ATI RN Mental Health
Exam Study Guide ATI
RN Mental Health
Exam Study Guide –
A++ Graded Questions
and Solutions.
Core Mental Health Nursing Concepts
Therapeutic Communication
Question: A client says, “Nobody understands what I’m going through.” Which
response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. “Everything will be fine soon.”
B. “Why do you think that?”
C. “Tell me more about how you feel.”
D. “I know exactly how you feel.”
Answer: C. “Tell me more about how you feel.”
Rationale:
Open-ended statements encourage expression of feelings and promote
,therapeutic communication. False reassurance and minimizing responses are
nontherapeutic.
Defense Mechanisms
Question: A client who failed a test states, “The instructor writes impossible
exams.” Which defense mechanism is demonstrated?
A. Regression
B. Projection
C. Sublimation
D. Displacement
Answer: B. Projection
Rationale:
Projection occurs when unacceptable thoughts or feelings are attributed to
another person.
Priority Nursing Action
Question: Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with generalized anxiety requesting medication
B. Client with schizophrenia hearing voices telling them to self-harm
C. Client with depression refusing breakfast
D. Client with OCD repeatedly washing hands
Answer: B. Client with schizophrenia hearing voices telling them to self-harm
Rationale:
Safety is the priority. Command hallucinations increase the risk for self-injury.
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Positive vs. Negative Symptoms
Question
,Which finding is considered a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Flat affect
D. Disorganized speech
Answer: C. Flat affect
Rationale:
Negative symptoms involve loss of normal function such as flat affect, avolition,
and social withdrawal.
Clozapine Monitoring
Question: A client taking Clozapine should immediately report which finding?
A. Weight gain
B. Sore throat and fever
C. Drowsiness
D. Dry mouth
Answer: B. Sore throat and fever
Rationale:
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. Infection symptoms require immediate
evaluation.
Hallucination Response
Question: A client states, “The voices are telling me I’m evil.” What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “The voices are not real.”
B. “What are the voices saying?”
C. “I do not hear the voices, but I know they are frightening.”
D. “Ignore the voices.”
Answer: C. “I do not hear the voices, but I know they are frightening.”
, Rationale:
This response acknowledges the client’s feelings without reinforcing
hallucinations.
Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder
Question
Which symptom is most associated with major depressive disorder?
A. Euphoric mood
B. Flight of ideas
C. Anhedonia
D. Increased energy
Answer: C. Anhedonia
Rationale:
Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure and is a hallmark symptom of
depression.
Suicide Risk
Question: Which client statement requires immediate intervention?
A. “I’m tired of my life.”
B. “Sometimes I feel hopeless.”
C. “I have a gun at home and plan to use it tonight.”
D. “Nobody visits me.”
Answer: C. “I have a gun at home and plan to use it tonight.”
Rationale:
A specific plan and means indicate high suicide risk requiring urgent intervention.
Bipolar Disorder
Exam Study Guide ATI
RN Mental Health
Exam Study Guide –
A++ Graded Questions
and Solutions.
Core Mental Health Nursing Concepts
Therapeutic Communication
Question: A client says, “Nobody understands what I’m going through.” Which
response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. “Everything will be fine soon.”
B. “Why do you think that?”
C. “Tell me more about how you feel.”
D. “I know exactly how you feel.”
Answer: C. “Tell me more about how you feel.”
Rationale:
Open-ended statements encourage expression of feelings and promote
,therapeutic communication. False reassurance and minimizing responses are
nontherapeutic.
Defense Mechanisms
Question: A client who failed a test states, “The instructor writes impossible
exams.” Which defense mechanism is demonstrated?
A. Regression
B. Projection
C. Sublimation
D. Displacement
Answer: B. Projection
Rationale:
Projection occurs when unacceptable thoughts or feelings are attributed to
another person.
Priority Nursing Action
Question: Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with generalized anxiety requesting medication
B. Client with schizophrenia hearing voices telling them to self-harm
C. Client with depression refusing breakfast
D. Client with OCD repeatedly washing hands
Answer: B. Client with schizophrenia hearing voices telling them to self-harm
Rationale:
Safety is the priority. Command hallucinations increase the risk for self-injury.
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Positive vs. Negative Symptoms
Question
,Which finding is considered a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Flat affect
D. Disorganized speech
Answer: C. Flat affect
Rationale:
Negative symptoms involve loss of normal function such as flat affect, avolition,
and social withdrawal.
Clozapine Monitoring
Question: A client taking Clozapine should immediately report which finding?
A. Weight gain
B. Sore throat and fever
C. Drowsiness
D. Dry mouth
Answer: B. Sore throat and fever
Rationale:
Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. Infection symptoms require immediate
evaluation.
Hallucination Response
Question: A client states, “The voices are telling me I’m evil.” What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “The voices are not real.”
B. “What are the voices saying?”
C. “I do not hear the voices, but I know they are frightening.”
D. “Ignore the voices.”
Answer: C. “I do not hear the voices, but I know they are frightening.”
, Rationale:
This response acknowledges the client’s feelings without reinforcing
hallucinations.
Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder
Question
Which symptom is most associated with major depressive disorder?
A. Euphoric mood
B. Flight of ideas
C. Anhedonia
D. Increased energy
Answer: C. Anhedonia
Rationale:
Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure and is a hallmark symptom of
depression.
Suicide Risk
Question: Which client statement requires immediate intervention?
A. “I’m tired of my life.”
B. “Sometimes I feel hopeless.”
C. “I have a gun at home and plan to use it tonight.”
D. “Nobody visits me.”
Answer: C. “I have a gun at home and plan to use it tonight.”
Rationale:
A specific plan and means indicate high suicide risk requiring urgent intervention.
Bipolar Disorder
