ATI Nursing Education
HM · WEIVER SMC
★ ★
ATI Mental Health CMS Exam Review
EST. 1998
EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SUCCEED
ATI Mental Health — CMS Exam Review
CO M P R E H E N S I V E ST U DY G U I D E
INSTITUTION ATI Nursing Education COURSE CODE Mental Health CMS
PROGRAM RN Nursing Program ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE CMS Exam Review — TOTAL QUESTIONS 299 Questions
Comprehensive
COURSE TITLE Mental Health Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover all major mental health nursing content areas.
▸ Topics include therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, and psychiatric disorders.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question.
▸ All clinical data reflects current evidence-based psychiatric nursing practice.
, SECTION I — MENTAL HEALTH NURSING: CMS REVIEW Questions 1 – 299
1. What is the normal therapeutic range for lithium levels?
A. 0.2-0.8 mEq/L
B. 0.5-1.4 mEq/L
C. 1.5-2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.0-2.5 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER B — 0.5-1.4 mEq/L
RATIONALE The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.5-1.4 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L
indicate toxicity. Monitoring lithium levels is essential for safe administration,
with levels checked 8 hours after the last dose and regularly during treatment.
2. What is the normal serum sodium level range?
A. 125-135 mEq/L
B. 135-145 mEq/L
C. 145-155 mEq/L
D. 155-165 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER B — 135-145 mEq/L
RATIONALE Normal serum sodium levels range from 135-145 mEq/L. Sodium levels are
important to monitor in patients taking lithium, as low sodium can increase the
risk of lithium toxicity.
,3. What is the normal serum potassium level range?
A. 2.5-3.5 mEq/L
B. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
C. 5.0-6.5 mEq/L
D. 6.5-8.0 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER B — 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
RATIONALE Normal serum potassium levels range from 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Hypokalemia can
occur in eating disorders, particularly bulimia with purging behavior, and requires
monitoring.
4. Which of the following is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
A. Insomnia
B. Weight loss
C. Sedation and urinary retention
D. Hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER C — Sedation and urinary retention
RATIONALE Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) cause sedation and urinary retention due to their
anticholinergic effects. They also lower the seizure threshold and can be deadly in
overdose. Uses include depression, acute panic attacks, phobias, enuresis, and
chronic pain.
, 5. What is the mechanism of action of MAOIs and what serious adverse effect can occur?
A. Inhibits dopamine reuptake; serotonin syndrome
B. Inhibits breakdown of amine neurotransmitters; hypertensive crisis
C. Blocks serotonin receptors; neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D. Inhibits norepinephrine reuptake; cardiac toxicity
CORRECT ANSWER B — Inhibits breakdown of amine neurotransmitters; hypertensive crisis
RATIONALE MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of amine neurotransmitters, including serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine. Hypertensive crisis is a serious adverse effect
that can occur when MAOIs are combined with tyramine-rich foods or
sympathomimetic medications like pseudoephedrine.
6. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) has which of the following anticholinergic side effects?
A. Constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, dry mouth
B. Weight gain, diabetes, increased cholesterol
C. Agranulocytosis, low WBC count
D. Sedation and respiratory depression
CORRECT ANSWER A — Constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, dry mouth
RATIONALE Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is a conventional antipsychotic that causes
anticholinergic side effects including constipation, urinary retention, blurred
vision, and dry mouth. Clients should be advised to suck on hard candy for dry
mouth. It does not alter skin perfusion.
HM · WEIVER SMC
★ ★
ATI Mental Health CMS Exam Review
EST. 1998
EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SUCCEED
ATI Mental Health — CMS Exam Review
CO M P R E H E N S I V E ST U DY G U I D E
INSTITUTION ATI Nursing Education COURSE CODE Mental Health CMS
PROGRAM RN Nursing Program ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE CMS Exam Review — TOTAL QUESTIONS 299 Questions
Comprehensive
COURSE TITLE Mental Health Nursing FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover all major mental health nursing content areas.
▸ Topics include therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, and psychiatric disorders.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question.
▸ All clinical data reflects current evidence-based psychiatric nursing practice.
, SECTION I — MENTAL HEALTH NURSING: CMS REVIEW Questions 1 – 299
1. What is the normal therapeutic range for lithium levels?
A. 0.2-0.8 mEq/L
B. 0.5-1.4 mEq/L
C. 1.5-2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.0-2.5 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER B — 0.5-1.4 mEq/L
RATIONALE The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.5-1.4 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L
indicate toxicity. Monitoring lithium levels is essential for safe administration,
with levels checked 8 hours after the last dose and regularly during treatment.
2. What is the normal serum sodium level range?
A. 125-135 mEq/L
B. 135-145 mEq/L
C. 145-155 mEq/L
D. 155-165 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER B — 135-145 mEq/L
RATIONALE Normal serum sodium levels range from 135-145 mEq/L. Sodium levels are
important to monitor in patients taking lithium, as low sodium can increase the
risk of lithium toxicity.
,3. What is the normal serum potassium level range?
A. 2.5-3.5 mEq/L
B. 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
C. 5.0-6.5 mEq/L
D. 6.5-8.0 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER B — 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
RATIONALE Normal serum potassium levels range from 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Hypokalemia can
occur in eating disorders, particularly bulimia with purging behavior, and requires
monitoring.
4. Which of the following is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?
A. Insomnia
B. Weight loss
C. Sedation and urinary retention
D. Hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER C — Sedation and urinary retention
RATIONALE Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) cause sedation and urinary retention due to their
anticholinergic effects. They also lower the seizure threshold and can be deadly in
overdose. Uses include depression, acute panic attacks, phobias, enuresis, and
chronic pain.
, 5. What is the mechanism of action of MAOIs and what serious adverse effect can occur?
A. Inhibits dopamine reuptake; serotonin syndrome
B. Inhibits breakdown of amine neurotransmitters; hypertensive crisis
C. Blocks serotonin receptors; neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D. Inhibits norepinephrine reuptake; cardiac toxicity
CORRECT ANSWER B — Inhibits breakdown of amine neurotransmitters; hypertensive crisis
RATIONALE MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of amine neurotransmitters, including serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine. Hypertensive crisis is a serious adverse effect
that can occur when MAOIs are combined with tyramine-rich foods or
sympathomimetic medications like pseudoephedrine.
6. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) has which of the following anticholinergic side effects?
A. Constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, dry mouth
B. Weight gain, diabetes, increased cholesterol
C. Agranulocytosis, low WBC count
D. Sedation and respiratory depression
CORRECT ANSWER A — Constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, dry mouth
RATIONALE Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is a conventional antipsychotic that causes
anticholinergic side effects including constipation, urinary retention, blurred
vision, and dry mouth. Clients should be advised to suck on hard candy for dry
mouth. It does not alter skin perfusion.
