ATI RN Mental Health 2023 NGN
Questions and Ansẉers with
rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
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1. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with schizophrenia who
says, "The FBI has bugged my room to record my thoughts." Which
of the following responses by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "Why do you think the FBI is interested in your thoughts?"
B. "I understand you are feeling frightened, but I do not see any
bugs in your room."
C. "You are safe here. The staff will protect you from the FBI."
D. "Let's not talk about the FBI right now. Let's focus on lunch."
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should use the technique of presenting reality
and verbalizing the implied. By acknowledging the client's fear
(feeling frightened) and gently presenting reality (not seeing any
bugs), the nurse addresses the underlying emotion without
validating the delusion.
2. A nurse is admitting a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect during the initial
assessment?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Tachycardia and hypertension
C. Hyperthermia and hyperreflexia
D. Hypothermia and increased bone density
Answer: A
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa often leads to cardiovascular
complications due to starvation and electrolyte imbalances.
Bradycardia and hypotension are classic physiological findings
resulting from the body's attempt to conserve energy and decrease
metabolic rate.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing acute alcohol
withdrawal. For which of the following findings should the nurse
assess the client?
A. Hypertension and tremors
B. Bradycardia and somnolence
C. Hypoglycemia and bradypnea
D. Polyuria and lethargy
Answer: A
Rationale: Acute alcohol withdrawal causes central nervous system
hyperexcitability. Expected findings include hypertension,
tachycardia, fever, diaphoresis, tremors, anxiety, and agitation.
4. A client is prescribed lithium therapy for bipolar disorder. The
nurse should instruct the client to maintain a consistent intake of
which of the following?
A. Vitamin K
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Iron
Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium balance is critical for lithium excretion. If sodium
levels drop (e.g., due to sweating, diuretics, or low-salt diets), the
kidneys will retain lithium, leading to toxicity. Clients must maintain
a consistent sodium intake.
5. A nurse is conducting a mental health assessment on an older
adult client. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as an expected aspect of cognitive aging?
A. Confabulation of recent events
B. Slower reaction time and processing speed
C. Inability to learn new skills
D. Disorientation to time and place
Answer: B
, Rationale: Slower reaction time and cognitive processing speed are
normal, expected changes in the aging brain. Confabulation,
disorientation, and inability to learn new skills are pathological and
indicative of cognitive decline or dementia.
6. A nurse is planning care for a client who has borderline
personality disorder. Which of the following interventions should the
nurse include to address the client's splitting behavior?
A. Encourage the client to identify one staff member to interact with
daily.
B. Assign different staff members to the client each shift to prevent
dependency.
C. Limit the client's participation in group therapy sessions.
D. Tell the client that all staff members are equally competent to
care for them.
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting involves viewing people as all good or all bad,
which can cause division among staff. Assigning a primary staff
member helps establish boundaries, provides consistency, and
limits the client's ability to play staff members against each other.
7. A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is prescribed
phenelzine. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct
the client to avoid?
A. Aged cheeses and smoked meats
B. Leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits
C. Whole grains and low-fat dairy
D. Poultry and fresh fish
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It
interacts with tyramine-rich foods, leading to a potentially fatal
hypertensive crisis. Aged cheeses, smoked meats, fermented foods,
and certain beers must be avoided.
Questions and Ansẉers with
rationales 2026\2027 update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified rationales
Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
,───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
1. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with schizophrenia who
says, "The FBI has bugged my room to record my thoughts." Which
of the following responses by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "Why do you think the FBI is interested in your thoughts?"
B. "I understand you are feeling frightened, but I do not see any
bugs in your room."
C. "You are safe here. The staff will protect you from the FBI."
D. "Let's not talk about the FBI right now. Let's focus on lunch."
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should use the technique of presenting reality
and verbalizing the implied. By acknowledging the client's fear
(feeling frightened) and gently presenting reality (not seeing any
bugs), the nurse addresses the underlying emotion without
validating the delusion.
2. A nurse is admitting a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect during the initial
assessment?
A. Bradycardia and hypotension
B. Tachycardia and hypertension
C. Hyperthermia and hyperreflexia
D. Hypothermia and increased bone density
Answer: A
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa often leads to cardiovascular
complications due to starvation and electrolyte imbalances.
Bradycardia and hypotension are classic physiological findings
resulting from the body's attempt to conserve energy and decrease
metabolic rate.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing acute alcohol
withdrawal. For which of the following findings should the nurse
assess the client?
A. Hypertension and tremors
B. Bradycardia and somnolence
C. Hypoglycemia and bradypnea
D. Polyuria and lethargy
Answer: A
Rationale: Acute alcohol withdrawal causes central nervous system
hyperexcitability. Expected findings include hypertension,
tachycardia, fever, diaphoresis, tremors, anxiety, and agitation.
4. A client is prescribed lithium therapy for bipolar disorder. The
nurse should instruct the client to maintain a consistent intake of
which of the following?
A. Vitamin K
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Iron
Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium balance is critical for lithium excretion. If sodium
levels drop (e.g., due to sweating, diuretics, or low-salt diets), the
kidneys will retain lithium, leading to toxicity. Clients must maintain
a consistent sodium intake.
5. A nurse is conducting a mental health assessment on an older
adult client. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as an expected aspect of cognitive aging?
A. Confabulation of recent events
B. Slower reaction time and processing speed
C. Inability to learn new skills
D. Disorientation to time and place
Answer: B
, Rationale: Slower reaction time and cognitive processing speed are
normal, expected changes in the aging brain. Confabulation,
disorientation, and inability to learn new skills are pathological and
indicative of cognitive decline or dementia.
6. A nurse is planning care for a client who has borderline
personality disorder. Which of the following interventions should the
nurse include to address the client's splitting behavior?
A. Encourage the client to identify one staff member to interact with
daily.
B. Assign different staff members to the client each shift to prevent
dependency.
C. Limit the client's participation in group therapy sessions.
D. Tell the client that all staff members are equally competent to
care for them.
Answer: A
Rationale: Splitting involves viewing people as all good or all bad,
which can cause division among staff. Assigning a primary staff
member helps establish boundaries, provides consistency, and
limits the client's ability to play staff members against each other.
7. A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder is prescribed
phenelzine. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct
the client to avoid?
A. Aged cheeses and smoked meats
B. Leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits
C. Whole grains and low-fat dairy
D. Poultry and fresh fish
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It
interacts with tyramine-rich foods, leading to a potentially fatal
hypertensive crisis. Aged cheeses, smoked meats, fermented foods,
and certain beers must be avoided.
