ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM
2026 NEWEST EXAM TEST BANK 500+
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS (100% CORRECT ANSWERS)
/ALREADY GRADED A+
ATI RN Mental Health Final Exam Practice
— QUESTIONS
👉 Each question includes A–D choices, correct answer, and a brief rationale.
1. A client with depression tells the nurse, “I feel
hopeless and have no future.” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about what you’re feeling.” ✔
C. “You need to stay positive.”
D. “Everyone feels hopeless sometimes.”
Rationale: Encourages elaboration and therapeutic communication.
2. A client on an inpatient psychiatric unit is pacing and
shouting. What is the nurse’s first intervention?
,A. Administer PRN medication
B. Approach calmly and assess the client’s needs ✔
C. Isolate the client immediately
D. Call for physical restraints
Rationale: De-escalation and assessment should precede restrictive interventions.
3. Which behavior is most indicative of mania?
A. Social withdrawal
B. Rapid speech and impulsivity ✔
C. Psychomotor retardation
D. Excessive sleeping
Rationale: Mania presents with pressured speech, impulsivity, and elevated mood.
4. A client taking lithium develops tremors, nausea, and
muscle weakness. What should the nurse check first?
A. Blood pressure
B. Serum lithium level ✔
C. Heart rate
D. Respirations
Rationale: Symptoms suggest lithium toxicity; check levels immediately.
5. Which of the following is a typical antipsychotic?
A. Clozapine
B. Risperidone
C. Haloperidol ✔
D. Olanzapine
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic.
6. A client with schizophrenia reports they hear voices.
This symptom is categorized as a:
, A. Negative symptom
B. Positive symptom ✔
C. Cognitive symptom
D. Mood symptom
Rationale: Hallucinations are positive symptoms.
7. The nurse notes a client has flat affect and social
withdrawal. These are examples of:
A. Positive symptoms
B. Cognitive symptoms
C. Negative symptoms ✔
D. Affective symptoms
Rationale: Negative symptoms reflect loss of normal function.
8. A major risk associated with electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT) is:
A. Diabetes
B. Hypertension
C. Memory loss ✔
D. Heart failure
Rationale: Memory loss/confusion is a known ECT side effect.
9. A client on buspirone for anxiety asks when relief will
occur. Best response?
A. “Within 1–2 hours.”
B. “After the first dose.”
C. “It may take several weeks.” ✔
D. “Only with increased dose.”
Rationale: Buspirone has a delayed onset.
2026 NEWEST EXAM TEST BANK 500+
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS (100% CORRECT ANSWERS)
/ALREADY GRADED A+
ATI RN Mental Health Final Exam Practice
— QUESTIONS
👉 Each question includes A–D choices, correct answer, and a brief rationale.
1. A client with depression tells the nurse, “I feel
hopeless and have no future.” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about what you’re feeling.” ✔
C. “You need to stay positive.”
D. “Everyone feels hopeless sometimes.”
Rationale: Encourages elaboration and therapeutic communication.
2. A client on an inpatient psychiatric unit is pacing and
shouting. What is the nurse’s first intervention?
,A. Administer PRN medication
B. Approach calmly and assess the client’s needs ✔
C. Isolate the client immediately
D. Call for physical restraints
Rationale: De-escalation and assessment should precede restrictive interventions.
3. Which behavior is most indicative of mania?
A. Social withdrawal
B. Rapid speech and impulsivity ✔
C. Psychomotor retardation
D. Excessive sleeping
Rationale: Mania presents with pressured speech, impulsivity, and elevated mood.
4. A client taking lithium develops tremors, nausea, and
muscle weakness. What should the nurse check first?
A. Blood pressure
B. Serum lithium level ✔
C. Heart rate
D. Respirations
Rationale: Symptoms suggest lithium toxicity; check levels immediately.
5. Which of the following is a typical antipsychotic?
A. Clozapine
B. Risperidone
C. Haloperidol ✔
D. Olanzapine
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic.
6. A client with schizophrenia reports they hear voices.
This symptom is categorized as a:
, A. Negative symptom
B. Positive symptom ✔
C. Cognitive symptom
D. Mood symptom
Rationale: Hallucinations are positive symptoms.
7. The nurse notes a client has flat affect and social
withdrawal. These are examples of:
A. Positive symptoms
B. Cognitive symptoms
C. Negative symptoms ✔
D. Affective symptoms
Rationale: Negative symptoms reflect loss of normal function.
8. A major risk associated with electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT) is:
A. Diabetes
B. Hypertension
C. Memory loss ✔
D. Heart failure
Rationale: Memory loss/confusion is a known ECT side effect.
9. A client on buspirone for anxiety asks when relief will
occur. Best response?
A. “Within 1–2 hours.”
B. “After the first dose.”
C. “It may take several weeks.” ✔
D. “Only with increased dose.”
Rationale: Buspirone has a delayed onset.
