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ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Test
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Technologies Institute | Master the Exam # # # # #
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
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auditory hallucinations. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
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A) Encourage the client to ignore the voices.
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B) Ask the client to describe the content of the voices.
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C) Offer to use distraction techniques such as music or walking.
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D) Tell the client the voices are not real.
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Rationale: Offering distraction techniques helps redirect the client’s attention and
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reduce distress caused by hallucinations.
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2. A client with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “I feel hopeless and
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don’t want to live anymore.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
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A) Encourage the client to verbalize feelings.
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B) Assess the client’s suicide risk immediately.
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C) Notify the provider of the client’s statement.
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D) Provide distraction activities.
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Rationale: Suicide risk assessment is the priority to ensure client safety.
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3. Which medication is most appropriate for treating acute mania in bipolar
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disorder?
A) Fluoxetine
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B) Lithium carbonate
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C) Sertraline
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D) Lorazepam
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Rationale: Lithium is the first-line mood stabilizer used for acute mania treatment.
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4. A nurse is teaching a client about cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
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Which statement indicates the client understands CBT?
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A) “CBT helps me focus on my past experiences.”
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B) “CBT teaches me to change negative thinking patterns.”
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C) “CBT is primarily about medication management.”
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D) “CBT uses hypnosis to change behavior.”
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Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and modifying distorted thought patterns.
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5. Which of the following is a common side effect of antipsychotic
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medications?
A) Hypoglycemia
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B) Bradycardia
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C) Extrapyramidal symptoms
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D) Hyperthyroidism
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Rationale: Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) are common side effects of first-
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generation antipsychotics. #
6. A client taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) complains of
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agitation and confusion. The nurse suspects serotonin syndrome. What should
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the nurse do first?
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A) Discontinue the medication immediately.
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B) Notify the provider immediately.
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C) Administer activated charcoal.
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D) Encourage increased fluid intake.
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Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is potentially life-threatening and requires
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immediate medical evaluation.# #
7. Which behavior is characteristic of borderline personality disorder?
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A) Grandiosity and need for admiration
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B) Intense fear of abandonment and unstable relationships
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C) Social withdrawal and lack of interest in relationships
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D) Obsessive attention to orderliness
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Rationale: Fear of abandonment and unstable interpersonal relationships are
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hallmark features of borderline personality disorder.
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8. A nurse observes a client pacing and wringing their hands in the waiting
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room. What level of anxiety is this?
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A) Mild
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B) Moderate
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C) Severe
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D) Panic
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Rationale: Moderate anxiety manifests as agitation and increased motor activity
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such as pacing.
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9. Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client experiencing a
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panic attack? #
A) Encourage deep breathing and reassure safety.
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B) Ignore the behavior until it subsides.
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C) Provide detailed explanations about their condition.
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D) Leave the client alone to regain control.
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Rationale: Clients experiencing panic attacks require close support and
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reassurance; leaving them alone is not appropriate.
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10. What is the therapeutic blood level range for lithium in maintenance
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therapy?
A) 0.1–0.5 mEq/L
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B) 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
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C) 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
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D) 2.0–2.5 mEq/L
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Rationale: Therapeutic range for lithium maintenance is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L; levels
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above this increase toxicity risk.
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ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Test
# # # # #
Technologies Institute | Master the Exam # # # # #
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
# # # # # # # # # # # # #
auditory hallucinations. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
# # # # # # # # # #
A) Encourage the client to ignore the voices.
# # # # # # #
B) Ask the client to describe the content of the voices.
# # # # # # # # # #
C) Offer to use distraction techniques such as music or walking.
# # # # # # # # # #
D) Tell the client the voices are not real.
# # # # # # # #
Rationale: Offering distraction techniques helps redirect the client’s attention and
# # # # # # # # #
reduce distress caused by hallucinations.
# # # #
2. A client with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “I feel hopeless and
# # # # # # # # # # # # #
don’t want to live anymore.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
# # # # # # # # # #
A) Encourage the client to verbalize feelings.
# # # # # #
B) Assess the client’s suicide risk immediately.
# # # # # #
C) Notify the provider of the client’s statement.
# # # # # # #
D) Provide distraction activities.
# # #
Rationale: Suicide risk assessment is the priority to ensure client safety.
# # # # # # # # # #
,#
3. Which medication is most appropriate for treating acute mania in bipolar
# # # # # # # # # # #
disorder?
A) Fluoxetine
#
B) Lithium carbonate
# #
C) Sertraline
#
D) Lorazepam
#
Rationale: Lithium is the first-line mood stabilizer used for acute mania treatment.
# # # # # # # # # # #
4. A nurse is teaching a client about cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
# # # # # # # # # #
Which statement indicates the client understands CBT?
# # # # # #
A) “CBT helps me focus on my past experiences.”
# # # # # # # #
B) “CBT teaches me to change negative thinking patterns.”
# # # # # # # #
C) “CBT is primarily about medication management.”
# # # # # #
D) “CBT uses hypnosis to change behavior.”
# # # # # #
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and modifying distorted thought patterns.
# # # # # # # # #
5. Which of the following is a common side effect of antipsychotic
# # # # # # # # # # #
medications?
A) Hypoglycemia
#
B) Bradycardia
#
C) Extrapyramidal symptoms
# #
D) Hyperthyroidism
#
,#
Rationale: Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) are common side effects of first-
# # # # # # # # #
generation antipsychotics. #
6. A client taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) complains of
# # # # # # # # # #
agitation and confusion. The nurse suspects serotonin syndrome. What should
# # # # # # # # #
the nurse do first?
# # #
A) Discontinue the medication immediately.
# # # #
B) Notify the provider immediately.
# # # #
C) Administer activated charcoal.
# # #
D) Encourage increased fluid intake.
# # # #
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is potentially life-threatening and requires
# # # # # # #
immediate medical evaluation.# #
7. Which behavior is characteristic of borderline personality disorder?
# # # # # # # #
A) Grandiosity and need for admiration
# # # # #
B) Intense fear of abandonment and unstable relationships
# # # # # # #
C) Social withdrawal and lack of interest in relationships
# # # # # # # #
D) Obsessive attention to orderliness
# # # #
Rationale: Fear of abandonment and unstable interpersonal relationships are
# # # # # # # #
hallmark features of borderline personality disorder.
# # # # #
8. A nurse observes a client pacing and wringing their hands in the waiting
# # # # # # # # # # # # #
room. What level of anxiety is this?
# # # # # #
,#
A) Mild
#
B) Moderate
#
C) Severe
#
D) Panic
#
Rationale: Moderate anxiety manifests as agitation and increased motor activity
# # # # # # # # #
such as pacing.
# #
9. Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client experiencing a
# # # # # # # # # # #
panic attack? #
A) Encourage deep breathing and reassure safety.
# # # # # #
B) Ignore the behavior until it subsides.
# # # # # #
C) Provide detailed explanations about their condition.
# # # # # #
D) Leave the client alone to regain control.
# # # # # # #
Rationale: Clients experiencing panic attacks require close support and
# # # # # # # #
reassurance; leaving them alone is not appropriate.
# # # # # #
10. What is the therapeutic blood level range for lithium in maintenance
# # # # # # # # # # #
therapy?
A) 0.1–0.5 mEq/L
# #
B) 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
# #
C) 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
# #
D) 2.0–2.5 mEq/L
# #
Rationale: Therapeutic range for lithium maintenance is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L; levels
# # # # # # # # #
above this increase toxicity risk.
# # # #
