ATI RN Mental Health Exam 2025 NGN
Questions & Verified Answers | 100% Pass
Solution | Guaranteed A
Details of ATI RN Mental Health Exam 2025 NGN Questions &
Verified Answers | 100% Pass Solution | Guaranteed A
ATI RN Mental Health Exam 2025 NGN Test Bank
Case Study 1 (6 NGN-style questions — sequential cues,
layered reasoning)
Scenario:
You are the ED nurse during a Saturday evening shift. A 28-year-
old female, J.S., is brought by police from a community café
after she began screaming that people were “plotting to poison
the coffee.” She appears disheveled and repeatedly swats at
imaginary insects. Staff report she has been pacing, hasn’t slept
for 3 nights, and accepted a cup of coffee but immediately spat
,it out. No IV yet. Vitals: T 37.2°C, HR 110, BP 128/76, RR 18,
SpO₂ 98%. Urine drug screen pending. Past psychiatric history:
schizoaffective disorder, nonadherent to medications; last med:
olanzapine stopped 3 months ago. Social: lives alone, recent
stressors include job loss. She is verbally aggressive,
occasionally raising a clenched fist toward staff but has not
struck anyone. She refuses to sit. The ED has a quiet room with
observation window and one sitter; psychiatric liaison available
in 60 minutes.
Question 1 (NGN — Recognize cues / prioritize immediate
safety)
Question: Based on J.S.’s presentation, which single cue is the
highest immediate safety concern requiring nursing action
now?
Options:
A. History of stopping olanzapine 3 months ago.
B. Repeatedly swatting at imaginary insects (visual
hallucinations).
C. Pacing and refusal to sit.
D. Verbal aggression and intermittently raising a clenched fist
toward staff.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Verbal aggression plus raised clenched fist toward
staff represents an imminent risk for escalation to physical
,violence — immediate safety priority (protect staff and client)
under ABC + safety. The medication history (A) and
hallucinations (B) are important but not the most immediate
safety cue. Pacing/refusal to sit (C) indicates agitation but alone
is less acute than a potential physical threat. Nurse must
prioritize de-escalation and safety interventions.
Teaching tip: When a client shows threatened or attempted
physical aggression, implement immediate de-escalation,
maintain safe distance, call for assistance, and consider a
sitter/secure environment.
Question 2 (NGN — Analyze / develop plan)
Question: Which initial nursing action is most appropriate to
reduce immediate risk while awaiting psych liaison? (Select
one.)
Options:
A. Escort J.S. to a locked seclusion room and apply leather
restraints.
B. Request a trained staff member to serve as a sitter and move
J.S. to the quiet observation room with staff present.
C. Administer IM haloperidol immediately without consent for
rapid tranquilization.
D. Tell police to take J.S. to the jail for evaluation.
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Least-restrictive, safety-focused intervention is to
place J.S. in a quiet room with a trained sitter and maintain
observation while attempting verbal de-escalation.
Seclusion/restraints (A) are more restrictive and require specific
criteria and documentation; they are not first-line. IM
haloperidol (C) may be indicated if severe agitation/violence
continues and after attempts at de-escalation or per
protocol/consent; immediate chemical restraint without
assessment or protocols is not appropriate. Police/jail (D) is
inappropriate for acute psychiatric care; patient needs
medical/psychiatric evaluation.
Teaching tip: Always try verbal de-escalation and least
restrictive measures first; document behavior and interventions
clearly.
Question 3 (NGN — Interpret cues; incorporate pharmacology)
Question: The ED provider orders haloperidol 5 mg IM and
lorazepam 1 mg IM for acute agitation if needed. Which client
factor requires caution or dose adjustment before
administering haloperidol? (Select one.)
Options:
A. Heart rate 110 bpm.
B. Prior use of olanzapine.
C. History of prolonged QT on prior ECG.
D. Spitting out the coffee due to delusional belief.
Correct Answer: C
Questions & Verified Answers | 100% Pass
Solution | Guaranteed A
Details of ATI RN Mental Health Exam 2025 NGN Questions &
Verified Answers | 100% Pass Solution | Guaranteed A
ATI RN Mental Health Exam 2025 NGN Test Bank
Case Study 1 (6 NGN-style questions — sequential cues,
layered reasoning)
Scenario:
You are the ED nurse during a Saturday evening shift. A 28-year-
old female, J.S., is brought by police from a community café
after she began screaming that people were “plotting to poison
the coffee.” She appears disheveled and repeatedly swats at
imaginary insects. Staff report she has been pacing, hasn’t slept
for 3 nights, and accepted a cup of coffee but immediately spat
,it out. No IV yet. Vitals: T 37.2°C, HR 110, BP 128/76, RR 18,
SpO₂ 98%. Urine drug screen pending. Past psychiatric history:
schizoaffective disorder, nonadherent to medications; last med:
olanzapine stopped 3 months ago. Social: lives alone, recent
stressors include job loss. She is verbally aggressive,
occasionally raising a clenched fist toward staff but has not
struck anyone. She refuses to sit. The ED has a quiet room with
observation window and one sitter; psychiatric liaison available
in 60 minutes.
Question 1 (NGN — Recognize cues / prioritize immediate
safety)
Question: Based on J.S.’s presentation, which single cue is the
highest immediate safety concern requiring nursing action
now?
Options:
A. History of stopping olanzapine 3 months ago.
B. Repeatedly swatting at imaginary insects (visual
hallucinations).
C. Pacing and refusal to sit.
D. Verbal aggression and intermittently raising a clenched fist
toward staff.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Verbal aggression plus raised clenched fist toward
staff represents an imminent risk for escalation to physical
,violence — immediate safety priority (protect staff and client)
under ABC + safety. The medication history (A) and
hallucinations (B) are important but not the most immediate
safety cue. Pacing/refusal to sit (C) indicates agitation but alone
is less acute than a potential physical threat. Nurse must
prioritize de-escalation and safety interventions.
Teaching tip: When a client shows threatened or attempted
physical aggression, implement immediate de-escalation,
maintain safe distance, call for assistance, and consider a
sitter/secure environment.
Question 2 (NGN — Analyze / develop plan)
Question: Which initial nursing action is most appropriate to
reduce immediate risk while awaiting psych liaison? (Select
one.)
Options:
A. Escort J.S. to a locked seclusion room and apply leather
restraints.
B. Request a trained staff member to serve as a sitter and move
J.S. to the quiet observation room with staff present.
C. Administer IM haloperidol immediately without consent for
rapid tranquilization.
D. Tell police to take J.S. to the jail for evaluation.
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Least-restrictive, safety-focused intervention is to
place J.S. in a quiet room with a trained sitter and maintain
observation while attempting verbal de-escalation.
Seclusion/restraints (A) are more restrictive and require specific
criteria and documentation; they are not first-line. IM
haloperidol (C) may be indicated if severe agitation/violence
continues and after attempts at de-escalation or per
protocol/consent; immediate chemical restraint without
assessment or protocols is not appropriate. Police/jail (D) is
inappropriate for acute psychiatric care; patient needs
medical/psychiatric evaluation.
Teaching tip: Always try verbal de-escalation and least
restrictive measures first; document behavior and interventions
clearly.
Question 3 (NGN — Interpret cues; incorporate pharmacology)
Question: The ED provider orders haloperidol 5 mg IM and
lorazepam 1 mg IM for acute agitation if needed. Which client
factor requires caution or dose adjustment before
administering haloperidol? (Select one.)
Options:
A. Heart rate 110 bpm.
B. Prior use of olanzapine.
C. History of prolonged QT on prior ECG.
D. Spitting out the coffee due to delusional belief.
Correct Answer: C
