ATI Mental Health Comprehensive Review Exam 2026 |Questions
|Answers |Rationales
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
first?
A. Administer an as-needed antipsychotic medication.
B. Tell the client that the voices are not real.
C. Encourage the client to listen to music.
D. Ask the client what the voices are saying.
Answer: D
Rationale: The first action is to assess the content of the hallucinations to determine if they
are command hallucinations, which could lead to self-harm or violence.
2. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Limit sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day.
B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
C. Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily.
D. Stop taking the medication if fine hand tremors occur.
Answer: C
Rationale: Adequate fluid intake (2,000-3,000 mL/day) and stable sodium intake are
essential to prevent lithium toxicity.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client taking clozapine. Which of the following
laboratory results should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. WBC count 2,500/mm3
C. Platelets 160,000/mm3
D. Potassium 3.8 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis; a WBC count below 3,000/mm3 requires
immediate notification and discontinuation of the drug.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the
following outcomes should the nurse prioritize?
A. The client will identify cognitive distortions.
B. The client will attend all group therapy sessions.
C. The client will increase their body weight to a specified goal.
D. The client will verbalize a positive body image.
Answer: C
Rationale: In anorexia nervosa, physiological stabilization and weight restoration are the
immediate priorities for safety.
5. A client in a mental health facility is becoming increasingly aggressive. Which
of the following is the least restrictive intervention?
A. Verbal de-escalation and providing a quiet space.
B. Applying four-point soft restraints.
C. Offering a PRN oral antianxiety medication.
D. Placing the client in a seclusion room.
Answer: A
Rationale: Verbal intervention is the least restrictive measure and should be attempted
before chemical or physical restraints.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client for alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Hypertension and diaphoresis
C. Somnolence and decreased muscle tone
D. Pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression
Answer: B
Rationale: Manifestations of alcohol withdrawal include tachycardia, hypertension,
diaphoresis, and tremors.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder. The client
says, ‘You are the only nurse who understands me; the others are mean.’ This is
an example of:
A. Splitting
B. Altruism
C. Projection
D. Reaction formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting is a defense mechanism common in borderline personality disorder
where individuals perceive others as all good or all bad.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer phenelzine to a client. Which of the
following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Fresh green beans
B. Baked chicken breast
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Whole grain bread
Answer: C
|Answers |Rationales
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
first?
A. Administer an as-needed antipsychotic medication.
B. Tell the client that the voices are not real.
C. Encourage the client to listen to music.
D. Ask the client what the voices are saying.
Answer: D
Rationale: The first action is to assess the content of the hallucinations to determine if they
are command hallucinations, which could lead to self-harm or violence.
2. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Limit sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day.
B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
C. Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily.
D. Stop taking the medication if fine hand tremors occur.
Answer: C
Rationale: Adequate fluid intake (2,000-3,000 mL/day) and stable sodium intake are
essential to prevent lithium toxicity.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client taking clozapine. Which of the following
laboratory results should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. WBC count 2,500/mm3
C. Platelets 160,000/mm3
D. Potassium 3.8 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis; a WBC count below 3,000/mm3 requires
immediate notification and discontinuation of the drug.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which of the
following outcomes should the nurse prioritize?
A. The client will identify cognitive distortions.
B. The client will attend all group therapy sessions.
C. The client will increase their body weight to a specified goal.
D. The client will verbalize a positive body image.
Answer: C
Rationale: In anorexia nervosa, physiological stabilization and weight restoration are the
immediate priorities for safety.
5. A client in a mental health facility is becoming increasingly aggressive. Which
of the following is the least restrictive intervention?
A. Verbal de-escalation and providing a quiet space.
B. Applying four-point soft restraints.
C. Offering a PRN oral antianxiety medication.
D. Placing the client in a seclusion room.
Answer: A
Rationale: Verbal intervention is the least restrictive measure and should be attempted
before chemical or physical restraints.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client for alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Hypertension and diaphoresis
C. Somnolence and decreased muscle tone
D. Pinpoint pupils and respiratory depression
Answer: B
Rationale: Manifestations of alcohol withdrawal include tachycardia, hypertension,
diaphoresis, and tremors.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder. The client
says, ‘You are the only nurse who understands me; the others are mean.’ This is
an example of:
A. Splitting
B. Altruism
C. Projection
D. Reaction formation
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting is a defense mechanism common in borderline personality disorder
where individuals perceive others as all good or all bad.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer phenelzine to a client. Which of the
following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Fresh green beans
B. Baked chicken breast
C. Aged cheddar cheese
D. Whole grain bread
Answer: C
