ATI Mental Health Proctored quiz bank 2025-2026
update with explanation
A nurse in the emergency room is collecting data from a client who has heroin intoxication. Which of th
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Seizure activity
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hypersensitivity to pain
D. Increased mental alertness - ✔✔ANS Respiratory depression
*Heroin is an opioid; therefore, the nurse should expect this client who has heroin intoxication to exhib
respiratory depression.
A nurse on a mental health unit is caring for a client who is displaying signs of anger. Which of th
following pieces of information about the client is the strongest indicator that the client might becom
aggressive?
A. The client has marginal coping skills
B. The client has a history of violence
C. The client feels powerless after being hospitalized
D. The client blames others for her problems - ✔✔ANS The client has a history of violence
*The client's history of violence is the most important indicator that this client might become violen
therefore, this is the strongest indicator of potential aggressiveness.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the caregiver of a client who has dementia. Which of the followin
instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Offer the client a list of activities to choose from
B. Offer finger foods to the client
C. Discourage naps throughout the day
,D. Turn on the television when the client is in the room - ✔✔ANS Offer finger foods to the client
*The caregiver should offer finger foods that the client can eat without sitting down. Clients who hav
dementia often like to wander and walk off nervous energy, which can decrease anxiety and calm th
client.
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client with bipolar disorder who has acute mania. Whic
of the following interventions should the nurse recommend including in the plan?
A. Provide the client with a low-calorie, low-fat diet
B. Encourage the client to have frequent rest periods
C. Escort the client to daily group therapy
D. Limit the client's intake of caffeinated beverages to 12 oz per day - ✔✔ANS Encourage the client to hav
frequent rest periods
*The nurse should recommend encouraging frequent rest periods throughout the day to decrease th
client's risk of exhaustion from the constant activity associated with acute mania.
A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client who has bipolar disorder. Which of the following is a
effect of using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for a client who has bipolar disorder?
A. Prevents the need for mood-stabilizing medications
B. Helps the client deal with distorted thought processes
C. Aids in communication among family members
D. Replaces the need for lifestyle interventions - ✔✔ANS Helps the client deal with distorted though
processes
*CBT assists the client with recognizing distorted thought processes that are maladaptive with regards t
recovery. When experiencing mania, the client tends to view the future unrealistically as highly favorable
CBT assists the client in recognizing and challenging such unrealistic or "automatic" thoughts and ca
help the client and the health care team recognize early trends toward mania
A nurse is caring for a client in a mental health facility and overhears the client discussing plans to harm
her father-in-law physically when she is discharged. Which of the following interventions should the nurs
take?
A. Ask the client to sign a contract agreeing not to harm others
B. Notify the provider of the client's threat
C. Keep the client's discussion confidential
,D. Place the client in individual observation - ✔✔ANS Notify the provider of the client's threat
*It is the nurse's duty to notify the provider of the client's threat. It will then be the provider's responsibilit
to warn the the intended victim or the police of the client's threat
A nurse is preparing to meet with a client who has borderline personality disorder. Which of the followin
actions should the nurse plan to take during the working phase of the therapeutic relationship?
A. Introduce the concept of client confidentiality
B. Establish goals with the client
C. Define the roles of the nurse and the client
D. Facilitate change in the client's behavior - ✔✔ANS Facilitate change in the client's behavior
*The nurse should facilitate change in the client's behavior during the working phase of the therapeuti
relationship.
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has suicidal ideation and is being transferre
to the mental health unit. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?
A. Search the client and his belongings upon arrival
B. Assign the client to a private room near the nurse's station
C. Instruct assistive personnel to check on the client every 15 m in
D. Keep the door to the client's room closed - ✔✔ANS Search the client and his belongings upon arrival
*The nurse should plan to search the client and all of his belongings upon arrival to the unit. This searc
is conducted for the client's safety so that the nurse can identify and remove any objects that increas
the client's risk of injury or suicide. Potentially harmfully objects include razors, shoelaces, hygien
products, and tweezers
A nurse is talking with a client about his admission to a mental health unit. The client states, "I just don
know if I should be here. What will my family think?" Which of the following responses by the nurse use
the therapeutic communication technique of reflection?
A. "It sounds like you are concerned about your family's reaction."
B. "What your family thinks isn't important; you need to be concerned about getting well."
C. "I suspect your family doesn't seem to understand you.
D. "Many clients are concerned about the reaction of their families." - ✔✔ANS "It sounds like you ar
concerned about your family's reaction."
, *In a reflective response, the nurse directs feelings and statements back to the client, allowing the clien
to think about personal feelings
A nurse is caring for a client who just received a terminal diagnosis of cancer. Which of the followin
initial reactions should the nurse expect from the client?
A. Bargaining
B. Depression
C. Denial
D. Anger - ✔✔ANS Denial
*The nurse should expect the client to deny the reality of the diagnosis initially. This is a protectiv
reaction seeking to avoid psychological pain
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a child who has a new prescription for methylphenidat
to treat ADHD. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. "Weigh your child 3 times per week."
B. "Expect your child to experience dark-colored stools."
C. "Administer this medication at bedtime."
D. "You should limit your child's intake of caffeine." - ✔✔ANS "Weigh your child 3 times per week."
*The nurse should instruct the parent to weigh the child 2 to 3 times per week. Weight loss is an advers
effect of this medication. If significant weight loss occurs, the parent should notify the provider.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has generalized anxiety disorder and a new prescriptio
for venlafaxine. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. "This medication is only for short-term use"
B. "This medication can be taken on an as-needed basis."
C. "This medication will effectively reduce your physical manifestations of anxiety."
D. "This medication should not be stopped abruptly." - ✔✔ANS "This medication should not be stoppe
abruptly."
*The nurse should instruct the client that stopping venlafaxine abruptly will lead to manifestations o
withdrawal.
update with explanation
A nurse in the emergency room is collecting data from a client who has heroin intoxication. Which of th
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Seizure activity
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hypersensitivity to pain
D. Increased mental alertness - ✔✔ANS Respiratory depression
*Heroin is an opioid; therefore, the nurse should expect this client who has heroin intoxication to exhib
respiratory depression.
A nurse on a mental health unit is caring for a client who is displaying signs of anger. Which of th
following pieces of information about the client is the strongest indicator that the client might becom
aggressive?
A. The client has marginal coping skills
B. The client has a history of violence
C. The client feels powerless after being hospitalized
D. The client blames others for her problems - ✔✔ANS The client has a history of violence
*The client's history of violence is the most important indicator that this client might become violen
therefore, this is the strongest indicator of potential aggressiveness.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the caregiver of a client who has dementia. Which of the followin
instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Offer the client a list of activities to choose from
B. Offer finger foods to the client
C. Discourage naps throughout the day
,D. Turn on the television when the client is in the room - ✔✔ANS Offer finger foods to the client
*The caregiver should offer finger foods that the client can eat without sitting down. Clients who hav
dementia often like to wander and walk off nervous energy, which can decrease anxiety and calm th
client.
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client with bipolar disorder who has acute mania. Whic
of the following interventions should the nurse recommend including in the plan?
A. Provide the client with a low-calorie, low-fat diet
B. Encourage the client to have frequent rest periods
C. Escort the client to daily group therapy
D. Limit the client's intake of caffeinated beverages to 12 oz per day - ✔✔ANS Encourage the client to hav
frequent rest periods
*The nurse should recommend encouraging frequent rest periods throughout the day to decrease th
client's risk of exhaustion from the constant activity associated with acute mania.
A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client who has bipolar disorder. Which of the following is a
effect of using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for a client who has bipolar disorder?
A. Prevents the need for mood-stabilizing medications
B. Helps the client deal with distorted thought processes
C. Aids in communication among family members
D. Replaces the need for lifestyle interventions - ✔✔ANS Helps the client deal with distorted though
processes
*CBT assists the client with recognizing distorted thought processes that are maladaptive with regards t
recovery. When experiencing mania, the client tends to view the future unrealistically as highly favorable
CBT assists the client in recognizing and challenging such unrealistic or "automatic" thoughts and ca
help the client and the health care team recognize early trends toward mania
A nurse is caring for a client in a mental health facility and overhears the client discussing plans to harm
her father-in-law physically when she is discharged. Which of the following interventions should the nurs
take?
A. Ask the client to sign a contract agreeing not to harm others
B. Notify the provider of the client's threat
C. Keep the client's discussion confidential
,D. Place the client in individual observation - ✔✔ANS Notify the provider of the client's threat
*It is the nurse's duty to notify the provider of the client's threat. It will then be the provider's responsibilit
to warn the the intended victim or the police of the client's threat
A nurse is preparing to meet with a client who has borderline personality disorder. Which of the followin
actions should the nurse plan to take during the working phase of the therapeutic relationship?
A. Introduce the concept of client confidentiality
B. Establish goals with the client
C. Define the roles of the nurse and the client
D. Facilitate change in the client's behavior - ✔✔ANS Facilitate change in the client's behavior
*The nurse should facilitate change in the client's behavior during the working phase of the therapeuti
relationship.
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has suicidal ideation and is being transferre
to the mental health unit. Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?
A. Search the client and his belongings upon arrival
B. Assign the client to a private room near the nurse's station
C. Instruct assistive personnel to check on the client every 15 m in
D. Keep the door to the client's room closed - ✔✔ANS Search the client and his belongings upon arrival
*The nurse should plan to search the client and all of his belongings upon arrival to the unit. This searc
is conducted for the client's safety so that the nurse can identify and remove any objects that increas
the client's risk of injury or suicide. Potentially harmfully objects include razors, shoelaces, hygien
products, and tweezers
A nurse is talking with a client about his admission to a mental health unit. The client states, "I just don
know if I should be here. What will my family think?" Which of the following responses by the nurse use
the therapeutic communication technique of reflection?
A. "It sounds like you are concerned about your family's reaction."
B. "What your family thinks isn't important; you need to be concerned about getting well."
C. "I suspect your family doesn't seem to understand you.
D. "Many clients are concerned about the reaction of their families." - ✔✔ANS "It sounds like you ar
concerned about your family's reaction."
, *In a reflective response, the nurse directs feelings and statements back to the client, allowing the clien
to think about personal feelings
A nurse is caring for a client who just received a terminal diagnosis of cancer. Which of the followin
initial reactions should the nurse expect from the client?
A. Bargaining
B. Depression
C. Denial
D. Anger - ✔✔ANS Denial
*The nurse should expect the client to deny the reality of the diagnosis initially. This is a protectiv
reaction seeking to avoid psychological pain
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a child who has a new prescription for methylphenidat
to treat ADHD. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. "Weigh your child 3 times per week."
B. "Expect your child to experience dark-colored stools."
C. "Administer this medication at bedtime."
D. "You should limit your child's intake of caffeine." - ✔✔ANS "Weigh your child 3 times per week."
*The nurse should instruct the parent to weigh the child 2 to 3 times per week. Weight loss is an advers
effect of this medication. If significant weight loss occurs, the parent should notify the provider.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has generalized anxiety disorder and a new prescriptio
for venlafaxine. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. "This medication is only for short-term use"
B. "This medication can be taken on an as-needed basis."
C. "This medication will effectively reduce your physical manifestations of anxiety."
D. "This medication should not be stopped abruptly." - ✔✔ANS "This medication should not be stoppe
abruptly."
*The nurse should instruct the client that stopping venlafaxine abruptly will lead to manifestations o
withdrawal.
