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, ATI RN Mental Health 2026 – Comprehensive Practice Exam (70
Questions)
Content Domains Covered: Psychiatric Disorders and Treatment; Therapeutic
Communication; Crisis Intervention; Psychopharmacology; Substance Use Disorders; Child and
Adolescent Mental Health; Geriatric Mental Health; Eating Disorders; Legal and Ethical Issues;
Community Mental Health Resources; Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention; Trauma and
Stressor-Related Disorders.
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing (Questions 1–10)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with major depressive disorder who reports difficulty sleeping and a
decreased appetite. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the client to take a nap during the day.
B. Monitor the client's nutritional intake and weight.
C. Administer a prescribed sedative-hypnotic.
D. Recommend over-the-counter sleep aids.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority is to monitor nutritional intake and weight because malnutrition and
weight loss can lead to physical deterioration. Encouraging daytime naps can worsen nighttime
insomnia. Administering a sedative-hypnotic requires a prescription and may not address the
underlying issue. OTC sleep aids can interact with prescribed medications. Physiological needs
take priority.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Restlessness
B. Excessive worry about daily activities
C. Decreased muscle tension
D. Difficulty concentrating
E. Sleep disturbances
,
, ATI RN Mental Health 2026 – Comprehensive Practice Exam (70
Questions)
Content Domains Covered: Psychiatric Disorders and Treatment; Therapeutic
Communication; Crisis Intervention; Psychopharmacology; Substance Use Disorders; Child and
Adolescent Mental Health; Geriatric Mental Health; Eating Disorders; Legal and Ethical Issues;
Community Mental Health Resources; Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention; Trauma and
Stressor-Related Disorders.
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing (Questions 1–10)
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with major depressive disorder who reports difficulty sleeping and a
decreased appetite. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the client to take a nap during the day.
B. Monitor the client's nutritional intake and weight.
C. Administer a prescribed sedative-hypnotic.
D. Recommend over-the-counter sleep aids.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority is to monitor nutritional intake and weight because malnutrition and
weight loss can lead to physical deterioration. Encouraging daytime naps can worsen nighttime
insomnia. Administering a sedative-hypnotic requires a prescription and may not address the
underlying issue. OTC sleep aids can interact with prescribed medications. Physiological needs
take priority.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Restlessness
B. Excessive worry about daily activities
C. Decreased muscle tension
D. Difficulty concentrating
E. Sleep disturbances
