ATI Mental Health CMS Newest Actual Exam 2026 With Complete Questions
And Correct Detailed Answers (Verified Answers) |Already Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following findings should the nurse report
to the provider immediately?
A) A client taking clozapine with a dry mouth.
B) A client taking lamotrigine who has developed a new rash.
C) A client taking valproate with a platelet count of 200,000/mm³.
D) A client taking lithium with a serum level of 0.8 mEq/L.
E) A client taking haloperidol who reports a mild headache.
Correct Answer: B) A client taking lamotrigine who has developed a new rash.
Rationale: Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication frequently used as a mood stabilizer
in bipolar disorder. The nurse must identify that a new rash is a potentially life-threatening
adverse effect, as it may indicate the onset of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic
Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Immediate discontinuation and notification of the provider
are required to prevent systemic organ failure or death.
Question 2
A nurse is communicating with a client in an inpatient mental health facility. Which of the
following actions by the nurse demonstrates the use of active listening?
A) Looking at the clock to ensure the session stays on schedule.
B) Planning the next question while the client is speaking.
C) Maintaining an open posture and paying close attention to body language.
D) Nodding quickly to encourage the client to finish their story.
E) Interrupting the client to clarify a specific clinical detail.
Correct Answer: C) Maintaining an open posture and paying close attention to body
language.
Rationale: Active listening is a core therapeutic communication technique that involves fully
attending to the client's verbal and nonverbal messages. By observing body language and
maintaining an open, non-defensive posture, the nurse signals to the client that they are
heard and understood, which fosters trust and further self-disclosure.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of the
following medications should the nurse prepare to administer first?
A) Disulfiram 250 mg PO.
B) Diazepam 5 mg IV bolus.
C) Naltrexone 50 mg PO.
D) Clonidine 0.1 mg transdermal patch.
E) Acamprosate 333 mg PO.
, 2
Correct Answer: B) Diazepam 5 mg IV bolus.
Rationale: The greatest risk to a client experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal is the
occurrence of seizures, delirium tremens, and cardiovascular collapse marked by elevated
heart rate and blood pressure. Benzodiazepines like diazepam act rapidly to stabilize vital
signs, provide neuroprotection, and decrease the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
Disulfiram and Naltrexone are used for maintenance of sobriety, not acute withdrawal.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and began taking a conventional
antipsychotic medication yesterday. Which of the following findings indicates the nurse should
administer benztropine 2 mg IM?
A) The client reports a sore throat and fever.
B) The client exhibits a shuffling gait and mask-like facial expression.
C) The client reports blurry vision and dry mouth.
D) The client has a white blood cell count of 3,000/mm³.
E) The client reports feelings of extreme inner restlessness.
Correct Answer: B) The client exhibits a shuffling gait and mask-like facial expression.
Rationale: Conventional antipsychotics can cause Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS). A
shuffling gait and mask-like face are indicative of pseudoparkinsonism. Benztropine is an
anticholinergic medication used to treat these specific symptoms. While inner restlessness
(akathisia) is also an EPS, benztropine is specifically indicated for the parkinsonian
symptoms described.
Question 5
A nurse is delegating client care tasks to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and an Assistive
Personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the LPN?
A) Perform an admission assessment for a client with major depressive disorder.
B) Develop a plan of care for a client experiencing a manic episode.
C) Change the dressings of a client who has borderline personality disorder and superficial self-
inflicted wounds.
D) Provide one-to-one observation for a client who is on suicide precautions.
E) Evaluate the effectiveness of a new antidepressant medication.
Correct Answer: C) Change the dressings of a client who has borderline personality disorder
and superficial self-inflicted wounds.
Rationale: Clients with borderline personality disorder are at high risk for self-mutilation.
It is within the LPN's scope of practice to perform wound care, cleanse the site, and collect
data regarding the healing process. Assessment, planning, and evaluation are
responsibilities of the Registered Nurse (RN), while one-to-one observation can often be
performed by an AP.
, 3
Question 6
A nurse is planning care for a 7-year-old child who has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse identify as the priority?
A) Ensure the child completes all homework assignments on time.
B) Remove unnecessary equipment and clutter from the child's surroundings.
C) Limit the child's intake of sugary snacks and beverages.
D) Schedule a playdate with multiple peers to improve social skills.
E) Administer stimulant medication exactly at bedtime.
Correct Answer: B) Remove unnecessary equipment and clutter from the child's
surroundings.
Rationale: Using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the safety-first framework, the priority
for a child with ADHD is preventing injury. These children often exhibit impulsive
behavior and have a decreased ability to perceive self-harm or environmental hazards. A
structured, clutter-free environment reduces overstimulation and physical risks.
Question 7
A nurse is discussing the home care of a client who has advanced Alzheimer's disease with the
client's partner. The partner expresses exhaustion and is planning to go out of town for several
days. Which of the following resources should the nurse recommend?
A) A long-term memory care facility for permanent placement.
B) An intensive outpatient program (IOP).
C) Respite care.
D) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).
E) A vocational rehabilitation center.
Correct Answer: C) Respite care.
Rationale: Respite care programs are designed specifically to provide temporary relief for
primary caregivers. They allow the client to stay in a supervised facility or receive in-home
care for a set number of days, preventing caregiver burnout and allowing the partner to
attend to personal needs or take a vacation.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who has antisocial personality disorder and is receiving behavioral
therapy through operant conditioning. Which of the following client behaviors indicates
effectiveness of the therapy?
A) The client recognizes the source of their childhood trauma.
B) The client refrains from manipulating others to earn dining room privileges.
C) The client expresses a desire to take medication as prescribed.
D) The client verbalizes understanding of the legal consequences of their actions.
E) The client apologizes to the staff for a previous outburst.
, 4
Correct Answer: B) The client refrains from manipulating others to earn dining room
privileges.
Rationale: Operant conditioning is based on the principle of using positive and negative
reinforcement to change behavior. In this scenario, the client is modifying their behavior
(refraining from manipulation) in order to receive a reward (dining room privileges). This
demonstrates that the reinforcement system is successfully shaping the client's social
interactions.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following findings should the
nurse document as a negative symptom of this disorder?
A) Auditory hallucinations.
B) Delusions of grandeur.
C) Anhedonia.
D) Echopraxia.
E) Neologisms.
Correct Answer: C) Anhedonia.
Rationale: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia represent a loss or deficit in normal
functioning and include the "5 A's": Affective flattening, Alogia (poverty of speech),
Avolition (lack of motivation), Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and Anergia (lack of
energy). Hallucinations, delusions, and neologisms are positive symptoms (excesses of
normal function).
Question 10
A nurse is reviewing routine lab values for several clients who are taking lithium. Which of the
following clients should the nurse assess further for findings of lithium toxicity?
A) A client who has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L.
B) A client who has a fasting blood glucose of 100 mg/dL.
C) A client who has a potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L.
D) A client who has a BUN of 15 mg/dL.
E) A client who has a lithium level of 0.6 mEq/L.
Correct Answer: A) A client who has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L.
Rationale: There is an inverse relationship between sodium and lithium in the kidneys.
When sodium levels are low (hyponatremia), the kidneys conserve lithium to compensate,
leading to decreased lithium excretion and an increased risk of lithium toxicity. A sodium
level of 128 is significantly below the normal range (135–145).
Question 11
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a situational crisis. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
And Correct Detailed Answers (Verified Answers) |Already Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following findings should the nurse report
to the provider immediately?
A) A client taking clozapine with a dry mouth.
B) A client taking lamotrigine who has developed a new rash.
C) A client taking valproate with a platelet count of 200,000/mm³.
D) A client taking lithium with a serum level of 0.8 mEq/L.
E) A client taking haloperidol who reports a mild headache.
Correct Answer: B) A client taking lamotrigine who has developed a new rash.
Rationale: Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication frequently used as a mood stabilizer
in bipolar disorder. The nurse must identify that a new rash is a potentially life-threatening
adverse effect, as it may indicate the onset of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic
Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Immediate discontinuation and notification of the provider
are required to prevent systemic organ failure or death.
Question 2
A nurse is communicating with a client in an inpatient mental health facility. Which of the
following actions by the nurse demonstrates the use of active listening?
A) Looking at the clock to ensure the session stays on schedule.
B) Planning the next question while the client is speaking.
C) Maintaining an open posture and paying close attention to body language.
D) Nodding quickly to encourage the client to finish their story.
E) Interrupting the client to clarify a specific clinical detail.
Correct Answer: C) Maintaining an open posture and paying close attention to body
language.
Rationale: Active listening is a core therapeutic communication technique that involves fully
attending to the client's verbal and nonverbal messages. By observing body language and
maintaining an open, non-defensive posture, the nurse signals to the client that they are
heard and understood, which fosters trust and further self-disclosure.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of the
following medications should the nurse prepare to administer first?
A) Disulfiram 250 mg PO.
B) Diazepam 5 mg IV bolus.
C) Naltrexone 50 mg PO.
D) Clonidine 0.1 mg transdermal patch.
E) Acamprosate 333 mg PO.
, 2
Correct Answer: B) Diazepam 5 mg IV bolus.
Rationale: The greatest risk to a client experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal is the
occurrence of seizures, delirium tremens, and cardiovascular collapse marked by elevated
heart rate and blood pressure. Benzodiazepines like diazepam act rapidly to stabilize vital
signs, provide neuroprotection, and decrease the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
Disulfiram and Naltrexone are used for maintenance of sobriety, not acute withdrawal.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and began taking a conventional
antipsychotic medication yesterday. Which of the following findings indicates the nurse should
administer benztropine 2 mg IM?
A) The client reports a sore throat and fever.
B) The client exhibits a shuffling gait and mask-like facial expression.
C) The client reports blurry vision and dry mouth.
D) The client has a white blood cell count of 3,000/mm³.
E) The client reports feelings of extreme inner restlessness.
Correct Answer: B) The client exhibits a shuffling gait and mask-like facial expression.
Rationale: Conventional antipsychotics can cause Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS). A
shuffling gait and mask-like face are indicative of pseudoparkinsonism. Benztropine is an
anticholinergic medication used to treat these specific symptoms. While inner restlessness
(akathisia) is also an EPS, benztropine is specifically indicated for the parkinsonian
symptoms described.
Question 5
A nurse is delegating client care tasks to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and an Assistive
Personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the LPN?
A) Perform an admission assessment for a client with major depressive disorder.
B) Develop a plan of care for a client experiencing a manic episode.
C) Change the dressings of a client who has borderline personality disorder and superficial self-
inflicted wounds.
D) Provide one-to-one observation for a client who is on suicide precautions.
E) Evaluate the effectiveness of a new antidepressant medication.
Correct Answer: C) Change the dressings of a client who has borderline personality disorder
and superficial self-inflicted wounds.
Rationale: Clients with borderline personality disorder are at high risk for self-mutilation.
It is within the LPN's scope of practice to perform wound care, cleanse the site, and collect
data regarding the healing process. Assessment, planning, and evaluation are
responsibilities of the Registered Nurse (RN), while one-to-one observation can often be
performed by an AP.
, 3
Question 6
A nurse is planning care for a 7-year-old child who has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD). Which of the following interventions should the nurse identify as the priority?
A) Ensure the child completes all homework assignments on time.
B) Remove unnecessary equipment and clutter from the child's surroundings.
C) Limit the child's intake of sugary snacks and beverages.
D) Schedule a playdate with multiple peers to improve social skills.
E) Administer stimulant medication exactly at bedtime.
Correct Answer: B) Remove unnecessary equipment and clutter from the child's
surroundings.
Rationale: Using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the safety-first framework, the priority
for a child with ADHD is preventing injury. These children often exhibit impulsive
behavior and have a decreased ability to perceive self-harm or environmental hazards. A
structured, clutter-free environment reduces overstimulation and physical risks.
Question 7
A nurse is discussing the home care of a client who has advanced Alzheimer's disease with the
client's partner. The partner expresses exhaustion and is planning to go out of town for several
days. Which of the following resources should the nurse recommend?
A) A long-term memory care facility for permanent placement.
B) An intensive outpatient program (IOP).
C) Respite care.
D) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).
E) A vocational rehabilitation center.
Correct Answer: C) Respite care.
Rationale: Respite care programs are designed specifically to provide temporary relief for
primary caregivers. They allow the client to stay in a supervised facility or receive in-home
care for a set number of days, preventing caregiver burnout and allowing the partner to
attend to personal needs or take a vacation.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who has antisocial personality disorder and is receiving behavioral
therapy through operant conditioning. Which of the following client behaviors indicates
effectiveness of the therapy?
A) The client recognizes the source of their childhood trauma.
B) The client refrains from manipulating others to earn dining room privileges.
C) The client expresses a desire to take medication as prescribed.
D) The client verbalizes understanding of the legal consequences of their actions.
E) The client apologizes to the staff for a previous outburst.
, 4
Correct Answer: B) The client refrains from manipulating others to earn dining room
privileges.
Rationale: Operant conditioning is based on the principle of using positive and negative
reinforcement to change behavior. In this scenario, the client is modifying their behavior
(refraining from manipulation) in order to receive a reward (dining room privileges). This
demonstrates that the reinforcement system is successfully shaping the client's social
interactions.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following findings should the
nurse document as a negative symptom of this disorder?
A) Auditory hallucinations.
B) Delusions of grandeur.
C) Anhedonia.
D) Echopraxia.
E) Neologisms.
Correct Answer: C) Anhedonia.
Rationale: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia represent a loss or deficit in normal
functioning and include the "5 A's": Affective flattening, Alogia (poverty of speech),
Avolition (lack of motivation), Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), and Anergia (lack of
energy). Hallucinations, delusions, and neologisms are positive symptoms (excesses of
normal function).
Question 10
A nurse is reviewing routine lab values for several clients who are taking lithium. Which of the
following clients should the nurse assess further for findings of lithium toxicity?
A) A client who has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L.
B) A client who has a fasting blood glucose of 100 mg/dL.
C) A client who has a potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L.
D) A client who has a BUN of 15 mg/dL.
E) A client who has a lithium level of 0.6 mEq/L.
Correct Answer: A) A client who has a sodium level of 128 mEq/L.
Rationale: There is an inverse relationship between sodium and lithium in the kidneys.
When sodium levels are low (hyponatremia), the kidneys conserve lithium to compensate,
leading to decreased lithium excretion and an increased risk of lithium toxicity. A sodium
level of 128 is significantly below the normal range (135–145).
Question 11
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a situational crisis. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
