ATI Mental Health Mood Disorders Exam Study Guide 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Bipolar Disorder who is experiencing acute
mania. Which of the following should be the nurse’s priority?
A. Maintaining client safety and preventing physical exhaustion
B. Encouraging the client to participate in group therapy sessions
C. Ensuring the client remains hydrated and eats high-calorie finger foods
D. Teaching the client about the importance of medication compliance
Answer: A
Rationale: In acute mania, the priority is maintaining safety and physical integrity due to
the client’s poor judgment, hyperactivity, and potential for exhaustion or injury.
2. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate. Which of the following lab values
should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Lithium level 1.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
C. Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
D. Potassium level 4.2 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L indicates lithium toxicity (therapeutic range is 0.6-
1.2 mEq/L). Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for Phenelzine. Which
food should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Pepperoni pizza
B. Cottage cheese
C. Grilled chicken
D. Fresh apples
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Clients must avoid foods high in tyramine, such as aged
meats (pepperoni), aged cheeses, and fermented products, to prevent hypertensive crisis.
4. Which assessment finding is a hallmark symptom of Major Depressive
Disorder (MDD)?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Pressured speech
C. Grandiosity
D. Anhedonia
Answer: D
Rationale: Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, is a core symptom of MDD. Pressured
speech, grandiosity, and flight of ideas are associated with mania.
5. A client with Bipolar Disorder is displaying ‘flight of ideas.’ How should the
nurse document this finding?
A. Rapid speech with frequent shifts from one topic to another
B. The use of rhyming words without logical connection
C. Repeating the same word or phrase over and over
D. False beliefs of being someone famous or powerful
Answer: A
Rationale: Flight of ideas involves a nearly continuous flow of accelerated speech with
abrupt changes among topics.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client for suicidal ideation. Which question is the most
effective to determine risk?
A. ‘Do you feel like you might hurt yourself?’
B. ‘Does your family know how you feel?’
C. ‘Why would you want to end your life?’
D. ‘Are you planning to kill yourself?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Direct questioning about suicidal intent and plans is the most effective and safe
way to assess risk.
7. A client is starting Fluoxetine for depression. What should the nurse include
in the teaching?
A. ‘You will feel better within 24 to 48 hours.’
B. ‘Stop taking the medication if you feel better.’
C. ‘This medication will increase your appetite immediately.’
D. ‘It may take 1 to 4 weeks to see therapeutic effects.’
Answer: D
Rationale: SSRIs like Fluoxetine take several weeks (typically 1-4 weeks) to reach
therapeutic levels in the brain.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). What
is a common expected side effect post-procedure?
A. Long-term permanent memory loss
B. Severe abdominal cramping
C. Hypertensive crisis
D. Temporary short-term memory loss and confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: Short-term memory loss, confusion, and disorientation are common temporary
side effects immediately following ECT.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with Bipolar Disorder who is experiencing acute
mania. Which of the following should be the nurse’s priority?
A. Maintaining client safety and preventing physical exhaustion
B. Encouraging the client to participate in group therapy sessions
C. Ensuring the client remains hydrated and eats high-calorie finger foods
D. Teaching the client about the importance of medication compliance
Answer: A
Rationale: In acute mania, the priority is maintaining safety and physical integrity due to
the client’s poor judgment, hyperactivity, and potential for exhaustion or injury.
2. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate. Which of the following lab values
should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Lithium level 1.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
C. Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
D. Potassium level 4.2 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L indicates lithium toxicity (therapeutic range is 0.6-
1.2 mEq/L). Levels above 1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for Phenelzine. Which
food should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Pepperoni pizza
B. Cottage cheese
C. Grilled chicken
D. Fresh apples
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenelzine is an MAOI. Clients must avoid foods high in tyramine, such as aged
meats (pepperoni), aged cheeses, and fermented products, to prevent hypertensive crisis.
4. Which assessment finding is a hallmark symptom of Major Depressive
Disorder (MDD)?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Pressured speech
C. Grandiosity
D. Anhedonia
Answer: D
Rationale: Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, is a core symptom of MDD. Pressured
speech, grandiosity, and flight of ideas are associated with mania.
5. A client with Bipolar Disorder is displaying ‘flight of ideas.’ How should the
nurse document this finding?
A. Rapid speech with frequent shifts from one topic to another
B. The use of rhyming words without logical connection
C. Repeating the same word or phrase over and over
D. False beliefs of being someone famous or powerful
Answer: A
Rationale: Flight of ideas involves a nearly continuous flow of accelerated speech with
abrupt changes among topics.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client for suicidal ideation. Which question is the most
effective to determine risk?
A. ‘Do you feel like you might hurt yourself?’
B. ‘Does your family know how you feel?’
C. ‘Why would you want to end your life?’
D. ‘Are you planning to kill yourself?’
Answer: D
Rationale: Direct questioning about suicidal intent and plans is the most effective and safe
way to assess risk.
7. A client is starting Fluoxetine for depression. What should the nurse include
in the teaching?
A. ‘You will feel better within 24 to 48 hours.’
B. ‘Stop taking the medication if you feel better.’
C. ‘This medication will increase your appetite immediately.’
D. ‘It may take 1 to 4 weeks to see therapeutic effects.’
Answer: D
Rationale: SSRIs like Fluoxetine take several weeks (typically 1-4 weeks) to reach
therapeutic levels in the brain.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). What
is a common expected side effect post-procedure?
A. Long-term permanent memory loss
B. Severe abdominal cramping
C. Hypertensive crisis
D. Temporary short-term memory loss and confusion
Answer: D
Rationale: Short-term memory loss, confusion, and disorientation are common temporary
side effects immediately following ECT.
