ATI MENTAL HEALTH EXAM GUIDE 2026/27 EDITION
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia who reports
hearing voices that command self-harm. Which of the
, following is the priority nursing action?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying
B. Place the client in seclusion until the voices stop
C. Encourage the client to ignore the voices
D. Administer an antipsychotic medication as needed
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Asking what the voices are saying assesses risk of
harm. Safety is priority, but assessment must precede
intervention. Seclusion (B) is restrictive and not first-line.
Ignoring voices (C) is unrealistic without treatment. PRN
antipsychotics (D) may be used but only after assessment.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, “Life isn’t
worth living anymore.” Which response by the nurse is most
therapeutic?
A. “You have so much to live for, think about your family.”
B. “Are you thinking of harming yourself?”
C. “I understand how you feel; I’ve been sad too.”
D. “Let’s focus on positive things instead.”
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Directly assessing suicidal ideation is essential
when a client expresses hopelessness. Option A minimizes
feelings. Option C is nontherapeutic and shifts focus to the
nurse. Option D dismisses the client’s distress.
,3. A client with bipolar I disorder, manic episode, is pacing,
talking rapidly, and not eating. Which nursing intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Provide high-calorie finger foods
B. Place the client in a quiet, low-stimulation room
C. Administer lithium as prescribed
D. Restrict the client to their room until calm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Decreasing environmental stimulation helps
reduce manic energy and prevent exhaustion. High-calorie
foods (A) are important but not first. Lithium (C) is long-term,
not immediate. Restriction (D) may increase agitation.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about disulfiram for alcohol use
disorder. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I can have alcohol-free mouthwash without any problem.”
B. “If I drink alcohol, I will experience nausea and vomiting
within minutes.”
C. “I must avoid alcohol for only the first week of treatment.”
D. “Disulfiram will reduce my cravings for alcohol.”
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Disulfiram causes acetaldehyde syndrome
(nausea, vomiting, flushing) if alcohol is consumed. Alcohol
can hide in mouthwash (A) → reaction possible. Avoid alcohol
for ≥14 days after stopping (C). Disulfiram does not reduce
cravings (D); naltrexone does.
, 5. A client with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports
nightmares and flashbacks. Which medication class is most
commonly prescribed first-line for symptom management?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Atypical antipsychotics
C. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
D. Mood stabilizers
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine) are FDA-approved
first-line for PTSD. Benzodiazepines (A) risk dependence and
worsening outcomes. Atypical antipsychotics (B) are
adjunctive, not first-line. Mood stabilizers (D) are not primary
for PTSD.
6. A nurse is evaluating a client’s response to electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) for severe depression. Which finding would
require immediate intervention?
A. Short-term memory loss for events before treatment
B. Headache rated 3 on a 0-10 scale
C. Confusion lasting 4 hours post-procedure
D. Heart rate of 110 bpm immediately after ECT
Correct Answer: C
*Explanation: Confusion lasting >1-2 hours post-ECT is
abnormal and may indicate complications (e.g., prolonged
seizure, hypoxia). Short-term memory loss (A) is expected.
Mild headache (B) is common. Tachycardia (D) post-ECT is
transient and expected due to parasympathetic surge.*
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia who reports
hearing voices that command self-harm. Which of the
, following is the priority nursing action?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying
B. Place the client in seclusion until the voices stop
C. Encourage the client to ignore the voices
D. Administer an antipsychotic medication as needed
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Asking what the voices are saying assesses risk of
harm. Safety is priority, but assessment must precede
intervention. Seclusion (B) is restrictive and not first-line.
Ignoring voices (C) is unrealistic without treatment. PRN
antipsychotics (D) may be used but only after assessment.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, “Life isn’t
worth living anymore.” Which response by the nurse is most
therapeutic?
A. “You have so much to live for, think about your family.”
B. “Are you thinking of harming yourself?”
C. “I understand how you feel; I’ve been sad too.”
D. “Let’s focus on positive things instead.”
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Directly assessing suicidal ideation is essential
when a client expresses hopelessness. Option A minimizes
feelings. Option C is nontherapeutic and shifts focus to the
nurse. Option D dismisses the client’s distress.
,3. A client with bipolar I disorder, manic episode, is pacing,
talking rapidly, and not eating. Which nursing intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Provide high-calorie finger foods
B. Place the client in a quiet, low-stimulation room
C. Administer lithium as prescribed
D. Restrict the client to their room until calm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Decreasing environmental stimulation helps
reduce manic energy and prevent exhaustion. High-calorie
foods (A) are important but not first. Lithium (C) is long-term,
not immediate. Restriction (D) may increase agitation.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about disulfiram for alcohol use
disorder. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I can have alcohol-free mouthwash without any problem.”
B. “If I drink alcohol, I will experience nausea and vomiting
within minutes.”
C. “I must avoid alcohol for only the first week of treatment.”
D. “Disulfiram will reduce my cravings for alcohol.”
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Disulfiram causes acetaldehyde syndrome
(nausea, vomiting, flushing) if alcohol is consumed. Alcohol
can hide in mouthwash (A) → reaction possible. Avoid alcohol
for ≥14 days after stopping (C). Disulfiram does not reduce
cravings (D); naltrexone does.
, 5. A client with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports
nightmares and flashbacks. Which medication class is most
commonly prescribed first-line for symptom management?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Atypical antipsychotics
C. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
D. Mood stabilizers
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine) are FDA-approved
first-line for PTSD. Benzodiazepines (A) risk dependence and
worsening outcomes. Atypical antipsychotics (B) are
adjunctive, not first-line. Mood stabilizers (D) are not primary
for PTSD.
6. A nurse is evaluating a client’s response to electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) for severe depression. Which finding would
require immediate intervention?
A. Short-term memory loss for events before treatment
B. Headache rated 3 on a 0-10 scale
C. Confusion lasting 4 hours post-procedure
D. Heart rate of 110 bpm immediately after ECT
Correct Answer: C
*Explanation: Confusion lasting >1-2 hours post-ECT is
abnormal and may indicate complications (e.g., prolonged
seizure, hypoxia). Short-term memory loss (A) is expected.
Mild headache (B) is common. Tachycardia (D) post-ECT is
transient and expected due to parasympathetic surge.*
