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ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025 Q&A |
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- A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What should the nurse do first? a. Tell the client to ignore the voices b. Ask the client what the voices are saying c. Administer a PRN antipsychotic d. Suggest listening to music to distract from the voices Asking what the voices are saying helps assess the risk of the client harming themselves or others.
- A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing moderate anxiety. What should the nurse expect? a. Narrowed perception and selective inattention b. Markedly disturbed speech c. No observable symptoms d. Inability to follow directions Moderate anxiety narrows the perceptual field but allows the client to focus with assistance.
- A client taking phenelzine should avoid which of the following foods? a. Carrots b. Aged cheese c. Chicken breast d. Grapefruit Aged cheese contains tyramine, which can cause hypertensive crisis when combined with MAOIs like phenelzine.
- A nurse is reinforcing teaching about ECT. Which statement by the client indicates understanding? a. “I will feel sharp pain during the treatment.” b. “I might have temporary memory loss.” c. “I can drive myself home after the treatment.” d. “I’ll be fully awake during the procedure.” Temporary memory loss is a common side effect of ECT.
- A nurse observes a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder repeatedly washing their hands. What is the best response? a. “You’re overdoing it with handwashing.” b. “Let’s try to stop this behavior.” c. “Tell me what you are thinking when you wash your hands so often.” d. “That’s not necessary.” Understanding the client’s thoughts helps address the underlying anxiety driving the behavior.
- Which of the following medications is a mood stabilizer? a. Haloperidol
d. “Are you thinking of killing yourself?” Direct questioning helps assess risk and ensure safety. 10.A client with borderline personality disorder demonstrates splitting. What does this behavior indicate? a. Disorganized thought process b. Inability to integrate both positive and negative aspects of others c. Manipulative tendencies d. Lack of concern for others Splitting is a defense mechanism where the client sees people as all good or all bad. 11.Which is a priority action when dealing with a client in mania? a. Encourage group participation b. Ask the client to focus on others’ needs c. Reduce environmental stimuli d. Allow unlimited activities Reducing stimulation helps prevent escalation of manic behavior. 12.A nurse is planning care for a client with anorexia nervosa. Which is the priority goal? a. Demonstrate positive self-esteem b. Achieve 90% of ideal body weight c. Express desire to eat more d. Improve family dynamics Physiological stability is the immediate priority.
13.A nurse is caring for a client in the termination phase of the therapeutic relationship. What is an expected finding? a. Testing the nurse’s commitment b. Expressing feelings of loss c. Resistance to care d. Avoiding interaction Clients often express loss as therapy ends. 14.A client with Alzheimer’s disease is restless and agitated. What is the best nursing intervention? a. Give the client space b. Redirect with a simple activity c. Use restraints d. Reorient them repeatedly Redirection with a simple task helps reduce agitation. 15.Which of the following is an expected finding in PTSD? a. Euphoric mood b. Rational thinking c. Hypervigilance d. Rapid speech Hypervigilance is a hallmark symptom of PTSD. 16.Which of the following client statements indicates use of projection? a. “I forgot to take my meds.” b. “My coworker is always mad at me, even though I’m not angry.”
d. Discuss their diagnosis Group therapy promotes connection and reduces isolation. 20.A nurse observes a client with depression sitting alone and not eating. What is the best action? a. Give them privacy b. Leave a tray by the bed c. Sit and offer support without pressure d. Encourage them to talk Sitting quietly shows presence and support without overwhelming the client. 21.Which action should the nurse take first when a client is pacing and shouting? a. Maintain a safe distance b. Restrain the client c. Confront the behavior d. Call security Safety is the priority; distance prevents escalation. 22.A client with dependent personality disorder is likely to: a. Be self-sufficient b. Have difficulty making decisions without reassurance c. Manipulate others d. Avoid others Clients with dependent personality need constant support and approval.
23.A nurse is assessing for abuse. What is the most appropriate question? a. “Is your partner abusive?” b. “You’re not being hurt, right?” c. “Can you tell me about your relationship at home?” d. “Why don’t you leave?” Open-ended, nonjudgmental questions promote disclosure. 24.A nurse is caring for a client with conversion disorder. Which is an expected finding? a. Deliberate malingering b. Sudden loss of motor or sensory function with no organic cause c. Hallucinations d. Memory loss Conversion disorder causes neurological symptoms that are not explained by medical conditions. 25.Which client behavior indicates effective coping? a. Isolates from others b. Sleeps all day c. Seeks support from peers d. Expresses guilt frequently Seeking support is a positive and adaptive coping mechanism. 26.A client is experiencing a panic attack. What is the nurse’s priority action? a. Teach relaxation techniques b. Explore the client’s feelings
c. Dry mouth d. Sedation Tremors may indicate extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), which require intervention. 30.A client reports insomnia due to nightmares from a traumatic event. Which is the likely diagnosis? a. OCD b. PTSD c. GAD d. Bipolar disorder Nightmares and sleep disturbances are hallmark symptoms of PTSD. 31.A nurse is educating a client starting fluoxetine. Which statement shows understanding? a. “I’ll feel better right away.” b. “It may take a few weeks to feel better.” c. “I can stop it once I feel okay.” d. “This will work in a few days.” SSRIs like fluoxetine typically take 2–4 weeks to reach therapeutic levels. 32.A nurse is teaching about defense mechanisms. Which is an example of displacement? a. Yelling at the dog after an argument with the boss b. Blaming the doctor for a poor diagnosis c. Forgetting an appointment
d. Denying a substance use problem Displacement redirects emotions from the source to a safer substitute. 33.A nurse is caring for a client who has just been sexually assaulted. What is the priority intervention? a. Ask about the assault details b. Provide information about counseling c. Ensure physical safety and reduce anxiety d. Collect evidence immediately Safety and stabilization are the first steps in trauma care. 34.A client with schizophrenia is experiencing delusions. What should the nurse do? a. Confront the client’s delusions b. Acknowledge the client’s feelings without validating the delusion c. Ask the client to stop talking d. Argue with the client Acknowledging feelings without reinforcing false beliefs is therapeutic. 35.A nurse is preparing a client for discharge who has depression and is at risk for suicide. What is the priority teaching? a. Create a safety plan b. Discuss future goals c. Provide contact information for support groups d. Encourage journaling A safety plan identifies warning signs and coping strategies to prevent self-harm.
a. Alcohol use in moderation b. Guided imagery c. Isolating oneself d. Excessive exercise Guided imagery promotes relaxation and is an effective stress-reduction technique. 40.A nurse is admitting a client with major depressive disorder. Which finding is most concerning? a. Anhedonia b. Low self-esteem c. Giving away personal belongings d. Fatigue Giving away belongings may signal suicidal intent. 41.A client with antisocial personality disorder is likely to: a. Be shy and withdrawn b. Express remorse c. Violate the rights of others without guilt d. Avoid social situations These clients often lack empathy and remorse for harmful behavior. 42.A nurse is evaluating a client learning about medication compliance. Which statement shows understanding? a. “I’ll stop the meds when I feel better.” b. “I’ll take extra meds if I feel bad.”
c. “I’ll take my meds even if I feel okay.” d. “I don’t need these forever.” Medication adherence is key, even when symptoms improve. 43.A nurse is assessing a client who is laughing inappropriately and reports hearing voices. This suggests: a. Dementia b. Schizophrenia c. Bipolar disorder d. OCD Hallucinations and inappropriate affect are characteristic of schizophrenia. 44.A nurse is providing teaching to a client with GAD. Which strategy is appropriate? a. Confront irrational thoughts directly b. Use cognitive reframing c. Avoid discussing fears d. Encourage suppression of worries Cognitive reframing helps clients view situations more positively and realistically. 45.A nurse is caring for a client with OCD who is repeatedly checking the door lock. What is the best response? a. “You’ve checked it enough.” b. “Let’s talk about what you’re feeling right now.” c. “Ignore the urge to check it again.”
49.A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is having delusions. What is a therapeutic response? a. “That’s not true.” b. “I understand this is real for you.” c. “You’re being unrealistic.” d. “Those things don’t happen.” Acknowledging the client's experience without reinforcing delusions is therapeutic. 50.A nurse is caring for a client with depression. Which activity is best to suggest? a. Team sports b. Solitary reading c. Walking with staff d. Sleeping in the room Mild, structured physical activity with another person promotes engagement and lifts mood. 51.A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who has a flat affect and poor hygiene. These symptoms are: a. Positive symptoms b. Negative symptoms c. Cognitive symptoms d. Affective symptoms
Negative symptoms include lack of emotion, motivation, and poor self- care. 52.A client reports taking St. John’s Wort for depression. The nurse should be concerned about which interaction? a. Lithium b. Sertraline c. Risperidone d. Aripiprazole Combining St. John’s Wort with SSRIs like sertraline increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. 53.A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for alprazolam. Which is an expected side effect? a. Hypertension b. Sedation c. Tachycardia d. Insomnia Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine, which can cause sedation and drowsiness. 54.A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is taking amitriptyline. Which teaching point is most important? a. Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions b. Avoid dairy products c. Limit fluid intake d. Avoid vitamin C supplements
58.Which lab value should the nurse monitor for a client taking valproic acid? a. WBC count b. Serum sodium c. Liver function tests d. BUN and creatinine Valproic acid may cause hepatotoxicity; liver function tests should be monitored regularly. 59.A nurse is assessing a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? a. Bradycardia b. Hypertension c. Increased appetite d. Hyperactivity Bradycardia is a common physical manifestation of anorexia due to malnutrition. 60.A nurse is teaching a client about relapse prevention in substance use disorder. Which statement indicates understanding? a. “Once I stop, I’ll never relapse.” b. “Relapse can happen, and I need to plan for it.” c. “I only used because of my friends.” d. “I just need more willpower.” Acknowledging the risk of relapse helps the client create a prevention plan.
61.A nurse is planning care for a client with acute mania. Which food choice is most appropriate? a. Spaghetti and meatballs b. Grilled chicken with mashed potatoes c. Peanut butter sandwich and banana d. Turkey with stuffing Finger foods are ideal for manic clients who are too distracted for seated meals. 62.A nurse is assessing a client for extrapyramidal symptoms. Which finding is consistent with akathisia? a. Involuntary facial grimacing b. Muscle rigidity c. Constant pacing and restlessness d. Shuffling gait Akathisia is characterized by internal restlessness and the need to move constantly. 63.Which statement by a client with schizophrenia indicates delusional thinking? a. “I hear voices telling me what to do.” b. “The FBI is watching me through my TV.” c. “I forget things sometimes.” d. “I feel sad and alone.” Delusions are false fixed beliefs, such as being watched by the FBI.
