ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM 2025/2026 | 250 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES | NGN CASE STUDIES
Course: ATI RN Mental Health CMS Proctored | Total: 200 Verified Questions
Description: Mental health: therapeutic communication, psych meds, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety, substance abuse,
defense mechanisms.
Original study material based on ATI testing standards, Lewis Med-Surg, Saunders NCLEX, and NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model. All
questions author-created, not copied from ATI.
[1] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response?
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[2] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency?
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[3] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur?
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[4] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 4)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[5] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 5)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[6] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 6)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[7] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 7)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[8] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 8)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[9] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 9)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[10] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 10)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[11] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 11)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[12] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 12)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[13] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 13)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
, I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[14] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 14)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[15] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 15)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[16] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 16)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[17] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 17)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[18] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 18)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[19] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 19)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[20] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 20)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES | NGN CASE STUDIES
Course: ATI RN Mental Health CMS Proctored | Total: 200 Verified Questions
Description: Mental health: therapeutic communication, psych meds, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety, substance abuse,
defense mechanisms.
Original study material based on ATI testing standards, Lewis Med-Surg, Saunders NCLEX, and NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model. All
questions author-created, not copied from ATI.
[1] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response?
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[2] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency?
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[3] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur?
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[4] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 4)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[5] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 5)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[6] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 6)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[7] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 7)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[8] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 8)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[9] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 9)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[10] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 10)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[11] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 11)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[12] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 12)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[13] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 13)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
, I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[14] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 14)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[15] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 15)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[16] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 16)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[17] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 17)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
Dry mouth
Constipation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: EPS emergency dystonia can affect airway. Give benztropine/diphenhydramine, notify provider.
[18] Alcohol withdrawal: when does delirium tremens occur? (Case Variant 18)
48-96 hours after last drink - life threatening
Immediately
After 1 week
After 1 month
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal: tremors 6-12h, hallucinations 12-24h, seizures 24-48h, DTs 48-96h - can be fatal.
[19] Therapeutic communication: client crying. Best response? (Case Variant 19)
Tell me what you are feeling right now
Don't cry
Cheer up
I know how you feel
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Therapeutic: open-ended, empathy, focus on client feelings. Avoid false reassurance, minimizing, giving advice.
[20] Haloperidol EPS: which is emergency? (Case Variant 20)
Laryngospasm, oculogyric crisis, severe dystonia
Mild akathisia
