ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH CMS
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Therapeutic Communication and Nurse-Client Relationship
• Anxiety, Trauma, and Stressor-Related Disorders
• Depressive and Bipolar Disorders
• Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Neurocognitive Disorders
• Psychopharmacology and Medication Safety
• Legal, Ethical, and Crisis Intervention
Introduction
The ATI RN Mental Health CMS Exam assesses the knowledge,
clinical judgment, and therapeutic skills required for safe and
effective psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. The
examination evaluates foundational mental health concepts,
,therapeutic communication, psychiatric disorders across the
lifespan, psychopharmacology, crisis intervention, and legal-
ethical standards. Questions incorporate multiple-choice and Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) formats including bow-tie, matrix, and
select-all-that-apply items emphasizing real-world application.
Candidates must demonstrate competency in mental status
assessment, prioritization, patient safety, and evidence-based
interventions. The assessment underscores critical thinking,
empathetic communication, and ethical decision-making in
psychiatric nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has generalized
anxiety disorder. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A. Fear of social situations for the past 2 weeks
B. Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months
C. Recurrent panic attacks occurring weekly
D. Obsessive thoughts followed by compulsive behaviors
B. Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months
RATIONALE: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by
excessive, uncontrollable worry about multiple areas of life
occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. Social fear
suggests social anxiety disorder, panic attacks suggest panic
disorder, and obsessions with compulsions suggest obsessive-
compulsive disorder .
,2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Teach the client relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client and remain calm
C. Administer a prescribed benzodiazepine
D. Move the client to a quiet environment
B. Stay with the client and remain calm
RATIONALE: During a panic attack, the client's safety and
sense of security are the priority. The nurse should remain with
the client and maintain a calm demeanor to reduce anxiety.
Teaching relaxation, administering medication, and changing
environments are appropriate but secondary to providing
immediate supportive presence .
3. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who
has major depressive disorder. Which of the following
findings is a priority for the nurse to report?
A. Weight loss of 2 kg over 1 month
B. Report of feeling worthless
C. Statements about wanting to die
D. Difficulty concentrating at work
C. Statements about wanting to die
RATIONALE: Suicidal ideation is the highest priority finding
because it places the client at immediate risk for self-harm.
Weight loss, worthlessness, and poor concentration are expected
findings in major depressive disorder but do not indicate
imminent danger .
4. A nurse is educating a client about lithium therapy.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding?
, A. "I should reduce my salt intake while taking this medication."
B. "I need to have my blood levels checked regularly."
C. "I can stop the medication once I feel better."
D. "I should take this medication with grapefruit juice."
B. "I need to have my blood levels checked regularly."
RATIONALE: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, so serum
levels must be monitored regularly to prevent toxicity. Clients
should maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake, never stop
the medication abruptly, and avoid grapefruit juice interactions .
5. A nurse is assessing a client who has schizophrenia. The
client states, "The radio is telling me I am a bad person."
Which of the following symptoms is the client
experiencing?
A. Auditory hallucination
B. Delusion of persecution
C. Idea of reference
D. Thought broadcasting
C. Idea of reference
RATIONALE: An idea of reference occurs when a client
believes that external events or objects, such as a radio
broadcast, are directly referring to them. Auditory hallucinations
involve hearing voices, delusions of persecution involve beliefs of
being harmed, and thought broadcasting involves believing one's
thoughts are audible to others .
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing alcohol
withdrawal. Which of the following medications should the
nurse anticipate administering?
A. Naltrexone
B. Lorazepam
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Therapeutic Communication and Nurse-Client Relationship
• Anxiety, Trauma, and Stressor-Related Disorders
• Depressive and Bipolar Disorders
• Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders
• Personality Disorders
• Substance Use Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Neurocognitive Disorders
• Psychopharmacology and Medication Safety
• Legal, Ethical, and Crisis Intervention
Introduction
The ATI RN Mental Health CMS Exam assesses the knowledge,
clinical judgment, and therapeutic skills required for safe and
effective psychiatric-mental health nursing practice. The
examination evaluates foundational mental health concepts,
,therapeutic communication, psychiatric disorders across the
lifespan, psychopharmacology, crisis intervention, and legal-
ethical standards. Questions incorporate multiple-choice and Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) formats including bow-tie, matrix, and
select-all-that-apply items emphasizing real-world application.
Candidates must demonstrate competency in mental status
assessment, prioritization, patient safety, and evidence-based
interventions. The assessment underscores critical thinking,
empathetic communication, and ethical decision-making in
psychiatric nursing.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has generalized
anxiety disorder. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A. Fear of social situations for the past 2 weeks
B. Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months
C. Recurrent panic attacks occurring weekly
D. Obsessive thoughts followed by compulsive behaviors
B. Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6
months
RATIONALE: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by
excessive, uncontrollable worry about multiple areas of life
occurring more days than not for at least 6 months. Social fear
suggests social anxiety disorder, panic attacks suggest panic
disorder, and obsessions with compulsions suggest obsessive-
compulsive disorder .
,2. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Teach the client relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client and remain calm
C. Administer a prescribed benzodiazepine
D. Move the client to a quiet environment
B. Stay with the client and remain calm
RATIONALE: During a panic attack, the client's safety and
sense of security are the priority. The nurse should remain with
the client and maintain a calm demeanor to reduce anxiety.
Teaching relaxation, administering medication, and changing
environments are appropriate but secondary to providing
immediate supportive presence .
3. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who
has major depressive disorder. Which of the following
findings is a priority for the nurse to report?
A. Weight loss of 2 kg over 1 month
B. Report of feeling worthless
C. Statements about wanting to die
D. Difficulty concentrating at work
C. Statements about wanting to die
RATIONALE: Suicidal ideation is the highest priority finding
because it places the client at immediate risk for self-harm.
Weight loss, worthlessness, and poor concentration are expected
findings in major depressive disorder but do not indicate
imminent danger .
4. A nurse is educating a client about lithium therapy.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding?
, A. "I should reduce my salt intake while taking this medication."
B. "I need to have my blood levels checked regularly."
C. "I can stop the medication once I feel better."
D. "I should take this medication with grapefruit juice."
B. "I need to have my blood levels checked regularly."
RATIONALE: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, so serum
levels must be monitored regularly to prevent toxicity. Clients
should maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake, never stop
the medication abruptly, and avoid grapefruit juice interactions .
5. A nurse is assessing a client who has schizophrenia. The
client states, "The radio is telling me I am a bad person."
Which of the following symptoms is the client
experiencing?
A. Auditory hallucination
B. Delusion of persecution
C. Idea of reference
D. Thought broadcasting
C. Idea of reference
RATIONALE: An idea of reference occurs when a client
believes that external events or objects, such as a radio
broadcast, are directly referring to them. Auditory hallucinations
involve hearing voices, delusions of persecution involve beliefs of
being harmed, and thought broadcasting involves believing one's
thoughts are audible to others .
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing alcohol
withdrawal. Which of the following medications should the
nurse anticipate administering?
A. Naltrexone
B. Lorazepam
