ATI MENTAL HEALTH (2025-2026 A+ Verified)
Exam Questions | Verified Solutions | Correct Answer
Keys
✓ 100% Accurate & Verified Questions and Answers
Question 1
A 19-year-old college student presents with auditory hallucinations and disorganized speech. Which
assessment tool is most appropriate for screening schizophrenia in this client?
A) Beck Depression Inventory
B) Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
C) Mini-Mental State Examination
D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7
✓ Correct Answer: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
RATIONALE
PANSS is specifically designed to assess positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Question 2
A 45-year-old man with bipolar I disorder is discharged with lithium therapy. Which laboratory
value requires the nurse to withhold the next dose?
A) Serum lithium 0.8 mEq/L
B) Serum lithium 1.5 mEq/L
C) Serum lithium 0.4 mEq/L
D) Serum lithium 2.0 mEq/L
✓ Correct Answer: Serum lithium 2.0 mEq/L
RATIONALE
Lithium levels >1.5 mEq/L indicate toxicity and the dose should be held.
,Question 3
During a telehealth session, a 28-year-old client with generalized anxiety disorder reports increased
worry about job security. Which evidence‑based intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Teach diaphragmatic breathing exercises
B) Schedule a psychiatric medication evaluation
C) Refer to a support group
D) Recommend a sleep study
✓ Correct Answer: Teach diaphragmatic breathing exercises
RATIONALE
Diaphragmatic breathing is a first‑line CBT technique for immediate anxiety reduction.
Question 4
A 67-year-old veteran in a long‑term care facility exhibits sudden agitation, visual hallucinations,
and confusion. Which medication side effect is most likely responsible?
A) Haloperidol-induced extrapyramidal symptoms
B) Benztropine anticholinergic toxicity
C) Sertraline serotonin syndrome
D) Olanzapine metabolic syndrome
✓ Correct Answer: Benztropine anticholinergic toxicity
RATIONALE
Anticholinergic toxicity can cause delirium, agitation, and visual hallucinations in older adults.
, Question 5
A nurse is preparing a group education session on coping strategies for patients with PTSD. Which
technique should be included as a first‑line non‑pharmacologic treatment?
A) Electroconvulsive therapy
B) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
C) High‑dose benzodiazepines
D) Psychoanalytic therapy
✓ Correct Answer: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
RATIONALE
EMDR is an evidence‑based psychotherapy for PTSD.
Question 6
A 32‑year‑old pregnant woman with a history of major depressive disorder is concerned about
medication effects on the fetus. Which antidepressant is considered safest during pregnancy?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Sertraline
C) Paroxetine
D) Venlafaxine
✓ Correct Answer: Sertraline
RATIONALE
Sertraline has the most favorable safety profile among SSRIs in pregnancy.
Exam Questions | Verified Solutions | Correct Answer
Keys
✓ 100% Accurate & Verified Questions and Answers
Question 1
A 19-year-old college student presents with auditory hallucinations and disorganized speech. Which
assessment tool is most appropriate for screening schizophrenia in this client?
A) Beck Depression Inventory
B) Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
C) Mini-Mental State Examination
D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7
✓ Correct Answer: Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
RATIONALE
PANSS is specifically designed to assess positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Question 2
A 45-year-old man with bipolar I disorder is discharged with lithium therapy. Which laboratory
value requires the nurse to withhold the next dose?
A) Serum lithium 0.8 mEq/L
B) Serum lithium 1.5 mEq/L
C) Serum lithium 0.4 mEq/L
D) Serum lithium 2.0 mEq/L
✓ Correct Answer: Serum lithium 2.0 mEq/L
RATIONALE
Lithium levels >1.5 mEq/L indicate toxicity and the dose should be held.
,Question 3
During a telehealth session, a 28-year-old client with generalized anxiety disorder reports increased
worry about job security. Which evidence‑based intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Teach diaphragmatic breathing exercises
B) Schedule a psychiatric medication evaluation
C) Refer to a support group
D) Recommend a sleep study
✓ Correct Answer: Teach diaphragmatic breathing exercises
RATIONALE
Diaphragmatic breathing is a first‑line CBT technique for immediate anxiety reduction.
Question 4
A 67-year-old veteran in a long‑term care facility exhibits sudden agitation, visual hallucinations,
and confusion. Which medication side effect is most likely responsible?
A) Haloperidol-induced extrapyramidal symptoms
B) Benztropine anticholinergic toxicity
C) Sertraline serotonin syndrome
D) Olanzapine metabolic syndrome
✓ Correct Answer: Benztropine anticholinergic toxicity
RATIONALE
Anticholinergic toxicity can cause delirium, agitation, and visual hallucinations in older adults.
, Question 5
A nurse is preparing a group education session on coping strategies for patients with PTSD. Which
technique should be included as a first‑line non‑pharmacologic treatment?
A) Electroconvulsive therapy
B) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
C) High‑dose benzodiazepines
D) Psychoanalytic therapy
✓ Correct Answer: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
RATIONALE
EMDR is an evidence‑based psychotherapy for PTSD.
Question 6
A 32‑year‑old pregnant woman with a history of major depressive disorder is concerned about
medication effects on the fetus. Which antidepressant is considered safest during pregnancy?
A) Fluoxetine
B) Sertraline
C) Paroxetine
D) Venlafaxine
✓ Correct Answer: Sertraline
RATIONALE
Sertraline has the most favorable safety profile among SSRIs in pregnancy.
