APPROVED ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM 2023/2026 WITH NGN: 70 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains:*
*- Safety and Infection Control*
*- Psychopharmacological and Parenteral Therapies*
*- Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions*
*- Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Guidelines*
*- Crisis Management and Suicide Prevention*
*- Substance Use and Addictive Disorders*
*- Neurocognitive and Personality Disorders*
*- Therapeutic Communication and Nurse-Client Relationships*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the clinical readiness, critical thinking,
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit is caring for a client with schizophrenia who states, "The
government has implanted a microchip in my brain to track my every move." Which of the following
responses should the nurse make?
,A. "The government does not have the technology to implant microchips in people."
B. "It must be terrifying to feel like you are constantly being watched and tracked."
C. "Why do you think the government would select you specifically to track?"
D. "Let's look at your scalp together to prove there is no incision or chip there."
🟢 B. "It must be terrifying to feel like you are constantly being watched and tracked."
🔴 RATIONALE: This response validates the client's feelings without reinforcing or validating the
delusional belief system. Acknowledging the underlying emotion helps build a therapeutic alliance and
promotes safety. Arguing, demanding logical proof, or asking "why" questions can increase client
defensiveness and paranoia.
Question 2
A nurse is admitting a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following
medications should the nurse expect the provider to prescribe first?
A. Disulfiram
B. Chlordiazepoxide
C. Acamprosate
D. Naltrexone
🟢 B. Chlordiazepoxide
🔴 RATIONALE: Chlordiazepoxide is a long-acting benzodiazepine used during acute alcohol withdrawal
to prevent seizures, severe delirium tremens, and stabilization of vital signs. Disulfiram, acamprosate, and
naltrexone are medications utilized for long-term sobriety maintenance and relapse prevention after acute
detoxification is complete.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has major depressive disorder and was started on sertraline 2 weeks
ago. The client tells the nurse, "I finally have the energy to complete my tasks today, and everything feels
peaceful now." Which of the following actions is the priority for the nurse to take?
A. Document the positive behavioral improvement in the medical record.
B. Encourage the client to participate in an assertive outdoor group activity.
,C. Implement close, individualized suicide precautions for the client.
D. Teach the client about the common long-term side effects of sertraline.
🟢 C. Implement close, individualized suicide precautions for the client.
🔴 RATIONALE: As antidepressant medications begin to take effect, a client's physical energy level often
improves before their depressive mood lifts completely. This increase in energy gives the client the
physical capability to act on previous suicidal ideation, significantly increasing the immediate risk of self-
harm.
Question 4
A nurse is conducting a group therapy session when a client with borderline personality disorder becomes
verbally aggressive and interrupts other members. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. End the group therapy session immediately to protect other clients.
B. Ask the other group members how they feel about the client's behavior.
C. State firmly, "Interrupting others is not allowed; please wait your turn to speak."
D. Ignore the behavior to avoid giving the client negative attention.
🟢 C. State firmly, "Interrupting others is not allowed; please wait your turn to speak."
🔴 RATIONALE: Clients with borderline personality disorder require clear, consistent, and firm boundaries
regarding acceptable behaviors. Directly stating the boundary redirects the client without being punitive,
maintaining a safe and structured environment for all group members.
Question 5
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a prescription for lithium carbonate. Which of
the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider before administering the
medication?
A. Sodium 130 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.8 mEq/L
C. Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL
D. WBC count 6,500/mm3
🟢 A. Sodium 130 mEq/L
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium is a salt that is excreted by the kidneys. Renal excretion of lithium is closely tied
to sodium levels; when serum sodium levels are low (less than 135 mEq/L), the kidneys retain lithium to
compensate, which significantly increases the risk of lithium toxicity.
Question 6
A nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following
clinical findings should indicate to the nurse a need for immediate acute inpatient hospitalization?
A. Body mass index (BMI) of 17.2
B. Potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L
C. Heart rate of 38 beats per minute
D. Lanugo present on the back and shoulders
🟢 C. Heart rate of 38 beats per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Severe cardiovascular instability, such as a profound sinus bradycardia (heart rate less
than 40 beats per minute) or hypotension, indicates immediate medical instability requiring inpatient
hospitalization to prevent cardiac arrest. A BMI of 17.2, mild lanugo, and borderline normal potassium do
not represent immediate, life-threatening instability.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who is involuntarily admitted to an acute psychiatric unit following an
intentional medication overdose. The client demands to leave the facility against medical advice. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Request that the client sign an Against Medical Advice (AMA) release form.
B. Contact the security department to prevent the client from approaching the exit.
C. Explain that individuals under involuntary admission do not have the right to leave.
D. Administer a sedative medication to reduce the client's desire to exit.
🟢 C. Explain that individuals under involuntary admission do not have the right to leave.
🔴 RATIONALE: Involuntary admission is legally instituted when a client poses an imminent danger to
themselves or others. Clients under an involuntary hold retain many civil rights, but they do not possess
the right to leave the facility against medical advice until legal or clinical evaluations determine it safe.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains:*
*- Safety and Infection Control*
*- Psychopharmacological and Parenteral Therapies*
*- Cognitive and Behavioral Interventions*
*- Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Guidelines*
*- Crisis Management and Suicide Prevention*
*- Substance Use and Addictive Disorders*
*- Neurocognitive and Personality Disorders*
*- Therapeutic Communication and Nurse-Client Relationships*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the clinical readiness, critical thinking,
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit is caring for a client with schizophrenia who states, "The
government has implanted a microchip in my brain to track my every move." Which of the following
responses should the nurse make?
,A. "The government does not have the technology to implant microchips in people."
B. "It must be terrifying to feel like you are constantly being watched and tracked."
C. "Why do you think the government would select you specifically to track?"
D. "Let's look at your scalp together to prove there is no incision or chip there."
🟢 B. "It must be terrifying to feel like you are constantly being watched and tracked."
🔴 RATIONALE: This response validates the client's feelings without reinforcing or validating the
delusional belief system. Acknowledging the underlying emotion helps build a therapeutic alliance and
promotes safety. Arguing, demanding logical proof, or asking "why" questions can increase client
defensiveness and paranoia.
Question 2
A nurse is admitting a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following
medications should the nurse expect the provider to prescribe first?
A. Disulfiram
B. Chlordiazepoxide
C. Acamprosate
D. Naltrexone
🟢 B. Chlordiazepoxide
🔴 RATIONALE: Chlordiazepoxide is a long-acting benzodiazepine used during acute alcohol withdrawal
to prevent seizures, severe delirium tremens, and stabilization of vital signs. Disulfiram, acamprosate, and
naltrexone are medications utilized for long-term sobriety maintenance and relapse prevention after acute
detoxification is complete.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has major depressive disorder and was started on sertraline 2 weeks
ago. The client tells the nurse, "I finally have the energy to complete my tasks today, and everything feels
peaceful now." Which of the following actions is the priority for the nurse to take?
A. Document the positive behavioral improvement in the medical record.
B. Encourage the client to participate in an assertive outdoor group activity.
,C. Implement close, individualized suicide precautions for the client.
D. Teach the client about the common long-term side effects of sertraline.
🟢 C. Implement close, individualized suicide precautions for the client.
🔴 RATIONALE: As antidepressant medications begin to take effect, a client's physical energy level often
improves before their depressive mood lifts completely. This increase in energy gives the client the
physical capability to act on previous suicidal ideation, significantly increasing the immediate risk of self-
harm.
Question 4
A nurse is conducting a group therapy session when a client with borderline personality disorder becomes
verbally aggressive and interrupts other members. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. End the group therapy session immediately to protect other clients.
B. Ask the other group members how they feel about the client's behavior.
C. State firmly, "Interrupting others is not allowed; please wait your turn to speak."
D. Ignore the behavior to avoid giving the client negative attention.
🟢 C. State firmly, "Interrupting others is not allowed; please wait your turn to speak."
🔴 RATIONALE: Clients with borderline personality disorder require clear, consistent, and firm boundaries
regarding acceptable behaviors. Directly stating the boundary redirects the client without being punitive,
maintaining a safe and structured environment for all group members.
Question 5
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a prescription for lithium carbonate. Which of
the following laboratory findings should the nurse report to the provider before administering the
medication?
A. Sodium 130 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.8 mEq/L
C. Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL
D. WBC count 6,500/mm3
🟢 A. Sodium 130 mEq/L
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium is a salt that is excreted by the kidneys. Renal excretion of lithium is closely tied
to sodium levels; when serum sodium levels are low (less than 135 mEq/L), the kidneys retain lithium to
compensate, which significantly increases the risk of lithium toxicity.
Question 6
A nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following
clinical findings should indicate to the nurse a need for immediate acute inpatient hospitalization?
A. Body mass index (BMI) of 17.2
B. Potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L
C. Heart rate of 38 beats per minute
D. Lanugo present on the back and shoulders
🟢 C. Heart rate of 38 beats per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Severe cardiovascular instability, such as a profound sinus bradycardia (heart rate less
than 40 beats per minute) or hypotension, indicates immediate medical instability requiring inpatient
hospitalization to prevent cardiac arrest. A BMI of 17.2, mild lanugo, and borderline normal potassium do
not represent immediate, life-threatening instability.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who is involuntarily admitted to an acute psychiatric unit following an
intentional medication overdose. The client demands to leave the facility against medical advice. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Request that the client sign an Against Medical Advice (AMA) release form.
B. Contact the security department to prevent the client from approaching the exit.
C. Explain that individuals under involuntary admission do not have the right to leave.
D. Administer a sedative medication to reduce the client's desire to exit.
🟢 C. Explain that individuals under involuntary admission do not have the right to leave.
🔴 RATIONALE: Involuntary admission is legally instituted when a client poses an imminent danger to
themselves or others. Clients under an involuntary hold retain many civil rights, but they do not possess
the right to leave the facility against medical advice until legal or clinical evaluations determine it safe.
