ATI Mental Health Final Exam Practice 2026 |Questions |Answers
|Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving lithium therapy. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Polyuria
B. Coarse hand tremors
C. Fine hand tremors
D. Weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Coarse tremors are a sign of advanced lithium toxicity, whereas fine tremors
are a common side effect of therapeutic levels.
2. A client is undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following
is a common adverse effect the nurse should expect in the immediate post-
procedure period?
A. Temporary confusion
B. Long-term memory loss
C. Severe hypertension
D. Permanent seizures
Answer: A
Rationale: The most common side effects of ECT are temporary confusion and short-term
memory loss.
,3. A nurse is reviewing the medication record for a client who has a prescription
for amitriptyline. Which of the following side effects should the nurse inform
the client about?
A. Increased salivation
B. Bradycardia
C. Diarrhea
D. Urinary retention
Answer: D
Rationale: Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant with anticholinergic effects, which
include urinary retention, dry mouth, and constipation.
4. A client with schizophrenia is exhibiting lip-smacking and tongue protrusion.
The nurse should identify these as manifestations of which condition?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Pseudoparkinsonism
C. Akathisia
D. Dystonia
Answer: A
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary movements of the tongue
and face, such as lip-smacking and tongue protrusion.
5. A client is prescribed phenelzine for depression. The nurse should instruct the
client to avoid which of the following foods?
A. Smoked salmon
B. Cottage cheese
C. Fresh apples
D. Whole grain bread
Answer: A
, Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Clients must avoid tyramine-rich foods like smoked,
cured, or aged meats and fish to prevent hypertensive crisis.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with Borderline Personality Disorder who
alternates between idolizing and devaluing the staff. This behavior is known as:
A. Projection
B. Reaction formation
C. Splitting
D. Undoing
Answer: C
Rationale: Splitting is the inability to integrate positive and negative qualities of self or
others into a cohesive image.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with bulimia nervosa. Which of the following
physical findings is expected?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Lanugo
C. Tooth erosion
D. Extreme bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Tooth erosion is common in bulimia nervosa due to frequent vomiting and
exposure to stomach acid.
8. A client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate administering first to manage acute symptoms?
A. Disulfiram
B. Methadone
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Naltrexone
Answer: C
|Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving lithium therapy. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a sign of lithium toxicity?
A. Polyuria
B. Coarse hand tremors
C. Fine hand tremors
D. Weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Coarse tremors are a sign of advanced lithium toxicity, whereas fine tremors
are a common side effect of therapeutic levels.
2. A client is undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following
is a common adverse effect the nurse should expect in the immediate post-
procedure period?
A. Temporary confusion
B. Long-term memory loss
C. Severe hypertension
D. Permanent seizures
Answer: A
Rationale: The most common side effects of ECT are temporary confusion and short-term
memory loss.
,3. A nurse is reviewing the medication record for a client who has a prescription
for amitriptyline. Which of the following side effects should the nurse inform
the client about?
A. Increased salivation
B. Bradycardia
C. Diarrhea
D. Urinary retention
Answer: D
Rationale: Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant with anticholinergic effects, which
include urinary retention, dry mouth, and constipation.
4. A client with schizophrenia is exhibiting lip-smacking and tongue protrusion.
The nurse should identify these as manifestations of which condition?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Pseudoparkinsonism
C. Akathisia
D. Dystonia
Answer: A
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary movements of the tongue
and face, such as lip-smacking and tongue protrusion.
5. A client is prescribed phenelzine for depression. The nurse should instruct the
client to avoid which of the following foods?
A. Smoked salmon
B. Cottage cheese
C. Fresh apples
D. Whole grain bread
Answer: A
, Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Clients must avoid tyramine-rich foods like smoked,
cured, or aged meats and fish to prevent hypertensive crisis.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with Borderline Personality Disorder who
alternates between idolizing and devaluing the staff. This behavior is known as:
A. Projection
B. Reaction formation
C. Splitting
D. Undoing
Answer: C
Rationale: Splitting is the inability to integrate positive and negative qualities of self or
others into a cohesive image.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with bulimia nervosa. Which of the following
physical findings is expected?
A. Amenorrhea
B. Lanugo
C. Tooth erosion
D. Extreme bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Tooth erosion is common in bulimia nervosa due to frequent vomiting and
exposure to stomach acid.
8. A client is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate administering first to manage acute symptoms?
A. Disulfiram
B. Methadone
C. Chlordiazepoxide
D. Naltrexone
Answer: C
