, this commonly occurs during
educational endeavors where the nurse is educating a large group of individuals,
such as in a community setting.
Transpersonal communication this addresses an individual's spiritual needs and provides interventions to meet
those needs.
vocabulary these are the words that are used to communicate either a written or a spoken
message
denotative, connotative meaning this is when communicating, participants must share meanings
clarity, brevity this is the shortest, simplest communication and is usually most effective.
timing, relevance this is knowing when to communicate allows the receiver to be more attentive to the
message
pacing this is the rate of speech can communicate a meaning to the receiver.
intonation this is the tone of voice can communicate a variety of feelings
therapeutic communication this is the purposeful use of communication to build and maintain helping
relationships with clients, families, and significant others.
clarifying techniques these are restating, reflecting, paraphrasing, exploring
restating this uses the client's exact words
reflecting this directs the focus back to the client in order for the client to examine his feelings.
paraphrasing this restates the client's feelings and thoughts for the client to confirm what has
been communicated.
exploring this allows the nurse to gather more information regarding important topics
mentioned by the client.
study questions with
Detailed Answers A+ Grade
2026/2027
,level of consciousness this is described using the folowing terms, and observed behavior included in
documentation, alert, lethargy, stupor, coma, physical appearance, behavior,
alert this LOC is responsive and able to fully respond by opening her eyes and attending
to a normal tone of voice and speech. The client answers questions spontaneously
and appropriately.
lethargy the client is able to open her eyes and respond but is drowsy and falls asleep
readily.
stupor the client requires vigorous or painful stimuli (pinching a tendon or rubbing the
sternum) to elicit a brief response. She may not be able to respond verbally.
coma LOC is no response, can be achieved from repeated painful stimuli.
decorticate rigidity flexion and internal rotation of upper extremity joints and legs
decerbrate rigidity neck and elbow extension, wrist and finger flexion
mini mental state examination this examination is used to objectively collect data about a client's cognitive status
by evaluating the following, orientation to time and place, attention span and ability
to calculate by counting backward by seven, registration and recalling of objects,
language, including naming of objects, following of commands, and ability to write
glascow coma scale this examination is used to obtain baseline data of a client's level of consciousness,
and for ongoing monitoring. Eye, verbal, and motor response is evaluated, and a
number value based on that response is assigned. The highest value possible is 15,
which indicates that the client is awake and responding appropriately. A score of 7
or less indicates that the client is in a coma
home, education activities drugs sexuality suicide what is the acronym HEADSS used for in the assessment in an adolescent stand
for
diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders this is published by the american psychiatric association, is used as a diagnostic
tool to identify mental health diagnoses. It is used by mental health professionals for
clients who have mental health disorders.
tort this is a wrongful act or injury committed by an entity or person against another
person or another person's property. These can be used to decide liability issues, as
well as intentional issues that can involve criminal penalties, such as abuse of a
client.
ethical issues these are philosophical ideas regarding right and wrong
beneficence this relates to the quality of doing good and can be described as charity
,autonomy this refers to the client's right to make her own decisions. But the client must accept
the consequences of those decisions. The client also must respect the decisions of
others.
Justice This is fair and equal treatment for all.
Fidelity this relates to loyalty and faithfulness to the client and to one's duty.
Veracity This refers to being honest when dealing with a client
voluntary commitment the client or client's guardian chooses commitment to a mental health facility in
order to obtain treatment. A voluntarily committed client has the right to refuse
medication and treatment
involuntary commitment this is also called civil commitment, where the client enters the mental health facility
against her will for an indefinite period of time. the commitment is based on the
clien'ts need for treatment, the risk of harm to self or others, or the inability to
provide self care. The need for commitment could be determined by a judge of the
court or by another agency. The number of physicians which is usually two, ,
required to certify that the client's condition requires commitment varies from state
to state.
emergency involuntary commitment a type of involuntary commitment in which the client is hospitalized to prevent harm
to self or others. This is usually temporary. It is usually imposed by primary care
providers, mental health providers, or police officers.
observational involuntary commitment this is also called temporary commitment, a type of involuntary commitment in which
the client is in need of observation, a diagnosis, and a treatment plan. The time for
this type of commitment is controlled by state statute, and varies greatly between
states. This can be imposed by a family member, legal guardian, primary care
provider, or a mental health provider.
Long term involuntary commitment this is also called formal commitment, a type of commitment that is similar to
temporary commitment but must be imposed by the courts. Time of commitment
varies, but is usually 60 to 180 days. Sometimes there is no set release date.
false imprisonment confining a client to a specific area, such as a seclusion room, is
__________________ if the reason for such confinement is for the convenience of
the staff.
assault making a threat to a client's person, such as approaching the client in a threatening
manner with a syringe in hand, is considered
battery touching a client in a harmful or offensive way. This would occur if the nurse
threatening the client with a syringe acutally grabbed the client and gave an
injection.
intrapersonal communication this occurs within an individual, also identified as "self talk" This is the internal
discussion that takes place when an individual is thinking thoughts and not
outwardly verbalizing them. In nursing, this communication allows the nurse to
collect data from a client or situation and critically think about the client/situation
before communicating verbally
, interpersonal communication this occurs between two or more people in a small group. This is the most common
form of communication in nursing and requires an exchange of information with an
individual or small group.
public communication this occurs within large groups of people. In nursing, this commonly occurs during
educational endeavors where the nurse is educating a large group of individuals,
such as in a community setting.
Transpersonal communication this addresses an individual's spiritual needs and provides interventions to meet
those needs.
vocabulary these are the words that are used to communicate either a written or a spoken
message
denotative, connotative meaning this is when communicating, participants must share meanings
clarity, brevity this is the shortest, simplest communication and is usually most effective.
timing, relevance this is knowing when to communicate allows the receiver to be more attentive to the
message
pacing this is the rate of speech can communicate a meaning to the receiver.
intonation this is the tone of voice can communicate a variety of feelings
therapeutic communication this is the purposeful use of communication to build and maintain helping
relationships with clients, families, and significant others.
clarifying techniques these are restating, reflecting, paraphrasing, exploring
restating this uses the client's exact words
reflecting this directs the focus back to the client in order for the client to examine his feelings.
paraphrasing this restates the client's feelings and thoughts for the client to confirm what has
been communicated.
exploring this allows the nurse to gather more information regarding important topics
mentioned by the client.
