ATI Mental Health
Retake Exam
Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026/2027
Q&A | Instant
1. A nurse is caring for a client with depression. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse include?
A. Encourage the client to talk about feelings
B. Provide detailed instructions about care
C. Avoid eye contact with the client
D. Discourage verbalization of negative thoughts
Answer: A. Encourage the client to talk about feelings
Rationale: Encouraging verbalization of feelings helps the client
process emotions and fosters therapeutic communication.
,2. A client with schizophrenia says, “The voices told me to hide.”
Which is the most appropriate nursing response?
A. “Those voices are not real.”
B. “What are the voices saying?”
C. “Let’s go to your room immediately.”
D. “You should ignore the voices.”
Answer: B. “What are the voices saying?”
Rationale: This response is therapeutic and helps the nurse
understand the client’s experience without reinforcing
hallucinations.
3. Which medication is commonly used to treat generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Sertraline
C. Haloperidol
D. Clozapine
Answer: B. Sertraline
Rationale: Sertraline, an SSRI, is first-line therapy for generalized
anxiety disorder.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with borderline personality disorder.
Which behavior is expected?
A. Social withdrawal
B. Fear of abandonment
C. Hallucinations
D. Memory loss
,Answer: B. Fear of abandonment
Rationale: Clients with borderline personality disorder often exhibit
intense fear of real or perceived abandonment.
5. Which is the priority nursing intervention for a client
experiencing acute mania?
A. Encourage group activities
B. Provide a quiet environment
C. Monitor for dehydration
D. Assign multiple high-stimulation tasks
Answer: C. Monitor for dehydration
Rationale: Clients in acute mania are at risk for dehydration due to
increased activity and poor fluid intake.
6. A client with PTSD has nightmares and avoids reminders of
trauma. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to discuss feelings in a safe environment
B. Force the client to face triggers
C. Limit communication with the client
D. Provide sedative without discussion
Answer: A. Encourage the client to discuss feelings in a safe
environment
Rationale: Providing a safe space allows the client to process
trauma and reduces avoidance behaviors.
7. A client is prescribed fluoxetine. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor?
A. Bradycardia
B. Constipation
, C. Insomnia
D. Hypotension
Answer: C. Insomnia
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine commonly cause insomnia,
agitation, and GI disturbances.
8. A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted. Which nursing action
is priority?
A. Teach coping skills
B. Monitor vital signs and weight
C. Encourage social activities
D. Explore family dynamics
Answer: B. Monitor vital signs and weight
Rationale: Physiological stability is the priority because clients with
anorexia are at risk for medical complications.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with alcohol withdrawal. Which
medication is first-line?
A. Lorazepam
B. Haloperidol
C. Fluoxetine
D. Lithium
Answer: A. Lorazepam
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like lorazepam are first-line to prevent
withdrawal seizures and reduce agitation.
10. A client is prescribed haloperidol. Which adverse effect requires
immediate attention?
Retake Exam
Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026/2027
Q&A | Instant
1. A nurse is caring for a client with depression. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse include?
A. Encourage the client to talk about feelings
B. Provide detailed instructions about care
C. Avoid eye contact with the client
D. Discourage verbalization of negative thoughts
Answer: A. Encourage the client to talk about feelings
Rationale: Encouraging verbalization of feelings helps the client
process emotions and fosters therapeutic communication.
,2. A client with schizophrenia says, “The voices told me to hide.”
Which is the most appropriate nursing response?
A. “Those voices are not real.”
B. “What are the voices saying?”
C. “Let’s go to your room immediately.”
D. “You should ignore the voices.”
Answer: B. “What are the voices saying?”
Rationale: This response is therapeutic and helps the nurse
understand the client’s experience without reinforcing
hallucinations.
3. Which medication is commonly used to treat generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. Lithium
B. Sertraline
C. Haloperidol
D. Clozapine
Answer: B. Sertraline
Rationale: Sertraline, an SSRI, is first-line therapy for generalized
anxiety disorder.
4. A nurse is assessing a client with borderline personality disorder.
Which behavior is expected?
A. Social withdrawal
B. Fear of abandonment
C. Hallucinations
D. Memory loss
,Answer: B. Fear of abandonment
Rationale: Clients with borderline personality disorder often exhibit
intense fear of real or perceived abandonment.
5. Which is the priority nursing intervention for a client
experiencing acute mania?
A. Encourage group activities
B. Provide a quiet environment
C. Monitor for dehydration
D. Assign multiple high-stimulation tasks
Answer: C. Monitor for dehydration
Rationale: Clients in acute mania are at risk for dehydration due to
increased activity and poor fluid intake.
6. A client with PTSD has nightmares and avoids reminders of
trauma. Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to discuss feelings in a safe environment
B. Force the client to face triggers
C. Limit communication with the client
D. Provide sedative without discussion
Answer: A. Encourage the client to discuss feelings in a safe
environment
Rationale: Providing a safe space allows the client to process
trauma and reduces avoidance behaviors.
7. A client is prescribed fluoxetine. Which side effect should the
nurse monitor?
A. Bradycardia
B. Constipation
, C. Insomnia
D. Hypotension
Answer: C. Insomnia
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine commonly cause insomnia,
agitation, and GI disturbances.
8. A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted. Which nursing action
is priority?
A. Teach coping skills
B. Monitor vital signs and weight
C. Encourage social activities
D. Explore family dynamics
Answer: B. Monitor vital signs and weight
Rationale: Physiological stability is the priority because clients with
anorexia are at risk for medical complications.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with alcohol withdrawal. Which
medication is first-line?
A. Lorazepam
B. Haloperidol
C. Fluoxetine
D. Lithium
Answer: A. Lorazepam
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like lorazepam are first-line to prevent
withdrawal seizures and reduce agitation.
10. A client is prescribed haloperidol. Which adverse effect requires
immediate attention?
