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ATI Mental Health RN ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | Online Practice A & Comprehensive
Study Guide | Verified Questions and Answers |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
ONLINE PRACTICE A – 60 QUESTIONS
1. A 28-year-old client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The FBI put a microchip in my
brain last night.” Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “That must feel frightening.”
B. “No one can insert a microchip without your permission.”
C. “Tell me more about the microchip.”
D. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Validates the client’s feeling without reinforcing the delusion.
Learning Point: Respond to the affect, not the content of the delusion.
2. A client with bipolar disorder is pacing, shouting, and clenching fists after being told
visiting hours are over. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Offer PRN haloperidol.
B. Call security.
C. Maintain a 2-arm-length distance and speak calmly.
D. Place the client in seclusion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: De-escalation begins with non-threatening presence.
Learning Point: Always attempt verbal de-escalation before restrictive measures.
3. Select all that apply. A nurse is assessing suicide risk in a 17-year-old. Which findings
indicate highest risk?
A. Recent romantic breakup
B. Giving away prized possessions
C. Family history of suicide
D. Stating “I’m bored all the time”
E. Access to father’s hunting rifles
,2
F. History of sexual abuse
Correct Answers: A, B, E
Rationale: These are immediate warning signs plus lethal means.
Learning Point: Lethality of plan + means = highest risk.
4. A client started sertraline 4 days ago for major depression. The client reports “I still feel
hopeless.” Which response is best?
A. “Antidepressants may take 2–4 weeks to work.”
B. “We can ask the provider to double the dose today.”
C. “You should try herbal remedies instead.”
D. “Hopelessness is expected; try to cope.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sets realistic timeline and reduces premature discontinuation.
Learning Point: SSRIs require 2–4 weeks for noticeable mood improvement.
5. Order the steps for applying restraints to an aggressive client.
6. Obtain physician order within 1 hour
7. Ensure 4 staff members present
8. Explain procedure to client
9. Apply restraint vest
10. Check circulation q15min
Correct Order: 3, 2, 4, 1, 5
Rationale: Least restrictive first; safety and legal compliance.
Learning Point: Never apply without order unless emergent harm.
11. A client with borderline personality disorder says, “You’re the only nurse who cares.”
Which response is therapeutic?
A. “I care about your progress.”
B. “All the staff care about you.”
C. “You’re important to the team.”
D. “We can discuss your feelings in group.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Genuine, non-conditional, avoids splitting.
Learning Point: Avoid over-involvement or promising special attention.
12. A client taking clozapine reports fever and sore throat. Which lab value is priority?
A. White blood cell count
B. Serum sodium
C. Creatinine
D. Hemoglobin
, 3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis.
Learning Point: Fever + sore throat on clozapine = hold dose & stat CBC.
13. A client with PTSD wakes screaming. Which intervention is best initially?
A. Administer PRN lorazepam.
B. Orient to present time and place.
C. Ask details of the nightmare.
D. Leave room to reduce stimulation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding reduces dissociation.
Learning Point: Nightmares = re-experiencing; grounding is first-line.
14. A client states, “I stopped lithium because I missed the high.” Which response is
therapeutic?
A. “You’ll get manic again without it.”
B. “Tell me what you miss about the high.”
C. “I’ll inform your doctor immediately.”
D. “You know better than to stop meds.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Explores client’s perspective, opens education.
Learning Point: Explore feelings before educating.
15. A client with alcohol use disorder has tremors and BP 170/100. Which medication does
the nurse expect to administer first?
A. Disulfiram
B. Lorazepam
C. Naltrexone
D. Acamprosate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines prevent withdrawal seizures.
Learning Point: Treat alcohol withdrawal before relapse prevention meds.
16. A client is crying after learning a child died. Which statement is most therapeutic?
A. “I know how you feel.”
B. “Crying won’t bring him back.”
C. “This must be so painful for you.”
D. “You need to stay strong.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Validates affect without judgment.
Learning Point: Avoid clichés and false reassurance.
ATI Mental Health RN ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | Online Practice A & Comprehensive
Study Guide | Verified Questions and Answers |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
ONLINE PRACTICE A – 60 QUESTIONS
1. A 28-year-old client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The FBI put a microchip in my
brain last night.” Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. “That must feel frightening.”
B. “No one can insert a microchip without your permission.”
C. “Tell me more about the microchip.”
D. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Validates the client’s feeling without reinforcing the delusion.
Learning Point: Respond to the affect, not the content of the delusion.
2. A client with bipolar disorder is pacing, shouting, and clenching fists after being told
visiting hours are over. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Offer PRN haloperidol.
B. Call security.
C. Maintain a 2-arm-length distance and speak calmly.
D. Place the client in seclusion.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: De-escalation begins with non-threatening presence.
Learning Point: Always attempt verbal de-escalation before restrictive measures.
3. Select all that apply. A nurse is assessing suicide risk in a 17-year-old. Which findings
indicate highest risk?
A. Recent romantic breakup
B. Giving away prized possessions
C. Family history of suicide
D. Stating “I’m bored all the time”
E. Access to father’s hunting rifles
,2
F. History of sexual abuse
Correct Answers: A, B, E
Rationale: These are immediate warning signs plus lethal means.
Learning Point: Lethality of plan + means = highest risk.
4. A client started sertraline 4 days ago for major depression. The client reports “I still feel
hopeless.” Which response is best?
A. “Antidepressants may take 2–4 weeks to work.”
B. “We can ask the provider to double the dose today.”
C. “You should try herbal remedies instead.”
D. “Hopelessness is expected; try to cope.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sets realistic timeline and reduces premature discontinuation.
Learning Point: SSRIs require 2–4 weeks for noticeable mood improvement.
5. Order the steps for applying restraints to an aggressive client.
6. Obtain physician order within 1 hour
7. Ensure 4 staff members present
8. Explain procedure to client
9. Apply restraint vest
10. Check circulation q15min
Correct Order: 3, 2, 4, 1, 5
Rationale: Least restrictive first; safety and legal compliance.
Learning Point: Never apply without order unless emergent harm.
11. A client with borderline personality disorder says, “You’re the only nurse who cares.”
Which response is therapeutic?
A. “I care about your progress.”
B. “All the staff care about you.”
C. “You’re important to the team.”
D. “We can discuss your feelings in group.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Genuine, non-conditional, avoids splitting.
Learning Point: Avoid over-involvement or promising special attention.
12. A client taking clozapine reports fever and sore throat. Which lab value is priority?
A. White blood cell count
B. Serum sodium
C. Creatinine
D. Hemoglobin
, 3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis.
Learning Point: Fever + sore throat on clozapine = hold dose & stat CBC.
13. A client with PTSD wakes screaming. Which intervention is best initially?
A. Administer PRN lorazepam.
B. Orient to present time and place.
C. Ask details of the nightmare.
D. Leave room to reduce stimulation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding reduces dissociation.
Learning Point: Nightmares = re-experiencing; grounding is first-line.
14. A client states, “I stopped lithium because I missed the high.” Which response is
therapeutic?
A. “You’ll get manic again without it.”
B. “Tell me what you miss about the high.”
C. “I’ll inform your doctor immediately.”
D. “You know better than to stop meds.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Explores client’s perspective, opens education.
Learning Point: Explore feelings before educating.
15. A client with alcohol use disorder has tremors and BP 170/100. Which medication does
the nurse expect to administer first?
A. Disulfiram
B. Lorazepam
C. Naltrexone
D. Acamprosate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines prevent withdrawal seizures.
Learning Point: Treat alcohol withdrawal before relapse prevention meds.
16. A client is crying after learning a child died. Which statement is most therapeutic?
A. “I know how you feel.”
B. “Crying won’t bring him back.”
C. “This must be so painful for you.”
D. “You need to stay strong.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Validates affect without judgment.
Learning Point: Avoid clichés and false reassurance.
