ATI RN Mental Health 2026 NGN Prep: 200
Practice Questions & Rationales Covering
Suicide Assessment, Therapeutic
Communication, Psychiatric Disorders,
Psychopharmacology, Legal/Ethical Issues, and
Priority Nursing Interventions.
Section 1: Safety, Prioritization & Crisis
Intervention
• 1. A nurse receives handoff report on 4
clients. Which should be seen first? (Select
all that apply)
A. Schizophrenia, hearing voices telling
them to "hurt the nurse"
B. Major depression, states "I have a plan
but not the means"
C. Bipolar mania, hasn't slept for 72 hours
D. Borderline PD, made superficial cuts on
both forearms 2 hours ago
, ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: A, B, C.
Rationale: A (command hallucination to
harm others → imminent danger), B (plan
→ high risk), C (exhaustion/psychosis risk)
all represent immediate safety threats. D is
a concern but represents past, less acute
self-harm.
• 2. Which clinical findings indicate
imminent suicide risk? (Select all that
apply)
A. Giving away prized possessions
B. Sudden calmness after severe depression
C. Writing a suicide note
D. Asking to donate organs
E. Saying "I just want the pain to stop"
☑VERIFIED ANSWER: A, B, C, D, E.
Rationale: All are "red flags." A, C, D =
concrete planning; B = energy to act; E =
, suicidal ideation with distress. Sudden
mood improvement is a key warning sign
that a client has made a decision to end
their life.
• 3. A client with major depressive disorder
states, "My family would be better off
without me." What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Ask, "What makes you say that?"
B. Assess for suicidal ideation, plan, and
means
C. Encourage the client to join a group
activity
D. Notify the provider
☑VERIFIED ANSWER: B.
Rationale: The priority is to directly assess
for suicidal risk. Any statement suggesting
hopelessness or worthlessness requires
, immediate inquiry about thoughts, plans,
and means.
• 4. A client with severe depression has been
withdrawn for weeks. Today, the client
appears calm, relaxed, and gives away
personal possessions. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Praise the client for improved mood
B. Notify the provider and increase
observation to one-to-one
C. Allow the client more privacy as they
seem stable
D. Encourage the client to participate in
more group activities
☑VERIFIED ANSWER: B.
Rationale: Sudden calmness and giving
away possessions can be a sign of resolved
suicidal intent. The client may have the
Practice Questions & Rationales Covering
Suicide Assessment, Therapeutic
Communication, Psychiatric Disorders,
Psychopharmacology, Legal/Ethical Issues, and
Priority Nursing Interventions.
Section 1: Safety, Prioritization & Crisis
Intervention
• 1. A nurse receives handoff report on 4
clients. Which should be seen first? (Select
all that apply)
A. Schizophrenia, hearing voices telling
them to "hurt the nurse"
B. Major depression, states "I have a plan
but not the means"
C. Bipolar mania, hasn't slept for 72 hours
D. Borderline PD, made superficial cuts on
both forearms 2 hours ago
, ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: A, B, C.
Rationale: A (command hallucination to
harm others → imminent danger), B (plan
→ high risk), C (exhaustion/psychosis risk)
all represent immediate safety threats. D is
a concern but represents past, less acute
self-harm.
• 2. Which clinical findings indicate
imminent suicide risk? (Select all that
apply)
A. Giving away prized possessions
B. Sudden calmness after severe depression
C. Writing a suicide note
D. Asking to donate organs
E. Saying "I just want the pain to stop"
☑VERIFIED ANSWER: A, B, C, D, E.
Rationale: All are "red flags." A, C, D =
concrete planning; B = energy to act; E =
, suicidal ideation with distress. Sudden
mood improvement is a key warning sign
that a client has made a decision to end
their life.
• 3. A client with major depressive disorder
states, "My family would be better off
without me." What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Ask, "What makes you say that?"
B. Assess for suicidal ideation, plan, and
means
C. Encourage the client to join a group
activity
D. Notify the provider
☑VERIFIED ANSWER: B.
Rationale: The priority is to directly assess
for suicidal risk. Any statement suggesting
hopelessness or worthlessness requires
, immediate inquiry about thoughts, plans,
and means.
• 4. A client with severe depression has been
withdrawn for weeks. Today, the client
appears calm, relaxed, and gives away
personal possessions. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Praise the client for improved mood
B. Notify the provider and increase
observation to one-to-one
C. Allow the client more privacy as they
seem stable
D. Encourage the client to participate in
more group activities
☑VERIFIED ANSWER: B.
Rationale: Sudden calmness and giving
away possessions can be a sign of resolved
suicidal intent. The client may have the
