• ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EDITION 12.0
Complete Practice Test Bank 300 Exam-Style
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales All Core Domains Covered | A+
Graded TABLE OF CONTENTS | Section | Topic
Area | Questions
1.
A male client with schizophrenia who is taking fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin decanoate) is being discharged
in the morning. A repeat dose of medication is scheduled for 20 days after discharge. The client tells the nurse
that he is going on vacation in the Bahamas and will return in 18 days. Which statement by the client indicates a
need for health teaching?
A) When I return from my tropical island vacation, I will go to the clinic to get my Prolixin injection.
B) While I am on vacation and when I return, I will not eat or drink anything that contains alcohol.
P 1
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
C) I will notify the healthcare provider if I have a sore throat or flu-like symptoms.
D) I will continue to take my benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) every day. –
Correct Answer :Photosensitivity is a side effect of Prolixin and a vacation in the Bahamas (with its tropical
island climate) increases the client's chance of experiencing this side effect. He should be instructed to avoid
direct sun (A) and wear sunscreen. (B, C, and D) indicate accurate knowledge. Alcohol acts synergistically with
Prolixin (B). (C) lists signs of agranulocytosis, which is also a side effect of Prolixin. In order to avoid
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), anticholinergic drugs, such as Cogentin, are often prescribed prophylactically
with Prolixin.
Correct Answer(s): A
2.
A male client is admitted to the mental health unit because he was feeling depressed about the loss of his wife
and job. The client has a history of alcohol dependency and admits that he was drinking alcohol 12 hours ago.
Vital signs are: temperature, 100° F, pulse 100, and BP 142/100. The nurse plans to give the client lorazepam
(Ativan) based on which priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Risk for injury related to suicidal ideation.
B) Risk for injury related to alcohol detoxification.
C) Knowledge deficit related to ineffective coping.
D) Health seeking behaviors related to personal crisis.
- Correct Answer :The most important nursing diagnosis is related to alcohol detoxification (B) because the
client has elevated vital signs, a sign of alcohol detoxification. Maintaining client safety related to (A) should be
addressed after giving the client Ativan for elevated vital signs secondary to alcohol withdrawal. (C and D) can be
addressed when immediate needs for safety are met.
Correct Answer(s): B
3.
P 2
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
The charge nurse is collaborating with the nursing staff about the plan of care for a client who is very depressed.
What is the most important intervention to implement during the first 48 hours after the client's admission to
the unit?
A) Monitor appetite and observe intake at meals.
B) Maintain safety in the client's milieu.
C) Provide ongoing, supportive contact.
D) Encourage participation in activities.
- Correct Answer :The most important reason for closely observing a depressed client immediately after
admission is to maintain safety (B), since suicide is a risk with depression. (A, C, and D) are all important
interventions, but safety is the priority.
Correct Answer(s): B
4.
A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. When her tray is brought to
her, she refuses to eat and tells the nurse, "I know you are trying to poison me with that food." Which response
is most appropriate for the nurse to make?
A) I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you need anything else.
B) You're not being poisoned. Why do you think someone is trying to poison you?
C) No one on this unit has ever died from poisoning. You're safe here.
D) I will talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of changing your diet.
- Correct Answer :(A) is the best choice cited. The nurse does not argue with the client nor demand that she
eat, but offers support by agreeing to "be there if needed", e.g., to warm the food. (B and C) are arguing with
the client's delusions, and (B) asks "why" which is usually not a good question for a psychotic client. (D) has
nothing to do with the actual problem; i.e., the problem is not the diet (she thinks any food given to her is
poisoned.)
Correct Answer(s): A
P 3
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
5.
A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder develops diarrhea, vomiting, and
drowsiness. What action should the nurse take?
A) Notify the healthcare provider immediately and prepare for administration of an antidote.
B) Notify the healthcare provider of the symptoms prior to the next administration of the drug.
C) Record the symptoms as normal side effects and continue administration of the prescribed dosage.
D) Hold the medication and refuse to administer additional amounts of the drug. –
Correct Answer :Early side effects of lithium carbonate (occurring with serum lithium levels below 2.0 mEq per
liter) generally follow a progressive pattern beginning with diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, and muscular
weakness. At higher levels, ataxia, tinnitus, blurred vision, and large dilute urine output may occur. (B) is the best
choice. Although these are expected symptoms, the healthcare provider should be notified prior to the next
administration of the drug. (A, C, and D) would not reflect good nursing judgment.
Correct Answer(s): B
6.
The parents of a 14-year-old boy bring their son to the hospital. He is lethargic, but responsive. The mother
states, "I think he took some of my pain pills." During initial assessment of the teenager, what information is
most important for the nurse to obtain from the parents?
A) If he has seemed depressed recently.
B) If a drug overdose has ever occurred before.
C) If he might have taken any other drugs.
D) If he has a desire to quit taking drugs. - Correct Answer :Knowledge of all substances taken (C) will guide
further treatment, such as administration of antagonists, so obtaining this information has the highest priority.
(A and B) are also valuable in planning treatment. (D) is not appropriate during the acute management of a drug
overdose.
Correct Answer(s): C
P 4
HEALTH NURSING
ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EDITION 12.0
Complete Practice Test Bank 300 Exam-Style
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales All Core Domains Covered | A+
Graded TABLE OF CONTENTS | Section | Topic
Area | Questions
1.
A male client with schizophrenia who is taking fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin decanoate) is being discharged
in the morning. A repeat dose of medication is scheduled for 20 days after discharge. The client tells the nurse
that he is going on vacation in the Bahamas and will return in 18 days. Which statement by the client indicates a
need for health teaching?
A) When I return from my tropical island vacation, I will go to the clinic to get my Prolixin injection.
B) While I am on vacation and when I return, I will not eat or drink anything that contains alcohol.
P 1
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
C) I will notify the healthcare provider if I have a sore throat or flu-like symptoms.
D) I will continue to take my benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) every day. –
Correct Answer :Photosensitivity is a side effect of Prolixin and a vacation in the Bahamas (with its tropical
island climate) increases the client's chance of experiencing this side effect. He should be instructed to avoid
direct sun (A) and wear sunscreen. (B, C, and D) indicate accurate knowledge. Alcohol acts synergistically with
Prolixin (B). (C) lists signs of agranulocytosis, which is also a side effect of Prolixin. In order to avoid
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), anticholinergic drugs, such as Cogentin, are often prescribed prophylactically
with Prolixin.
Correct Answer(s): A
2.
A male client is admitted to the mental health unit because he was feeling depressed about the loss of his wife
and job. The client has a history of alcohol dependency and admits that he was drinking alcohol 12 hours ago.
Vital signs are: temperature, 100° F, pulse 100, and BP 142/100. The nurse plans to give the client lorazepam
(Ativan) based on which priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Risk for injury related to suicidal ideation.
B) Risk for injury related to alcohol detoxification.
C) Knowledge deficit related to ineffective coping.
D) Health seeking behaviors related to personal crisis.
- Correct Answer :The most important nursing diagnosis is related to alcohol detoxification (B) because the
client has elevated vital signs, a sign of alcohol detoxification. Maintaining client safety related to (A) should be
addressed after giving the client Ativan for elevated vital signs secondary to alcohol withdrawal. (C and D) can be
addressed when immediate needs for safety are met.
Correct Answer(s): B
3.
P 2
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
The charge nurse is collaborating with the nursing staff about the plan of care for a client who is very depressed.
What is the most important intervention to implement during the first 48 hours after the client's admission to
the unit?
A) Monitor appetite and observe intake at meals.
B) Maintain safety in the client's milieu.
C) Provide ongoing, supportive contact.
D) Encourage participation in activities.
- Correct Answer :The most important reason for closely observing a depressed client immediately after
admission is to maintain safety (B), since suicide is a risk with depression. (A, C, and D) are all important
interventions, but safety is the priority.
Correct Answer(s): B
4.
A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. When her tray is brought to
her, she refuses to eat and tells the nurse, "I know you are trying to poison me with that food." Which response
is most appropriate for the nurse to make?
A) I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you need anything else.
B) You're not being poisoned. Why do you think someone is trying to poison you?
C) No one on this unit has ever died from poisoning. You're safe here.
D) I will talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of changing your diet.
- Correct Answer :(A) is the best choice cited. The nurse does not argue with the client nor demand that she
eat, but offers support by agreeing to "be there if needed", e.g., to warm the food. (B and C) are arguing with
the client's delusions, and (B) asks "why" which is usually not a good question for a psychotic client. (D) has
nothing to do with the actual problem; i.e., the problem is not the diet (she thinks any food given to her is
poisoned.)
Correct Answer(s): A
P 3
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
5.
A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder develops diarrhea, vomiting, and
drowsiness. What action should the nurse take?
A) Notify the healthcare provider immediately and prepare for administration of an antidote.
B) Notify the healthcare provider of the symptoms prior to the next administration of the drug.
C) Record the symptoms as normal side effects and continue administration of the prescribed dosage.
D) Hold the medication and refuse to administer additional amounts of the drug. –
Correct Answer :Early side effects of lithium carbonate (occurring with serum lithium levels below 2.0 mEq per
liter) generally follow a progressive pattern beginning with diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, and muscular
weakness. At higher levels, ataxia, tinnitus, blurred vision, and large dilute urine output may occur. (B) is the best
choice. Although these are expected symptoms, the healthcare provider should be notified prior to the next
administration of the drug. (A, C, and D) would not reflect good nursing judgment.
Correct Answer(s): B
6.
The parents of a 14-year-old boy bring their son to the hospital. He is lethargic, but responsive. The mother
states, "I think he took some of my pain pills." During initial assessment of the teenager, what information is
most important for the nurse to obtain from the parents?
A) If he has seemed depressed recently.
B) If a drug overdose has ever occurred before.
C) If he might have taken any other drugs.
D) If he has a desire to quit taking drugs. - Correct Answer :Knowledge of all substances taken (C) will guide
further treatment, such as administration of antagonists, so obtaining this information has the highest priority.
(A and B) are also valuable in planning treatment. (D) is not appropriate during the acute management of a drug
overdose.
Correct Answer(s): C
P 4
