ATI RN Mental Health Level 3
Proctored Exam 2023 with NGN All
100 Questions With Answers
EXAM
1. A nurse is assessing a client with major depressive disorder.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Euphoria and grandiosity
B) Pressured speech and flight of ideas
C) Anhedonia and psychomotor retardation
D) Suspiciousness and hypervigilance
Answer: C
Rationale: Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) and psychomotor retardation (slowed
movement and speech) are classic symptoms of major depressive disorder. Euphoria,
grandiosity, pressured speech, and flight of ideas are associated with bipolar mania.
Suspiciousness and hypervigilance are associated with paranoid disorders.
2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The FBI is watching
my house because I have secret government codes." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "That sounds frightening. Tell me more about what you're experiencing."
B) "I don't believe the FBI is watching you. That's not real."
C) "Let's focus on something else instead."
D) "Why do you think they are watching you?"
,Answer: A
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's feelings without reinforcing the delusion is
therapeutic. Option B dismisses the client's experience. Option C avoids addressing the
concern. Option D asks "why," which can imply judgment and may increase paranoia.
3. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed fluoxetine. Which of the
following adverse effects should the nurse monitor?
A) Hypertensive crisis
B) Serotonin syndrome
C) Agranulocytosis
D) Extrapyramidal symptoms
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoxetine is an SSRI. Serotonin syndrome (agitation, confusion, diaphoresis,
hyperthermia) is a life-threatening adverse effect. Hypertensive crisis is associated with
MAOIs. Agranulocytosis is associated with clozapine. EPS is associated with typical
antipsychotics.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client with anorexia nervosa.
Which intervention should be included?
A) Allow the client to eat alone to reduce anxiety
B) Weigh the client weekly after breakfast
C) Monitor the client for 1 hour after meals
D) Encourage the client to select preferred foods
,Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa often purge after meals. Monitoring for 1 hour
prevents purging behaviors. Eating should be supervised, not alone. Weighing should be
done daily at the same time, not weekly. Food selection should be limited to prevent
manipulation.
5. A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. Which of
the following meals should the nurse provide?
A) A large buffet with multiple options
B) Finger foods that can be eaten while moving
C) A formal sit-down dinner
D) A high-protein meal served in the dining room
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients in manic phase have difficulty sitting still. Finger foods allow them to
eat while walking and maintain caloric intake. Large buffets may overstimulate. Formal
meals require prolonged sitting which is challenging.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about lithium therapy. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should restrict my fluid intake to prevent toxicity."
B) "I can stop my medication when I feel better."
C) "I need to maintain consistent sodium intake."
D) "I should take lithium on an empty stomach."
, Answer: C
Rationale: Consistent sodium intake is essential because lithium excretion is affected by
sodium levels. Low sodium can increase lithium levels and cause toxicity. Fluid restriction
is dangerous; adequate hydration is needed. Lithium must be taken consistently even
when feeling well. Lithium can be taken with food to reduce GI upset.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with alcohol use disorder who is
experiencing withdrawal. Which finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Diaphoresis and tremors
C) Seizure activity
D) Insomnia
Answer: C
Rationale: Seizures during alcohol withdrawal indicate impending delirium tremens, a
medical emergency. While nausea, diaphoresis, tremors, and insomnia are expected
withdrawal symptoms, seizures require immediate intervention.
8. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports
recurrent nightmares. Which medication is commonly prescribed
for this symptom?
A) Haloperidol
B) Prazosin
Proctored Exam 2023 with NGN All
100 Questions With Answers
EXAM
1. A nurse is assessing a client with major depressive disorder.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Euphoria and grandiosity
B) Pressured speech and flight of ideas
C) Anhedonia and psychomotor retardation
D) Suspiciousness and hypervigilance
Answer: C
Rationale: Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) and psychomotor retardation (slowed
movement and speech) are classic symptoms of major depressive disorder. Euphoria,
grandiosity, pressured speech, and flight of ideas are associated with bipolar mania.
Suspiciousness and hypervigilance are associated with paranoid disorders.
2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The FBI is watching
my house because I have secret government codes." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A) "That sounds frightening. Tell me more about what you're experiencing."
B) "I don't believe the FBI is watching you. That's not real."
C) "Let's focus on something else instead."
D) "Why do you think they are watching you?"
,Answer: A
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's feelings without reinforcing the delusion is
therapeutic. Option B dismisses the client's experience. Option C avoids addressing the
concern. Option D asks "why," which can imply judgment and may increase paranoia.
3. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed fluoxetine. Which of the
following adverse effects should the nurse monitor?
A) Hypertensive crisis
B) Serotonin syndrome
C) Agranulocytosis
D) Extrapyramidal symptoms
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoxetine is an SSRI. Serotonin syndrome (agitation, confusion, diaphoresis,
hyperthermia) is a life-threatening adverse effect. Hypertensive crisis is associated with
MAOIs. Agranulocytosis is associated with clozapine. EPS is associated with typical
antipsychotics.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client with anorexia nervosa.
Which intervention should be included?
A) Allow the client to eat alone to reduce anxiety
B) Weigh the client weekly after breakfast
C) Monitor the client for 1 hour after meals
D) Encourage the client to select preferred foods
,Answer: C
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa often purge after meals. Monitoring for 1 hour
prevents purging behaviors. Eating should be supervised, not alone. Weighing should be
done daily at the same time, not weekly. Food selection should be limited to prevent
manipulation.
5. A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. Which of
the following meals should the nurse provide?
A) A large buffet with multiple options
B) Finger foods that can be eaten while moving
C) A formal sit-down dinner
D) A high-protein meal served in the dining room
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients in manic phase have difficulty sitting still. Finger foods allow them to
eat while walking and maintain caloric intake. Large buffets may overstimulate. Formal
meals require prolonged sitting which is challenging.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about lithium therapy. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should restrict my fluid intake to prevent toxicity."
B) "I can stop my medication when I feel better."
C) "I need to maintain consistent sodium intake."
D) "I should take lithium on an empty stomach."
, Answer: C
Rationale: Consistent sodium intake is essential because lithium excretion is affected by
sodium levels. Low sodium can increase lithium levels and cause toxicity. Fluid restriction
is dangerous; adequate hydration is needed. Lithium must be taken consistently even
when feeling well. Lithium can be taken with food to reduce GI upset.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with alcohol use disorder who is
experiencing withdrawal. Which finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Diaphoresis and tremors
C) Seizure activity
D) Insomnia
Answer: C
Rationale: Seizures during alcohol withdrawal indicate impending delirium tremens, a
medical emergency. While nausea, diaphoresis, tremors, and insomnia are expected
withdrawal symptoms, seizures require immediate intervention.
8. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports
recurrent nightmares. Which medication is commonly prescribed
for this symptom?
A) Haloperidol
B) Prazosin
