VATI PN
Mental Health
(3 Version Exams Prep)
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIOS”)
Answers with detailed Rationale
What You’ll Get:
➤ Each Exam has 80 Mental Health questions
• PN/LPN focused content
• Exam-style questions
• Answer explanations (rationales)
• Clear, organized format for easy studying
• Printable & digital-friendly
Not affiliated with ATI, VATI or NCLEX. For study purposes only.
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
VATI PN Mental Health V1……………………………………………. 2
VATI PN Mental Health V2………………………………………….…. 27
VATI PN Mental Health V3………………………………………….…. 51
Version 1
1. A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has anorexia nervosa. The client states,
"Have I done any permanent damage to my body?" Which of the following responses
should the nurse make?
Case Scenario (NGN): 16-year-old female, BMI 16, HR 52/min, BP 90/60 mmHg, reports
fear of weight gain.
A. You need to focus on gaining weight right now.
B. You're afraid you have caused physical injury to yourself?
C. There is no permanent damage from anorexia.
D. Why would you think that?
Correct Answer: B. You're afraid you have caused physical injury to yourself?
Expert Rationale: Uses therapeutic communication (reflection). Validates feelings and
encourages expression. NGN priority: psychosocial support while monitoring
bradycardia/hypotension risks.
2. A nurse is caring for a client following a fire that destroyed her home and killed one of
her children. The client is crying and does not make eye contact with the nurse. Which of
the following questions should the nurse ask first?
Case Scenario (NGN): Adult client, tearful, withdrawn, HR 110/min, BP 138/88 mmHg.
, A. Why are you not making eye contact?
B. Have you thought of harming yourself?
C. Do you want to talk about your loss?
D. How long have you been feeling this way?
Correct Answer: B. Have you thought of harming yourself?
Expert Rationale: Safety is priority (Maslow/ABC). Assess suicide risk first following traumatic
loss.
3. A nurse is checking laboratory values for a hospitalized young adult client who has
bipolar disorder and is taking lithium. Which of the following values is the priority for the
nurse to report to the provider?
Case Scenario (NGN): Lithium 0.9 mEq/L, Creatinine 2.1 mg/dL, Na 138 mEq/L.
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Serum creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
C. Lithium level 0.9 mEq/L
D. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. Serum creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
Expert Rationale: Indicates renal impairment → lithium toxicity risk. NGN priority: prevent
toxicity.
4. A nurse is providing information to a client who is seeking voluntary admission to a
mental health facility. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
Case Scenario (NGN): Client alert, oriented ×4, requesting admission.
A. You cannot leave the facility once admitted.
B. You will lose the right to refuse treatment.
C. You will still need to give informed consent for treatment after admission.
D. You will automatically receive all prescribed medications.
Correct Answer: C. You will still need to give informed consent for treatment after admission.
Expert Rationale: Voluntary clients retain legal rights and autonomy.
5. A nurse is developing a plan of care for an adolescent client who has conduct disorder.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
Case Scenario (NGN): 15-year-old with aggression, rule-breaking behavior.
A. Encourage isolation
, B. Initiate a behavioral contract with the client
C. Avoid setting limits
D. Provide unrestricted privileges
Correct Answer: B. Initiate a behavioral contract with the client.
Expert Rationale: Promotes structure, accountability, and behavior modification.
6. A hospice nurse is talking with the family of a client who recently died. One adult child is
angry at the provider. Which defense mechanism is being used?
Case Scenario (NGN): Family grieving, one member yelling at staff.
A. Projection
B. Displacement
C. Denial
D. Regression
Correct Answer: B. Displacement
Expert Rationale: Redirecting emotions from loss to provider.
7. A nurse is providing teaching for a client admitted with delirium due to UTI. Which
statement shows understanding?
Case Scenario (NGN): Elderly client, acute confusion, temp 38.3°C.
A. Confusion is permanent
B. I expect that my father will no longer be confused when discharged
C. He needs long-term care
D. This is normal aging
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Delirium is reversible when cause treated.
8. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing mania. Which action should the nurse take
first?
Case Scenario (NGN): HR 120/min, pacing, no sleep ×48 hrs.
A. Encourage rest each hour
B. Provide group therapy
C. Increase activity
D. Offer multiple choices
Mental Health
(3 Version Exams Prep)
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIOS”)
Answers with detailed Rationale
What You’ll Get:
➤ Each Exam has 80 Mental Health questions
• PN/LPN focused content
• Exam-style questions
• Answer explanations (rationales)
• Clear, organized format for easy studying
• Printable & digital-friendly
Not affiliated with ATI, VATI or NCLEX. For study purposes only.
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
VATI PN Mental Health V1……………………………………………. 2
VATI PN Mental Health V2………………………………………….…. 27
VATI PN Mental Health V3………………………………………….…. 51
Version 1
1. A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has anorexia nervosa. The client states,
"Have I done any permanent damage to my body?" Which of the following responses
should the nurse make?
Case Scenario (NGN): 16-year-old female, BMI 16, HR 52/min, BP 90/60 mmHg, reports
fear of weight gain.
A. You need to focus on gaining weight right now.
B. You're afraid you have caused physical injury to yourself?
C. There is no permanent damage from anorexia.
D. Why would you think that?
Correct Answer: B. You're afraid you have caused physical injury to yourself?
Expert Rationale: Uses therapeutic communication (reflection). Validates feelings and
encourages expression. NGN priority: psychosocial support while monitoring
bradycardia/hypotension risks.
2. A nurse is caring for a client following a fire that destroyed her home and killed one of
her children. The client is crying and does not make eye contact with the nurse. Which of
the following questions should the nurse ask first?
Case Scenario (NGN): Adult client, tearful, withdrawn, HR 110/min, BP 138/88 mmHg.
, A. Why are you not making eye contact?
B. Have you thought of harming yourself?
C. Do you want to talk about your loss?
D. How long have you been feeling this way?
Correct Answer: B. Have you thought of harming yourself?
Expert Rationale: Safety is priority (Maslow/ABC). Assess suicide risk first following traumatic
loss.
3. A nurse is checking laboratory values for a hospitalized young adult client who has
bipolar disorder and is taking lithium. Which of the following values is the priority for the
nurse to report to the provider?
Case Scenario (NGN): Lithium 0.9 mEq/L, Creatinine 2.1 mg/dL, Na 138 mEq/L.
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Serum creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
C. Lithium level 0.9 mEq/L
D. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. Serum creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
Expert Rationale: Indicates renal impairment → lithium toxicity risk. NGN priority: prevent
toxicity.
4. A nurse is providing information to a client who is seeking voluntary admission to a
mental health facility. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
Case Scenario (NGN): Client alert, oriented ×4, requesting admission.
A. You cannot leave the facility once admitted.
B. You will lose the right to refuse treatment.
C. You will still need to give informed consent for treatment after admission.
D. You will automatically receive all prescribed medications.
Correct Answer: C. You will still need to give informed consent for treatment after admission.
Expert Rationale: Voluntary clients retain legal rights and autonomy.
5. A nurse is developing a plan of care for an adolescent client who has conduct disorder.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
Case Scenario (NGN): 15-year-old with aggression, rule-breaking behavior.
A. Encourage isolation
, B. Initiate a behavioral contract with the client
C. Avoid setting limits
D. Provide unrestricted privileges
Correct Answer: B. Initiate a behavioral contract with the client.
Expert Rationale: Promotes structure, accountability, and behavior modification.
6. A hospice nurse is talking with the family of a client who recently died. One adult child is
angry at the provider. Which defense mechanism is being used?
Case Scenario (NGN): Family grieving, one member yelling at staff.
A. Projection
B. Displacement
C. Denial
D. Regression
Correct Answer: B. Displacement
Expert Rationale: Redirecting emotions from loss to provider.
7. A nurse is providing teaching for a client admitted with delirium due to UTI. Which
statement shows understanding?
Case Scenario (NGN): Elderly client, acute confusion, temp 38.3°C.
A. Confusion is permanent
B. I expect that my father will no longer be confused when discharged
C. He needs long-term care
D. This is normal aging
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Delirium is reversible when cause treated.
8. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing mania. Which action should the nurse take
first?
Case Scenario (NGN): HR 120/min, pacing, no sleep ×48 hrs.
A. Encourage rest each hour
B. Provide group therapy
C. Increase activity
D. Offer multiple choices
