ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam
Test Bank 2026/2027 | Complete Content
Mastery Series Study Guide with Verified
Answers & Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a severe panic attack. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Instruct the client to perform deep breathing exercises.
B. Administer an as-needed dose of lorazepam.
C. Stay with the client and speak in short, simple sentences.
D. Ask the client to identify the trigger for their anxiety.
Verified Answer: C. Stay with the client and speak in short, simple sentences.
Explanation: The nurse must first ensure the safety and physical presence of
,a supportive caregiver during a severe panic attack. During severe to panic-
level anxiety, a client cannot process complex information or learn new
coping skills like deep breathing exercises. Speaking in short, simple
sentences helps the client feel grounded. Administering medication is an
appropriate secondary intervention but does not replace the immediate need
for a physical nurse presence. Asking the client to analyze triggers requires
cognitive processing that is impossible during an acute attack.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Metrorrhagia
D. Lanugo
Verified Answer: D. Lanugo
Explanation: Lanugo, which is fine, downy hair, grows on the face and back
of clients who have anorexia nervosa as a compensatory physiological
response to severe malnutrition and the loss of insulating body fat. Clients
with anorexia nervosa typically present with hypotension (not hypertension)
due to dehydration and bradycardia, hypokalemia (not hyperkalemia) due to
,purging or starvation, and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) rather than
metrorrhagia (irregular bleeding).
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and states, "The
government has placed tracking chips under my skin to monitor my thoughts."
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "There are no tracking chips under your skin, the government isn't watching
you."
B. "That sounds terrifying, but I do not see any evidence of chips under your
skin."
C. "Why do you think the government is targeting you specifically?"
D. "Let's look at your skin together to prove that nothing is there."
Verified Answer: B. "That sounds terrifying, but I do not see any evidence of
chips under your skin."
Explanation: This response validates the client’s underlying feelings of fear
without reinforcing or agreeing with the delusion. It presents reality gently
without challenging the client. Arguing or directly contradicting the delusion
(Choice A) can increase the client's defensive posture and anxiety. Asking a
"why" question (Choice C) is non-therapeutic and can cause the client to
become guarded. Challenging the delusion by trying to prove it wrong visually
, (Choice D) is ineffective because delusions are fixed, false beliefs not altered
by logic.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has bipolar disorder
and has been taking lithium carbonate for six months. The client's lithium level
is 1.8 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose of lithium.
B. Advise the client to increase their dietary sodium intake.
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider immediately.
D. Reassure the client that this is within the expected therapeutic range.
Verified Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the provider immediately.
Explanation: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is above the therapeutic
maintenance range (0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L) and indicates moderate lithium
toxicity. The nurse must hold the medication immediately to prevent further
toxicity progression, which can cause severe neurological deficits or cardiac
arrhythmias. Increasing sodium intake (Choice B) is a long-term dietary
consideration but does not address acute toxicity safely. The dose must not be
administered, and the client should not be told this level is safe.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer amitriptyline to a client who has major
depressive disorder. Which of the following diagnostic tests should the nurse
Test Bank 2026/2027 | Complete Content
Mastery Series Study Guide with Verified
Answers & Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a severe panic attack. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Instruct the client to perform deep breathing exercises.
B. Administer an as-needed dose of lorazepam.
C. Stay with the client and speak in short, simple sentences.
D. Ask the client to identify the trigger for their anxiety.
Verified Answer: C. Stay with the client and speak in short, simple sentences.
Explanation: The nurse must first ensure the safety and physical presence of
,a supportive caregiver during a severe panic attack. During severe to panic-
level anxiety, a client cannot process complex information or learn new
coping skills like deep breathing exercises. Speaking in short, simple
sentences helps the client feel grounded. Administering medication is an
appropriate secondary intervention but does not replace the immediate need
for a physical nurse presence. Asking the client to analyze triggers requires
cognitive processing that is impossible during an acute attack.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Metrorrhagia
D. Lanugo
Verified Answer: D. Lanugo
Explanation: Lanugo, which is fine, downy hair, grows on the face and back
of clients who have anorexia nervosa as a compensatory physiological
response to severe malnutrition and the loss of insulating body fat. Clients
with anorexia nervosa typically present with hypotension (not hypertension)
due to dehydration and bradycardia, hypokalemia (not hyperkalemia) due to
,purging or starvation, and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) rather than
metrorrhagia (irregular bleeding).
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and states, "The
government has placed tracking chips under my skin to monitor my thoughts."
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "There are no tracking chips under your skin, the government isn't watching
you."
B. "That sounds terrifying, but I do not see any evidence of chips under your
skin."
C. "Why do you think the government is targeting you specifically?"
D. "Let's look at your skin together to prove that nothing is there."
Verified Answer: B. "That sounds terrifying, but I do not see any evidence of
chips under your skin."
Explanation: This response validates the client’s underlying feelings of fear
without reinforcing or agreeing with the delusion. It presents reality gently
without challenging the client. Arguing or directly contradicting the delusion
(Choice A) can increase the client's defensive posture and anxiety. Asking a
"why" question (Choice C) is non-therapeutic and can cause the client to
become guarded. Challenging the delusion by trying to prove it wrong visually
, (Choice D) is ineffective because delusions are fixed, false beliefs not altered
by logic.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has bipolar disorder
and has been taking lithium carbonate for six months. The client's lithium level
is 1.8 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose of lithium.
B. Advise the client to increase their dietary sodium intake.
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider immediately.
D. Reassure the client that this is within the expected therapeutic range.
Verified Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the provider immediately.
Explanation: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is above the therapeutic
maintenance range (0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L) and indicates moderate lithium
toxicity. The nurse must hold the medication immediately to prevent further
toxicity progression, which can cause severe neurological deficits or cardiac
arrhythmias. Increasing sodium intake (Choice B) is a long-term dietary
consideration but does not address acute toxicity safely. The dose must not be
administered, and the client should not be told this level is safe.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer amitriptyline to a client who has major
depressive disorder. Which of the following diagnostic tests should the nurse
