ATI PN Mental Health
Proctored Exam 2023 |
Questions 1-200 with Verified
Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who
states, “Life isn’t worth living anymore.” Which of the following is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage the client to journal their feelings
B. Ask the client directly if they have a plan to harm themselves
C. Remind the client that things will get better
D. Notify the provider within 24 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority is to assess for suicidal ideation, including a specific
plan, intent, and means. Direct questioning does not increase suicide risk
and is essential for safety.
,2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The CIA is poisoning my
food.” How should the nurse respond?
A. “That’s not true; you’re being paranoid.”
B. “Tell me more about why you think that.”
C. “I don’t believe anyone is poisoning your food. This must be scary for
you.”
D. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should not argue or reinforce the delusion.
Acknowledging the client’s fear while stating the nurse’s own reality is
therapeutic (“agreeing to disagree”).
3. A client is prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium excretion depends on adequate sodium. Low sodium
increases lithium reabsorption, raising the risk of toxicity.
4. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted with tremors,
diaphoresis, and tachycardia. Which medication is typically used to
prevent progression to withdrawal seizures?
,A. disulfiram
B. naltrexone
C. lorazepam
D. acamprosate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide) are first-
line to manage acute alcohol withdrawal and prevent seizures/delirium
tremens.
5. A nurse is planning care for a client in the manic phase of bipolar
disorder. Which intervention is most important?
A. Provide a high-calorie, on-the-go snack tray
B. Assign the client to a group therapy session
C. Encourage the client to discuss feelings at length
D. Place the client in a private, stimulating room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Manic clients may not sit for meals and are at risk for
dehydration and malnutrition due to hyperactivity. Calorie-dense finger
foods maintain nutrition.
6. A client with PTSD reports nightmares and hypervigilance. The nurse
knows these are examples of:
A. Dissociative symptoms
B. Intrusion symptoms
C. Avoidance symptoms
D. Negative alterations in mood
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intrusion symptoms include recurrent, involuntary distressing
memories, flashbacks, and nightmares. Hypervigilance is an
arousal/reactivity symptom.
7. Which statement by a client with anorexia nervosa indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. “I will weigh myself every morning before breakfast.”
B. “I know I need to gain weight for my health.”
C. “My family is attending therapy with me.”
D. “I am learning to eat three meals a day.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Daily weighing reinforces obsession with weight. Typically, the
treatment team weighs the client 2-3 times per week without the client
knowing the number.
8. A nurse observes a client with borderline personality disorder
cutting their arm with a plastic utensil. What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask the client why they are doing this
B. Call the provider for a restraint order
C. Administer an as-needed antipsychotic
D. Remove the utensil and assess the wound
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Stop the immediate harm, then assess and
treat the wound, then address the behavior and emotions.
Proctored Exam 2023 |
Questions 1-200 with Verified
Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who
states, “Life isn’t worth living anymore.” Which of the following is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage the client to journal their feelings
B. Ask the client directly if they have a plan to harm themselves
C. Remind the client that things will get better
D. Notify the provider within 24 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority is to assess for suicidal ideation, including a specific
plan, intent, and means. Direct questioning does not increase suicide risk
and is essential for safety.
,2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “The CIA is poisoning my
food.” How should the nurse respond?
A. “That’s not true; you’re being paranoid.”
B. “Tell me more about why you think that.”
C. “I don’t believe anyone is poisoning your food. This must be scary for
you.”
D. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should not argue or reinforce the delusion.
Acknowledging the client’s fear while stating the nurse’s own reality is
therapeutic (“agreeing to disagree”).
3. A client is prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium excretion depends on adequate sodium. Low sodium
increases lithium reabsorption, raising the risk of toxicity.
4. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted with tremors,
diaphoresis, and tachycardia. Which medication is typically used to
prevent progression to withdrawal seizures?
,A. disulfiram
B. naltrexone
C. lorazepam
D. acamprosate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide) are first-
line to manage acute alcohol withdrawal and prevent seizures/delirium
tremens.
5. A nurse is planning care for a client in the manic phase of bipolar
disorder. Which intervention is most important?
A. Provide a high-calorie, on-the-go snack tray
B. Assign the client to a group therapy session
C. Encourage the client to discuss feelings at length
D. Place the client in a private, stimulating room
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Manic clients may not sit for meals and are at risk for
dehydration and malnutrition due to hyperactivity. Calorie-dense finger
foods maintain nutrition.
6. A client with PTSD reports nightmares and hypervigilance. The nurse
knows these are examples of:
A. Dissociative symptoms
B. Intrusion symptoms
C. Avoidance symptoms
D. Negative alterations in mood
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intrusion symptoms include recurrent, involuntary distressing
memories, flashbacks, and nightmares. Hypervigilance is an
arousal/reactivity symptom.
7. Which statement by a client with anorexia nervosa indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. “I will weigh myself every morning before breakfast.”
B. “I know I need to gain weight for my health.”
C. “My family is attending therapy with me.”
D. “I am learning to eat three meals a day.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Daily weighing reinforces obsession with weight. Typically, the
treatment team weighs the client 2-3 times per week without the client
knowing the number.
8. A nurse observes a client with borderline personality disorder
cutting their arm with a plastic utensil. What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask the client why they are doing this
B. Call the provider for a restraint order
C. Administer an as-needed antipsychotic
D. Remove the utensil and assess the wound
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Stop the immediate harm, then assess and
treat the wound, then address the behavior and emotions.
