ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM
2025 NEWEST EXAM TEST BANK 500+
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS (100% CORRECT ANSWERS)
/ALREADY GRADED A
1
A client with major depressive disorder says, “I feel worthless.” The nurse’s best response is:
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about that feeling.”
C. “Everyone feels down sometimes.”
D. “You’ll be fine soon.”
Answer: B.
Rationale: Encourages expression and assessment of severity without minimizing.
2
A nurse teaches a client starting an SSRI. Which statement shows understanding?
A. “I will stop immediately if I feel worse.”
B. “It may take several weeks for full effect.”
C. “I can drink alcohol with this medication.”
D. “I should double a missed dose.”
Answer: B.
Rationale: SSRIs commonly take several weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect.
3
A client is hypervigilant, startled easily, and avoids reminders of a trauma. The nurse suspects:
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. PTSD
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Answer: C.
Rationale: Hypervigilance and avoidance after trauma suggest PTSD.
,4
Which is the priority for a client experiencing a panic attack?
A. Teaching relaxation long term
B. Staying with the client and offering calm reassurance
C. Asking about childhood events
D. Encouraging journaling
Answer: B.
Rationale: Immediate safety and calming presence reduce acute symptoms.
5
A client taking lithium reports persistent vomiting and diarrhea. The nurse should:
A. Advise increased fluid intake only
B. Monitor lithium level and notify provider
C. Suggest skipping lithium until symptoms stop
D. Tell the client to reduce dietary sodium
Answer: B.
Rationale: GI losses can alter lithium levels and risk toxicity; monitor and notify.
6
A therapeutic communication technique is:
A. Giving advice
B. Reflecting the client’s feelings
C. Minimizing concerns
D. Changing the subject
Answer: B.
Rationale: Reflection helps clients explore feelings and fosters rapport.
7
A client with schizophrenia says, “The TV is talking about me.” The nurse should:
A. Tell the client the TV can’t talk
B. Ask what the voice is saying and acknowledge feelings
C. Ignore the comment
D. Laugh to lighten mood
Answer: B.
Rationale: Acknowledges experience without reinforcing hallucination content.
8
Which is an anticholinergic side effect of many antipsychotics?
A. Diarrhea
,B. Excessive saliva
C. Dry mouth
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C.
Rationale: Anticholinergic effects commonly include dry mouth and constipation.
9
A client with bipolar disorder in a manic episode is very loud and intrusive. The best initial
nursing action:
A. Join in the conversation to redirect
B. Move the client to a quieter area and set limits calmly
C. Leave the client alone until calmer
D. Argue with the client about behavior
Answer: B.
Rationale: Decreasing stimuli and setting limits promotes safety and self-control.
10
Which finding indicates extrapyramidal side effects (EPS)?
A. Hypotension
B. Muscle rigidity and tremor
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Blurred vision only
Answer: B.
Rationale: Rigidity and tremor are classic EPS signs from antipsychotics.
11
A client on MAOI therapy asks about tyramine-rich foods. The nurse should advise avoiding:
A. Fresh apples
B. Aged cheeses and cured meats
C. Plain brown rice
D. Fresh vegetables
Answer: B.
Rationale: Aged cheeses and cured meats contain tyramine and risk hypertensive crisis with
MAOIs.
12
When using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the therapist focuses on:
A. Past childhood conflicts only
B. Changing distorted thoughts and behaviors
C. Physical symptoms exclusively
, D. Dream analysis
Answer: B.
Rationale: CBT targets present distorted thinking and behavior to change symptoms.
13
A client exhibits flattened affect and social withdrawal for months. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Schizophrenia negative symptoms
B. Mania
C. Panic disorder
D. OCD
Answer: A.
Rationale: Flattened affect and withdrawal are negative symptoms associated with
schizophrenia.
14
A patient with panic disorder asks about benzodiazepines. The nurse explains they:
A. Cure panic disorder permanently
B. Are useful short term for acute anxiety relief
C. Increase long-term coping skills best
D. Have no side effects
Answer: B.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines provide rapid relief but are typically short-term due to dependence
risk.
15
Which is the priority nursing intervention for a client with suicidal ideation (expressing intent)?
A. Ask about a plan and means in a calm manner
B. Suggest they keep feelings private
C. Leave them alone to rest
D. Tell them not to worry
Answer: A.
Rationale: Assessing plan and means is essential for immediate risk evaluation (avoid method
details).
16
A client with anorexia nervosa requests permission to skip a meal. The nurse should:
A. Allow skipping if they promise next meal
B. Enforce meal plan and monitor intake as prescribed
C. Say it’s okay occasionally
D. Encourage fasting for weight loss
2025 NEWEST EXAM TEST BANK 500+
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS (100% CORRECT ANSWERS)
/ALREADY GRADED A
1
A client with major depressive disorder says, “I feel worthless.” The nurse’s best response is:
A. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
B. “Tell me more about that feeling.”
C. “Everyone feels down sometimes.”
D. “You’ll be fine soon.”
Answer: B.
Rationale: Encourages expression and assessment of severity without minimizing.
2
A nurse teaches a client starting an SSRI. Which statement shows understanding?
A. “I will stop immediately if I feel worse.”
B. “It may take several weeks for full effect.”
C. “I can drink alcohol with this medication.”
D. “I should double a missed dose.”
Answer: B.
Rationale: SSRIs commonly take several weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect.
3
A client is hypervigilant, startled easily, and avoids reminders of a trauma. The nurse suspects:
A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. PTSD
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Answer: C.
Rationale: Hypervigilance and avoidance after trauma suggest PTSD.
,4
Which is the priority for a client experiencing a panic attack?
A. Teaching relaxation long term
B. Staying with the client and offering calm reassurance
C. Asking about childhood events
D. Encouraging journaling
Answer: B.
Rationale: Immediate safety and calming presence reduce acute symptoms.
5
A client taking lithium reports persistent vomiting and diarrhea. The nurse should:
A. Advise increased fluid intake only
B. Monitor lithium level and notify provider
C. Suggest skipping lithium until symptoms stop
D. Tell the client to reduce dietary sodium
Answer: B.
Rationale: GI losses can alter lithium levels and risk toxicity; monitor and notify.
6
A therapeutic communication technique is:
A. Giving advice
B. Reflecting the client’s feelings
C. Minimizing concerns
D. Changing the subject
Answer: B.
Rationale: Reflection helps clients explore feelings and fosters rapport.
7
A client with schizophrenia says, “The TV is talking about me.” The nurse should:
A. Tell the client the TV can’t talk
B. Ask what the voice is saying and acknowledge feelings
C. Ignore the comment
D. Laugh to lighten mood
Answer: B.
Rationale: Acknowledges experience without reinforcing hallucination content.
8
Which is an anticholinergic side effect of many antipsychotics?
A. Diarrhea
,B. Excessive saliva
C. Dry mouth
D. Bradycardia
Answer: C.
Rationale: Anticholinergic effects commonly include dry mouth and constipation.
9
A client with bipolar disorder in a manic episode is very loud and intrusive. The best initial
nursing action:
A. Join in the conversation to redirect
B. Move the client to a quieter area and set limits calmly
C. Leave the client alone until calmer
D. Argue with the client about behavior
Answer: B.
Rationale: Decreasing stimuli and setting limits promotes safety and self-control.
10
Which finding indicates extrapyramidal side effects (EPS)?
A. Hypotension
B. Muscle rigidity and tremor
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Blurred vision only
Answer: B.
Rationale: Rigidity and tremor are classic EPS signs from antipsychotics.
11
A client on MAOI therapy asks about tyramine-rich foods. The nurse should advise avoiding:
A. Fresh apples
B. Aged cheeses and cured meats
C. Plain brown rice
D. Fresh vegetables
Answer: B.
Rationale: Aged cheeses and cured meats contain tyramine and risk hypertensive crisis with
MAOIs.
12
When using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the therapist focuses on:
A. Past childhood conflicts only
B. Changing distorted thoughts and behaviors
C. Physical symptoms exclusively
, D. Dream analysis
Answer: B.
Rationale: CBT targets present distorted thinking and behavior to change symptoms.
13
A client exhibits flattened affect and social withdrawal for months. The nurse recognizes this as:
A. Schizophrenia negative symptoms
B. Mania
C. Panic disorder
D. OCD
Answer: A.
Rationale: Flattened affect and withdrawal are negative symptoms associated with
schizophrenia.
14
A patient with panic disorder asks about benzodiazepines. The nurse explains they:
A. Cure panic disorder permanently
B. Are useful short term for acute anxiety relief
C. Increase long-term coping skills best
D. Have no side effects
Answer: B.
Rationale: Benzodiazepines provide rapid relief but are typically short-term due to dependence
risk.
15
Which is the priority nursing intervention for a client with suicidal ideation (expressing intent)?
A. Ask about a plan and means in a calm manner
B. Suggest they keep feelings private
C. Leave them alone to rest
D. Tell them not to worry
Answer: A.
Rationale: Assessing plan and means is essential for immediate risk evaluation (avoid method
details).
16
A client with anorexia nervosa requests permission to skip a meal. The nurse should:
A. Allow skipping if they promise next meal
B. Enforce meal plan and monitor intake as prescribed
C. Say it’s okay occasionally
D. Encourage fasting for weight loss
