ATI MENTAL HEALTH NURSING | COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE, PRACTICE EXAM, EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS,
EXAM PREP TEST BANK, PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, THERAPEUTIC
COMMUNICATION, MOOD & ANXIETY DISORDERS,
SCHIZOPHRENIA, PERSONALITY DISORDERS, SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDERS, PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, CRISIS INTERVENTION,
CLINICAL JUDGMENT, DETAILED RATIONALES, ATI & NCLEX
REVIEW
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who
exhibits echolalia. Which communication pattern is the client
demonstrating?
A. Repeating the nurse's words back
B. Inventing new words
C. Stopping speech mid-sentence
D. Speaking in a rhyming pattern
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Repeating the nurse's words back
Rationale: Echolalia is the pathological repetition of another person's
words. It is a common symptom in schizophrenia and other psychotic
disorders, reflecting a disorganized thought process.
Question 2: A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed
fluoxetine (Prozac). Which adverse effect should the nurse prioritize in
patient teaching?
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Serotonin syndrome risk
,C. Extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Bradycardia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Serotonin syndrome risk
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine can cause serotonin syndrome,
especially when combined with other serotonergic drugs. Signs include
agitation, confusion, and hyperthermia. Hypertensive crisis is associated
with MAOIs, not SSRIs.
Question 3: A client with borderline personality disorder has a history
of self-harm. Which long-term goal is most appropriate?
A. The client will remain free from self-harm for 24 hours.
B. The client will use coping skills to manage emotional distress.
C. The client will be placed on one-to-one observation.
D. The client will express feelings of anger verbally.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The client will use coping skills to manage
emotional distress.
Rationale: The long-term goal is to replace self-harm with adaptive
coping mechanisms. While verbal expression of anger is a step, the
overarching goal is the consistent use of skills to manage distress.
Question 4: The nurse is assessing a client with alcohol use disorder
who is exhibiting signs of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Which
symptom is most characteristic?
A. Fine tremors of the hands
B. Confusion and ataxia
C. Hallucinations
D. Seizure activity
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Confusion and ataxia
Rationale: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is caused by a thiamine
,deficiency and is characterized by confusion, ataxia (unsteady gait), and
ophthalmoplegia (eye muscle paralysis).
Question 5: A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed
clozapine. Which statement indicates the client understands the
teaching?
A. "I need to have my white blood cell count checked regularly."
B. "I can stop this medication if I feel dizzy."
C. "This medication is safe to take during pregnancy."
D. "I can continue drinking grapefruit juice."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "I need to have my white blood cell count
checked regularly."
Rationale: Clozapine is associated with a risk of agranulocytosis, a
potentially fatal drop in white blood cells. Regular monitoring of the
absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is mandatory.
Question 6: A client with PTSD is triggered by loud noises. The nurse
observes the client becoming hypervigilant and agitated. What is the
priority intervention?
A. Instruct the client to take deep breaths.
B. Lead the client to a quiet, safe area.
C. Administer a PRN dose of lorazepam.
D. Ask the client to describe the trigger.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Lead the client to a quiet, safe area.
Rationale: The immediate priority is to reduce environmental stimuli
and provide a sense of safety. This non-pharmacological intervention
should be attempted first to de-escalate the client's anxiety.
Question 7: A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing a depressive
episode. Which medication is the nurse most likely to administer?
, A. Lithium
B. Valproic acid
C. Lamotrigine
D. Aripiprazole
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Lamotrigine
Rationale: Lamotrigine is a mood stabilizer specifically approved for the
maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder and is particularly effective
in preventing depressive episodes.
Question 8: A client is brought to the emergency department after a
sexual assault. Which statement by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "You are safe now. What happened to you is not your fault."
B. "Tell me exactly what happened so I can document it."
C. "You should have reported this immediately."
D. "I understand how you are feeling right now."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "You are safe now. What happened to you is
not your fault."
Rationale: The initial priority is to establish trust, provide reassurance of
safety, and absolve the client of guilt. The nurse should avoid asking for
details initially and avoid false reassurance (e.g., "I understand").
Question 9: A client with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed
buspirone. The nurse instructs the client that this medication...
A. Has a rapid onset of action.
B. Should be taken on an as-needed basis.
C. Has no potential for dependence.
D. Can cause severe sedation.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Has no potential for dependence.
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that is not
GUIDE, PRACTICE EXAM, EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS,
EXAM PREP TEST BANK, PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, THERAPEUTIC
COMMUNICATION, MOOD & ANXIETY DISORDERS,
SCHIZOPHRENIA, PERSONALITY DISORDERS, SUBSTANCE USE
DISORDERS, PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, CRISIS INTERVENTION,
CLINICAL JUDGMENT, DETAILED RATIONALES, ATI & NCLEX
REVIEW
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who
exhibits echolalia. Which communication pattern is the client
demonstrating?
A. Repeating the nurse's words back
B. Inventing new words
C. Stopping speech mid-sentence
D. Speaking in a rhyming pattern
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Repeating the nurse's words back
Rationale: Echolalia is the pathological repetition of another person's
words. It is a common symptom in schizophrenia and other psychotic
disorders, reflecting a disorganized thought process.
Question 2: A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed
fluoxetine (Prozac). Which adverse effect should the nurse prioritize in
patient teaching?
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Serotonin syndrome risk
,C. Extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Bradycardia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Serotonin syndrome risk
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine can cause serotonin syndrome,
especially when combined with other serotonergic drugs. Signs include
agitation, confusion, and hyperthermia. Hypertensive crisis is associated
with MAOIs, not SSRIs.
Question 3: A client with borderline personality disorder has a history
of self-harm. Which long-term goal is most appropriate?
A. The client will remain free from self-harm for 24 hours.
B. The client will use coping skills to manage emotional distress.
C. The client will be placed on one-to-one observation.
D. The client will express feelings of anger verbally.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The client will use coping skills to manage
emotional distress.
Rationale: The long-term goal is to replace self-harm with adaptive
coping mechanisms. While verbal expression of anger is a step, the
overarching goal is the consistent use of skills to manage distress.
Question 4: The nurse is assessing a client with alcohol use disorder
who is exhibiting signs of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Which
symptom is most characteristic?
A. Fine tremors of the hands
B. Confusion and ataxia
C. Hallucinations
D. Seizure activity
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Confusion and ataxia
Rationale: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is caused by a thiamine
,deficiency and is characterized by confusion, ataxia (unsteady gait), and
ophthalmoplegia (eye muscle paralysis).
Question 5: A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed
clozapine. Which statement indicates the client understands the
teaching?
A. "I need to have my white blood cell count checked regularly."
B. "I can stop this medication if I feel dizzy."
C. "This medication is safe to take during pregnancy."
D. "I can continue drinking grapefruit juice."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "I need to have my white blood cell count
checked regularly."
Rationale: Clozapine is associated with a risk of agranulocytosis, a
potentially fatal drop in white blood cells. Regular monitoring of the
absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is mandatory.
Question 6: A client with PTSD is triggered by loud noises. The nurse
observes the client becoming hypervigilant and agitated. What is the
priority intervention?
A. Instruct the client to take deep breaths.
B. Lead the client to a quiet, safe area.
C. Administer a PRN dose of lorazepam.
D. Ask the client to describe the trigger.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Lead the client to a quiet, safe area.
Rationale: The immediate priority is to reduce environmental stimuli
and provide a sense of safety. This non-pharmacological intervention
should be attempted first to de-escalate the client's anxiety.
Question 7: A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing a depressive
episode. Which medication is the nurse most likely to administer?
, A. Lithium
B. Valproic acid
C. Lamotrigine
D. Aripiprazole
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Lamotrigine
Rationale: Lamotrigine is a mood stabilizer specifically approved for the
maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder and is particularly effective
in preventing depressive episodes.
Question 8: A client is brought to the emergency department after a
sexual assault. Which statement by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "You are safe now. What happened to you is not your fault."
B. "Tell me exactly what happened so I can document it."
C. "You should have reported this immediately."
D. "I understand how you are feeling right now."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "You are safe now. What happened to you is
not your fault."
Rationale: The initial priority is to establish trust, provide reassurance of
safety, and absolve the client of guilt. The nurse should avoid asking for
details initially and avoid false reassurance (e.g., "I understand").
Question 9: A client with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed
buspirone. The nurse instructs the client that this medication...
A. Has a rapid onset of action.
B. Should be taken on an as-needed basis.
C. Has no potential for dependence.
D. Can cause severe sedation.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Has no potential for dependence.
Rationale: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that is not
