ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM | LATEST 2025 EDITION
WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE A+ SOLUTION
Question 1
A nurse is educating a patient with schizophrenia about her newly prescribed risperidone. Which
statement should the nurse include during the session?
A) "Continue taking the medication if you develop muscle stiffness." ✔️
B) "This medication usually causes weight loss."❌
C) "You’ll feel better within 24 hours of starting this medication." ❌
D) "You should increase your intake of complex carbohydrates." ❌
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Muscle rigidity may be a side effect of risperidone, but patients should not
discontinue it without medical advice. They should report side effects immediately.
Quick Tip: Patients on antipsychotics should always be educated on extrapyramidal
symptoms and the importance of reporting—not stopping—medications abruptly.
Question 2
A client who has just experienced a traumatic physical assault tells the nurse, “I don’t remember
what happened.” Which defense mechanism is the client using?
A) Repression ✔️
B) Displacement❌
C) Rationalization❌
D) Denial❌
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Repression is an unconscious mechanism where painful memories are blocked
from conscious thought, especially after trauma.
Quick Tip: Repression = unconscious forgetting. Suppression = intentional.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client with anorexia nervosa. Which finding requires immediate attention?
,A) +2 pitting edema in the legs❌
B) Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) level of 21 mg/dL❌
C) Presence of lanugo❌
D) Blood pH level of 7.60 ✔️
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A pH of 7.60 indicates metabolic alkalosis, a life-threatening imbalance often
caused by vomiting or laxative use in anorexic clients.
Quick Tip: In anorexia, always prioritize electrolyte imbalances or abnormal ABGs —
these are potentially fatal.
Question 4
In a psychiatric facility, a client becomes agitated and threatens harm to herself and others. What
is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A) Place the client in restraints ❌
B) Administer an anti-anxiety medication ✔️
C) Put the client in seclusion ❌
D) Set behavioral limits ❌
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Administering medication to reduce agitation is less restrictive and addresses
the client’s escalating behavior promptly and safely.
Quick Tip: Always follow the least restrictive method first unless there's immediate danger.
Question 5
A client who was involuntarily admitted refuses to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and
won’t explain the reason. What should the nurse do?
A) Ask the family to persuade the client❌
B) Inform the client that consent isn’t needed for ECT❌
C) Document the client’s refusal of treatment ✔️
D) Tell the client they cannot refuse because they’re involuntarily admitted❌
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation: Even involuntarily admitted clients retain the right to refuse treatments like
ECT unless legally deemed incompetent or in an emergency.
Quick Tip: Informed consent is always required for ECT—voluntary or involuntary
admission does not override this.
Question 6
A client arrives at the emergency department reporting feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and
hopelessness—9 months after the loss of her son. What should the nurse do first?
A) Request a mental health consult ❌
B) Ask if she’s had any thoughts of self-harm ✔️
C) Encourage attending a grief support group ❌
D) Explore current coping strategies ❌
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Assessing suicide risk takes top priority when a client presents with
hopelessness and depressive symptoms.
Quick Tip: Always assess for suicidal ideation first in cases of severe depression or loss.
Question 7
A client with borderline personality disorder has a history of self-mutilation. The nurse should
recommend which group therapy?
A) Dual diagnosis group ❌
B) Dialectical behavior therapy group ✔️
C) Desensitization therapy ❌
D) Codependents support group ❌
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is especially effective for clients with
borderline personality disorder and self-harm tendencies.
Quick Tip: DBT teaches emotional regulation and coping, ideal for BPD.
Question 8
The nurse is reviewing a medication list for a client with schizophrenia. To monitor for tardive
dyskinesia, which tool should be used when the client is on which medication?
WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS & COMPLETE A+ SOLUTION
Question 1
A nurse is educating a patient with schizophrenia about her newly prescribed risperidone. Which
statement should the nurse include during the session?
A) "Continue taking the medication if you develop muscle stiffness." ✔️
B) "This medication usually causes weight loss."❌
C) "You’ll feel better within 24 hours of starting this medication." ❌
D) "You should increase your intake of complex carbohydrates." ❌
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Muscle rigidity may be a side effect of risperidone, but patients should not
discontinue it without medical advice. They should report side effects immediately.
Quick Tip: Patients on antipsychotics should always be educated on extrapyramidal
symptoms and the importance of reporting—not stopping—medications abruptly.
Question 2
A client who has just experienced a traumatic physical assault tells the nurse, “I don’t remember
what happened.” Which defense mechanism is the client using?
A) Repression ✔️
B) Displacement❌
C) Rationalization❌
D) Denial❌
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Repression is an unconscious mechanism where painful memories are blocked
from conscious thought, especially after trauma.
Quick Tip: Repression = unconscious forgetting. Suppression = intentional.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client with anorexia nervosa. Which finding requires immediate attention?
,A) +2 pitting edema in the legs❌
B) Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) level of 21 mg/dL❌
C) Presence of lanugo❌
D) Blood pH level of 7.60 ✔️
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A pH of 7.60 indicates metabolic alkalosis, a life-threatening imbalance often
caused by vomiting or laxative use in anorexic clients.
Quick Tip: In anorexia, always prioritize electrolyte imbalances or abnormal ABGs —
these are potentially fatal.
Question 4
In a psychiatric facility, a client becomes agitated and threatens harm to herself and others. What
is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A) Place the client in restraints ❌
B) Administer an anti-anxiety medication ✔️
C) Put the client in seclusion ❌
D) Set behavioral limits ❌
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Administering medication to reduce agitation is less restrictive and addresses
the client’s escalating behavior promptly and safely.
Quick Tip: Always follow the least restrictive method first unless there's immediate danger.
Question 5
A client who was involuntarily admitted refuses to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and
won’t explain the reason. What should the nurse do?
A) Ask the family to persuade the client❌
B) Inform the client that consent isn’t needed for ECT❌
C) Document the client’s refusal of treatment ✔️
D) Tell the client they cannot refuse because they’re involuntarily admitted❌
Correct Answer: C
, Explanation: Even involuntarily admitted clients retain the right to refuse treatments like
ECT unless legally deemed incompetent or in an emergency.
Quick Tip: Informed consent is always required for ECT—voluntary or involuntary
admission does not override this.
Question 6
A client arrives at the emergency department reporting feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and
hopelessness—9 months after the loss of her son. What should the nurse do first?
A) Request a mental health consult ❌
B) Ask if she’s had any thoughts of self-harm ✔️
C) Encourage attending a grief support group ❌
D) Explore current coping strategies ❌
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Assessing suicide risk takes top priority when a client presents with
hopelessness and depressive symptoms.
Quick Tip: Always assess for suicidal ideation first in cases of severe depression or loss.
Question 7
A client with borderline personality disorder has a history of self-mutilation. The nurse should
recommend which group therapy?
A) Dual diagnosis group ❌
B) Dialectical behavior therapy group ✔️
C) Desensitization therapy ❌
D) Codependents support group ❌
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is especially effective for clients with
borderline personality disorder and self-harm tendencies.
Quick Tip: DBT teaches emotional regulation and coping, ideal for BPD.
Question 8
The nurse is reviewing a medication list for a client with schizophrenia. To monitor for tardive
dyskinesia, which tool should be used when the client is on which medication?
