,ATI Mental Health Nursing Assessment - PN Exam Questions And
Answers 2026/2027
1.** A nurse is planning care for a client following a suicide attempt. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
A) Allow the client to keep personal belongings in the room
B) Place the client on one-to-one observation
C) Leave the client alone to promote independence
D) Encourage the client to "think positively"
**Correct Answer:** B) Place the client on one-to-one observation
**Rationale:** A client following a suicide attempt requires one-to-one
observation to ensure safety. Personal belongings that could be used for self-
harm should be removed. Leaving the client alone is unsafe; telling the client
to "think positively" is dismissive and not therapeutic.
**2.** A nurse is caring for a client who is angry and verbally aggressive.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer a PRN sedative
B) Place the client in seclusion
C) Use a calm, low voice and maintain a safe distance
D) Tell the client to "calm down"
**Correct Answer:** C) Use a calm, low voice and maintain a safe distance
**Rationale:** De-escalation techniques include speaking calmly,
maintaining a safe distance, and using non-threatening body language.
,Medication and seclusion are not first-line interventions; telling the client to
"calm down" may escalate the situation.
**3.** A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer PRN alprazolam
B) Encourage deep breathing exercises
C) Stay with the client and speak calmly
D) Provide a quiet, dimly lit environment
**Correct Answer:** C) Stay with the client and speak calmly
**Rationale:** Staying with the client provides safety and reassurance during
a panic attack. Deep breathing and a quiet environment are helpful but
follow establishing a therapeutic presence. Medication is not the first action.
**4.** A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
What is the nurse's most appropriate response?
A) "I don't hear any voices; you must be imagining things."
B) "The voices aren't real. What are they saying to you?"
C) "Let's go to your room so you can rest."
D) "I'll get you some medication for that."
**Correct Answer:** B) "The voices aren't real. What are they saying to you?"
**Rationale:** The nurse should acknowledge the client's experience while
gently reality-testing. Validating the client's perception while distinguishing it
, from reality is therapeutic. Dismissing the client's experience (A, C) or
immediately medicating (D) is not therapeutic.
**5.** A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with bipolar
disorder who is prescribed lithium. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A) "Take the medication with food to prevent nausea."
B) "Increase your fluid intake to prevent dehydration."
C) "Report any nausea or tremor to your healthcare provider."
D) "You can stop the medication if you feel better."
**Correct Answer:** C) "Report any nausea or tremor to your healthcare
provider."
**Rationale:** Nausea and tremor can be signs of lithium toxicity requiring
dose adjustment. Clients should maintain consistent fluid and sodium intake;
stopping the medication can cause relapse.
**6.** A nurse is caring for a client who is grieving the loss of a spouse.
Which statement by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "You should try to move on with your life."
B) "I understand how you feel; I lost my spouse too."
C) "It's normal to feel sad right now. Tell me more about how you're feeling."
D) "You need to be strong for your children."
**Correct Answer:** C) "It's normal to feel sad right now. Tell me more about
how you're feeling."
Answers 2026/2027
1.** A nurse is planning care for a client following a suicide attempt. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
A) Allow the client to keep personal belongings in the room
B) Place the client on one-to-one observation
C) Leave the client alone to promote independence
D) Encourage the client to "think positively"
**Correct Answer:** B) Place the client on one-to-one observation
**Rationale:** A client following a suicide attempt requires one-to-one
observation to ensure safety. Personal belongings that could be used for self-
harm should be removed. Leaving the client alone is unsafe; telling the client
to "think positively" is dismissive and not therapeutic.
**2.** A nurse is caring for a client who is angry and verbally aggressive.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer a PRN sedative
B) Place the client in seclusion
C) Use a calm, low voice and maintain a safe distance
D) Tell the client to "calm down"
**Correct Answer:** C) Use a calm, low voice and maintain a safe distance
**Rationale:** De-escalation techniques include speaking calmly,
maintaining a safe distance, and using non-threatening body language.
,Medication and seclusion are not first-line interventions; telling the client to
"calm down" may escalate the situation.
**3.** A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer PRN alprazolam
B) Encourage deep breathing exercises
C) Stay with the client and speak calmly
D) Provide a quiet, dimly lit environment
**Correct Answer:** C) Stay with the client and speak calmly
**Rationale:** Staying with the client provides safety and reassurance during
a panic attack. Deep breathing and a quiet environment are helpful but
follow establishing a therapeutic presence. Medication is not the first action.
**4.** A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
What is the nurse's most appropriate response?
A) "I don't hear any voices; you must be imagining things."
B) "The voices aren't real. What are they saying to you?"
C) "Let's go to your room so you can rest."
D) "I'll get you some medication for that."
**Correct Answer:** B) "The voices aren't real. What are they saying to you?"
**Rationale:** The nurse should acknowledge the client's experience while
gently reality-testing. Validating the client's perception while distinguishing it
, from reality is therapeutic. Dismissing the client's experience (A, C) or
immediately medicating (D) is not therapeutic.
**5.** A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with bipolar
disorder who is prescribed lithium. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A) "Take the medication with food to prevent nausea."
B) "Increase your fluid intake to prevent dehydration."
C) "Report any nausea or tremor to your healthcare provider."
D) "You can stop the medication if you feel better."
**Correct Answer:** C) "Report any nausea or tremor to your healthcare
provider."
**Rationale:** Nausea and tremor can be signs of lithium toxicity requiring
dose adjustment. Clients should maintain consistent fluid and sodium intake;
stopping the medication can cause relapse.
**6.** A nurse is caring for a client who is grieving the loss of a spouse.
Which statement by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "You should try to move on with your life."
B) "I understand how you feel; I lost my spouse too."
C) "It's normal to feel sad right now. Tell me more about how you're feeling."
D) "You need to be strong for your children."
**Correct Answer:** C) "It's normal to feel sad right now. Tell me more about
how you're feeling."
