Virtual ATI Mental Health & Community Health Review
2026/2027 | ATI Virtual-ATI NCLEX-RN Nursing Review
Study Guide & Practice Questions | Virtual ATI Mental Health
Nursing & Community Health Nursing Exam Prep, NCLEX-RN
Clinical Judgment, NGN-Style Practice, Psychiatric Nursing,
Therapeutic Communication, Mental Health Disorders,
Psychopharmacology, Community Health Assessment, Health
Promotion, Disease Prevention, Epidemiology, Population-
Focused Nursing, Community Resources, Client Safety,
Prioritization, Delegation & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a client who has generalized anxiety
disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Episodes of acute, intense fear lasting minutes
B. Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
C. Fear of social situations with scrutiny by others
D. Recurrent intrusive thoughts that the client attempts to neutralize
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Excessive worry occurring more days than not
for at least 6 months
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive,
uncontrollable worry about multiple areas of life occurring more days than
not for at least 6 months, accompanied by symptoms such as
restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Option A describes
panic disorder, Option C describes social anxiety disorder, and Option D
describes obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Teach the client diaphragmatic breathing techniques
B. Administer the prescribed PRN benzodiazepine
C. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice
D. Move the client to a quiet, low-stimulation environment
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Stay with the client and speak in a calm,
reassuring voice
Rationale: During an acute panic attack, the client's safety and emotional
containment are the priority. Staying with the client and using a calm,
reassuring approach reduces fear and prevents injury. Teaching breathing
,techniques and administering medication may follow, and reducing stimuli
is helpful but not the first action.
Question 3: A client with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I'm
worthless and everyone would be better off without me." Which of the
following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You have so much to live for; you shouldn't say things like that."
B. "Are you having thoughts of harming yourself?"
C. "Let's focus on something more positive right now."
D. "Why do you feel that way about yourself?"
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "Are you having thoughts of harming yourself?"
Rationale: Direct, nonjudgmental inquiry about suicidal ideation is
essential when a client expresses worthlessness and hopelessness. Asking
directly does not increase risk and allows the nurse to implement safety
precautions. Minimizing, redirecting, or asking "why" delays accurate risk
assessment.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching a client who is starting sertraline for
depression. Which of the following statements indicates the client
understands the teaching?
A. "I should expect my mood to improve within 2 to 3 days."
B. "I can stop the medication once I feel better."
C. "It may take several weeks before I notice improvement."
D. "I should avoid all dairy products while taking this."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "It may take several weeks before I notice
improvement."
Rationale: SSRIs such as sertraline typically require 2 to 4 weeks or longer
to produce therapeutic effects. Clients should be informed of this delay to
promote adherence. Abrupt discontinuation can cause withdrawal
symptoms, and there is no need to avoid dairy products.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking lithium
for bipolar disorder. Which of the following findings indicates possible
lithium toxicity?
A. Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
B. Serum lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
,C. Fine hand tremor and polyuria
D. Coarse hand tremor and vomiting
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Coarse hand tremor and vomiting
Rationale: Coarse hand tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, and confusion
are signs of moderate to severe lithium toxicity. A fine tremor and polyuria
can occur with therapeutic lithium levels. The therapeutic serum range is
typically 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L, so 0.8 mEq/L is within range.
Question 6: A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory
hallucinations telling him to hurt himself. Which of the following
nursing interventions is the priority?
A. Encourage the client to listen to music with headphones
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
C. Ensure the client's immediate safety and notify the provider
D. Tell the client that the voices are not real
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Ensure the client's immediate safety and notify
the provider
Rationale: Command hallucinations instructing self-harm require
immediate safety interventions and provider notification. While asking
about the content of hallucinations helps assess risk, safety comes first.
Music distraction and reality orientation are useful adjuncts but not the
priority in this situation.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client in the acute phase of alcohol
withdrawal. Which of the following medications should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Lorazepam
B. Naltrexone
C. Disulfiram
D. Acamprosate
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Lorazepam
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are the first-line treatment
for acute alcohol withdrawal because they prevent seizures and reduce
autonomic hyperactivity. Naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate are used
for maintenance of abstinence rather than acute withdrawal management.
, Question 8: A nurse is assessing a client who has anorexia nervosa.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. BMI greater than 30
B. Lanugo and amenorrhea
C. Recurrent binge eating followed by purging
D. Normal body image perception
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Lanugo and amenorrhea
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by low body weight, intense
fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image. Physical findings include
lanugo (fine downy hair), amenorrhea, bradycardia, and hypotension. Binge
eating followed by purging is characteristic of bulimia nervosa.
Question 9: A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about
community health prevention. Which of the following is an example of
primary prevention?
A. Screening for hypertension
B. Immunization against human papillomavirus
C. Cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction
D. Monitoring blood glucose in a client with diabetes
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Immunization against human papillomavirus
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs and
includes immunizations, health education, and injury prevention.
Screening is secondary prevention, while rehabilitation and chronic
disease management are tertiary prevention.
Question 10: A community health nurse is conducting a needs
assessment after a tornado. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Evaluate the effectiveness of the disaster response
B. Identify the immediate needs of the affected population
C. Develop a long-term recovery plan
D. Refer clients to mental health counseling services
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Identify the immediate needs of the affected
population
2026/2027 | ATI Virtual-ATI NCLEX-RN Nursing Review
Study Guide & Practice Questions | Virtual ATI Mental Health
Nursing & Community Health Nursing Exam Prep, NCLEX-RN
Clinical Judgment, NGN-Style Practice, Psychiatric Nursing,
Therapeutic Communication, Mental Health Disorders,
Psychopharmacology, Community Health Assessment, Health
Promotion, Disease Prevention, Epidemiology, Population-
Focused Nursing, Community Resources, Client Safety,
Prioritization, Delegation & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a client who has generalized anxiety
disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Episodes of acute, intense fear lasting minutes
B. Excessive worry occurring more days than not for at least 6 months
C. Fear of social situations with scrutiny by others
D. Recurrent intrusive thoughts that the client attempts to neutralize
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Excessive worry occurring more days than not
for at least 6 months
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive,
uncontrollable worry about multiple areas of life occurring more days than
not for at least 6 months, accompanied by symptoms such as
restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Option A describes
panic disorder, Option C describes social anxiety disorder, and Option D
describes obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Teach the client diaphragmatic breathing techniques
B. Administer the prescribed PRN benzodiazepine
C. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice
D. Move the client to a quiet, low-stimulation environment
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Stay with the client and speak in a calm,
reassuring voice
Rationale: During an acute panic attack, the client's safety and emotional
containment are the priority. Staying with the client and using a calm,
reassuring approach reduces fear and prevents injury. Teaching breathing
,techniques and administering medication may follow, and reducing stimuli
is helpful but not the first action.
Question 3: A client with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I'm
worthless and everyone would be better off without me." Which of the
following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You have so much to live for; you shouldn't say things like that."
B. "Are you having thoughts of harming yourself?"
C. "Let's focus on something more positive right now."
D. "Why do you feel that way about yourself?"
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "Are you having thoughts of harming yourself?"
Rationale: Direct, nonjudgmental inquiry about suicidal ideation is
essential when a client expresses worthlessness and hopelessness. Asking
directly does not increase risk and allows the nurse to implement safety
precautions. Minimizing, redirecting, or asking "why" delays accurate risk
assessment.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching a client who is starting sertraline for
depression. Which of the following statements indicates the client
understands the teaching?
A. "I should expect my mood to improve within 2 to 3 days."
B. "I can stop the medication once I feel better."
C. "It may take several weeks before I notice improvement."
D. "I should avoid all dairy products while taking this."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "It may take several weeks before I notice
improvement."
Rationale: SSRIs such as sertraline typically require 2 to 4 weeks or longer
to produce therapeutic effects. Clients should be informed of this delay to
promote adherence. Abrupt discontinuation can cause withdrawal
symptoms, and there is no need to avoid dairy products.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking lithium
for bipolar disorder. Which of the following findings indicates possible
lithium toxicity?
A. Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
B. Serum lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
,C. Fine hand tremor and polyuria
D. Coarse hand tremor and vomiting
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Coarse hand tremor and vomiting
Rationale: Coarse hand tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, and confusion
are signs of moderate to severe lithium toxicity. A fine tremor and polyuria
can occur with therapeutic lithium levels. The therapeutic serum range is
typically 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L, so 0.8 mEq/L is within range.
Question 6: A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory
hallucinations telling him to hurt himself. Which of the following
nursing interventions is the priority?
A. Encourage the client to listen to music with headphones
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
C. Ensure the client's immediate safety and notify the provider
D. Tell the client that the voices are not real
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Ensure the client's immediate safety and notify
the provider
Rationale: Command hallucinations instructing self-harm require
immediate safety interventions and provider notification. While asking
about the content of hallucinations helps assess risk, safety comes first.
Music distraction and reality orientation are useful adjuncts but not the
priority in this situation.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client in the acute phase of alcohol
withdrawal. Which of the following medications should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Lorazepam
B. Naltrexone
C. Disulfiram
D. Acamprosate
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Lorazepam
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are the first-line treatment
for acute alcohol withdrawal because they prevent seizures and reduce
autonomic hyperactivity. Naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate are used
for maintenance of abstinence rather than acute withdrawal management.
, Question 8: A nurse is assessing a client who has anorexia nervosa.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. BMI greater than 30
B. Lanugo and amenorrhea
C. Recurrent binge eating followed by purging
D. Normal body image perception
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Lanugo and amenorrhea
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by low body weight, intense
fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image. Physical findings include
lanugo (fine downy hair), amenorrhea, bradycardia, and hypotension. Binge
eating followed by purging is characteristic of bulimia nervosa.
Question 9: A nurse is teaching a group of adolescents about
community health prevention. Which of the following is an example of
primary prevention?
A. Screening for hypertension
B. Immunization against human papillomavirus
C. Cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction
D. Monitoring blood glucose in a client with diabetes
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Immunization against human papillomavirus
Rationale: Primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs and
includes immunizations, health education, and injury prevention.
Screening is secondary prevention, while rehabilitation and chronic
disease management are tertiary prevention.
Question 10: A community health nurse is conducting a needs
assessment after a tornado. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Evaluate the effectiveness of the disaster response
B. Identify the immediate needs of the affected population
C. Develop a long-term recovery plan
D. Refer clients to mental health counseling services
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Identify the immediate needs of the affected
population
