• ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EDITION 3 12.0
Complete Practice Test Bank 300 Exam-Style
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales All Core Domains Covered | A+
Graded TABLE OF CONTENTS | Section | Topic
Area | Questions
A client says to the nurse, "The federal guards were sent to kill me." What is the best nursing response to the
client's concern?
a. "I don't believe this is true."
b. "The guards are not out to kill you"
c. "Do you feel afraid that people are trying to hurt you?"
P 1
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
d. "What makes you think the guards were sent out to hurt you?" - Correct Answer :c. "Do you feel afraid that
people are trying to hurt you?"
It is most therapeutic for the nurse to empathize with the client's experience. The remaining options lack this
connection with the client. Disagreeing with delusions may make the client more defensive, and the client may
cling to the delusions even more. Encouraging discussion regarding the delusion is inappropriate.
When assessing the mental status of a 7- or 8-year-old child, it is most important for the nurse to:
a. Listen to the parent's description of the child's behavior
b. Compare the child's functioning from one day to another
c. Engage parents in a discussion about the child's feelings
d. Determine the child's mental status by using direct questions - Correct Answer :b. Compare the child's
functioning from one day to another
Comparison over time is the only way for the nurse to accurately assess mental status of a child. Listening to the
parent's descriptions of behavior should be considered, but not relied upon because they can be unrealistic or
biased. The child's ability to discuss feelings is limited, and using direct questions can be threatening and may
precipitate anxiety.
The nurse manager is evaluating a primary nurse who is working with a hospitalized adolescent client with the
diagnosis of conduct disorder. Which intervention by the primary nurse should the nurse manger question?
a. Discussing rules of the unit
b. Allows for opportunities for choices
c. Explaining the consequences for not following unit regulations
d. Encouraging the verbalization of negative feelings toward others - Correct Answer :d. Encouraging the
verbalization of negative feelings toward others
Verbalization of negative feelings toward others can often escalate and result in antisocial or acting-out
behavior. Discussing the unit rules limits manipulative behavior due to a consistent and predictable environment.
Being clear on the consequences of breaking this rules can motivate individuals to act appropriately, and offering
choices provides opportunities for the client to have some control.
P 2
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
The nurse is preparing a client with a history of command hallucinations for discharge by providing instructions
on interventions for managing hallucinations and anxiety. Which statement in response to these instructions
suggests to the nurse that the client understands the instructions?
a. "My medications aren't likely to make me more anxious."
b. "I'll go to support groups and talk so that I don't hurt anyone."
c. "It's not likely that I'll get anxious or hear things if I get enough sleep and eat well."
d. "When I begin to hallucinate, I'll call my therapist and talk about what I should do." - Correct Answer :d.
"When I begin to hallucinate, I'll call my therapist and talk about what I should do."
The risk for impulsive and aggressive behavior may increase if a client is receiving command hallucinations to
harm self or others. The correct option is a specific agreement to seek help and evidences self-responsible
commitment and control over one's own behavior.
A nurse is assessing an adolescent client with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, undifferentiated type. Which signs
and symptoms should the nurse expect the client to experience?
a. Paranoid delusions and hypervigilance
b. Depression and psychomotor retardation
c. Loosened associations and hallucinations
d. Ritualistic behaviors and obsessive thinking - Correct Answer :c. Loosened associations and hallucinations
Loosened associations and hallucinations are the primary behaviors associated with a thought disorder such as
schizophrenia. Paranoid delusions and hypervigilance are more common in paranoid-type schizophrenia,
depression and psychomotor retardation are not characteristic of schizophrenia and ritualistic behavior and
obsessive thinking are generally associated with obsessive-compulsive disorders.
A child with ADHD had this nursing diagnosis: impaired social interaction, related to excessive neuronal activity,
as evidenced by aggressiveness and dysfunctional play with others. Which finding indicates the plan of care was
effective?
a. Improved ability to identify anxiety and use self-control strategies
b. Increased expressiveness in communication with others
c. Engages in cooperative play with other children
P 3
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
d. Increased responsiveness to authority figures - Correct Answer :c. Engages in cooperative play with other
children
A nurse teaches a client about the side effects and precautions associated with the typical antipsychotic
haloperidol (Haldol). The nurse evaluates that the teaching is understood when the client states:
a. "I will immediately report any diarrhea or vomiting to my doctor."
b. "I will not eat any tyramine-containing foods while I'm taking this drug."
c. "I'll avoid direct sunlight and use a sunscreen product when I go outdoors."
d. "I'll maintain an adequate fluid intake because I may urinate more than usual." - Correct Answer :c. "I'll avoid
direct sunlight and use a sunscreen product when I go outdoors."
Photosensitivity is a side effect of many antipsychotic medications including Haldol. Diarrhea/vomiting and
increased urination are side effects of lithium, avoid tyramine-containing foods is a precaution associated with
MAOIs.
A client with schizophrenia has been started on medication therapy with clozapine (Clozaril). The nurse should
assess the results of which laboratory study to monitor for adverse effects from this medication?
a. Platelet count
b. Blood glucose
c. Liver function tests
d. White blood cell count - Correct Answer :d. White blood cell count
A client taking clozapine (Clozaril) may experience agranulocytosis, which is monitored by reviewing the results
of the white blood cell count. Treatment is interrupted if the white blood cell count decreases to less than 3000
cells/mm3. Agranulocytosis could be fatal if undetected and untreated.
To help a disturbed, acting-out child develop a trusting relationship, the nurse should:
a. Inquire as to the child's feelings about the parents
b. Implement a half hour one-to-one interaction daily
c. Initiate limit setting and explain the rules to be followed
P 4
HEALTH NURSING
ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EDITION 3 12.0
Complete Practice Test Bank 300 Exam-Style
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales All Core Domains Covered | A+
Graded TABLE OF CONTENTS | Section | Topic
Area | Questions
A client says to the nurse, "The federal guards were sent to kill me." What is the best nursing response to the
client's concern?
a. "I don't believe this is true."
b. "The guards are not out to kill you"
c. "Do you feel afraid that people are trying to hurt you?"
P 1
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
d. "What makes you think the guards were sent out to hurt you?" - Correct Answer :c. "Do you feel afraid that
people are trying to hurt you?"
It is most therapeutic for the nurse to empathize with the client's experience. The remaining options lack this
connection with the client. Disagreeing with delusions may make the client more defensive, and the client may
cling to the delusions even more. Encouraging discussion regarding the delusion is inappropriate.
When assessing the mental status of a 7- or 8-year-old child, it is most important for the nurse to:
a. Listen to the parent's description of the child's behavior
b. Compare the child's functioning from one day to another
c. Engage parents in a discussion about the child's feelings
d. Determine the child's mental status by using direct questions - Correct Answer :b. Compare the child's
functioning from one day to another
Comparison over time is the only way for the nurse to accurately assess mental status of a child. Listening to the
parent's descriptions of behavior should be considered, but not relied upon because they can be unrealistic or
biased. The child's ability to discuss feelings is limited, and using direct questions can be threatening and may
precipitate anxiety.
The nurse manager is evaluating a primary nurse who is working with a hospitalized adolescent client with the
diagnosis of conduct disorder. Which intervention by the primary nurse should the nurse manger question?
a. Discussing rules of the unit
b. Allows for opportunities for choices
c. Explaining the consequences for not following unit regulations
d. Encouraging the verbalization of negative feelings toward others - Correct Answer :d. Encouraging the
verbalization of negative feelings toward others
Verbalization of negative feelings toward others can often escalate and result in antisocial or acting-out
behavior. Discussing the unit rules limits manipulative behavior due to a consistent and predictable environment.
Being clear on the consequences of breaking this rules can motivate individuals to act appropriately, and offering
choices provides opportunities for the client to have some control.
P 2
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
The nurse is preparing a client with a history of command hallucinations for discharge by providing instructions
on interventions for managing hallucinations and anxiety. Which statement in response to these instructions
suggests to the nurse that the client understands the instructions?
a. "My medications aren't likely to make me more anxious."
b. "I'll go to support groups and talk so that I don't hurt anyone."
c. "It's not likely that I'll get anxious or hear things if I get enough sleep and eat well."
d. "When I begin to hallucinate, I'll call my therapist and talk about what I should do." - Correct Answer :d.
"When I begin to hallucinate, I'll call my therapist and talk about what I should do."
The risk for impulsive and aggressive behavior may increase if a client is receiving command hallucinations to
harm self or others. The correct option is a specific agreement to seek help and evidences self-responsible
commitment and control over one's own behavior.
A nurse is assessing an adolescent client with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, undifferentiated type. Which signs
and symptoms should the nurse expect the client to experience?
a. Paranoid delusions and hypervigilance
b. Depression and psychomotor retardation
c. Loosened associations and hallucinations
d. Ritualistic behaviors and obsessive thinking - Correct Answer :c. Loosened associations and hallucinations
Loosened associations and hallucinations are the primary behaviors associated with a thought disorder such as
schizophrenia. Paranoid delusions and hypervigilance are more common in paranoid-type schizophrenia,
depression and psychomotor retardation are not characteristic of schizophrenia and ritualistic behavior and
obsessive thinking are generally associated with obsessive-compulsive disorders.
A child with ADHD had this nursing diagnosis: impaired social interaction, related to excessive neuronal activity,
as evidenced by aggressiveness and dysfunctional play with others. Which finding indicates the plan of care was
effective?
a. Improved ability to identify anxiety and use self-control strategies
b. Increased expressiveness in communication with others
c. Engages in cooperative play with other children
P 3
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
d. Increased responsiveness to authority figures - Correct Answer :c. Engages in cooperative play with other
children
A nurse teaches a client about the side effects and precautions associated with the typical antipsychotic
haloperidol (Haldol). The nurse evaluates that the teaching is understood when the client states:
a. "I will immediately report any diarrhea or vomiting to my doctor."
b. "I will not eat any tyramine-containing foods while I'm taking this drug."
c. "I'll avoid direct sunlight and use a sunscreen product when I go outdoors."
d. "I'll maintain an adequate fluid intake because I may urinate more than usual." - Correct Answer :c. "I'll avoid
direct sunlight and use a sunscreen product when I go outdoors."
Photosensitivity is a side effect of many antipsychotic medications including Haldol. Diarrhea/vomiting and
increased urination are side effects of lithium, avoid tyramine-containing foods is a precaution associated with
MAOIs.
A client with schizophrenia has been started on medication therapy with clozapine (Clozaril). The nurse should
assess the results of which laboratory study to monitor for adverse effects from this medication?
a. Platelet count
b. Blood glucose
c. Liver function tests
d. White blood cell count - Correct Answer :d. White blood cell count
A client taking clozapine (Clozaril) may experience agranulocytosis, which is monitored by reviewing the results
of the white blood cell count. Treatment is interrupted if the white blood cell count decreases to less than 3000
cells/mm3. Agranulocytosis could be fatal if undetected and untreated.
To help a disturbed, acting-out child develop a trusting relationship, the nurse should:
a. Inquire as to the child's feelings about the parents
b. Implement a half hour one-to-one interaction daily
c. Initiate limit setting and explain the rules to be followed
P 4
