ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS*
• Therapeutic Communication*
• Psychiatric Disorders and Treatment*
• Crisis Intervention*
• Psychopharmacology*
• Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice*
• Substance Use and Addictive Disorders*
, • Behavioral and Personality Disorders*
• Cognitive and Neurodevelopmental Disorders*
• Stress, Coping, and Defense Mechanisms*
• Mental Health Nursing Across the Lifespan*
INTROUCTION*
The ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam evaluates the nurs
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
1. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Flat affect
B. Excessive worry about daily events
C. Grandiose thinking
D. Auditory hallucinations
,🟢 Correct Answer: B. Excessive worry about daily events
🔴 Explanation: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive
worry about routine activities and events.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, “Life is not worth living anymore.” What
is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage participation in group therapy
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Ask the client directly about suicidal thoughts
D. Reassure the client that treatment will help
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Ask the client directly about suicidal thoughts
🔴 Explanation: Direct assessment for suicide ideation is the priority to determine
immediate safety risks.
3. Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a client blames others for personal
failures?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Regression
D. Suppression
, 🟢 Correct Answer: A. Projection
🔴 Explanation: Projection occurs when unacceptable feelings or behaviors are attributed
to others.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about lithium toxicity. Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
A. “I should limit fluid intake.”
B. “I will avoid foods high in tyraminee.”
C. “I can stop taking the medication when I feel better.”
D. “I should monitor for tremors and excessive thirst.”
🟢 Correct Answer: D. “I should monitor for tremors and excessive thirst.”
🔴 Explanation: Tremors and excessive thirst are signs of lithium toxicity and should be
reported promptly.
5. A client experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating and trembling. Which nursing
intervention is priority?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client and speak calmly
C. Encourage group interaction
D. Discuss possible triggers
AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS*
• Therapeutic Communication*
• Psychiatric Disorders and Treatment*
• Crisis Intervention*
• Psychopharmacology*
• Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice*
• Substance Use and Addictive Disorders*
, • Behavioral and Personality Disorders*
• Cognitive and Neurodevelopmental Disorders*
• Stress, Coping, and Defense Mechanisms*
• Mental Health Nursing Across the Lifespan*
INTROUCTION*
The ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam evaluates the nurs
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
1. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Flat affect
B. Excessive worry about daily events
C. Grandiose thinking
D. Auditory hallucinations
,🟢 Correct Answer: B. Excessive worry about daily events
🔴 Explanation: Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive
worry about routine activities and events.
2. A client with major depressive disorder states, “Life is not worth living anymore.” What
is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage participation in group therapy
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Ask the client directly about suicidal thoughts
D. Reassure the client that treatment will help
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Ask the client directly about suicidal thoughts
🔴 Explanation: Direct assessment for suicide ideation is the priority to determine
immediate safety risks.
3. Which defense mechanism is demonstrated when a client blames others for personal
failures?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Regression
D. Suppression
, 🟢 Correct Answer: A. Projection
🔴 Explanation: Projection occurs when unacceptable feelings or behaviors are attributed
to others.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about lithium toxicity. Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
A. “I should limit fluid intake.”
B. “I will avoid foods high in tyraminee.”
C. “I can stop taking the medication when I feel better.”
D. “I should monitor for tremors and excessive thirst.”
🟢 Correct Answer: D. “I should monitor for tremors and excessive thirst.”
🔴 Explanation: Tremors and excessive thirst are signs of lithium toxicity and should be
reported promptly.
5. A client experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating and trembling. Which nursing
intervention is priority?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client and speak calmly
C. Encourage group interaction
D. Discuss possible triggers
