ATI RN Mental Health Mastery Exam 350 Questions & cotrrect Answers 2026
2027
This high-yield study resource features 50 comprehensive multiple-choice
questions meticulously designed for the ATI RN Mental Health proctored exam.
Covering essential topics including Therapeutic Communication,
Psychopharmacology (Lithium, MAOIs, SSRIs), Safety/Crisis Intervention, and
Personality Disorders, each question includes the correct answer in bold italics.
This guide is an essential tool for nursing students seeking to master Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) priorities and achieve a Level 3 on their ATI mental
health assessments.
1. A client is admitted involuntarily. Which right does the client lose?
o A. Right to refuse medication
o B. Right to informed consent
o C. Right to leave the facility against medical advice (AMA)
o D. Right to confidential communication
2. A nurse is caring for a client in mechanical restraints. Which action is the priority?
o A. Document behavior every 60 minutes
o B. Assess circulation and skin integrity every 15 minutes
o C. Offer fluids every 4 hours
o D. Renew the restraint order every 24 hours
3. A client tells the nurse, "I'm going to kill my ex-wife when I get out." What is the nurse's
legal obligation?
o A. Maintain client confidentiality
o B. Notify the provider and the intended victim (Duty to Warn)
o C. Place the client in seclusion immediately
o D. Document the statement but take no further action
4. Which ethical principle is applied when a nurse helps a client make their own healthcare
decisions?
o A. Beneficence
o B. Autonomy
,o C. Veracity
o D. Fidelity
5. A nurse finds a client in the dayroom yelling and posturing aggressively. What is the first
action?
o A. Maintain a safe distance and use a calm, low voice
o B. Call for the security team immediately
o C. Administer a PRN sedative
o D. Tell the client they must go to their room
Section 2: Therapeutic Communication
6. A client says, "The government is tracking my thoughts through the vents." Which
response is therapeutic?
o A. "That's impossible; the vents are only for air."
o B. "It must be very frightening to feel like you're being watched."
o C. "Why do you think the government wants to track you?"
o D. "Let's talk about something more realistic."
7. A client with depression says, "I'm a failure at everything." The nurse responds, "You
feel like you haven't met your goals." This is:
o A. Clarifying
o B. Restating
o C. Reflecting
o D. Summarizing
8. During the orientation phase of the relationship, which is the primary goal?
o A. Identifying the client's problems
o B. Establishing trust and setting boundaries
o C. Promoting the client's self-esteem
o D. Evaluating progress toward goals
9. A client starts crying during an interview. What should the nurse do first?
o A. Sit quietly with the client to offer support
o B. Hand the client a tissue and ask why they are crying
o C. Leave the room to give the client privacy
o D. Change the subject
10. A nurse is using "Focusing" as a technique. This is best used when:
o A. The client is silent
o B. The client is jumping from one topic to another rapidly
o C. The client is crying
o D. The nurse wants to end the conversation
Section 3: Pharmacology
, 11. A client taking Lithium Carbonate has a level of 1.8 mEq/L. Which is the priority action?
o A. Withhold the dose and notify the provider
o B. Administer the dose as scheduled
o C. Increase the client's sodium intake
o D. Encourage the client to exercise
12. Which medication is the first-line treatment for a client experiencing Acute Alcohol
Withdrawal?
o A. Disulfiram
o B. Methadone
o C. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
o D. Fluoxetine
13. A client is prescribed Phenelzine (an MAOI). Which food must they avoid?
o A. Fresh apples
o B. Grilled chicken
o C. Aged cheddar cheese
o D. Steamed broccoli
14. A client taking Haloperidol develops severe muscle rigidity and a fever of 104°F. What is
the priority?
o A. Administer Benztropine
o B. Apply a cooling blanket
o C. Discontinue the medication and notify the provider (NMS)
o D. Encourage fluid intake
15. What is the therapeutic range for a client on Lithium?
o A. 0.6 – 1.2 mEq/L
o B. 1.5 – 2.0 mEq/L
o C. 0.1 – 0.5 mEq/L
o D. 2.0 – 3.0 mEq/L
16. Which side effect is a common, non-urgent reaction to Benztropine?
o A. Diarrhea
o B. Urinary retention
o C. Frequent sneezing
o D. Increased salivation
17. A client is taking Clozapine. Which lab value is most critical to monitor?
o A. Hemoglobin
o B. Serum Creatinine
o C. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
o D. Platelet count
18. A client is starting an SSRI. The nurse should warn about which potential emergency?
o A. Hypertensive Crisis
o B. Serotonin Syndrome
o C. Agranulocytosis
o D. Akathisia
19. Which medication is used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) like acute dystonia?
o A. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
o B. Risperidone
o C. Lithium
2027
This high-yield study resource features 50 comprehensive multiple-choice
questions meticulously designed for the ATI RN Mental Health proctored exam.
Covering essential topics including Therapeutic Communication,
Psychopharmacology (Lithium, MAOIs, SSRIs), Safety/Crisis Intervention, and
Personality Disorders, each question includes the correct answer in bold italics.
This guide is an essential tool for nursing students seeking to master Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) priorities and achieve a Level 3 on their ATI mental
health assessments.
1. A client is admitted involuntarily. Which right does the client lose?
o A. Right to refuse medication
o B. Right to informed consent
o C. Right to leave the facility against medical advice (AMA)
o D. Right to confidential communication
2. A nurse is caring for a client in mechanical restraints. Which action is the priority?
o A. Document behavior every 60 minutes
o B. Assess circulation and skin integrity every 15 minutes
o C. Offer fluids every 4 hours
o D. Renew the restraint order every 24 hours
3. A client tells the nurse, "I'm going to kill my ex-wife when I get out." What is the nurse's
legal obligation?
o A. Maintain client confidentiality
o B. Notify the provider and the intended victim (Duty to Warn)
o C. Place the client in seclusion immediately
o D. Document the statement but take no further action
4. Which ethical principle is applied when a nurse helps a client make their own healthcare
decisions?
o A. Beneficence
o B. Autonomy
,o C. Veracity
o D. Fidelity
5. A nurse finds a client in the dayroom yelling and posturing aggressively. What is the first
action?
o A. Maintain a safe distance and use a calm, low voice
o B. Call for the security team immediately
o C. Administer a PRN sedative
o D. Tell the client they must go to their room
Section 2: Therapeutic Communication
6. A client says, "The government is tracking my thoughts through the vents." Which
response is therapeutic?
o A. "That's impossible; the vents are only for air."
o B. "It must be very frightening to feel like you're being watched."
o C. "Why do you think the government wants to track you?"
o D. "Let's talk about something more realistic."
7. A client with depression says, "I'm a failure at everything." The nurse responds, "You
feel like you haven't met your goals." This is:
o A. Clarifying
o B. Restating
o C. Reflecting
o D. Summarizing
8. During the orientation phase of the relationship, which is the primary goal?
o A. Identifying the client's problems
o B. Establishing trust and setting boundaries
o C. Promoting the client's self-esteem
o D. Evaluating progress toward goals
9. A client starts crying during an interview. What should the nurse do first?
o A. Sit quietly with the client to offer support
o B. Hand the client a tissue and ask why they are crying
o C. Leave the room to give the client privacy
o D. Change the subject
10. A nurse is using "Focusing" as a technique. This is best used when:
o A. The client is silent
o B. The client is jumping from one topic to another rapidly
o C. The client is crying
o D. The nurse wants to end the conversation
Section 3: Pharmacology
, 11. A client taking Lithium Carbonate has a level of 1.8 mEq/L. Which is the priority action?
o A. Withhold the dose and notify the provider
o B. Administer the dose as scheduled
o C. Increase the client's sodium intake
o D. Encourage the client to exercise
12. Which medication is the first-line treatment for a client experiencing Acute Alcohol
Withdrawal?
o A. Disulfiram
o B. Methadone
o C. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
o D. Fluoxetine
13. A client is prescribed Phenelzine (an MAOI). Which food must they avoid?
o A. Fresh apples
o B. Grilled chicken
o C. Aged cheddar cheese
o D. Steamed broccoli
14. A client taking Haloperidol develops severe muscle rigidity and a fever of 104°F. What is
the priority?
o A. Administer Benztropine
o B. Apply a cooling blanket
o C. Discontinue the medication and notify the provider (NMS)
o D. Encourage fluid intake
15. What is the therapeutic range for a client on Lithium?
o A. 0.6 – 1.2 mEq/L
o B. 1.5 – 2.0 mEq/L
o C. 0.1 – 0.5 mEq/L
o D. 2.0 – 3.0 mEq/L
16. Which side effect is a common, non-urgent reaction to Benztropine?
o A. Diarrhea
o B. Urinary retention
o C. Frequent sneezing
o D. Increased salivation
17. A client is taking Clozapine. Which lab value is most critical to monitor?
o A. Hemoglobin
o B. Serum Creatinine
o C. Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
o D. Platelet count
18. A client is starting an SSRI. The nurse should warn about which potential emergency?
o A. Hypertensive Crisis
o B. Serotonin Syndrome
o C. Agranulocytosis
o D. Akathisia
19. Which medication is used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) like acute dystonia?
o A. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
o B. Risperidone
o C. Lithium
