ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Assessment
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client admitted with major depressive
disorder. Which assessment finding requires the highest priority
intervention?
A. Reports difficulty sleeping for 2 weeks
B. Poor appetite and weight loss
C. States, "My family would be better off without me."
D. Lack of interest in hobbies
Rationale: Suicidal ideation is the highest priority because it presents
an immediate threat to life. Statements indicating hopelessness or
that others would be better off without the client should prompt
immediate suicide risk assessment, implementation of safety
precautions, and notification of the provider.
, 2. A nurse is planning care for a client experiencing a panic attack.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to discuss the cause of anxiety immediately.
B. Stay with the client and speak calmly using short, simple
statements.
C. Leave the client alone to regain control.
D. Ask the client to perform complex breathing exercises.
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client's ability to process
information is impaired. Remaining with the client, maintaining a
calm demeanor, and using concise communication help reduce anxiety
and promote safety. Discussion of stressors should occur after the
panic attack subsides.
3. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling them to
harm themselves. What is the nurse's priority response?
A. "The voices are not real."
B. "What are the voices telling you to do?"
C. "Ignore the voices."
D. "Why do you think you hear voices?"
,Rationale: Assessing the content of command hallucinations is the
priority because these hallucinations may direct the client to harm
themselves or others. Determining the level of risk guides immediate
interventions to ensure safety.
4. Which finding is expected in a client experiencing mania?
A. Slow speech
B. Social withdrawal
C. Flight of ideas
D. Flat affect
Rationale: Mania commonly presents with rapid speech, flight of
ideas, grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, impulsive
behavior, and increased psychomotor activity. Flight of ideas reflects
rapid shifts from one topic to another.
5. Which statement by a client with generalized anxiety disorder
indicates effective treatment?
A. "I never worry anymore."
B. "I use deep breathing when I begin feeling anxious."
, C. "I avoid all stressful situations."
D. "I take extra medication whenever I feel nervous."
Rationale: Effective treatment focuses on managing anxiety using
healthy coping strategies rather than eliminating all anxiety or
avoiding life situations. Deep breathing is an evidence-based
relaxation technique.
6. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed lithium carbonate. Which
laboratory value requires immediate intervention?
A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
B. Potassium 4.1 mEq/L
C. Lithium level 0.9 mEq/L
D. Lithium level 2.0 mEq/L
Rationale: A lithium level of 2.0 mEq/L indicates toxicity. Symptoms
may include severe tremors, confusion, ataxia, vomiting, seizures, and
renal impairment. The medication should be withheld and the
provider notified immediately.
7. Which food should a client taking phenelzine avoid?
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client admitted with major depressive
disorder. Which assessment finding requires the highest priority
intervention?
A. Reports difficulty sleeping for 2 weeks
B. Poor appetite and weight loss
C. States, "My family would be better off without me."
D. Lack of interest in hobbies
Rationale: Suicidal ideation is the highest priority because it presents
an immediate threat to life. Statements indicating hopelessness or
that others would be better off without the client should prompt
immediate suicide risk assessment, implementation of safety
precautions, and notification of the provider.
, 2. A nurse is planning care for a client experiencing a panic attack.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to discuss the cause of anxiety immediately.
B. Stay with the client and speak calmly using short, simple
statements.
C. Leave the client alone to regain control.
D. Ask the client to perform complex breathing exercises.
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client's ability to process
information is impaired. Remaining with the client, maintaining a
calm demeanor, and using concise communication help reduce anxiety
and promote safety. Discussion of stressors should occur after the
panic attack subsides.
3. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling them to
harm themselves. What is the nurse's priority response?
A. "The voices are not real."
B. "What are the voices telling you to do?"
C. "Ignore the voices."
D. "Why do you think you hear voices?"
,Rationale: Assessing the content of command hallucinations is the
priority because these hallucinations may direct the client to harm
themselves or others. Determining the level of risk guides immediate
interventions to ensure safety.
4. Which finding is expected in a client experiencing mania?
A. Slow speech
B. Social withdrawal
C. Flight of ideas
D. Flat affect
Rationale: Mania commonly presents with rapid speech, flight of
ideas, grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, impulsive
behavior, and increased psychomotor activity. Flight of ideas reflects
rapid shifts from one topic to another.
5. Which statement by a client with generalized anxiety disorder
indicates effective treatment?
A. "I never worry anymore."
B. "I use deep breathing when I begin feeling anxious."
, C. "I avoid all stressful situations."
D. "I take extra medication whenever I feel nervous."
Rationale: Effective treatment focuses on managing anxiety using
healthy coping strategies rather than eliminating all anxiety or
avoiding life situations. Deep breathing is an evidence-based
relaxation technique.
6. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed lithium carbonate. Which
laboratory value requires immediate intervention?
A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
B. Potassium 4.1 mEq/L
C. Lithium level 0.9 mEq/L
D. Lithium level 2.0 mEq/L
Rationale: A lithium level of 2.0 mEq/L indicates toxicity. Symptoms
may include severe tremors, confusion, ataxia, vomiting, seizures, and
renal impairment. The medication should be withheld and the
provider notified immediately.
7. Which food should a client taking phenelzine avoid?
