ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM
VERSION 1
1.) A nurse manager is discussing the care of a client who has a personality
disorder with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by
the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a. “I can promote my client’s sense of control by establishing a
schedule.”
b. “I should encourage clients who have a schizoid personality disorder
to increase socialization.”
c. “I should practice limit-setting to help prevent client manipulation.”
d. “I should implement assertiveness training with clients who have
antisocial personality disorder.”
2.) A nurse is caring for a client who has avoidant personality disorder. Which
of the following statements is expected from a client who has this type of
personality disorder?
a. “I’m scared that you’re going to leave me.”
b. “I’ll go to group therapy if you’ll let me smoke.”
c. “I need to feel that everyone admires me.”
d. “I sometimes feel better if I cut myself.”
3.) A nurse is caring for a client who has borderline personality disorder. The
client says, “The nurse on the evening shift is always nice! You are the
meanest nurse ever!” The nurse should recognize the client’s statement as an
example of which of the following defense mechanisms?
a. Regression.
b. Splitting.
c. Undoing.
d. Identification.
4.) A nurse is assisting with a court-ordered evaluation of a client who has
antisocial personality disorder. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
a. Demonstrates extreme anxiety when placed in a social situation.
b. Has difficulty making even simple decisions.
c. Attempts to convince other clients to give him their belongings.
, d. Becomes agitated if his personal area is not neat and orderly.
e. Blames others for his past and current problems.
5.) A charge nurse is preparing a staff education session on personality
disorders. Which of the following personality characteristics associated with
all of the personality disorders should the charge nurse include in the
teaching?
a. Difficulty in getting along with other members of a group.
b. Belief in the ability to become invisible during times of stress.
c. Display of defense mechanisms when routines are changed.
d. Claiming to be more important than other persons.
e. Difficulty understanding why it is inappropriate to have a personal
relationship with staff.
Chapter 21 Medications for Anxiety and Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
1.) A nurse working in a mental health clinic is providing teaching to a client
who has a new prescription for diazepam for generalized anxiety disorder.
Which of the following information should the nurse provide?
a. Three to six weeks of treatment is required to achieve therapeutic
benefit.
b. Combining alcohol with diazepam will produce a paradoxical
response.
c. Diazepam has a lower risk for dependence than other antianxiety
medications.
d. Report confusion as a potential indication of toxicity.
2.) A nurse working in an emergency department is caring for a client who has
benzodiazepine toxicity due to an overdose. Which of the following actions
is the nurse’s priority?
a. Administer flumazenil.
b. Identify the client’s level of orientation.
c. Infuse IV fluids.
d. Prepare the client for gastric lavage.
3.) A nurse is caring for a client who is to begin taking fluoxetine for treatment
of generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following statements indicates
the client understands the use of this medication?
a. “I will take the medication at bedtime.”
b. “I will follow a low-sodium diet while taking this medication.”
, c. “I will need to discontinue this medication slowly.”
d. “I will be at risk for weight loss with long-term use of this
medication.”
4.) A nurse is assessing a client 4 hr after receiving an initial dose of fluoxetine.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as
indications of serotonin syndrome? (Select all that apply.)
a. Hypothermia.
b. Hallucinations.
c. Muscular flaccidity.
d. Diaphoresis.
e. Agitation.
5.) A nurse is caring for a client who takes paroxetine to treat posttraumatic
stress disorder. The client states that he grinds his teeth during the night,
which causes pain in his mouth. The nurse should identify which of the
following interventions as possible measures to manages the client’s
bruxism? (Select all that apply.)
a. Concurrent administration of buspirone.
b. Administration of a different SSRI.
c. Use of a mouth guard.
d. Changing to a different class of antianxiety medication.
e. Increasing the dose of paroxetine.
Chapter 22 Medications for Depressive Disorders
1.) A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
amitriptyline. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a. “While taking this medication, I’ll need to stay out of the sun to avoid
a skin rash.”
b. “I may feel drowsy for a few weeks after starting this medication.”
c. “I cannot eat my favorite pizza with pepperoni while taking this
medication.”
d. “This medication will help me lose the weight that I have gained over
the last year.”
2.) A nurse is caring for a client who is taking phenelzine. For which of the
following adverse effects should the nurse monitor? (Select all that apply.)
a. Elevated blood glucose levels.
, b. Orthostatic hypotension.
c. Priapism.
d. Headache.
e. Bruxism.
3.) A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a new
prescription for bupropion for depression. Which of the following findings is
the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
a. The client has a family history of seasonal pattern depression.
b. The client currently smokes 1.5 packs of cigarettes per day.
c. The client had a motor vehicle crash last year and sustained a head
injury.
d. The client has a BMI of 25 and has gained 10 lb over the last year.
4.) A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for imipramine how
to minimize anticholinergic effects. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
a. Void just before taking the medication.
b. Increase the dietary intake of potassium
c. Wear sunglasses when outside.
d. Change positions slowly when getting up.
e. Chew sugarless gum.
5.) A charge nurse is discussing mirtazapine with a newly licensed nurse.
Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates
understanding?
a. “This medication increases the release of serotonin and
norepinephrine.”
b. “I will need to monitor the client for hyponatremia while taking this
medication.”
c. “This medication is contraindicated for clients who have an eating
disorder.”
d. “Sexual dysfunction is a common adverse effect of this medication.”
Chapter 23 Medications for Bipolar Disorders
1.) A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed lithium therapy. The client
states that he wants to take ibuprofen for osteoarthritis pain relief. Which of
the following statements should the nurse make?
VERSION 1
1.) A nurse manager is discussing the care of a client who has a personality
disorder with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by
the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a. “I can promote my client’s sense of control by establishing a
schedule.”
b. “I should encourage clients who have a schizoid personality disorder
to increase socialization.”
c. “I should practice limit-setting to help prevent client manipulation.”
d. “I should implement assertiveness training with clients who have
antisocial personality disorder.”
2.) A nurse is caring for a client who has avoidant personality disorder. Which
of the following statements is expected from a client who has this type of
personality disorder?
a. “I’m scared that you’re going to leave me.”
b. “I’ll go to group therapy if you’ll let me smoke.”
c. “I need to feel that everyone admires me.”
d. “I sometimes feel better if I cut myself.”
3.) A nurse is caring for a client who has borderline personality disorder. The
client says, “The nurse on the evening shift is always nice! You are the
meanest nurse ever!” The nurse should recognize the client’s statement as an
example of which of the following defense mechanisms?
a. Regression.
b. Splitting.
c. Undoing.
d. Identification.
4.) A nurse is assisting with a court-ordered evaluation of a client who has
antisocial personality disorder. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
a. Demonstrates extreme anxiety when placed in a social situation.
b. Has difficulty making even simple decisions.
c. Attempts to convince other clients to give him their belongings.
, d. Becomes agitated if his personal area is not neat and orderly.
e. Blames others for his past and current problems.
5.) A charge nurse is preparing a staff education session on personality
disorders. Which of the following personality characteristics associated with
all of the personality disorders should the charge nurse include in the
teaching?
a. Difficulty in getting along with other members of a group.
b. Belief in the ability to become invisible during times of stress.
c. Display of defense mechanisms when routines are changed.
d. Claiming to be more important than other persons.
e. Difficulty understanding why it is inappropriate to have a personal
relationship with staff.
Chapter 21 Medications for Anxiety and Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
1.) A nurse working in a mental health clinic is providing teaching to a client
who has a new prescription for diazepam for generalized anxiety disorder.
Which of the following information should the nurse provide?
a. Three to six weeks of treatment is required to achieve therapeutic
benefit.
b. Combining alcohol with diazepam will produce a paradoxical
response.
c. Diazepam has a lower risk for dependence than other antianxiety
medications.
d. Report confusion as a potential indication of toxicity.
2.) A nurse working in an emergency department is caring for a client who has
benzodiazepine toxicity due to an overdose. Which of the following actions
is the nurse’s priority?
a. Administer flumazenil.
b. Identify the client’s level of orientation.
c. Infuse IV fluids.
d. Prepare the client for gastric lavage.
3.) A nurse is caring for a client who is to begin taking fluoxetine for treatment
of generalized anxiety disorder. Which of the following statements indicates
the client understands the use of this medication?
a. “I will take the medication at bedtime.”
b. “I will follow a low-sodium diet while taking this medication.”
, c. “I will need to discontinue this medication slowly.”
d. “I will be at risk for weight loss with long-term use of this
medication.”
4.) A nurse is assessing a client 4 hr after receiving an initial dose of fluoxetine.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as
indications of serotonin syndrome? (Select all that apply.)
a. Hypothermia.
b. Hallucinations.
c. Muscular flaccidity.
d. Diaphoresis.
e. Agitation.
5.) A nurse is caring for a client who takes paroxetine to treat posttraumatic
stress disorder. The client states that he grinds his teeth during the night,
which causes pain in his mouth. The nurse should identify which of the
following interventions as possible measures to manages the client’s
bruxism? (Select all that apply.)
a. Concurrent administration of buspirone.
b. Administration of a different SSRI.
c. Use of a mouth guard.
d. Changing to a different class of antianxiety medication.
e. Increasing the dose of paroxetine.
Chapter 22 Medications for Depressive Disorders
1.) A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
amitriptyline. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a. “While taking this medication, I’ll need to stay out of the sun to avoid
a skin rash.”
b. “I may feel drowsy for a few weeks after starting this medication.”
c. “I cannot eat my favorite pizza with pepperoni while taking this
medication.”
d. “This medication will help me lose the weight that I have gained over
the last year.”
2.) A nurse is caring for a client who is taking phenelzine. For which of the
following adverse effects should the nurse monitor? (Select all that apply.)
a. Elevated blood glucose levels.
, b. Orthostatic hypotension.
c. Priapism.
d. Headache.
e. Bruxism.
3.) A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a new
prescription for bupropion for depression. Which of the following findings is
the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
a. The client has a family history of seasonal pattern depression.
b. The client currently smokes 1.5 packs of cigarettes per day.
c. The client had a motor vehicle crash last year and sustained a head
injury.
d. The client has a BMI of 25 and has gained 10 lb over the last year.
4.) A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for imipramine how
to minimize anticholinergic effects. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
a. Void just before taking the medication.
b. Increase the dietary intake of potassium
c. Wear sunglasses when outside.
d. Change positions slowly when getting up.
e. Chew sugarless gum.
5.) A charge nurse is discussing mirtazapine with a newly licensed nurse.
Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates
understanding?
a. “This medication increases the release of serotonin and
norepinephrine.”
b. “I will need to monitor the client for hyponatremia while taking this
medication.”
c. “This medication is contraindicated for clients who have an eating
disorder.”
d. “Sexual dysfunction is a common adverse effect of this medication.”
Chapter 23 Medications for Bipolar Disorders
1.) A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed lithium therapy. The client
states that he wants to take ibuprofen for osteoarthritis pain relief. Which of
the following statements should the nurse make?
