ATI PN MENTAL HEALTH ONLINE
PRACTICE B, 6 DIFFERENT VERSIONS
EACH WITH QUESTIONS, ANSWERS,
AND RATIONALE
ATI PN Mental Health Online Practice B – Version 1
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports inability to sleep and
loss of appetite. Which intervention is priority?
A. Encourage journaling
B. Assess for suicidal ideation
C. Provide nutrition education
D. Teach relaxation techniques
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety comes first in mental health care. Suicidal ideation is a priority concern in
depression.
2. SATA: Common symptoms of schizophrenia
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Flat affect
D. Panic attacks
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Hallucinations, delusions, and flat affect are core features of schizophrenia; panic
attacks are typical of anxiety disorders.
3. A patient taking lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and tremors. Most
appropriate action?
,A. Continue current dose
B. Withhold medication and notify provider
C. Increase fluid intake
D. Encourage exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: These are signs of lithium toxicity. Immediate action includes withholding the
medication and notifying the provider.
4. SATA: Therapeutic communication techniques
A. Using open-ended questions
B. Active listening
C. Giving advice
D. Clarifying
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Open-ended questions, active listening, and clarification promote therapeutic
communication. Giving advice is non-therapeutic.
5. A patient with anxiety reports feeling “on edge” and restless. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage relaxation and deep-breathing exercises
B. Restrict all activity
C. Avoid interaction
D. Administer high-dose antipsychotic
Answer: A
Rationale: Relaxation and breathing techniques safely help manage acute anxiety.
6. SATA: Risk factors for developing PTSD
A. Exposure to trauma
B. Female gender
C. Prior psychiatric history
D. Strong social support
, Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Trauma exposure, female gender, and prior psychiatric history increase PTSD risk.
Strong social support is protective.
7. A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing mania. Priority
intervention?
A. Provide a quiet environment
B. Encourage group activities
C. Teach journaling
D. Allow unrestricted visitors
Answer: A
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimulation prevents escalation during mania.
8. SATA: Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
A. Restlessness
B. Muscle tension
C. Hallucinations
D. Fatigue
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Hallucinations are not characteristic of GAD. Restlessness, muscle tension, and
fatigue are.
9. A patient expresses hopelessness and says, “I want to end it all.” What
is the priority action?
A. Stay with the patient and initiate suicide precautions
B. Document and leave the room
C. Encourage them to journal
D. Provide a snack
Answer: A
Rationale: Immediate safety is priority. Constant supervision and suicide precautions are
necessary.
PRACTICE B, 6 DIFFERENT VERSIONS
EACH WITH QUESTIONS, ANSWERS,
AND RATIONALE
ATI PN Mental Health Online Practice B – Version 1
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports inability to sleep and
loss of appetite. Which intervention is priority?
A. Encourage journaling
B. Assess for suicidal ideation
C. Provide nutrition education
D. Teach relaxation techniques
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety comes first in mental health care. Suicidal ideation is a priority concern in
depression.
2. SATA: Common symptoms of schizophrenia
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Flat affect
D. Panic attacks
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Hallucinations, delusions, and flat affect are core features of schizophrenia; panic
attacks are typical of anxiety disorders.
3. A patient taking lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and tremors. Most
appropriate action?
,A. Continue current dose
B. Withhold medication and notify provider
C. Increase fluid intake
D. Encourage exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: These are signs of lithium toxicity. Immediate action includes withholding the
medication and notifying the provider.
4. SATA: Therapeutic communication techniques
A. Using open-ended questions
B. Active listening
C. Giving advice
D. Clarifying
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Open-ended questions, active listening, and clarification promote therapeutic
communication. Giving advice is non-therapeutic.
5. A patient with anxiety reports feeling “on edge” and restless. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage relaxation and deep-breathing exercises
B. Restrict all activity
C. Avoid interaction
D. Administer high-dose antipsychotic
Answer: A
Rationale: Relaxation and breathing techniques safely help manage acute anxiety.
6. SATA: Risk factors for developing PTSD
A. Exposure to trauma
B. Female gender
C. Prior psychiatric history
D. Strong social support
, Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Trauma exposure, female gender, and prior psychiatric history increase PTSD risk.
Strong social support is protective.
7. A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing mania. Priority
intervention?
A. Provide a quiet environment
B. Encourage group activities
C. Teach journaling
D. Allow unrestricted visitors
Answer: A
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimulation prevents escalation during mania.
8. SATA: Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
A. Restlessness
B. Muscle tension
C. Hallucinations
D. Fatigue
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Hallucinations are not characteristic of GAD. Restlessness, muscle tension, and
fatigue are.
9. A patient expresses hopelessness and says, “I want to end it all.” What
is the priority action?
A. Stay with the patient and initiate suicide precautions
B. Document and leave the room
C. Encourage them to journal
D. Provide a snack
Answer: A
Rationale: Immediate safety is priority. Constant supervision and suicide precautions are
necessary.
