ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE A 2025 –
STUDY GUIDE WITH RATIONALES | ACTUAL
QUESTIONS | COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENT
Owner ExamPage
TOPIC ATI MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE ASSESSMENT A
Feb 17, 2025
ATI RN Mental Health Practice A 2025 – Study Guide with Rationales
1. Diazepam Dosage Calculation Question:
A nurse is preparing to administer diazepam 7.5 mg IV bolus to a client for alcohol withdrawal. Available is diazepam
injection 5 mg/1 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round to the nearest tenth.)
Correct Answer: 1.5 mL
, Rationale:
Medication dosage calculations are crucial in nursing practice to ensure patient safety. This prevents medication errors
that could lead to adverse effects.
2. Assessing Suicide Risk in Depression Question:
A nurse is planning care for a client who has depression and has made frequent suicide attempts. Which of the
following statements indicates the client has a decreased risk for suicide?
A) “I feel so hopeless about my future.”
B) “It is easier to talk about my feelings now.”
C) “I’ve been giving away my favorite things.”
D) “I’ve been feeling really energized this week.”
Correct Answer: B) “It is easier to talk about my feelings now.”
Rationale:
Clients who can verbalize their emotions and engage in discussions about their mental health are showing progress in
coping skills. Increased communication often indicates reduced suicidal ideation.
3. Alcohol Use Disorder and 12-Step Programs Question:
A nurse is discussing a 12-step program with a client who has alcohol use disorder and is undergoing detoxification.
Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) “You should attend a meeting only when you feel the urge to drink.”
B) “The program does not require you to find a sponsor.”
C) “You should obtain a sponsor before discharge for an increased chance of recovery.” D) “Once detoxification is
complete, you will not need to attend meetings.”
Correct Answer: C) “You should obtain a sponsor before discharge for an increased chance of recovery.”
Rationale:
A 12-step program encourages clients to seek support from a sponsor, who can provide guidance and accountability. A
strong support system significantly improves recovery outcomes.
4. Managing Acute Mania in a Psychiatric Unit Question:
A nurse on a mental health unit observes a client with acute mania hit another client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A) Call for a team of staff members to help with the situation.
B) Attempt to physically restrain the client alone.
C) Ask the client to explain their behavior.
D) Tell the client they need to apologize.
Correct Answer: A) Call for a team of staff members to help with the situation.
Rationale:
, In psychiatric emergencies, ensuring safety is the top priority. A team approach prevents escalation and provides
appropriate intervention without excessive force.
5. PTSD and Anxiety Reduction Strategies Question:
A nurse in a community health center is working with a group of clients who have post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include to reduce anxiety among the group members?
A) Role-playing traumatic events
B) Guided imagery
C) Exposure therapy
D) Encouraging avoidance of all trauma-related thoughts
Correct Answer: B) Guided imagery
Rationale:
Guided imagery is an evidence-based relaxation technique that helps clients mentally escape distressing thoughts
and reduce anxiety.
6. Positive vs. Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia Question:
A nurse is caring for a newly admitted client with schizophrenia. Classify the following symptoms as either positive or
negative symptoms of schizophrenia:
• Delusions of grandeur (P)
• Clang associations (P)
• Catatonia (P)
• Alogia (N)
• Withdrawal from social activities (N) Correct Answer:
Positive Symptoms: Delusions of grandeur, Clang associations, Catatonia Negative Symptoms:
Alogia, Withdrawal from social activities
Rationale:
Positive symptoms involve an excess or distortion of normal functioning (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized
speech).
Negative symptoms involve a deficit in normal functioning (social withdrawal, decreased speech, lack of motivation).
7. Signs of Lithium Toxicity Question:
A nurse is reviewing routine laboratory values for several clients taking lithium carbonate. Which client should the
nurse assess further for possible lithium toxicity?
A) A client with a sodium level of 128 mEq/L
B) A client with a potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
C) A client with a calcium level of 9.5 mg/dL
D) A client with a BUN of 18 mg/dL
STUDY GUIDE WITH RATIONALES | ACTUAL
QUESTIONS | COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENT
Owner ExamPage
TOPIC ATI MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE ASSESSMENT A
Feb 17, 2025
ATI RN Mental Health Practice A 2025 – Study Guide with Rationales
1. Diazepam Dosage Calculation Question:
A nurse is preparing to administer diazepam 7.5 mg IV bolus to a client for alcohol withdrawal. Available is diazepam
injection 5 mg/1 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round to the nearest tenth.)
Correct Answer: 1.5 mL
, Rationale:
Medication dosage calculations are crucial in nursing practice to ensure patient safety. This prevents medication errors
that could lead to adverse effects.
2. Assessing Suicide Risk in Depression Question:
A nurse is planning care for a client who has depression and has made frequent suicide attempts. Which of the
following statements indicates the client has a decreased risk for suicide?
A) “I feel so hopeless about my future.”
B) “It is easier to talk about my feelings now.”
C) “I’ve been giving away my favorite things.”
D) “I’ve been feeling really energized this week.”
Correct Answer: B) “It is easier to talk about my feelings now.”
Rationale:
Clients who can verbalize their emotions and engage in discussions about their mental health are showing progress in
coping skills. Increased communication often indicates reduced suicidal ideation.
3. Alcohol Use Disorder and 12-Step Programs Question:
A nurse is discussing a 12-step program with a client who has alcohol use disorder and is undergoing detoxification.
Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
A) “You should attend a meeting only when you feel the urge to drink.”
B) “The program does not require you to find a sponsor.”
C) “You should obtain a sponsor before discharge for an increased chance of recovery.” D) “Once detoxification is
complete, you will not need to attend meetings.”
Correct Answer: C) “You should obtain a sponsor before discharge for an increased chance of recovery.”
Rationale:
A 12-step program encourages clients to seek support from a sponsor, who can provide guidance and accountability. A
strong support system significantly improves recovery outcomes.
4. Managing Acute Mania in a Psychiatric Unit Question:
A nurse on a mental health unit observes a client with acute mania hit another client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A) Call for a team of staff members to help with the situation.
B) Attempt to physically restrain the client alone.
C) Ask the client to explain their behavior.
D) Tell the client they need to apologize.
Correct Answer: A) Call for a team of staff members to help with the situation.
Rationale:
, In psychiatric emergencies, ensuring safety is the top priority. A team approach prevents escalation and provides
appropriate intervention without excessive force.
5. PTSD and Anxiety Reduction Strategies Question:
A nurse in a community health center is working with a group of clients who have post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include to reduce anxiety among the group members?
A) Role-playing traumatic events
B) Guided imagery
C) Exposure therapy
D) Encouraging avoidance of all trauma-related thoughts
Correct Answer: B) Guided imagery
Rationale:
Guided imagery is an evidence-based relaxation technique that helps clients mentally escape distressing thoughts
and reduce anxiety.
6. Positive vs. Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia Question:
A nurse is caring for a newly admitted client with schizophrenia. Classify the following symptoms as either positive or
negative symptoms of schizophrenia:
• Delusions of grandeur (P)
• Clang associations (P)
• Catatonia (P)
• Alogia (N)
• Withdrawal from social activities (N) Correct Answer:
Positive Symptoms: Delusions of grandeur, Clang associations, Catatonia Negative Symptoms:
Alogia, Withdrawal from social activities
Rationale:
Positive symptoms involve an excess or distortion of normal functioning (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized
speech).
Negative symptoms involve a deficit in normal functioning (social withdrawal, decreased speech, lack of motivation).
7. Signs of Lithium Toxicity Question:
A nurse is reviewing routine laboratory values for several clients taking lithium carbonate. Which client should the
nurse assess further for possible lithium toxicity?
A) A client with a sodium level of 128 mEq/L
B) A client with a potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
C) A client with a calcium level of 9.5 mg/dL
D) A client with a BUN of 18 mg/dL
