ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam 2026/2027 with NGN |
200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | NGNStyle Test
Bank with Case Scenarios | A+ Graded
1. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who states, "I just can't go on anymore.
Everyone would be better off without me." Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves
B. Notify the provider of the client's statement
C. Place the client on onetoone observation
D. Document the client's statement verbatim
Answer: A. Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves
Explanation: The priority action is to assess for suicidal ideation by asking directly about intent, plan, and
means. This is a safety priority. The nurse must directly ask: "Are you thinking of killing yourself?" and
"Do you have a plan?"
2. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is exhibiting auditory hallucinations. Which communication
technique should the nurse use?
A. Tell the client the voices are not real
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
C. Ignore the client's hallucinations
D. Encourage the client to listen to the voices
Answer: B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
,Explanation: The nurse should acknowledge the client's experience and ask about the content of the
hallucinations. This helps assess for command hallucinations (voices telling the client to harm self or
others) and maintains therapeutic communication.
3. A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression. Which of the
following should the nurse include?
A. "You may experience immediate improvement in symptoms"
B. "Avoid consuming foods high in tyramine"
C. "It may take 2 to 4 weeks to notice therapeutic effects"
D. "This medication is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor"
Answer: C. "It may take 2 to 4 weeks to notice therapeutic effects"
Explanation: SSRIs like fluoxetine typically take 2 to 4 weeks to reach the rapeutic effect. Clients should
be educated about this delay to promote adherence and prevent premature discontinuation.
4. A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Place the client in seclusion
B. Provide a stimulating environment with group activities
C. Maintain a calm, quiet environment with low stimuli
D. Encourage the client to make decisions about their care
Answer: C. Maintain a calm, quiet environment with low stimuli
,Explanation: During a manic episode, clients need a lowstimulus environment to reduce agitation and
prevent escalation. The nurse should provide a quiet room, limit visitors, and avoid competitive
activities.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who has been using defense mechanisms. The client states, "I'm not angry
at my boss; I just think he's incompetent." This is an example of which defense mechanism?
A. Denial
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Displacement
Answer: C. Rationalization
Explanation: Rationalization involves creating logical explanations for behaviors or feelings that are
actually driven by unconscious motives. The client is justifying their anger by focusing on the boss's
perceived incompetence.
6. A client with borderline personality disorder is manipulative and demands special privileges. Which
nursing approach is most appropriate?
A. Grant the client's requests to maintain therapeutic alliance
B. Set consistent, firm limits and boundaries
C. Ignore the manipulative behavior
D. Allow the client to make their own rules
Answer: B. Set consistent, firm limits and boundaries
, Explanation: Clients with borderline personality disorder require consistent, firm limits and boundari es
to prevent splitting and manipulation. Staff must be consistent in enforcing unit rules and
consequences.
7. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom is a priority concern?
A. Insomnia
B. Nausea
C. Seizure activity
D. Diaphoresis
Answer: C. Seizure activity
Explanation: Seizure activity is a lifethreatening complication of alcohol withdrawal that requires
immediate intervention. The nurse should monitor for seizure precautions and administer medicat ions
as prescribed.
8. A client with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports recurrent nightmares and flashbacks. Which
of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the client to avoid discussing the traumatic event
B. Use grounding techniques to help the client stay in the present
C. Tell the client to "just forget about it"
D. Encourage the client to relive the trauma in detail
Answer: B. Use grounding techniques to help the client stay in the present
200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers | NGNStyle Test
Bank with Case Scenarios | A+ Graded
1. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who states, "I just can't go on anymore.
Everyone would be better off without me." Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves
B. Notify the provider of the client's statement
C. Place the client on onetoone observation
D. Document the client's statement verbatim
Answer: A. Ask the client if they have a plan to harm themselves
Explanation: The priority action is to assess for suicidal ideation by asking directly about intent, plan, and
means. This is a safety priority. The nurse must directly ask: "Are you thinking of killing yourself?" and
"Do you have a plan?"
2. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is exhibiting auditory hallucinations. Which communication
technique should the nurse use?
A. Tell the client the voices are not real
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
C. Ignore the client's hallucinations
D. Encourage the client to listen to the voices
Answer: B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
,Explanation: The nurse should acknowledge the client's experience and ask about the content of the
hallucinations. This helps assess for command hallucinations (voices telling the client to harm self or
others) and maintains therapeutic communication.
3. A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression. Which of the
following should the nurse include?
A. "You may experience immediate improvement in symptoms"
B. "Avoid consuming foods high in tyramine"
C. "It may take 2 to 4 weeks to notice therapeutic effects"
D. "This medication is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor"
Answer: C. "It may take 2 to 4 weeks to notice therapeutic effects"
Explanation: SSRIs like fluoxetine typically take 2 to 4 weeks to reach the rapeutic effect. Clients should
be educated about this delay to promote adherence and prevent premature discontinuation.
4. A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Place the client in seclusion
B. Provide a stimulating environment with group activities
C. Maintain a calm, quiet environment with low stimuli
D. Encourage the client to make decisions about their care
Answer: C. Maintain a calm, quiet environment with low stimuli
,Explanation: During a manic episode, clients need a lowstimulus environment to reduce agitation and
prevent escalation. The nurse should provide a quiet room, limit visitors, and avoid competitive
activities.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who has been using defense mechanisms. The client states, "I'm not angry
at my boss; I just think he's incompetent." This is an example of which defense mechanism?
A. Denial
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Displacement
Answer: C. Rationalization
Explanation: Rationalization involves creating logical explanations for behaviors or feelings that are
actually driven by unconscious motives. The client is justifying their anger by focusing on the boss's
perceived incompetence.
6. A client with borderline personality disorder is manipulative and demands special privileges. Which
nursing approach is most appropriate?
A. Grant the client's requests to maintain therapeutic alliance
B. Set consistent, firm limits and boundaries
C. Ignore the manipulative behavior
D. Allow the client to make their own rules
Answer: B. Set consistent, firm limits and boundaries
, Explanation: Clients with borderline personality disorder require consistent, firm limits and boundari es
to prevent splitting and manipulation. Staff must be consistent in enforcing unit rules and
consequences.
7. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom is a priority concern?
A. Insomnia
B. Nausea
C. Seizure activity
D. Diaphoresis
Answer: C. Seizure activity
Explanation: Seizure activity is a lifethreatening complication of alcohol withdrawal that requires
immediate intervention. The nurse should monitor for seizure precautions and administer medicat ions
as prescribed.
8. A client with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports recurrent nightmares and flashbacks. Which
of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the client to avoid discussing the traumatic event
B. Use grounding techniques to help the client stay in the present
C. Tell the client to "just forget about it"
D. Encourage the client to relive the trauma in detail
Answer: B. Use grounding techniques to help the client stay in the present
