ATI ENGAGE MENTAL
HEALTH RN
1. Therapeutic Communication
Q: A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who has depression.
Which of the following responses demonstrates active listening?
A) "I know exactly how you feel."
B) "Everything will be okay soon."
C) "Tell me more about how you're feeling today."
D) "You should try to focus on the positives."
A: C) "Tell me more about how you're feeling today."
,Rationale: This response encourages the client to express their thoughts and
feelings, which is a key principle of therapeutic communication.
2. Mental Health Disorders
Q: A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which of the
following nursing interventions is most appropriate?
A) Tell the client that the voices are not real.
B) Encourage the client to ignore the voices.
C) Ask the client what the voices are saying.
D) Laugh with the client about the voices.
A: C) Ask the client what the voices are saying.
Rationale: Assessing what the voices are saying helps determine if the client is
experiencing distress or if there is a risk of self-harm or harm to others.
3. Psychotropic Medications
Q: A nurse is caring for a client prescribed sertraline (Zoloft) for depression. Which of
the following statements indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication at the same time every day."
B) "It may take several weeks before I feel the full effects."
C) "I can stop taking it as soon as I feel better."
D) "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
A: C) "I can stop taking it as soon as I feel better."
Rationale: Abruptly stopping an SSRI like sertraline can lead to withdrawal symptoms
and a relapse of depression.
4. Crisis Intervention
Q: A nurse is assessing a client who has recently lost their job and reports feeling
hopeless and suicidal. Which is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Encourage the client to focus on finding a new job.
B) Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves.
,C) Advise the client to call a family member for support.
D) Suggest the client engage in a relaxing activity.
A: B) Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves.
Rationale: Assessing suicide risk is the priority to ensure client safety.
5. Legal and Ethical Considerations
Q: A client with bipolar disorder refuses to take their prescribed medication. The
nurse understands that the client has the right to refuse treatment unless:
A) The client is experiencing severe side effects.
B) The client’s family wants them to take the medication.
C) The client is deemed incompetent or poses a danger to themselves or others.
D) The medication is prescribed by a psychiatrist.
A: C) The client is deemed incompetent or poses a danger to themselves or others.
Rationale: Clients have the right to refuse treatment unless they lack decision-
making capacity or pose a risk to themselves or others.6. Anxiety Disorders
Q: A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A) Encourage the client to take slow, deep breaths.
B) Ask the client to describe their feelings.
C) Teach the client relaxation techniques.
D) Leave the client alone to calm down.
A: A) Encourage the client to take slow, deep breaths.
Rationale: Slow, deep breathing helps reduce hyperventilation and promotes
relaxation.
7. Substance Use Disorders
Q: A nurse is caring for a client withdrawing from alcohol. Which of the following
findings should the nurse anticipate?
A) Bradycardia and drowsiness
, B) Hypotension and pinpoint pupils
C) Diaphoresis and tremors
D) Depressed mood and fatigue
A: C) Diaphoresis and tremors.
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include tremors, sweating, agitation, and
potentially life-threatening complications such as seizures or delirium tremens (DTs).
8. Bipolar Disorder
Q: A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing mania. Which of the following
nursing interventions is most appropriate?
A) Encourage the client to attend group therapy.
B) Offer the client high-calorie finger foods.
C) Engage the client in competitive games.
D) Allow the client to lead a relaxation session.
A: B) Offer the client high-calorie finger foods.
Rationale: Clients in a manic state have high energy and may not sit still for meals, so
high-calorie, easy-to-eat foods help maintain nutrition.
9. Personality Disorders
Q: A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who is
engaging in self-harm behaviors. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Set strict limits on all behaviors.
B) Encourage the client to express emotions verbally.
C) Assign different staff members each day.
D) Avoid discussing self-harm behaviors with the client.
A: B) Encourage the client to express emotions verbally.
Rationale: Encouraging verbal expression of emotions helps reduce self-harm
behaviors by providing a healthy outlet for distress.
HEALTH RN
1. Therapeutic Communication
Q: A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who has depression.
Which of the following responses demonstrates active listening?
A) "I know exactly how you feel."
B) "Everything will be okay soon."
C) "Tell me more about how you're feeling today."
D) "You should try to focus on the positives."
A: C) "Tell me more about how you're feeling today."
,Rationale: This response encourages the client to express their thoughts and
feelings, which is a key principle of therapeutic communication.
2. Mental Health Disorders
Q: A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which of the
following nursing interventions is most appropriate?
A) Tell the client that the voices are not real.
B) Encourage the client to ignore the voices.
C) Ask the client what the voices are saying.
D) Laugh with the client about the voices.
A: C) Ask the client what the voices are saying.
Rationale: Assessing what the voices are saying helps determine if the client is
experiencing distress or if there is a risk of self-harm or harm to others.
3. Psychotropic Medications
Q: A nurse is caring for a client prescribed sertraline (Zoloft) for depression. Which of
the following statements indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication at the same time every day."
B) "It may take several weeks before I feel the full effects."
C) "I can stop taking it as soon as I feel better."
D) "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
A: C) "I can stop taking it as soon as I feel better."
Rationale: Abruptly stopping an SSRI like sertraline can lead to withdrawal symptoms
and a relapse of depression.
4. Crisis Intervention
Q: A nurse is assessing a client who has recently lost their job and reports feeling
hopeless and suicidal. Which is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Encourage the client to focus on finding a new job.
B) Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves.
,C) Advise the client to call a family member for support.
D) Suggest the client engage in a relaxing activity.
A: B) Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves.
Rationale: Assessing suicide risk is the priority to ensure client safety.
5. Legal and Ethical Considerations
Q: A client with bipolar disorder refuses to take their prescribed medication. The
nurse understands that the client has the right to refuse treatment unless:
A) The client is experiencing severe side effects.
B) The client’s family wants them to take the medication.
C) The client is deemed incompetent or poses a danger to themselves or others.
D) The medication is prescribed by a psychiatrist.
A: C) The client is deemed incompetent or poses a danger to themselves or others.
Rationale: Clients have the right to refuse treatment unless they lack decision-
making capacity or pose a risk to themselves or others.6. Anxiety Disorders
Q: A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A) Encourage the client to take slow, deep breaths.
B) Ask the client to describe their feelings.
C) Teach the client relaxation techniques.
D) Leave the client alone to calm down.
A: A) Encourage the client to take slow, deep breaths.
Rationale: Slow, deep breathing helps reduce hyperventilation and promotes
relaxation.
7. Substance Use Disorders
Q: A nurse is caring for a client withdrawing from alcohol. Which of the following
findings should the nurse anticipate?
A) Bradycardia and drowsiness
, B) Hypotension and pinpoint pupils
C) Diaphoresis and tremors
D) Depressed mood and fatigue
A: C) Diaphoresis and tremors.
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include tremors, sweating, agitation, and
potentially life-threatening complications such as seizures or delirium tremens (DTs).
8. Bipolar Disorder
Q: A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing mania. Which of the following
nursing interventions is most appropriate?
A) Encourage the client to attend group therapy.
B) Offer the client high-calorie finger foods.
C) Engage the client in competitive games.
D) Allow the client to lead a relaxation session.
A: B) Offer the client high-calorie finger foods.
Rationale: Clients in a manic state have high energy and may not sit still for meals, so
high-calorie, easy-to-eat foods help maintain nutrition.
9. Personality Disorders
Q: A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who is
engaging in self-harm behaviors. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Set strict limits on all behaviors.
B) Encourage the client to express emotions verbally.
C) Assign different staff members each day.
D) Avoid discussing self-harm behaviors with the client.
A: B) Encourage the client to express emotions verbally.
Rationale: Encouraging verbal expression of emotions helps reduce self-harm
behaviors by providing a healthy outlet for distress.
