ATI Comprehensive Predictor: Mental Health Nursing Review 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. Which of the following responses should the nurse
make?
A. I don’t hear anything, so there must be no voices.
B. What are the voices telling you to do?
C. Why do you think the voices are talking to you right now?
D. I understand that the voices are real to you, but I do not hear them.
Answer: D
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client’s experience (validation) while
maintaining reality (presenting reality) without arguing or agreeing with the hallucination.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for lithium carbonate for
bipolar disorder. Which of the following findings is a sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Urinary retention
C. Hypertension
D. Coarse hand tremors
Answer: D
Rationale: Coarse tremors are an early sign of lithium toxicity, along with gastrointestinal
upset, mental confusion, and poor coordination. Fine tremors are a common side effect, but
coarse tremors indicate toxicity.
,3. A client on a psychiatric unit is becoming increasingly agitated and begins to
shout. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Maintain a calm, non-threatening posture and talk to the client.
B. Call for a security team for assistance.
C. Place the client in mechanical restraints.
D. Administer a PRN sedative.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should always use the least restrictive intervention first. De-
escalation techniques through verbal communication and a calm demeanor should be
attempted before physical or chemical restraints.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Amenorrhea
C. Hypertension
D. Heat intolerance
Answer: B
Rationale: Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) is a common clinical finding in females
with anorexia nervosa due to low body weight and hormonal changes. Other signs include
bradycardia, hypotension, and cold intolerance (lanugo).
, 5. A nurse is caring for a client who has alcohol use disorder and is experiencing
withdrawal. Which of the following medications is the first-line treatment for
alcohol withdrawal symptoms?
A. Chlordiazepoxide
B. Disulfiram
C. Methadone
D. Naltrexone
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam are the first-line
treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal to prevent seizures and delirium tremens.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for phenelzine. Which
of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Pepperoni pizza
B. Fresh chicken
C. Cottage cheese
D. Apples
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Clients must avoid foods high in tyramine, such as aged
meats (pepperoni), aged cheeses, and fermented products, to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who lost their home in a fire. Which of the
following types of crisis is the client experiencing?
A. Maturational crisis
B. Situational crisis
C. Adventitious crisis
D. Internal crisis
Answer: C
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. Which of the following responses should the nurse
make?
A. I don’t hear anything, so there must be no voices.
B. What are the voices telling you to do?
C. Why do you think the voices are talking to you right now?
D. I understand that the voices are real to you, but I do not hear them.
Answer: D
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client’s experience (validation) while
maintaining reality (presenting reality) without arguing or agreeing with the hallucination.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for lithium carbonate for
bipolar disorder. Which of the following findings is a sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Urinary retention
C. Hypertension
D. Coarse hand tremors
Answer: D
Rationale: Coarse tremors are an early sign of lithium toxicity, along with gastrointestinal
upset, mental confusion, and poor coordination. Fine tremors are a common side effect, but
coarse tremors indicate toxicity.
,3. A client on a psychiatric unit is becoming increasingly agitated and begins to
shout. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Maintain a calm, non-threatening posture and talk to the client.
B. Call for a security team for assistance.
C. Place the client in mechanical restraints.
D. Administer a PRN sedative.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should always use the least restrictive intervention first. De-
escalation techniques through verbal communication and a calm demeanor should be
attempted before physical or chemical restraints.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Amenorrhea
C. Hypertension
D. Heat intolerance
Answer: B
Rationale: Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) is a common clinical finding in females
with anorexia nervosa due to low body weight and hormonal changes. Other signs include
bradycardia, hypotension, and cold intolerance (lanugo).
, 5. A nurse is caring for a client who has alcohol use disorder and is experiencing
withdrawal. Which of the following medications is the first-line treatment for
alcohol withdrawal symptoms?
A. Chlordiazepoxide
B. Disulfiram
C. Methadone
D. Naltrexone
Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like chlordiazepoxide or lorazepam are the first-line
treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal to prevent seizures and delirium tremens.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for phenelzine. Which
of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Pepperoni pizza
B. Fresh chicken
C. Cottage cheese
D. Apples
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Clients must avoid foods high in tyramine, such as aged
meats (pepperoni), aged cheeses, and fermented products, to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who lost their home in a fire. Which of the
following types of crisis is the client experiencing?
A. Maturational crisis
B. Situational crisis
C. Adventitious crisis
D. Internal crisis
Answer: C
