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ATI RN Mental Health 2026 Proctored Exam Actual
Featuring All NGN Screenshot 70 Questions and
Answers for Level 3 Pass RN ATI
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder. Which statement by
the client requires immediate nursing intervention?
A) “I feel tired all the time.”
B) “I have a plan to end my life tonight.”
C) “I don’t enjoy things anymore.”
D) “I have trouble sleeping.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Suicidal ideation with a specific plan is a psychiatric emergency
requiring immediate safety measures (one-to-one observation, removal of
harmful objects, provider notification). The other statements are symptoms of
depression but not an immediate threat.
Question 2
A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is
the best nursing response?
A) “Those voices aren’t real; ignore them.”
B) “I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.”
C) “Why would the voices say that?”
D) “You need to stop focusing on them.”
Answer: B
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client’s experience without validating
the hallucination, builds trust, and opens communication. Arguing or challenging
hallucinations increases anxiety.
pg. 1
,2
Question 3
Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Flat affect
B) Anhedonia
C) Hallucinations
D) Social withdrawal
Answer: C
Rationale: Positive symptoms are added experiences: hallucinations, delusions,
disorganized speech. Negative symptoms include flat affect, anhedonia, avolition,
social withdrawal.
Question 4
A client taking lithium has a serum lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L. Which finding is
most consistent with toxicity?
A) Fine hand tremor
B) Coarse tremor, confusion, and diarrhea
C) Mild thirst
D) Weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium toxicity (level >1.5 mEq/L) presents with coarse tremor,
confusion, diarrhea, ataxia, and vomiting. Fine tremor is a side effect at
therapeutic levels (0.6–1.2).
Question 5
Which medication is classified as an SSRI?
A) Amitriptyline
B) Fluoxetine
C) Phenelzine
D) Bupropion
pg. 2
, 3
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Amitriptyline is a
TCA; phenelzine is an MAOI; bupropion is an atypical antidepressant.
Question 6
A client prescribed clozapine must have which lab test monitored regularly?
A) Liver enzymes
B) Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C) Serum creatinine
D) Thyroid panel
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. ANC must be monitored at
baseline and regularly (weekly initially) due to risk of severe neutropenia.
Question 7
Which of the following is a priority nursing diagnosis for a client with anorexia
nervosa?
A) Disturbed body image
B) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
C) Ineffective coping
D) Deficient knowledge
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiologic needs (nutrition, fluid/electrolyte balance) take priority per
Maslow. Anorexia nervosa can cause life-threatening malnutrition and electrolyte
imbalances.
Question 8
A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
pg. 3
ATI RN Mental Health 2026 Proctored Exam Actual
Featuring All NGN Screenshot 70 Questions and
Answers for Level 3 Pass RN ATI
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder. Which statement by
the client requires immediate nursing intervention?
A) “I feel tired all the time.”
B) “I have a plan to end my life tonight.”
C) “I don’t enjoy things anymore.”
D) “I have trouble sleeping.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Suicidal ideation with a specific plan is a psychiatric emergency
requiring immediate safety measures (one-to-one observation, removal of
harmful objects, provider notification). The other statements are symptoms of
depression but not an immediate threat.
Question 2
A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is
the best nursing response?
A) “Those voices aren’t real; ignore them.”
B) “I don’t hear the voices, but I understand they are real to you.”
C) “Why would the voices say that?”
D) “You need to stop focusing on them.”
Answer: B
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client’s experience without validating
the hallucination, builds trust, and opens communication. Arguing or challenging
hallucinations increases anxiety.
pg. 1
,2
Question 3
Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Flat affect
B) Anhedonia
C) Hallucinations
D) Social withdrawal
Answer: C
Rationale: Positive symptoms are added experiences: hallucinations, delusions,
disorganized speech. Negative symptoms include flat affect, anhedonia, avolition,
social withdrawal.
Question 4
A client taking lithium has a serum lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L. Which finding is
most consistent with toxicity?
A) Fine hand tremor
B) Coarse tremor, confusion, and diarrhea
C) Mild thirst
D) Weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium toxicity (level >1.5 mEq/L) presents with coarse tremor,
confusion, diarrhea, ataxia, and vomiting. Fine tremor is a side effect at
therapeutic levels (0.6–1.2).
Question 5
Which medication is classified as an SSRI?
A) Amitriptyline
B) Fluoxetine
C) Phenelzine
D) Bupropion
pg. 2
, 3
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Amitriptyline is a
TCA; phenelzine is an MAOI; bupropion is an atypical antidepressant.
Question 6
A client prescribed clozapine must have which lab test monitored regularly?
A) Liver enzymes
B) Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C) Serum creatinine
D) Thyroid panel
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. ANC must be monitored at
baseline and regularly (weekly initially) due to risk of severe neutropenia.
Question 7
Which of the following is a priority nursing diagnosis for a client with anorexia
nervosa?
A) Disturbed body image
B) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
C) Ineffective coping
D) Deficient knowledge
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiologic needs (nutrition, fluid/electrolyte balance) take priority per
Maslow. Anorexia nervosa can cause life-threatening malnutrition and electrolyte
imbalances.
Question 8
A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
pg. 3
