ATI MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2023 NGN WITH ACCURATE
CURRENTLY TESTING VERSIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
UPDATE
1) A client with major depressive disorder states, “I’m a burden to everyone.” What’s the
best therapeutic response?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “It sounds like you’re feeling worthless. Tell me more about that.”
C. “You’ll feel better soon.”
D. “Think positive.”
Rationale: Reflecting feelings + inviting elaboration is therapeutic; avoids false reassurance or
minimizing.
2) A client taking sertraline reports agitation, sweating, tremors, and diarrhea. What is the
priority action?
A. Give PRN lorazepam
B. Notify the provider—suspect serotonin syndrome
C. Encourage fluids
D. Withhold the next dose and reassess in 12 hr
Rationale: Symptoms suggest serotonin syndrome—provider notification and medication hold
are urgent.
3) Which finding is an example of a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Flat affect
C. Hallucinations
D. Delusions
Rationale: Negative symptoms = diminished affect/alogia/avolition/anhedonia;
hallucinations/delusions are positive.
,4) A client on lithium has nausea, coarse hand tremor, and ataxia. Which action is priority?
A. Give with meals
B. Hold lithium and notify provider
C. Encourage salt restriction
D. Offer ginger tea
Rationale: Coarse tremor + ataxia = lithium toxicity. Hold and report.
5) Which instruction is essential for a client starting MAOI (phenelzine)?
A. Increase potassium intake
B. Avoid tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats)
C. Take with grapefruit juice
D. Double dose if missed
Rationale: Tyramine + MAOI → hypertensive crisis risk.
6) SATA: Which are appropriate nursing actions for a client in alcohol withdrawal? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Administer benzodiazepines as ordered
B. Seizure precautions
C. Place in four-point restraints
D. Monitor vital signs frequently
E. Encourage strenuous exercise
Rationale: Benzos, VS monitoring, and seizure precautions reduce complications (seizures,
DTs). Restraints/exertion are inappropriate.
7) A client says, “I plan to end it all with my dad’s gun.” Priority intervention?
A. Ask why they feel this way
B. Implement suicide precautions and stay with the client
C. Encourage journaling
D. Start relaxation breathing
Rationale: Specific plan + means = imminent risk → constant observation and safety first.
, 8) Which statement shows understanding of ECT teaching?
A. “I’ll be awake during the treatment.”
B. “I may have short-term memory problems after ECT.”
C. “I can drive myself home.”
D. “I’ll stop my blood pressure meds.”
Rationale: Temporary memory loss is common. Anesthesia is used; driving post-ECT is unsafe;
continue prescribed meds unless told.
9) A client on haloperidol develops high fever, rigidity, and confusion. What is the priority?
A. Give PRN diphenhydramine
B. Suspect neuroleptic malignant syndrome; hold med and notify provider
C. Offer fluids and rest
D. Administer benztropine
Rationale: NMS is life-threatening (fever, rigidity, autonomic instability). Stop antipsychotic,
urgent treatment.
10) SATA: Teaching for buspirone includes which points? (Select all that apply.)
A. Not habit-forming; low abuse potential
B. Takes 2–4 weeks for full effect
C. Causes CNS depression like benzodiazepines
D. Avoid grapefruit juice
E. PRN use for panic attacks is most effective
Rationale: Buspirone has delayed onset, low abuse, CYP interactions (grapefruit). Not ideal
PRN for panic.
11) During a panic attack, which nursing action is best?
A. Explore triggers in depth
B. Use brief, simple statements and remain with client
C. Encourage group activity
D. Provide detailed teaching about anxiety
Rationale: Stay with client, calm presence, simple communication; teaching can wait.
CURRENTLY TESTING VERSIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
UPDATE
1) A client with major depressive disorder states, “I’m a burden to everyone.” What’s the
best therapeutic response?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “It sounds like you’re feeling worthless. Tell me more about that.”
C. “You’ll feel better soon.”
D. “Think positive.”
Rationale: Reflecting feelings + inviting elaboration is therapeutic; avoids false reassurance or
minimizing.
2) A client taking sertraline reports agitation, sweating, tremors, and diarrhea. What is the
priority action?
A. Give PRN lorazepam
B. Notify the provider—suspect serotonin syndrome
C. Encourage fluids
D. Withhold the next dose and reassess in 12 hr
Rationale: Symptoms suggest serotonin syndrome—provider notification and medication hold
are urgent.
3) Which finding is an example of a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Flat affect
C. Hallucinations
D. Delusions
Rationale: Negative symptoms = diminished affect/alogia/avolition/anhedonia;
hallucinations/delusions are positive.
,4) A client on lithium has nausea, coarse hand tremor, and ataxia. Which action is priority?
A. Give with meals
B. Hold lithium and notify provider
C. Encourage salt restriction
D. Offer ginger tea
Rationale: Coarse tremor + ataxia = lithium toxicity. Hold and report.
5) Which instruction is essential for a client starting MAOI (phenelzine)?
A. Increase potassium intake
B. Avoid tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats)
C. Take with grapefruit juice
D. Double dose if missed
Rationale: Tyramine + MAOI → hypertensive crisis risk.
6) SATA: Which are appropriate nursing actions for a client in alcohol withdrawal? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Administer benzodiazepines as ordered
B. Seizure precautions
C. Place in four-point restraints
D. Monitor vital signs frequently
E. Encourage strenuous exercise
Rationale: Benzos, VS monitoring, and seizure precautions reduce complications (seizures,
DTs). Restraints/exertion are inappropriate.
7) A client says, “I plan to end it all with my dad’s gun.” Priority intervention?
A. Ask why they feel this way
B. Implement suicide precautions and stay with the client
C. Encourage journaling
D. Start relaxation breathing
Rationale: Specific plan + means = imminent risk → constant observation and safety first.
, 8) Which statement shows understanding of ECT teaching?
A. “I’ll be awake during the treatment.”
B. “I may have short-term memory problems after ECT.”
C. “I can drive myself home.”
D. “I’ll stop my blood pressure meds.”
Rationale: Temporary memory loss is common. Anesthesia is used; driving post-ECT is unsafe;
continue prescribed meds unless told.
9) A client on haloperidol develops high fever, rigidity, and confusion. What is the priority?
A. Give PRN diphenhydramine
B. Suspect neuroleptic malignant syndrome; hold med and notify provider
C. Offer fluids and rest
D. Administer benztropine
Rationale: NMS is life-threatening (fever, rigidity, autonomic instability). Stop antipsychotic,
urgent treatment.
10) SATA: Teaching for buspirone includes which points? (Select all that apply.)
A. Not habit-forming; low abuse potential
B. Takes 2–4 weeks for full effect
C. Causes CNS depression like benzodiazepines
D. Avoid grapefruit juice
E. PRN use for panic attacks is most effective
Rationale: Buspirone has delayed onset, low abuse, CYP interactions (grapefruit). Not ideal
PRN for panic.
11) During a panic attack, which nursing action is best?
A. Explore triggers in depth
B. Use brief, simple statements and remain with client
C. Encourage group activity
D. Provide detailed teaching about anxiety
Rationale: Stay with client, calm presence, simple communication; teaching can wait.
