ATI RN Mental Health EXAM TEST QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following are common symptoms of major
depressive disorder?
A. Insomnia
B. Increased energy
C. Persistent sadness
D. Weight changes
Correct answer: A, C, D – These are typical symptoms of major
depressive disorder. Increased energy is not a symptom and
may indicate mania rather than depression.
2. Which interventions are appropriate for a patient
experiencing an acute manic episode?
A. Provide a structured environment
B. Encourage lengthy discussions about feelings
C. Limit stimuli in the environment
D. Offer frequent high-calorie snacks
Correct answer: A, C, D – A structured, low-stimulus
environment helps manage mania. High-calorie snacks meet
increased energy needs. Lengthy discussions may not be
effective during acute mania.
3. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which nursing actions are appropriate?
,A. Ask the patient to identify the hallucination
B. Reassure the patient that you hear the voices too
C. Speak in a calm, matter-of-fact manner
D. Encourage reality testing
Correct answer: A, C, D – Helping the patient identify
hallucinations and reality testing is effective. Nurses should not
pretend to hear the voices, as it can worsen confusion.
4. Which of the following are risk factors for developing post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Experiencing a natural disaster
B. Strong social support
C. Childhood abuse
D. Prior mental health disorder
Correct answer: A, C, D – Trauma, childhood abuse, and prior
mental health issues increase PTSD risk. Strong social support is
protective, not a risk factor.
5. Which medications are commonly prescribed for
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. SSRIs (e.g., sertraline)
B. Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam)
C. Lithium
D. Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol)
Correct answer: A, B, D – SSRIs are first-line therapy,
benzodiazepines are used short-term, and beta-blockers help
somatic symptoms. Lithium is used for bipolar disorder.
,6. Which are therapeutic communication techniques in mental
health nursing?
A. Using silence
B. Giving advice
C. Reflecting feelings
D. Open-ended questions
Correct answer: A, C, D – Silence, reflecting feelings, and open-
ended questions encourage patient expression. Giving advice is
generally non-therapeutic.
7. Which of the following symptoms are associated with
borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
A. Fear of abandonment
B. Impulsive behaviors
C. Chronic feelings of emptiness
D. Hallucinations
Correct answer: A, B, C – BPD includes emotional instability and
impulsivity. Hallucinations are not a core feature.
8. Which interventions are appropriate for a patient with
suicidal ideation?
A. Remove potentially harmful objects
B. Maintain one-to-one supervision
C. Encourage the patient to write a suicide note
D. Ask directly about suicidal thoughts
, Correct answer: A, B, D – Safety measures and open discussion
are key. Encouraging a suicide note is dangerous and
inappropriate.
9. A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
exhibits repetitive hand washing. Which nursing interventions
are appropriate?
A. Allow the ritual to occur without interruption initially
B. Gradually reduce time spent on ritual
C. Educate about the irrationality of the behavior
D. Ignore the behavior completely
Correct answer: A, B, C – Initially allowing rituals reduces
anxiety, then gradually reducing them and providing education
is therapeutic. Ignoring may worsen distress.
10. Which are common side effects of antipsychotic
medications?
A. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
B. Sedation
C. Weight gain
D. Hyperactivity
Correct answer: A, B, C – EPS, sedation, and weight gain are
common side effects. Hyperactivity is not typical.
11. Which are characteristic symptoms of bipolar depression?
A. Sadness
B. Anhedonia
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following are common symptoms of major
depressive disorder?
A. Insomnia
B. Increased energy
C. Persistent sadness
D. Weight changes
Correct answer: A, C, D – These are typical symptoms of major
depressive disorder. Increased energy is not a symptom and
may indicate mania rather than depression.
2. Which interventions are appropriate for a patient
experiencing an acute manic episode?
A. Provide a structured environment
B. Encourage lengthy discussions about feelings
C. Limit stimuli in the environment
D. Offer frequent high-calorie snacks
Correct answer: A, C, D – A structured, low-stimulus
environment helps manage mania. High-calorie snacks meet
increased energy needs. Lengthy discussions may not be
effective during acute mania.
3. A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. Which nursing actions are appropriate?
,A. Ask the patient to identify the hallucination
B. Reassure the patient that you hear the voices too
C. Speak in a calm, matter-of-fact manner
D. Encourage reality testing
Correct answer: A, C, D – Helping the patient identify
hallucinations and reality testing is effective. Nurses should not
pretend to hear the voices, as it can worsen confusion.
4. Which of the following are risk factors for developing post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A. Experiencing a natural disaster
B. Strong social support
C. Childhood abuse
D. Prior mental health disorder
Correct answer: A, C, D – Trauma, childhood abuse, and prior
mental health issues increase PTSD risk. Strong social support is
protective, not a risk factor.
5. Which medications are commonly prescribed for
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. SSRIs (e.g., sertraline)
B. Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam)
C. Lithium
D. Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol)
Correct answer: A, B, D – SSRIs are first-line therapy,
benzodiazepines are used short-term, and beta-blockers help
somatic symptoms. Lithium is used for bipolar disorder.
,6. Which are therapeutic communication techniques in mental
health nursing?
A. Using silence
B. Giving advice
C. Reflecting feelings
D. Open-ended questions
Correct answer: A, C, D – Silence, reflecting feelings, and open-
ended questions encourage patient expression. Giving advice is
generally non-therapeutic.
7. Which of the following symptoms are associated with
borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
A. Fear of abandonment
B. Impulsive behaviors
C. Chronic feelings of emptiness
D. Hallucinations
Correct answer: A, B, C – BPD includes emotional instability and
impulsivity. Hallucinations are not a core feature.
8. Which interventions are appropriate for a patient with
suicidal ideation?
A. Remove potentially harmful objects
B. Maintain one-to-one supervision
C. Encourage the patient to write a suicide note
D. Ask directly about suicidal thoughts
, Correct answer: A, B, D – Safety measures and open discussion
are key. Encouraging a suicide note is dangerous and
inappropriate.
9. A patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
exhibits repetitive hand washing. Which nursing interventions
are appropriate?
A. Allow the ritual to occur without interruption initially
B. Gradually reduce time spent on ritual
C. Educate about the irrationality of the behavior
D. Ignore the behavior completely
Correct answer: A, B, C – Initially allowing rituals reduces
anxiety, then gradually reducing them and providing education
is therapeutic. Ignoring may worsen distress.
10. Which are common side effects of antipsychotic
medications?
A. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
B. Sedation
C. Weight gain
D. Hyperactivity
Correct answer: A, B, C – EPS, sedation, and weight gain are
common side effects. Hyperactivity is not typical.
11. Which are characteristic symptoms of bipolar depression?
A. Sadness
B. Anhedonia
