ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH EDITION 12.0 ACTUAL EXAM 2026
| Complete Test Bank All 26 Chapters | 500 Exam-Style
Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
1. A client with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “I’m a failure. I can’t do anything right.”
Which response is most therapeutic?
A) “You shouldn’t feel that way; you have many strengths.”
B) “It sounds like you’re feeling really down about yourself right now.”
C) “Let’s list your recent accomplishments.”
D) “Why do you feel like a failure?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Reflection validates the client’s feeling without arguing. Avoid “why” questions and false
reassurance.
2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The voices are telling me to hurt myself.” What is
the priority nursing action?
A) Ask the client what the voices are saying in detail
B) Implement suicide precautions and notify the provider
C) Tell the client to ignore the voices
D) Administer a PRN antipsychotic
Answer: B
Rationale: Command hallucinations to self-harm require immediate safety interventions.
3. A client with bipolar disorder in a manic episode is pacing rapidly, talking loudly, and making
grandiose statements. Which intervention is most appropriate?
,A) Place the client in seclusion
B) Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
C) Confront the client about the grandiose statements
D) Assign a group of staff to restrain the client
Answer: B
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimuli helps decrease agitation and manic behavior.
4. A client with borderline personality disorder has a history of self-mutilation (cutting). The client
says, “I want to cut myself.” Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Restrict the client to her room
B) Assess the intensity of the urge and review the safety plan
C) Apply soft wrist restraints
D) Administer a PRN sedative
Answer: B
Rationale: First, assess the risk and use de-escalation, including reviewing alternative coping strategies.
5. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification. The last drink was 8 hours ago.
Which assessment finding is most likely first?
A) Seizure activity
B) Anxiety, tremors, and diaphoresis
C) Delirium tremens (DTs)
D) Hallucinations
Answer: B
Rationale: Early alcohol withdrawal (6-12 hours) includes tremors, anxiety, and tachycardia.
6. A client on a psychiatric unit tells the nurse, “I’m going to kill myself tonight.” What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A) Document the statement and tell the next shift
2
,B) Place the client on one-to-one observation and notify the provider
C) Tell the client that this behavior will not be tolerated
D) Remove all sharp objects from the unit
Answer: B
Rationale: Immediate safety interventions include constant observation, removing means, and provider
notification.
7. A client with social anxiety disorder is prescribed paroxetine (SSRI). Which statement indicates
understanding?
A) “I should feel better within 24 hours.”
B) “It may take 4-6 weeks for the full effect.”
C) “I can stop the medication once I feel less anxious.”
D) “This medication is addictive like Xanax.”
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs have delayed onset; full therapeutic effect takes several weeks.
8. A client with schizophrenia has been taking haloperidol for 2 weeks and now presents with a
stiff neck, fever, and confusion. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A) Tardive dyskinesia
B) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
C) Acute dystonia
D) Serotonin syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: NMS presents with fever, rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability.
9. A client with major depressive disorder is started on fluoxetine. The client says, “I feel even
more tired and nauseous now.” Which response is most appropriate?
A) “The medication is not working; we need to switch it.”
3
, B) “These side effects often improve after the first week or two. Try taking it with food.”
C) “You should stop taking it immediately.”
D) “That means the medication is not right for you.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Early side effects (nausea, fatigue) are common and often transient.
10. A client with bipolar disorder is taking lithium. The client reports hand tremors and increased
thirst. What should the nurse do first?
A) Hold the next dose of lithium
B) Check the client’s lithium level
C) Administer a beta-blocker for tremors
D) Increase the client’s fluid intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Fine tremor and polydipsia can occur at therapeutic levels but may also indicate early toxicity.
11. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends 2 hours washing hands daily. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Punish the behavior by taking away privileges
B) Allow time for the ritual initially, then gradually set limits
C) Force the client to stop the behavior immediately
D) Distract the client every time they start washing
Answer: B
Rationale: Rituals should be gradually decreased (behavioral modification) to avoid anxiety escalation.
12. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has frequent nightmares about a combat
event. Which class of medication is often first-line?
A) Benzodiazepines
B) SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine)
4
| Complete Test Bank All 26 Chapters | 500 Exam-Style
Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
1. A client with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, “I’m a failure. I can’t do anything right.”
Which response is most therapeutic?
A) “You shouldn’t feel that way; you have many strengths.”
B) “It sounds like you’re feeling really down about yourself right now.”
C) “Let’s list your recent accomplishments.”
D) “Why do you feel like a failure?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Reflection validates the client’s feeling without arguing. Avoid “why” questions and false
reassurance.
2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The voices are telling me to hurt myself.” What is
the priority nursing action?
A) Ask the client what the voices are saying in detail
B) Implement suicide precautions and notify the provider
C) Tell the client to ignore the voices
D) Administer a PRN antipsychotic
Answer: B
Rationale: Command hallucinations to self-harm require immediate safety interventions.
3. A client with bipolar disorder in a manic episode is pacing rapidly, talking loudly, and making
grandiose statements. Which intervention is most appropriate?
,A) Place the client in seclusion
B) Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment
C) Confront the client about the grandiose statements
D) Assign a group of staff to restrain the client
Answer: B
Rationale: Reducing environmental stimuli helps decrease agitation and manic behavior.
4. A client with borderline personality disorder has a history of self-mutilation (cutting). The client
says, “I want to cut myself.” Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Restrict the client to her room
B) Assess the intensity of the urge and review the safety plan
C) Apply soft wrist restraints
D) Administer a PRN sedative
Answer: B
Rationale: First, assess the risk and use de-escalation, including reviewing alternative coping strategies.
5. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification. The last drink was 8 hours ago.
Which assessment finding is most likely first?
A) Seizure activity
B) Anxiety, tremors, and diaphoresis
C) Delirium tremens (DTs)
D) Hallucinations
Answer: B
Rationale: Early alcohol withdrawal (6-12 hours) includes tremors, anxiety, and tachycardia.
6. A client on a psychiatric unit tells the nurse, “I’m going to kill myself tonight.” What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A) Document the statement and tell the next shift
2
,B) Place the client on one-to-one observation and notify the provider
C) Tell the client that this behavior will not be tolerated
D) Remove all sharp objects from the unit
Answer: B
Rationale: Immediate safety interventions include constant observation, removing means, and provider
notification.
7. A client with social anxiety disorder is prescribed paroxetine (SSRI). Which statement indicates
understanding?
A) “I should feel better within 24 hours.”
B) “It may take 4-6 weeks for the full effect.”
C) “I can stop the medication once I feel less anxious.”
D) “This medication is addictive like Xanax.”
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs have delayed onset; full therapeutic effect takes several weeks.
8. A client with schizophrenia has been taking haloperidol for 2 weeks and now presents with a
stiff neck, fever, and confusion. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A) Tardive dyskinesia
B) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
C) Acute dystonia
D) Serotonin syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: NMS presents with fever, rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability.
9. A client with major depressive disorder is started on fluoxetine. The client says, “I feel even
more tired and nauseous now.” Which response is most appropriate?
A) “The medication is not working; we need to switch it.”
3
, B) “These side effects often improve after the first week or two. Try taking it with food.”
C) “You should stop taking it immediately.”
D) “That means the medication is not right for you.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Early side effects (nausea, fatigue) are common and often transient.
10. A client with bipolar disorder is taking lithium. The client reports hand tremors and increased
thirst. What should the nurse do first?
A) Hold the next dose of lithium
B) Check the client’s lithium level
C) Administer a beta-blocker for tremors
D) Increase the client’s fluid intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Fine tremor and polydipsia can occur at therapeutic levels but may also indicate early toxicity.
11. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends 2 hours washing hands daily. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Punish the behavior by taking away privileges
B) Allow time for the ritual initially, then gradually set limits
C) Force the client to stop the behavior immediately
D) Distract the client every time they start washing
Answer: B
Rationale: Rituals should be gradually decreased (behavioral modification) to avoid anxiety escalation.
12. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has frequent nightmares about a combat
event. Which class of medication is often first-line?
A) Benzodiazepines
B) SSRIs (sertraline, paroxetine)
4
