ATI RN Mental Health WITH NGN ACTUAL EXAM 2026-2027
ACTUAL EXAM 90 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A.
A nurse is teaching a client who has ovarian cancer about skin care following
radiation treatment. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
B) Apply over-the-counter moisturizer to the radiation site
C) Cover the radiation site loosely with a gauze wrap before dressing
D) Use a soft washcloth to clean the area around the radiation site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
After radiation therapy, the skin in the treatment area becomes sensitive and
prone to irritation. The client should pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it to
prevent trauma and further irritation. Option B is incorrect because over-the-
counter moisturizers should not be applied to the radiation site without the
provider's approval; they may contain ingredients that could irritate the skin.
Option C is incorrect because the radiation site should not be covered with gauze
wraps unless specifically prescribed; loose, soft cotton clothing is recommended.
Option D is incorrect because the area around the radiation site should be
cleansed gently with lukewarm water and mild soap, but the radiation site itself
should be handled with extreme care. The nurse should also instruct the client to
avoid exposing the area to direct sunlight and to wear loose, soft clothing.
A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes insipidus. Which of the following
medications should the nurse plan to administer?
A) Desmopressin
B) Regular insulin
C) Furosemide
D) Lithium carbonate
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Diabetes insipidus is characterized by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH),
leading to excessive urination and thirst. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic
analog of ADH that is administered to replace ADH and reduce urine output.
Option B, regular insulin, is used to treat hyperglycemia. Option C, furosemide, is a
diuretic that would worsen the condition. Option D, lithium carbonate, is used to
treat bipolar disorder and can actually cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus as a
side effect. The nurse should monitor the client's urine output, specific gravity,
and electrolyte levels.
A nurse is admitting a client who has arthritic pain and reports taking ibuprofen
several times daily for 3 years. Which of the following tests should the nurse
monitor?
A) Fasting blood glucose
B) Stool for occult blood
C) Urine for white blood cells
D) Serum calcium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause
gastrointestinal bleeding. The nurse should monitor the client's stool for occult
blood and assess for signs of GI bleeding (bloody or tarry stools, abdominal pain,
hematemesis). Option A, fasting blood glucose, is not directly affected by
ibuprofen. Option C, urine for WBCs, is not related to ibuprofen use. Option D,
serum calcium, is not affected by ibuprofen. Long-term NSAID use also increases
the risk of renal impairment, so renal function should be monitored.
A nurse is contacting the provider for a client who has cancer and is experiencing
breakthrough pain. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse
anticipate?
,A) Transmucosal fentanyl
B) Intramuscular meperidine
C) Oral acetaminophen
D) Intravenous dexamethasone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Transmucosal fentanyl (Actiq) is a rapid-acting opioid used for breakthrough pain
in clients with cancer who are already receiving around-the-clock opioids. Option
B, intramuscular meperidine, is not recommended for chronic pain due to the
accumulation of the toxic metabolite normeperidine. Option C, oral
acetaminophen, is not sufficient for breakthrough cancer pain. Option D,
intravenous dexamethasone, is a corticosteroid used for pain related to
inflammation or edema, not breakthrough pain. The nurse should also assess the
client's pain level and response to treatment.
A nurse is admitting a client who reports chest pain and has been placed on a
telemetry monitor. Which of the following should the nurse analyze to determine
whether the client is experiencing a myocardial infarction?
A) PR interval
B) QRS duration
C) T wave
D) ST segment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
ST segment elevation indicates myocardial infarction (STEMI). ST segment
depression indicates ischemia. Option A, PR interval, is used to assess heart block.
Option B, QRS duration, is used to assess ventricular conduction. Option C, T wave
changes, may indicate ischemia or electrolyte imbalances. The nurse should also
assess the client's symptoms and cardiac enzymes.
, A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours postoperative following a colon
resection. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the surgeon?
A) Heart rate 90/min
B) Absent bowel sounds
C) Hemoglobin 8.2 g/dL
D) Gastric pH of 3.0
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
A hemoglobin level of 8.2 g/dL is significantly below the normal range (13-18 g/dL
for males, 12-16 g/dL for females) and may indicate possible hemorrhaging
following surgery. Option A, heart rate 90/min, is within the normal range (60-
100/min). Option B, absent bowel sounds, is an expected finding after major
bowel surgery; bowel sounds typically return within several days. Option D, gastric
pH of 3.0, is within the normal range for gastric acid (pH 1-4). The nurse should
monitor the client's vital signs and assess for signs of bleeding, including
hypotension, tachycardia, and decreased urine output.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The nurse
observes that the client has bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and
distended jugular veins. The nurse should anticipate administering which of the
following prescribed medications?
A) Diphenhydramine
B) Acetaminophen
C) Pantoprazole
D) Furosemide
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and distended jugular veins are signs of
fluid overload (transfusion-associated circulatory overload or TACO). The nurse
should anticipate administering a diuretic such as furosemide to reduce fluid
volume. Option A, diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine used for allergic
ACTUAL EXAM 90 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A.
A nurse is teaching a client who has ovarian cancer about skin care following
radiation treatment. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
B) Apply over-the-counter moisturizer to the radiation site
C) Cover the radiation site loosely with a gauze wrap before dressing
D) Use a soft washcloth to clean the area around the radiation site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
After radiation therapy, the skin in the treatment area becomes sensitive and
prone to irritation. The client should pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it to
prevent trauma and further irritation. Option B is incorrect because over-the-
counter moisturizers should not be applied to the radiation site without the
provider's approval; they may contain ingredients that could irritate the skin.
Option C is incorrect because the radiation site should not be covered with gauze
wraps unless specifically prescribed; loose, soft cotton clothing is recommended.
Option D is incorrect because the area around the radiation site should be
cleansed gently with lukewarm water and mild soap, but the radiation site itself
should be handled with extreme care. The nurse should also instruct the client to
avoid exposing the area to direct sunlight and to wear loose, soft clothing.
A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes insipidus. Which of the following
medications should the nurse plan to administer?
A) Desmopressin
B) Regular insulin
C) Furosemide
D) Lithium carbonate
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Diabetes insipidus is characterized by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH),
leading to excessive urination and thirst. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic
analog of ADH that is administered to replace ADH and reduce urine output.
Option B, regular insulin, is used to treat hyperglycemia. Option C, furosemide, is a
diuretic that would worsen the condition. Option D, lithium carbonate, is used to
treat bipolar disorder and can actually cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus as a
side effect. The nurse should monitor the client's urine output, specific gravity,
and electrolyte levels.
A nurse is admitting a client who has arthritic pain and reports taking ibuprofen
several times daily for 3 years. Which of the following tests should the nurse
monitor?
A) Fasting blood glucose
B) Stool for occult blood
C) Urine for white blood cells
D) Serum calcium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause
gastrointestinal bleeding. The nurse should monitor the client's stool for occult
blood and assess for signs of GI bleeding (bloody or tarry stools, abdominal pain,
hematemesis). Option A, fasting blood glucose, is not directly affected by
ibuprofen. Option C, urine for WBCs, is not related to ibuprofen use. Option D,
serum calcium, is not affected by ibuprofen. Long-term NSAID use also increases
the risk of renal impairment, so renal function should be monitored.
A nurse is contacting the provider for a client who has cancer and is experiencing
breakthrough pain. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse
anticipate?
,A) Transmucosal fentanyl
B) Intramuscular meperidine
C) Oral acetaminophen
D) Intravenous dexamethasone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Transmucosal fentanyl (Actiq) is a rapid-acting opioid used for breakthrough pain
in clients with cancer who are already receiving around-the-clock opioids. Option
B, intramuscular meperidine, is not recommended for chronic pain due to the
accumulation of the toxic metabolite normeperidine. Option C, oral
acetaminophen, is not sufficient for breakthrough cancer pain. Option D,
intravenous dexamethasone, is a corticosteroid used for pain related to
inflammation or edema, not breakthrough pain. The nurse should also assess the
client's pain level and response to treatment.
A nurse is admitting a client who reports chest pain and has been placed on a
telemetry monitor. Which of the following should the nurse analyze to determine
whether the client is experiencing a myocardial infarction?
A) PR interval
B) QRS duration
C) T wave
D) ST segment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
ST segment elevation indicates myocardial infarction (STEMI). ST segment
depression indicates ischemia. Option A, PR interval, is used to assess heart block.
Option B, QRS duration, is used to assess ventricular conduction. Option C, T wave
changes, may indicate ischemia or electrolyte imbalances. The nurse should also
assess the client's symptoms and cardiac enzymes.
, A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours postoperative following a colon
resection. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the surgeon?
A) Heart rate 90/min
B) Absent bowel sounds
C) Hemoglobin 8.2 g/dL
D) Gastric pH of 3.0
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
A hemoglobin level of 8.2 g/dL is significantly below the normal range (13-18 g/dL
for males, 12-16 g/dL for females) and may indicate possible hemorrhaging
following surgery. Option A, heart rate 90/min, is within the normal range (60-
100/min). Option B, absent bowel sounds, is an expected finding after major
bowel surgery; bowel sounds typically return within several days. Option D, gastric
pH of 3.0, is within the normal range for gastric acid (pH 1-4). The nurse should
monitor the client's vital signs and assess for signs of bleeding, including
hypotension, tachycardia, and decreased urine output.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The nurse
observes that the client has bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and
distended jugular veins. The nurse should anticipate administering which of the
following prescribed medications?
A) Diphenhydramine
B) Acetaminophen
C) Pantoprazole
D) Furosemide
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and distended jugular veins are signs of
fluid overload (transfusion-associated circulatory overload or TACO). The nurse
should anticipate administering a diuretic such as furosemide to reduce fluid
volume. Option A, diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine used for allergic
