ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED ACTUAL
PRACTICE EXAM WITH WELL ELABORATED AND
MOST TESTED REAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
100% CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY
2026-2027 Q&A 100% GUARANTEED PASS A+ INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing
command hallucinations telling the client to harm
others. Which action is the nurse's priority?
A. Encourage group therapy participation
B. Ask the client to describe the voices
C. Initiate one-to-one observation
D. Administer PRN antianxiety medication
Rationale: Command hallucinations involving
harm place safety as the highest priority.
Continuous observation protects the client and
others while further interventions are implemented.
,2. A client taking lithium reports severe diarrhea,
muscle weakness, and coarse tremors. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Encourage sodium restriction
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Administer the next scheduled dose
D. Reassure the client that symptoms are expected
Rationale: These findings indicate lithium toxicity.
The nurse should withhold the medication
immediately and notify the provider. Toxicity can
progress rapidly to seizures and cardiac
dysrhythmias.
3. A nurse is communicating with a client
experiencing delusions of persecution. Which
response is therapeutic?
A. "Why do you think people are following you?"
B. "I understand you feel frightened, but I do not
see anyone following you."
C. "You know that isn't real, right?"
D. "Let's talk about something else to distract you."
,Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the
client's feelings without validating the delusion.
Presenting reality in a supportive manner helps the
client without arguing or reinforcing the false
belief.
4. A client with major depressive disorder states, "I
don't have anything to live for. Everyone would be
better off without me." Which response by the nurse
is most therapeutic?
A. "You have so much to live for. Think about your
family."
B. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
C. "I know how you feel. I've been depressed
before."
D. "Let's focus on positive thoughts instead."
Rationale: Direct assessment of suicidal ideation is
essential. Asking about suicide does not increase
risk. The nurse must assess lethality, plan, means,
and intent. Options A and D are false reassurance
and dismiss the client's feelings. Option C is
inappropriate self-disclosure.
, 5. A client with major depressive disorder has been
taking sertraline 50 mg daily for 4 days. The client
states, "I don't feel any better. This medication isn't
working." The nurse's best response is:
A. "Let me call your provider to increase the dose."
B. "Antidepressants typically take 2-4 weeks to
reach full effect."
C. "You should feel better within 24 hours."
D. "Maybe you need a different medication."
Rationale: SSRIs such as sertraline require 2-4
weeks to achieve therapeutic effect. The nurse
should educate the client about this timeline rather
than suggesting an immediate dose increase or
medication change.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has been
voluntarily admitted for major depressive disorder.
The client states, "I want to leave the hospital
immediately. I don't need to be here anymore."
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the client on one-to-one observation
B. Notify the healthcare provider of the client's
PRACTICE EXAM WITH WELL ELABORATED AND
MOST TESTED REAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
100% CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY
2026-2027 Q&A 100% GUARANTEED PASS A+ INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing
command hallucinations telling the client to harm
others. Which action is the nurse's priority?
A. Encourage group therapy participation
B. Ask the client to describe the voices
C. Initiate one-to-one observation
D. Administer PRN antianxiety medication
Rationale: Command hallucinations involving
harm place safety as the highest priority.
Continuous observation protects the client and
others while further interventions are implemented.
,2. A client taking lithium reports severe diarrhea,
muscle weakness, and coarse tremors. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Encourage sodium restriction
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Administer the next scheduled dose
D. Reassure the client that symptoms are expected
Rationale: These findings indicate lithium toxicity.
The nurse should withhold the medication
immediately and notify the provider. Toxicity can
progress rapidly to seizures and cardiac
dysrhythmias.
3. A nurse is communicating with a client
experiencing delusions of persecution. Which
response is therapeutic?
A. "Why do you think people are following you?"
B. "I understand you feel frightened, but I do not
see anyone following you."
C. "You know that isn't real, right?"
D. "Let's talk about something else to distract you."
,Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the
client's feelings without validating the delusion.
Presenting reality in a supportive manner helps the
client without arguing or reinforcing the false
belief.
4. A client with major depressive disorder states, "I
don't have anything to live for. Everyone would be
better off without me." Which response by the nurse
is most therapeutic?
A. "You have so much to live for. Think about your
family."
B. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
C. "I know how you feel. I've been depressed
before."
D. "Let's focus on positive thoughts instead."
Rationale: Direct assessment of suicidal ideation is
essential. Asking about suicide does not increase
risk. The nurse must assess lethality, plan, means,
and intent. Options A and D are false reassurance
and dismiss the client's feelings. Option C is
inappropriate self-disclosure.
, 5. A client with major depressive disorder has been
taking sertraline 50 mg daily for 4 days. The client
states, "I don't feel any better. This medication isn't
working." The nurse's best response is:
A. "Let me call your provider to increase the dose."
B. "Antidepressants typically take 2-4 weeks to
reach full effect."
C. "You should feel better within 24 hours."
D. "Maybe you need a different medication."
Rationale: SSRIs such as sertraline require 2-4
weeks to achieve therapeutic effect. The nurse
should educate the client about this timeline rather
than suggesting an immediate dose increase or
medication change.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has been
voluntarily admitted for major depressive disorder.
The client states, "I want to leave the hospital
immediately. I don't need to be here anymore."
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Place the client on one-to-one observation
B. Notify the healthcare provider of the client's
