ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH EDITION 12.0 ACTUAL
EXAM TEST BANK – QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES (PASS
GUARANTEED, A+ GRADED)
This comprehensive question test bank offers authentic
exam-style practice questions with verified answers and
detailed rationales covering all core psychiatric nursing
concepts. Designed specifically for nursing students aiming
for top grades, it breaks down complex pharmacology,
therapeutic communication, and mental health disorders into
highly scannable, easy-to-digest study material. Elevate your
board preparation, conquer your course exams, and
guarantee your passing score with this ultimate high-yield
nursing bundle.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing severe
panic anxiety. Which of the following manifestations should
the nurse expect?
A) Dilated pupils
B) Decreased blood pressure
,C) Narrowed perceptual field
D) Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: During severe panic anxiety, the client's
perceptual field becomes significantly narrowed, focusing
only on scattered details. The client may experience a sense
of dread or impending doom. Physiological responses
include tachycardia, hyperventilation, and dilated pupils due
to sympathetic nervous system activation, rather than
decreased blood pressure or bradycardia.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is
experiencing command auditory hallucinations. Which of the
following actions is the nurse's priority?
A) Encourage the client to listen to music.
B) Ask the client directly what the voices are telling them to do.
C) Tell the client that the voices are not real.
D) Administer a PRN antianxiety medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: The priority action when using the nursing
process is assessment. The nurse must first ask the client
directly what the voices are saying to determine the risk of
harm to the client or others. While music, medication, and
validating reality are helpful interventions, safety assessment
always takes precedence.
3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who
has bipolar disorder and has been taking lithium carbonate
for 6 months. The client's lithium level is 1.4 mEq/L. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Instruct the client to double the next dose of lithium.
,B) Report this value as within the expected therapeutic reference
range.
C) Assess the client for signs of lithium toxicity.
D) Advise the client to immediately limit their fluid intake.
Answer: C
Rationale: A lithium level of 1.4 mEq/L is near the upper limit
of the therapeutic range (0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L for maintenance)
and can indicate impending toxicity. The nurse must assess
the client for manifestations of toxicity, such as coarse hand
tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and slurred speech. Fluids and
sodium should not be restricted, as decreased sodium
increases lithium levels.
4. A nurse is admitting a client who has anorexia nervosa.
Which of the following clinical findings should the nurse
expect?
A) Hypertension
B) Lanugo
C) Tachycardia
D) Hyperkalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Lanugo (fine, downy hair growth on the face and
back) is a compensatory mechanism to keep the body warm
in severe malnutrition. Other expected findings include
hypotension, bradycardia, and hypokalemia due to purging
or inadequate dietary intake.
5. A nurse is leading a support group for clients who have
sustained a recent loss. A client states, "I just can't believe
my spouse is gone. It feels like a terrible dream." The nurse
should identify that the client is experiencing which of the
, following stages of grief?
A) Anger
B) Denial
C) Bargaining
D) Acceptance
Answer: B
Rationale: The client's statements reflect shock and disbelief,
which are classic characteristics of the denial stage of grief.
During this stage, the individual protects themselves from
the painful reality of the loss.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is undergoing
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe depression.
Which of the following medications should the nurse expect
to administer prior to the procedure?
A) Phenytoin
B) Succinylcholine
C) Lorazepam
D) Fluoxetine
Answer: B
Rationale: Succinylcholine is a muscle relaxant administered
during ECT to prevent severe muscle contractions and
reduce the risk of fractures or musculoskeletal injury during
the induced seizure. Anticonvulsants like phenytoin and
benzodiazepines like lorazepam are withheld prior to ECT
because they raise the seizure threshold and counteract the
therapeutic effects of the treatment.
7. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new
prescription for phenelzine. The nurse should instruct the
client to avoid which of the following foods?
EXAM TEST BANK – QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES (PASS
GUARANTEED, A+ GRADED)
This comprehensive question test bank offers authentic
exam-style practice questions with verified answers and
detailed rationales covering all core psychiatric nursing
concepts. Designed specifically for nursing students aiming
for top grades, it breaks down complex pharmacology,
therapeutic communication, and mental health disorders into
highly scannable, easy-to-digest study material. Elevate your
board preparation, conquer your course exams, and
guarantee your passing score with this ultimate high-yield
nursing bundle.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing severe
panic anxiety. Which of the following manifestations should
the nurse expect?
A) Dilated pupils
B) Decreased blood pressure
,C) Narrowed perceptual field
D) Bradycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: During severe panic anxiety, the client's
perceptual field becomes significantly narrowed, focusing
only on scattered details. The client may experience a sense
of dread or impending doom. Physiological responses
include tachycardia, hyperventilation, and dilated pupils due
to sympathetic nervous system activation, rather than
decreased blood pressure or bradycardia.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is
experiencing command auditory hallucinations. Which of the
following actions is the nurse's priority?
A) Encourage the client to listen to music.
B) Ask the client directly what the voices are telling them to do.
C) Tell the client that the voices are not real.
D) Administer a PRN antianxiety medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: The priority action when using the nursing
process is assessment. The nurse must first ask the client
directly what the voices are saying to determine the risk of
harm to the client or others. While music, medication, and
validating reality are helpful interventions, safety assessment
always takes precedence.
3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who
has bipolar disorder and has been taking lithium carbonate
for 6 months. The client's lithium level is 1.4 mEq/L. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Instruct the client to double the next dose of lithium.
,B) Report this value as within the expected therapeutic reference
range.
C) Assess the client for signs of lithium toxicity.
D) Advise the client to immediately limit their fluid intake.
Answer: C
Rationale: A lithium level of 1.4 mEq/L is near the upper limit
of the therapeutic range (0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L for maintenance)
and can indicate impending toxicity. The nurse must assess
the client for manifestations of toxicity, such as coarse hand
tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and slurred speech. Fluids and
sodium should not be restricted, as decreased sodium
increases lithium levels.
4. A nurse is admitting a client who has anorexia nervosa.
Which of the following clinical findings should the nurse
expect?
A) Hypertension
B) Lanugo
C) Tachycardia
D) Hyperkalemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Lanugo (fine, downy hair growth on the face and
back) is a compensatory mechanism to keep the body warm
in severe malnutrition. Other expected findings include
hypotension, bradycardia, and hypokalemia due to purging
or inadequate dietary intake.
5. A nurse is leading a support group for clients who have
sustained a recent loss. A client states, "I just can't believe
my spouse is gone. It feels like a terrible dream." The nurse
should identify that the client is experiencing which of the
, following stages of grief?
A) Anger
B) Denial
C) Bargaining
D) Acceptance
Answer: B
Rationale: The client's statements reflect shock and disbelief,
which are classic characteristics of the denial stage of grief.
During this stage, the individual protects themselves from
the painful reality of the loss.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is undergoing
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe depression.
Which of the following medications should the nurse expect
to administer prior to the procedure?
A) Phenytoin
B) Succinylcholine
C) Lorazepam
D) Fluoxetine
Answer: B
Rationale: Succinylcholine is a muscle relaxant administered
during ECT to prevent severe muscle contractions and
reduce the risk of fractures or musculoskeletal injury during
the induced seizure. Anticonvulsants like phenytoin and
benzodiazepines like lorazepam are withheld prior to ECT
because they raise the seizure threshold and counteract the
therapeutic effects of the treatment.
7. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new
prescription for phenelzine. The nurse should instruct the
client to avoid which of the following foods?
