ATI RN Mental Health Nursing
Edition 13.0 • 2026 Practice Exam • Volume 2
350 Original Exam-Style Questions with Answers & Rationales
Comprehensive practice covering therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, mood and anxiety
disorders, psychosis, substance use, personality and somatic disorders, legal and ethical safety, and
special populations.
ATI RN Mental Health Nursing • Practice Resource Page 1
, Therapeutic Communication
1. A client says, “Nobody here understands what I’m going through.” Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. You should give the staff more time.
B. It sounds like you feel misunderstood.
C. Why do you think nobody understands?
D. Other clients have similar problems.
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Reflecting the feeling encourages the client to continue expressing concerns.
2. A client becomes silent after discussing a painful loss. What should the nurse do?
A. Change the subject
B. Offer immediate advice
C. Allow therapeutic silence
D. Leave the room
Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Therapeutic silence gives the client time to process emotions.
3. Which statement is an open-ended question?
A. Are you anxious?
B. Did you sleep last night?
C. What has been most difficult for you today?
D. Did your medication help?
Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the client to describe experiences in their own words.
4. A client says, “I cannot trust anyone here.” Which response is best?
A. You need to trust the staff.
B. It sounds difficult to feel that you cannot trust others.
C. Who caused your trust problems?
D. Everyone here is trustworthy.
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Acknowledging the feeling without arguing supports therapeutic communication.
5. Which behavior demonstrates active listening?
A. Interrupting frequently
B. Giving unsolicited advice
C. Maintaining attention and using brief encouragers
D. Changing the subject
Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Attentive presence and encouragers demonstrate active listening.
ATI RN Mental Health Nursing • Practice Resource Page 2
, Psychopharmacology
6. A client taking lithium reports severe diarrhea, vomiting, and coarse tremors. What should the
nurse do?
A. Give the next dose
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Encourage caffeine
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: These findings can indicate lithium toxicity and require prompt evaluation.
7. A client taking an antipsychotic develops fever, severe muscle rigidity, and
alteredconsciousness. Which complication is suspected?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. AkathisiaAnswer: B ✓
Rationale: Fever, rigidity, and altered mental status are warning signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
8. A client taking an SSRI asks when mood improvement should be expected. Which response
isbest?
A. You should feel completely better after one dose.
B. Therapeutic effects may take several weeks.
C. Stop it if you do not feel better tomorrow.
D. The medication works only when taken as needed.
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Antidepressant benefits commonly develop gradually over several weeks.
9. A client taking clozapine reports fever and sore throat. What is the priority action?
A. Encourage exercise
B. Notify the provider for evaluation
C. Give an extra dose
D. Ignore the symptoms
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Fever and sore throat can signal serious infection associated with neutropenia.
10. A client taking an antipsychotic develops repetitive lip smacking and tongue movements. Which
adverse effect is suspected?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Aphasia
D. Dehydration
Answer: A ✓
Rationale: Involuntary repetitive oral movements are characteristic of tardive dyskinesia.
ATI RN Mental Health Nursing • Practice Resource Page 3
, Mood Disorders
11. Which finding requires the most immediate follow-up in a client with major depression?
A. Poor appetite
B. Early-morning awakening
C. A specific suicide plan
D. Fatigue
Answer: C ✓
Rationale: A specific suicide plan indicates immediate safety risk.
12. A client with mania has not slept for 36 hours and is pacing continuously. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Provide a stimulating group activity
B. Offer a quiet, low-stimulation environment
C. Encourage several cups of coffee
D. Argue about unrealistic plans
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Reducing stimulation can help decrease escalating manic behavior.
13. Which meal is appropriate for a client experiencing acute mania who cannot sit for long?
A. Large formal dinner
B. Portable calorie-dense finger foods
C. Only clear liquids
D. A meal requiring extensive preparation
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Portable nutritious foods help meet nutritional needs when the client is highly active.
14. A depressed client suddenly becomes more energetic after severe suicidal thoughts. What
should the nurse do?
A. Assume risk has resolved
B. Continue close suicide-risk assessment
C. Discontinue observation
D. Encourage isolation
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: A change in energy does not eliminate suicide risk.
15. Which symptom is commonly associated with depression?
A. Anhedonia
B. Euphoria
C. Pressured speech
D. Grandiosity
Answer: A ✓
Rationale: Anhedonia is diminished interest or pleasure.
ATI RN Mental Health Nursing • Practice Resource Page 4
Edition 13.0 • 2026 Practice Exam • Volume 2
350 Original Exam-Style Questions with Answers & Rationales
Comprehensive practice covering therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology, mood and anxiety
disorders, psychosis, substance use, personality and somatic disorders, legal and ethical safety, and
special populations.
ATI RN Mental Health Nursing • Practice Resource Page 1
, Therapeutic Communication
1. A client says, “Nobody here understands what I’m going through.” Which response is most
therapeutic?
A. You should give the staff more time.
B. It sounds like you feel misunderstood.
C. Why do you think nobody understands?
D. Other clients have similar problems.
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Reflecting the feeling encourages the client to continue expressing concerns.
2. A client becomes silent after discussing a painful loss. What should the nurse do?
A. Change the subject
B. Offer immediate advice
C. Allow therapeutic silence
D. Leave the room
Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Therapeutic silence gives the client time to process emotions.
3. Which statement is an open-ended question?
A. Are you anxious?
B. Did you sleep last night?
C. What has been most difficult for you today?
D. Did your medication help?
Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage the client to describe experiences in their own words.
4. A client says, “I cannot trust anyone here.” Which response is best?
A. You need to trust the staff.
B. It sounds difficult to feel that you cannot trust others.
C. Who caused your trust problems?
D. Everyone here is trustworthy.
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Acknowledging the feeling without arguing supports therapeutic communication.
5. Which behavior demonstrates active listening?
A. Interrupting frequently
B. Giving unsolicited advice
C. Maintaining attention and using brief encouragers
D. Changing the subject
Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Attentive presence and encouragers demonstrate active listening.
ATI RN Mental Health Nursing • Practice Resource Page 2
, Psychopharmacology
6. A client taking lithium reports severe diarrhea, vomiting, and coarse tremors. What should the
nurse do?
A. Give the next dose
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Encourage caffeine
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: These findings can indicate lithium toxicity and require prompt evaluation.
7. A client taking an antipsychotic develops fever, severe muscle rigidity, and
alteredconsciousness. Which complication is suspected?
A. Serotonin syndrome
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. AkathisiaAnswer: B ✓
Rationale: Fever, rigidity, and altered mental status are warning signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
8. A client taking an SSRI asks when mood improvement should be expected. Which response
isbest?
A. You should feel completely better after one dose.
B. Therapeutic effects may take several weeks.
C. Stop it if you do not feel better tomorrow.
D. The medication works only when taken as needed.
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Antidepressant benefits commonly develop gradually over several weeks.
9. A client taking clozapine reports fever and sore throat. What is the priority action?
A. Encourage exercise
B. Notify the provider for evaluation
C. Give an extra dose
D. Ignore the symptoms
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Fever and sore throat can signal serious infection associated with neutropenia.
10. A client taking an antipsychotic develops repetitive lip smacking and tongue movements. Which
adverse effect is suspected?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Aphasia
D. Dehydration
Answer: A ✓
Rationale: Involuntary repetitive oral movements are characteristic of tardive dyskinesia.
ATI RN Mental Health Nursing • Practice Resource Page 3
, Mood Disorders
11. Which finding requires the most immediate follow-up in a client with major depression?
A. Poor appetite
B. Early-morning awakening
C. A specific suicide plan
D. Fatigue
Answer: C ✓
Rationale: A specific suicide plan indicates immediate safety risk.
12. A client with mania has not slept for 36 hours and is pacing continuously. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Provide a stimulating group activity
B. Offer a quiet, low-stimulation environment
C. Encourage several cups of coffee
D. Argue about unrealistic plans
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Reducing stimulation can help decrease escalating manic behavior.
13. Which meal is appropriate for a client experiencing acute mania who cannot sit for long?
A. Large formal dinner
B. Portable calorie-dense finger foods
C. Only clear liquids
D. A meal requiring extensive preparation
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Portable nutritious foods help meet nutritional needs when the client is highly active.
14. A depressed client suddenly becomes more energetic after severe suicidal thoughts. What
should the nurse do?
A. Assume risk has resolved
B. Continue close suicide-risk assessment
C. Discontinue observation
D. Encourage isolation
Answer: B ✓
Rationale: A change in energy does not eliminate suicide risk.
15. Which symptom is commonly associated with depression?
A. Anhedonia
B. Euphoria
C. Pressured speech
D. Grandiosity
Answer: A ✓
Rationale: Anhedonia is diminished interest or pleasure.
ATI RN Mental Health Nursing • Practice Resource Page 4
