H TL A E H L A T N E M N R
✧ ATI Nursing Education
A
★
Assessment Technologies Institute — Ascend Learning
EST. 1998
E D U C AT I N G T O M O R R O W ' S N U R S E S
ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam
V E R I F I E D Q U E ST I O N S & A N S W E RS — CO M P R E H E N S I V E R E V I E W
INSTITUTION ATI Nursing Education (Ascend EXAM TYPE RN Mental Health Proctored Exam
Learning)
PROGRAM Registered Nurse (RN) ACADEMIC YEAR
TOTAL QUESTIONS 23 Questions COURSE TITLE Mental Health Nursing
FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the HQ Leawood, Kansas
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Content spans eating disorders, dementia, substance use, personality disorders, suicide prevention, and
psychopharmacology.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for NCLEX preparation.
▸ All content reflects current psychiatric-mental health nursing standards.
, SECTION I — EATING DISORDERS, DEMENTIA &
Questions 1 – 12
SUBSTANCE USE
1. A client has bulimia nervosa. The guardian demonstrates understanding of teaching when
they state:
A. "My daughter should avoid all dental care to prevent triggering purging behaviors."
B. "It is important for my daughter to have regular dental check-ups."
C. "Bulimia does not affect dental health."
D. "Dental issues will resolve on their own once purging stops."
CORRECT ANSWER B — "It is important for my daughter to have regular dental check-ups."
RATIONALE Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by
compensatory purging behaviors (self-induced vomiting, laxative/diuretic
misuse). Stomach acid from frequent vomiting erodes dental enamel, causing
tooth decay, sensitivity, and discoloration. Parotid gland swelling and oral ulcers
are also common. Regular dental check-ups are essential for monitoring and
treating these complications. The guardian demonstrating understanding of this
need indicates effective teaching. Other critical health monitoring includes
electrolyte levels (especially potassium), ECG for cardiac effects, and esophageal
assessment.
, 2. Memantine (Namenda) is prescribed for which condition?
A. Mild cognitive impairment only
B. Severe Alzheimer's disease
C. Acute delirium
D. Parkinson's disease dementia only
CORRECT ANSWER B — Severe Alzheimer's disease
RATIONALE Memantine (Namenda) is an NMDA receptor antagonist approved for moderate-
to-severe Alzheimer's disease. It works by regulating glutamate activity —
excessive glutamate causes neuronal excitotoxicity. Memantine may slow
cognitive decline and improve functional ability in later stages. It is often used in
combination with cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine,
galantamine) which are used for mild-to-moderate stages. Unlike cholinesterase
inhibitors, memantine is not associated with significant GI side effects. The nurse
should monitor for dizziness, confusion, and headache.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about nicotine lozenges for smoking cessation. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A. "You may use as many lozenges as needed throughout the day."
B. "Limit use to no more than 20 lozenges per day."
C. "Chew and swallow the lozenge quickly."
D. "Lozenges are safe to use while smoking."
CORRECT ANSWER B — "Limit use to no more than 20 lozenges per day."
RATIONALE Nicotine lozenges are a form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with a
maximum daily limit — typically no more than 20 lozenges per day, with no more
than 5 lozenges in a 6-hour period. Exceeding this limit risks nicotine toxicity
(nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tachycardia, hypertension). The lozenge should be
allowed to dissolve slowly in the mouth (not chewed or swallowed). NRT should
NOT be used concurrently with smoking. The nurse must educate about proper
dosing, tapering schedule, and signs of nicotine excess. NRT doubles smoking
cessation success rates.
✧ ATI Nursing Education
A
★
Assessment Technologies Institute — Ascend Learning
EST. 1998
E D U C AT I N G T O M O R R O W ' S N U R S E S
ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam
V E R I F I E D Q U E ST I O N S & A N S W E RS — CO M P R E H E N S I V E R E V I E W
INSTITUTION ATI Nursing Education (Ascend EXAM TYPE RN Mental Health Proctored Exam
Learning)
PROGRAM Registered Nurse (RN) ACADEMIC YEAR
TOTAL QUESTIONS 23 Questions COURSE TITLE Mental Health Nursing
FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the HQ Leawood, Kansas
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Content spans eating disorders, dementia, substance use, personality disorders, suicide prevention, and
psychopharmacology.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for NCLEX preparation.
▸ All content reflects current psychiatric-mental health nursing standards.
, SECTION I — EATING DISORDERS, DEMENTIA &
Questions 1 – 12
SUBSTANCE USE
1. A client has bulimia nervosa. The guardian demonstrates understanding of teaching when
they state:
A. "My daughter should avoid all dental care to prevent triggering purging behaviors."
B. "It is important for my daughter to have regular dental check-ups."
C. "Bulimia does not affect dental health."
D. "Dental issues will resolve on their own once purging stops."
CORRECT ANSWER B — "It is important for my daughter to have regular dental check-ups."
RATIONALE Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by
compensatory purging behaviors (self-induced vomiting, laxative/diuretic
misuse). Stomach acid from frequent vomiting erodes dental enamel, causing
tooth decay, sensitivity, and discoloration. Parotid gland swelling and oral ulcers
are also common. Regular dental check-ups are essential for monitoring and
treating these complications. The guardian demonstrating understanding of this
need indicates effective teaching. Other critical health monitoring includes
electrolyte levels (especially potassium), ECG for cardiac effects, and esophageal
assessment.
, 2. Memantine (Namenda) is prescribed for which condition?
A. Mild cognitive impairment only
B. Severe Alzheimer's disease
C. Acute delirium
D. Parkinson's disease dementia only
CORRECT ANSWER B — Severe Alzheimer's disease
RATIONALE Memantine (Namenda) is an NMDA receptor antagonist approved for moderate-
to-severe Alzheimer's disease. It works by regulating glutamate activity —
excessive glutamate causes neuronal excitotoxicity. Memantine may slow
cognitive decline and improve functional ability in later stages. It is often used in
combination with cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine,
galantamine) which are used for mild-to-moderate stages. Unlike cholinesterase
inhibitors, memantine is not associated with significant GI side effects. The nurse
should monitor for dizziness, confusion, and headache.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about nicotine lozenges for smoking cessation. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A. "You may use as many lozenges as needed throughout the day."
B. "Limit use to no more than 20 lozenges per day."
C. "Chew and swallow the lozenge quickly."
D. "Lozenges are safe to use while smoking."
CORRECT ANSWER B — "Limit use to no more than 20 lozenges per day."
RATIONALE Nicotine lozenges are a form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with a
maximum daily limit — typically no more than 20 lozenges per day, with no more
than 5 lozenges in a 6-hour period. Exceeding this limit risks nicotine toxicity
(nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tachycardia, hypertension). The lozenge should be
allowed to dissolve slowly in the mouth (not chewed or swallowed). NRT should
NOT be used concurrently with smoking. The nurse must educate about proper
dosing, tapering schedule, and signs of nicotine excess. NRT doubles smoking
cessation success rates.
