ATI Mental Health Comprehensive Review (Week 9) 2026 |Questions
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is voluntarily admitted to a mental health
facility. The client states, ‘I want to leave right now.’ Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Explain that the client has the right to sign a request for release.
B. Initiate the process for involuntary commitment immediately.
C. Inform the client that they must stay for at least 72 hours.
D. Place the client in seclusion to prevent them from eloping.
Answer: A
Rationale: Voluntarily admitted clients have the right to request release at any time,
though the facility may initiate an evaluation for involuntary status if the client is a danger
to themselves or others.
2. A nurse is practicing the ethical principle of ‘Veracity’. Which of the following
actions is an example of this?
A. Ensuring the client understands the risks of a procedure.
B. Keeping a promise to return to a client’s room at a specific time.
C. Distributing nursing care time equally among all assigned clients.
D. Being honest with a client about the side effects of a medication.
Answer: D
Rationale: Veracity is the duty to tell the truth. Explaining the side effects honestly
demonstrates this principle.
,3. Which of the following defense mechanisms is a client using when they say, ‘I
only drink because my wife nags me all the time’?
A. Regression
B. Displacement
C. Projection
D. Rationalization
Answer: D
Rationale: Rationalization is creating socially acceptable excuses to justify unacceptable
behavior or feelings.
4. A nurse is communicating with a client who is crying and says, ‘My life is
over.’ Which of the following responses by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘You seem very upset. Can you tell me more about what you are feeling?’
B. ‘Don’t worry, things will get better soon.’
C. ‘Why do you feel that way?’
D. ‘You have so much to live for.’
Answer: A
Rationale: This is an open-ended statement that uses the therapeutic technique of
reflecting and exploring without being judgmental or dismissive.
5. A client in a manic phase of bipolar disorder is running around the unit and
disrupting others. Which of the following interventions is the priority?
A. Provide the client with a high-calorie finger food.
B. Administer a PRN sedative medication.
C. Move the client to a quiet area with low stimulation.
D. Set firm limits on the client’s behavior.
Answer: C
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimuli is a priority for a manic client to help decrease
hyperactivity and maintain safety.
, 6. A nurse is monitoring a client who is taking Lithium Carbonate. Which of the
following findings is an early sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Coarse hand tremors
B. Diarrhea and nausea
C. Blurred vision
D. Severe hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity (levels 1.5-2.0 mEq/L) include gastrointestinal
distress like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as fine tremors.
7. A client is experiencing a severe panic attack. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
B. Administer an antidepressant medication.
C. Ask the client to identify the trigger of the panic.
D. Stay with the client and remain calm.
Answer: D
Rationale: During a panic attack, the nurse’s priority is to provide safety and support by
staying with the client and using a calm, low-pitched voice.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which of the following is the most appropriate response?
A. ‘I don’t hear anything, but I understand that the voices are real to you.’
B. ‘Tell the voices to go away and leave you alone.’
C. ‘You are safe here, the voices aren’t real.’
D. ‘What are the voices telling you to do?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessing the content of hallucinations, especially command hallucinations, is
essential to ensure the safety of the client and others.
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is voluntarily admitted to a mental health
facility. The client states, ‘I want to leave right now.’ Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Explain that the client has the right to sign a request for release.
B. Initiate the process for involuntary commitment immediately.
C. Inform the client that they must stay for at least 72 hours.
D. Place the client in seclusion to prevent them from eloping.
Answer: A
Rationale: Voluntarily admitted clients have the right to request release at any time,
though the facility may initiate an evaluation for involuntary status if the client is a danger
to themselves or others.
2. A nurse is practicing the ethical principle of ‘Veracity’. Which of the following
actions is an example of this?
A. Ensuring the client understands the risks of a procedure.
B. Keeping a promise to return to a client’s room at a specific time.
C. Distributing nursing care time equally among all assigned clients.
D. Being honest with a client about the side effects of a medication.
Answer: D
Rationale: Veracity is the duty to tell the truth. Explaining the side effects honestly
demonstrates this principle.
,3. Which of the following defense mechanisms is a client using when they say, ‘I
only drink because my wife nags me all the time’?
A. Regression
B. Displacement
C. Projection
D. Rationalization
Answer: D
Rationale: Rationalization is creating socially acceptable excuses to justify unacceptable
behavior or feelings.
4. A nurse is communicating with a client who is crying and says, ‘My life is
over.’ Which of the following responses by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. ‘You seem very upset. Can you tell me more about what you are feeling?’
B. ‘Don’t worry, things will get better soon.’
C. ‘Why do you feel that way?’
D. ‘You have so much to live for.’
Answer: A
Rationale: This is an open-ended statement that uses the therapeutic technique of
reflecting and exploring without being judgmental or dismissive.
5. A client in a manic phase of bipolar disorder is running around the unit and
disrupting others. Which of the following interventions is the priority?
A. Provide the client with a high-calorie finger food.
B. Administer a PRN sedative medication.
C. Move the client to a quiet area with low stimulation.
D. Set firm limits on the client’s behavior.
Answer: C
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimuli is a priority for a manic client to help decrease
hyperactivity and maintain safety.
, 6. A nurse is monitoring a client who is taking Lithium Carbonate. Which of the
following findings is an early sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Coarse hand tremors
B. Diarrhea and nausea
C. Blurred vision
D. Severe hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity (levels 1.5-2.0 mEq/L) include gastrointestinal
distress like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as fine tremors.
7. A client is experiencing a severe panic attack. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Teach the client deep breathing exercises.
B. Administer an antidepressant medication.
C. Ask the client to identify the trigger of the panic.
D. Stay with the client and remain calm.
Answer: D
Rationale: During a panic attack, the nurse’s priority is to provide safety and support by
staying with the client and using a calm, low-pitched voice.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which of the following is the most appropriate response?
A. ‘I don’t hear anything, but I understand that the voices are real to you.’
B. ‘Tell the voices to go away and leave you alone.’
C. ‘You are safe here, the voices aren’t real.’
D. ‘What are the voices telling you to do?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessing the content of hallucinations, especially command hallucinations, is
essential to ensure the safety of the client and others.
