1
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam 3
Questions and Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales Graded A+ Guaranteed
Pass
A male client tells the nurse he was involved in a car accident while he was intoxicated. What
would be the most therapeutic response from the nurse?
A. "Why didn't you get someone else to drive?"
B. "Tell me how you feel about the accident."
C. "You should know better than to drink and drive."
D. "I recommend that you attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting."
B. "Tell me how you feel about the accident."
Rationale:
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2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
An open-ended statement or question is the most therapeutic response. It encourages the
widest range of client responses, makes the client an active participant in the conversation,
and shows the client that the nurse is interested in his feelings. Asking the client why he drove
while intoxicated can make him feel defensive and intimidated. A judgmental approach isn't
therapeutic. By giving advice, the nurse suggests that client isn't capable of making decision,
thus fostering dependency.
A male client voluntarily admits himself to the substance abuse unit. He confesses that he
drinks 1 qt or more of vodka each day and uses container occasionally. Later that afternoon,
he begins to show signs of alcohol withdrawal. What are some early signs of this condition?
A. Vomiting, diarrhea, and bradycardia
B. Dehydration, temperature above 101 F (38.3 C), and pruritis
C. Hypertension, diaphoresis, and seizures
D. Diaphoresis, tremors, and nervousness
D. Diaphoresis, tremors, and nervousness
Rationale:
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome includes alcohol withdrawal, alcoholic hallucinosis, and alcohol
withdrawal delirium (formerly delirium tremens). Signs of alcohol withdrawal include
diaphoresis, tremors, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, malaise, increased blood pressure and
pulse rate, sleep disturbances, and irritability. Although diarrhea may be an early sign of
alcohol withdrawal, tachycardia - not - bradycardia - is associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Dehydration and an elevated temperature may be expected, but a temperature above 101 F
indicates an infection rather than alcohol withdrawal. Pruritus rarely occurs in alcohol
withdrawal. If withdrawal symptoms remain untreated, seizures may arise later.
When monitoring a female client recently admitted for treatment of cocaine addiction, the
nurse notes sudden increases in the arterial blood pressure and heart rate. To correct these
problems, the nurse expects the physician to prescribe:
A. Norepinephrine (Levophed) and lidocaine (Xylocaine)
B. Nifedipine (Procardia) and lidocaine (Xylocaine)
C. Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid IV) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
D. Nifedipine (Procardia) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
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2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
D. Nifedipine (Procardia) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
Rationale:
This client requires a vasodilator, such as nifedipine to treat hypertension, and a beta-
adrenergic blocker, such as esmolol, to reduce the heart rate. Lidocaine, an anti arrhythmic,
isn't indicated because the client doesn't have an arrhythmia. Although nitroglycerin may be
used to treat coronary vasospasm, it isn't the drug of choice in hypertension.
A 25-year-old client experiencing alcohol withdrawal is upset about going through
detoxification. Which of the following goals is a priority?
A. The client will commit to a drug-free lifestyle
B. The client will work with the nurse to remain safe
C. The client will drink plenty of fluids daily
D. The client will make a personal inventory of strengths
B. The client will work with the nurse to remain safe
Rationale:
The priority goal in alcohol withdrawal is maintaining the client' safety. Committing to a drug-
free lifestyle, drinking plenty of fluids, and identifying personal strengths are important goals,
but ensure the client's safety is the nurse's top priority.
A male client is admitted to a psychiatric facility by court order for evaluation for antisocial
personality disorder. This client has a long history of initiating fights and abusing animals and
recently was arrested for setting the neighbor's dog on fire. When evaluating this client for
the potential for violence, the nurse should assess for which behavioral clues?
A. A rigid posture, restlessness, and glaring
B. Depression and physical withdrawal
C. Silence and noncompliance
D. Hyper vigilance and talk of past violent acts
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2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
A. A rigid posture, restlessness, and glaring
Rationale:
Behavior clues that suggest the potential for violence include a rigid posture, restlessness,
glaring, a change in usual behavior, clenched hands, overtly aggressive actions, physical
withdrawal, noncompliance, overreaction, hostile threats, recent alcohol ingestion or drug
use, talk of past violent acts, inability to express feelings, repetitive demands and complaints,
argumentative ness, profanity, disorientation, inability to focus attention, hallucinations or
delusions, paranoid ideas or suspicions, and somatic complaints. Violent clients rarely exhibit
depression, silence, or hypervigilance.
Flumazenil (Romazicon) has been ordered for a male client who has overdosed on oxazepam
(Serax). Before administering the medication, the nurse should be prepared for which
common adverse effect?
A. Seizures
B. Shivering
C. Anxiety
D. Chest pain
A. Seizures
Rationale:
Seizures are the most common adverse effect of using flumazenil to reverse benzodiazepine
overdose. The effect is magnified if the client has a combined tricyclic antidepressant and
benzodiazepine overdose. Less common adverse effects includer shivering, anxiety, and
chest pain.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with bulimia. The most appropriate initial goal for a
client diagnosed with bulimia is to:
A. Avoid shopping for large amounts of food
B. Control eating impulses
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam 3
Questions and Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales Graded A+ Guaranteed
Pass
A male client tells the nurse he was involved in a car accident while he was intoxicated. What
would be the most therapeutic response from the nurse?
A. "Why didn't you get someone else to drive?"
B. "Tell me how you feel about the accident."
C. "You should know better than to drink and drive."
D. "I recommend that you attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting."
B. "Tell me how you feel about the accident."
Rationale:
, 2
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
An open-ended statement or question is the most therapeutic response. It encourages the
widest range of client responses, makes the client an active participant in the conversation,
and shows the client that the nurse is interested in his feelings. Asking the client why he drove
while intoxicated can make him feel defensive and intimidated. A judgmental approach isn't
therapeutic. By giving advice, the nurse suggests that client isn't capable of making decision,
thus fostering dependency.
A male client voluntarily admits himself to the substance abuse unit. He confesses that he
drinks 1 qt or more of vodka each day and uses container occasionally. Later that afternoon,
he begins to show signs of alcohol withdrawal. What are some early signs of this condition?
A. Vomiting, diarrhea, and bradycardia
B. Dehydration, temperature above 101 F (38.3 C), and pruritis
C. Hypertension, diaphoresis, and seizures
D. Diaphoresis, tremors, and nervousness
D. Diaphoresis, tremors, and nervousness
Rationale:
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome includes alcohol withdrawal, alcoholic hallucinosis, and alcohol
withdrawal delirium (formerly delirium tremens). Signs of alcohol withdrawal include
diaphoresis, tremors, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, malaise, increased blood pressure and
pulse rate, sleep disturbances, and irritability. Although diarrhea may be an early sign of
alcohol withdrawal, tachycardia - not - bradycardia - is associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Dehydration and an elevated temperature may be expected, but a temperature above 101 F
indicates an infection rather than alcohol withdrawal. Pruritus rarely occurs in alcohol
withdrawal. If withdrawal symptoms remain untreated, seizures may arise later.
When monitoring a female client recently admitted for treatment of cocaine addiction, the
nurse notes sudden increases in the arterial blood pressure and heart rate. To correct these
problems, the nurse expects the physician to prescribe:
A. Norepinephrine (Levophed) and lidocaine (Xylocaine)
B. Nifedipine (Procardia) and lidocaine (Xylocaine)
C. Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid IV) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
D. Nifedipine (Procardia) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
, 3
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
D. Nifedipine (Procardia) and esmolol (Brevibloc)
Rationale:
This client requires a vasodilator, such as nifedipine to treat hypertension, and a beta-
adrenergic blocker, such as esmolol, to reduce the heart rate. Lidocaine, an anti arrhythmic,
isn't indicated because the client doesn't have an arrhythmia. Although nitroglycerin may be
used to treat coronary vasospasm, it isn't the drug of choice in hypertension.
A 25-year-old client experiencing alcohol withdrawal is upset about going through
detoxification. Which of the following goals is a priority?
A. The client will commit to a drug-free lifestyle
B. The client will work with the nurse to remain safe
C. The client will drink plenty of fluids daily
D. The client will make a personal inventory of strengths
B. The client will work with the nurse to remain safe
Rationale:
The priority goal in alcohol withdrawal is maintaining the client' safety. Committing to a drug-
free lifestyle, drinking plenty of fluids, and identifying personal strengths are important goals,
but ensure the client's safety is the nurse's top priority.
A male client is admitted to a psychiatric facility by court order for evaluation for antisocial
personality disorder. This client has a long history of initiating fights and abusing animals and
recently was arrested for setting the neighbor's dog on fire. When evaluating this client for
the potential for violence, the nurse should assess for which behavioral clues?
A. A rigid posture, restlessness, and glaring
B. Depression and physical withdrawal
C. Silence and noncompliance
D. Hyper vigilance and talk of past violent acts
, 4
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
A. A rigid posture, restlessness, and glaring
Rationale:
Behavior clues that suggest the potential for violence include a rigid posture, restlessness,
glaring, a change in usual behavior, clenched hands, overtly aggressive actions, physical
withdrawal, noncompliance, overreaction, hostile threats, recent alcohol ingestion or drug
use, talk of past violent acts, inability to express feelings, repetitive demands and complaints,
argumentative ness, profanity, disorientation, inability to focus attention, hallucinations or
delusions, paranoid ideas or suspicions, and somatic complaints. Violent clients rarely exhibit
depression, silence, or hypervigilance.
Flumazenil (Romazicon) has been ordered for a male client who has overdosed on oxazepam
(Serax). Before administering the medication, the nurse should be prepared for which
common adverse effect?
A. Seizures
B. Shivering
C. Anxiety
D. Chest pain
A. Seizures
Rationale:
Seizures are the most common adverse effect of using flumazenil to reverse benzodiazepine
overdose. The effect is magnified if the client has a combined tricyclic antidepressant and
benzodiazepine overdose. Less common adverse effects includer shivering, anxiety, and
chest pain.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with bulimia. The most appropriate initial goal for a
client diagnosed with bulimia is to:
A. Avoid shopping for large amounts of food
B. Control eating impulses
