ATI RN Mental Health
2026 Updated NGN
Training Exam
A comprehensive practice examination covering the full scope of mental health nursing,
including anxiety and mood disorders, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, personality
disorders, substance use and addiction, therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology,
crisis intervention, and legal/ethical considerations. Aligned with the Next-Generation NCLEX
(NGN) clinical judgment framework.
Total Questions: 70 Multiple-Choice Items
Question Type: Multiple Choice with Rationales
Difficulty: NCLEX-Level (Mixed Distribution)
Recommended Time: 105 Minutes (1.5 min per item)
Format: Questions 1-70, Answer Key with Rationales at End
R N M E N T A L H E A L T H N U R S I N G P R A C T I C E E X A M I N AT I O N
,ATI RN Mental Health 2026 Updated NGN Training Exam Page 1
Instructions: This examination consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. Select the ONE BEST answer
for each question. Each question is worth 1 point. There is no penalty for guessing. Recommended
time: 105 minutes (1.5 minutes per question). Record your answers and compare with the Answer Key
with Rationales section at the end of this examination.
1. [1 pt] A client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reports
experiencing excessive worry most days for the past 8 months. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Encourage the client to keep a worry journal to track anxiety triggers
B. Teach the client progressive muscle relaxation techniques
C. Assess the client for suicidal ideation and safety concerns
D. Refer the client to a support group for anxiety management
2. [1
pt] A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. The client is
hyperventilating and reports feeling like they are dying. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN alprazolam
B. Remain with the client and provide calm reassurance
C. Encourage the client to breathe into a paper bag
D. Instruct the client to sit in a comfortable position
3. [1 pt] A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends 2 hours each
morning performing handwashing rituals. Which nursing intervention is most
therapeutic?
A. Restrict the client's access to handwashing areas
B. Set limits on the handwashing behavior
C. Encourage the client to gradually delay handwashing
D. Distract the client with alternative activities during ritual time
4. [1 pt] A nurse is
assessing a client who was recently admitted with major
depressive disorder. Which finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. The client reports feeling sad most of the day
B. The client states having no energy to get out of bed
C. The client reports a plan to overdose on stored medications tonight
D. The client has lost 5 pounds over the past 2 weeks
70 Multiple-Choice Questions | NCLEX-Level Page 1
,ATI RN Mental Health 2026 Updated NGN Training Exam Page 2
5. [1
pt] A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac).
Which statement by the client indicates understanding of the medication teaching?
A. "I should expect to feel better within 24 hours of starting this medication,"
B. "I may experience headaches and nausea when first starting this medication,"
C. "I can stop taking this medication once I start feeling better,"
D. "I should avoid eating foods that contain tyramine while on this medication"
70 Multiple-Choice Questions | NCLEX-Level Page 2
, ATI RN Mental Health 2026 Updated NGN Training Exam Page 3
6. [1pt] A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client with bipolar disorder who is
in the manic phase. Which intervention should the nurse include?
A. Provide a stimulating environment to channel excess energy
B. Maintain consistent rules and limits for behavior
C. Allow the clientto set their own schedule for meals and activities
D. Encourage the client to make important decisions while feeling energized
7. [1pt] A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium carbonate. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A. "Maintain a consistent sodium intake while taking this medication,"
B. "It
is safe to take ibuprofen for headaches while on lithium,"
C. "You should drink at least 3 liters of water per day,"
D. "Expect to gain at least 10 pounds during the first month of treatment"
8. [1 pt] A nurse iscaring for a client who is experiencing auditory hallucinations. The
client states, "The voices are telling me to hurt myself." Which response by the nurse
is most appropriate?
A. "Those voices are not real and you should ignore them,"
B. "I understand you are hearing voices. Are you planning to act on what they say?"
C. "You need to take
your medication so the voices will stop,"
D. "Why do you think the voices are telling you to hurt yourself?"
9. [1pt] A client with schizophrenia is prescribed risperidone (Risperdal). Which side
effect should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Bradycardia
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hypertensive crisis
D. Serotonin syndrome
10. [1 pt] A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia. Which finding is
considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flataffect
B. Alogia (poverty of speech)
C. Visual hallucinations
D. Avolition (lack of motivation)
70 Multiple-Choice Questions | NCLEX-Level Page 3
2026 Updated NGN
Training Exam
A comprehensive practice examination covering the full scope of mental health nursing,
including anxiety and mood disorders, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, personality
disorders, substance use and addiction, therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology,
crisis intervention, and legal/ethical considerations. Aligned with the Next-Generation NCLEX
(NGN) clinical judgment framework.
Total Questions: 70 Multiple-Choice Items
Question Type: Multiple Choice with Rationales
Difficulty: NCLEX-Level (Mixed Distribution)
Recommended Time: 105 Minutes (1.5 min per item)
Format: Questions 1-70, Answer Key with Rationales at End
R N M E N T A L H E A L T H N U R S I N G P R A C T I C E E X A M I N AT I O N
,ATI RN Mental Health 2026 Updated NGN Training Exam Page 1
Instructions: This examination consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. Select the ONE BEST answer
for each question. Each question is worth 1 point. There is no penalty for guessing. Recommended
time: 105 minutes (1.5 minutes per question). Record your answers and compare with the Answer Key
with Rationales section at the end of this examination.
1. [1 pt] A client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reports
experiencing excessive worry most days for the past 8 months. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Encourage the client to keep a worry journal to track anxiety triggers
B. Teach the client progressive muscle relaxation techniques
C. Assess the client for suicidal ideation and safety concerns
D. Refer the client to a support group for anxiety management
2. [1
pt] A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. The client is
hyperventilating and reports feeling like they are dying. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN alprazolam
B. Remain with the client and provide calm reassurance
C. Encourage the client to breathe into a paper bag
D. Instruct the client to sit in a comfortable position
3. [1 pt] A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends 2 hours each
morning performing handwashing rituals. Which nursing intervention is most
therapeutic?
A. Restrict the client's access to handwashing areas
B. Set limits on the handwashing behavior
C. Encourage the client to gradually delay handwashing
D. Distract the client with alternative activities during ritual time
4. [1 pt] A nurse is
assessing a client who was recently admitted with major
depressive disorder. Which finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. The client reports feeling sad most of the day
B. The client states having no energy to get out of bed
C. The client reports a plan to overdose on stored medications tonight
D. The client has lost 5 pounds over the past 2 weeks
70 Multiple-Choice Questions | NCLEX-Level Page 1
,ATI RN Mental Health 2026 Updated NGN Training Exam Page 2
5. [1
pt] A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac).
Which statement by the client indicates understanding of the medication teaching?
A. "I should expect to feel better within 24 hours of starting this medication,"
B. "I may experience headaches and nausea when first starting this medication,"
C. "I can stop taking this medication once I start feeling better,"
D. "I should avoid eating foods that contain tyramine while on this medication"
70 Multiple-Choice Questions | NCLEX-Level Page 2
, ATI RN Mental Health 2026 Updated NGN Training Exam Page 3
6. [1pt] A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client with bipolar disorder who is
in the manic phase. Which intervention should the nurse include?
A. Provide a stimulating environment to channel excess energy
B. Maintain consistent rules and limits for behavior
C. Allow the clientto set their own schedule for meals and activities
D. Encourage the client to make important decisions while feeling energized
7. [1pt] A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium carbonate. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A. "Maintain a consistent sodium intake while taking this medication,"
B. "It
is safe to take ibuprofen for headaches while on lithium,"
C. "You should drink at least 3 liters of water per day,"
D. "Expect to gain at least 10 pounds during the first month of treatment"
8. [1 pt] A nurse iscaring for a client who is experiencing auditory hallucinations. The
client states, "The voices are telling me to hurt myself." Which response by the nurse
is most appropriate?
A. "Those voices are not real and you should ignore them,"
B. "I understand you are hearing voices. Are you planning to act on what they say?"
C. "You need to take
your medication so the voices will stop,"
D. "Why do you think the voices are telling you to hurt yourself?"
9. [1pt] A client with schizophrenia is prescribed risperidone (Risperdal). Which side
effect should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Bradycardia
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hypertensive crisis
D. Serotonin syndrome
10. [1 pt] A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia. Which finding is
considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flataffect
B. Alogia (poverty of speech)
C. Visual hallucinations
D. Avolition (lack of motivation)
70 Multiple-Choice Questions | NCLEX-Level Page 3
