Approved ATI RN Mental Health
Proctored Exam 2023/2026 with NGN:
100 Real Exam Questions and Answers.
**1. A client with major depressive disorder states, "My family would
be better off without me." What is the nurse's priority action?**
- **A)** Ask the client, "What makes you say that?"
- **B)** Assess for suicidal ideation, plan, and means.
- **C)** Encourage the client to join a group activity.
- **D)** Tell the client, "You have a lot to live for."
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** This statement indicates suicidal ideation. The priority is
to directly assess for a suicide plan, intent, and means. Asking directly
about suicide does not plant the idea and is essential for safety .
**2. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification.
The nurse should prioritize which intervention 6 hours after the last
drink?**
- **A)** Administer disulfiram as prescribed.
- **B)** Place the client on seizure precautions.
- **C)** Encourage attendance at AA meetings.
- **D)** Restrict oral fluids to prevent hyponatremia.
,**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Seizures are life-threatening and can occur 6-48 hours
after the last drink. The nurse must prioritize seizure precautions to
ensure client safety during withdrawal .
**3. A client on haloperidol develops a temperature of 104°F, muscle
rigidity, and confusion. What is the priority action?**
- **A)** Administer PRN benztropine.
- **B)** Hold the haloperidol and notify the provider immediately.
- **C)** Increase hydration and apply a cooling blanket.
- **D)** Request an order for a stat lithium level.
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** These are signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
(NMS), a life-threatening emergency. Antipsychotics should be stopped
immediately, and medical treatment initiated .
**4. A client with bipolar disorder, manic episode, is pacing, talking
rapidly, and hasn't eaten in 24 hours. Which action should the nurse
take first?**
- **A)** Offer high-calorie finger foods and fluids frequently.
- **B)** Engage the client in a group activity to expend energy.
- **C)** Encourage the client to express feelings through journaling.
,- **D)** Administer a PRN sedative.
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Physical needs (nutrition, hydration) are the priority
over psychosocial interventions (Maslow's hierarchy). Manic clients
may be too active to sit for a meal but will eat finger foods while
moving .
**5. A nurse observes two clients in a seclusion room starting to
physically fight. What is the immediate action?**
- **A)** Enter the room immediately to separate them.
- **B)** Call for staff assistance and enter only with enough trained
personnel.
- **C)** Spray water on them through the door window.
- **D)** Ignore it as part of their treatment plan.
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Staff safety is critical. Seclusion rooms are locked;
fighting requires a team approach for restraint/seclusion reapplication.
Trying to handle it alone increases risk of injury to staff and clients .
---
### Therapeutic Communication & Defense Mechanisms
, **6. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning
my food with fluoride rays." What is the nurse's best response?**
- **A)** "That's not true. The CIA doesn't do that."
- **B)** "It sounds frightening to believe someone is trying to harm
you. You are safe here."
- **C)** "Why do you think the CIA would want to poison you?"
- **D)** "Let's talk about something else."
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** This validates the client's feeling without reinforcing the
delusion. Arguing or agreeing with the delusion is non-therapeutic .
**7. A client with borderline personality disorder tells the nurse,
"You're the only one who understands me. The other nurses are mean
and don't care about me." Which response is most appropriate?**
- **A)** "Thank you. I try my best to be understanding."
- **B)** "The other nurses are good nurses. You shouldn't say that."
- **C)** "I'm here to help you, and so are the other nurses. We all work
as a team."
- **D)** "I'll speak to the other nurses about how they're treating you."
**Correct Answer: C**
Proctored Exam 2023/2026 with NGN:
100 Real Exam Questions and Answers.
**1. A client with major depressive disorder states, "My family would
be better off without me." What is the nurse's priority action?**
- **A)** Ask the client, "What makes you say that?"
- **B)** Assess for suicidal ideation, plan, and means.
- **C)** Encourage the client to join a group activity.
- **D)** Tell the client, "You have a lot to live for."
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** This statement indicates suicidal ideation. The priority is
to directly assess for a suicide plan, intent, and means. Asking directly
about suicide does not plant the idea and is essential for safety .
**2. A client with alcohol use disorder is admitted for detoxification.
The nurse should prioritize which intervention 6 hours after the last
drink?**
- **A)** Administer disulfiram as prescribed.
- **B)** Place the client on seizure precautions.
- **C)** Encourage attendance at AA meetings.
- **D)** Restrict oral fluids to prevent hyponatremia.
,**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Seizures are life-threatening and can occur 6-48 hours
after the last drink. The nurse must prioritize seizure precautions to
ensure client safety during withdrawal .
**3. A client on haloperidol develops a temperature of 104°F, muscle
rigidity, and confusion. What is the priority action?**
- **A)** Administer PRN benztropine.
- **B)** Hold the haloperidol and notify the provider immediately.
- **C)** Increase hydration and apply a cooling blanket.
- **D)** Request an order for a stat lithium level.
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** These are signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
(NMS), a life-threatening emergency. Antipsychotics should be stopped
immediately, and medical treatment initiated .
**4. A client with bipolar disorder, manic episode, is pacing, talking
rapidly, and hasn't eaten in 24 hours. Which action should the nurse
take first?**
- **A)** Offer high-calorie finger foods and fluids frequently.
- **B)** Engage the client in a group activity to expend energy.
- **C)** Encourage the client to express feelings through journaling.
,- **D)** Administer a PRN sedative.
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Physical needs (nutrition, hydration) are the priority
over psychosocial interventions (Maslow's hierarchy). Manic clients
may be too active to sit for a meal but will eat finger foods while
moving .
**5. A nurse observes two clients in a seclusion room starting to
physically fight. What is the immediate action?**
- **A)** Enter the room immediately to separate them.
- **B)** Call for staff assistance and enter only with enough trained
personnel.
- **C)** Spray water on them through the door window.
- **D)** Ignore it as part of their treatment plan.
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Staff safety is critical. Seclusion rooms are locked;
fighting requires a team approach for restraint/seclusion reapplication.
Trying to handle it alone increases risk of injury to staff and clients .
---
### Therapeutic Communication & Defense Mechanisms
, **6. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning
my food with fluoride rays." What is the nurse's best response?**
- **A)** "That's not true. The CIA doesn't do that."
- **B)** "It sounds frightening to believe someone is trying to harm
you. You are safe here."
- **C)** "Why do you think the CIA would want to poison you?"
- **D)** "Let's talk about something else."
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** This validates the client's feeling without reinforcing the
delusion. Arguing or agreeing with the delusion is non-therapeutic .
**7. A client with borderline personality disorder tells the nurse,
"You're the only one who understands me. The other nurses are mean
and don't care about me." Which response is most appropriate?**
- **A)** "Thank you. I try my best to be understanding."
- **B)** "The other nurses are good nurses. You shouldn't say that."
- **C)** "I'm here to help you, and so are the other nurses. We all work
as a team."
- **D)** "I'll speak to the other nurses about how they're treating you."
**Correct Answer: C**
