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ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH ONLINE
PRACTICE 2023 A, B, C & STUDY GUIDE
UPDATED 2026
ATI RN Mental Health Online Practice A 2026
A nurse is planning care for a client who has schizophrenia and reports
auditory hallucinations. Which of the following interventions should the
nurse include in the plan?
1. Promote use of music to compete with the client's auditory hallucination
2. Inform the client that the auditory hallucinations are not real
3. Avoid asking the client if they are experiencing auditory hallucinations
4. Instruct the client on the use of voice recognition regarding the auditory
hallucinations ......ANSWER.....Correct = 1. Promote the use of music to
compete with the client's auditory hallucinations
Competing reality based stimulating such as the use of music or television
during auditory hallucinations can assist in limiting the effect the
hallucinations have on the client's stress level
*The nurse should acknowledge that the client is hearing auditory
hallucinations, but should tell the client that others cannot hear anything to
reinforce reality. The nurse should ask the client if they are hearing voices to
evaluate whether these are command hallucinations, which can place the
client or others at risk for harm. The nurse should assist the client to develop
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the skill of voice dismissal when auditory hallucinations occur. This involves
commanding the voices to stop, which gives the client a sense of control
A nurse is caring for a client who has impaired cognition
A nurse is updating the client's plan of care. For each of the following
potential nursing interventions, click to specify if the potential intervention
is anticipated, nonessential, or contraindicated for the client
Potential Intervention:
1. When addressing the client, approach them from the front when possible
2. Use a vest restrain to keep the client in a medical recliner
3. Ensure the bed is kept at a working height for the nurse
4. Provide the client with high-calorie protein drinks hourly
5. Give directions to the client slowly and in a moderate tone of voice
6. Decrease the sensory stimulation
7. Keep the lights off in the client's bedroom and bathroom at night
8. Assign the client to a room near the nurses' station
Exhibit 1:
Medical History
Day 1, 0800: Client treated for UTI 8 months ago
Day 3, 0830: Client fell getting out of bed to go to the ba
......ANSWER.....Correct =
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1. When addressing the client, approach them from the front when possible
= Anticipated.
*A client who is unexpectantly approached or touched from someone out of
view is easily startled, which can promote aggressive behavior in the client.
2. Use a vest restraint to keep the client in a medical recliner =
Contraindicated.
*The client has the right to be free from the use of restraints except in the
case of an emergency.
3. Ensure the bed is kept at a working height for the nurse =
Contraindicated.
*The client's bed should be placed in the lowest position to decrease the risk
for falls, or lessen injury severity if the client does fall.
4. Provide the client with high-calorie protein drinks hourly = Nonessential.
*This is nonessential for this client because they are taking in nutrition. The
nurse should provide the client who has mania with this type of dietary
supplement.
5. Give directions to the client slowly and in a moderate tone of voice =
Anticipated.
*Providing directions slowly and in a moderate tone of voice will increase
client comprehension. Loud voices can cause the client to feel
uncomfortable and can even cause feelings of anger.
6. Decrease sensory stimulation = Anticipated.
*A highly stimulating environment can cause the client to become anxious
and further disoriented, which can impair client safety.
7. Keep the lights off in the client's bedroom and bathroom at night =
Contraindicated.
*This can increase the client's risk for falls. Keeping a light on can decrease
wandering.
8. Assign the client to a room near the nurses' station = Anticipated.
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*This promotes client safety by allowing staff to observe the client
frequently.
A nurse is planning discharge teaching with a family member of a client who
has a new diagnosis of depression. Which of the following information about
relapse should the nurse include?
1. Additional acute episodes of depression are unlikely following inpatient
care.
2. Early identification of changes, such as decreased social involvement, is
important.
3. Medication compliance will prevent further need for inpatient
hospitalization.
4. It is helpful to regularly reinforce to the client that things will get better.
......ANSWER.....Correct = 2. Early identification of changes, such as
decreased social involvement, is important.
Decrease social involvement is a manifestation of depression, and early
identification of findings can lead to early intervention
A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client who has
antisocial personality disorder. Which of the following strategies should the
nurse use when communicating with this client?
1. Behave in a friendly manner toward the client.
2. Set realistic limits on the client's behavior.
3. Show respect for the client's need for isolation.
ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH ONLINE
PRACTICE 2023 A, B, C & STUDY GUIDE
UPDATED 2026
ATI RN Mental Health Online Practice A 2026
A nurse is planning care for a client who has schizophrenia and reports
auditory hallucinations. Which of the following interventions should the
nurse include in the plan?
1. Promote use of music to compete with the client's auditory hallucination
2. Inform the client that the auditory hallucinations are not real
3. Avoid asking the client if they are experiencing auditory hallucinations
4. Instruct the client on the use of voice recognition regarding the auditory
hallucinations ......ANSWER.....Correct = 1. Promote the use of music to
compete with the client's auditory hallucinations
Competing reality based stimulating such as the use of music or television
during auditory hallucinations can assist in limiting the effect the
hallucinations have on the client's stress level
*The nurse should acknowledge that the client is hearing auditory
hallucinations, but should tell the client that others cannot hear anything to
reinforce reality. The nurse should ask the client if they are hearing voices to
evaluate whether these are command hallucinations, which can place the
client or others at risk for harm. The nurse should assist the client to develop
,2|Page
the skill of voice dismissal when auditory hallucinations occur. This involves
commanding the voices to stop, which gives the client a sense of control
A nurse is caring for a client who has impaired cognition
A nurse is updating the client's plan of care. For each of the following
potential nursing interventions, click to specify if the potential intervention
is anticipated, nonessential, or contraindicated for the client
Potential Intervention:
1. When addressing the client, approach them from the front when possible
2. Use a vest restrain to keep the client in a medical recliner
3. Ensure the bed is kept at a working height for the nurse
4. Provide the client with high-calorie protein drinks hourly
5. Give directions to the client slowly and in a moderate tone of voice
6. Decrease the sensory stimulation
7. Keep the lights off in the client's bedroom and bathroom at night
8. Assign the client to a room near the nurses' station
Exhibit 1:
Medical History
Day 1, 0800: Client treated for UTI 8 months ago
Day 3, 0830: Client fell getting out of bed to go to the ba
......ANSWER.....Correct =
,3|Page
1. When addressing the client, approach them from the front when possible
= Anticipated.
*A client who is unexpectantly approached or touched from someone out of
view is easily startled, which can promote aggressive behavior in the client.
2. Use a vest restraint to keep the client in a medical recliner =
Contraindicated.
*The client has the right to be free from the use of restraints except in the
case of an emergency.
3. Ensure the bed is kept at a working height for the nurse =
Contraindicated.
*The client's bed should be placed in the lowest position to decrease the risk
for falls, or lessen injury severity if the client does fall.
4. Provide the client with high-calorie protein drinks hourly = Nonessential.
*This is nonessential for this client because they are taking in nutrition. The
nurse should provide the client who has mania with this type of dietary
supplement.
5. Give directions to the client slowly and in a moderate tone of voice =
Anticipated.
*Providing directions slowly and in a moderate tone of voice will increase
client comprehension. Loud voices can cause the client to feel
uncomfortable and can even cause feelings of anger.
6. Decrease sensory stimulation = Anticipated.
*A highly stimulating environment can cause the client to become anxious
and further disoriented, which can impair client safety.
7. Keep the lights off in the client's bedroom and bathroom at night =
Contraindicated.
*This can increase the client's risk for falls. Keeping a light on can decrease
wandering.
8. Assign the client to a room near the nurses' station = Anticipated.
, 4|Page
*This promotes client safety by allowing staff to observe the client
frequently.
A nurse is planning discharge teaching with a family member of a client who
has a new diagnosis of depression. Which of the following information about
relapse should the nurse include?
1. Additional acute episodes of depression are unlikely following inpatient
care.
2. Early identification of changes, such as decreased social involvement, is
important.
3. Medication compliance will prevent further need for inpatient
hospitalization.
4. It is helpful to regularly reinforce to the client that things will get better.
......ANSWER.....Correct = 2. Early identification of changes, such as
decreased social involvement, is important.
Decrease social involvement is a manifestation of depression, and early
identification of findings can lead to early intervention
A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client who has
antisocial personality disorder. Which of the following strategies should the
nurse use when communicating with this client?
1. Behave in a friendly manner toward the client.
2. Set realistic limits on the client's behavior.
3. Show respect for the client's need for isolation.
