ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam V2 |
2026 Q&A with Rationale (ATI Mental
Health Proctored Exam 2026)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted involuntarily for psychiatric treatment. Which
of the following rights does the client maintain? (Select all that apply.)
A. Right to refuse psychotropic medications
B. Right to leave against medical advice
C. Right to informed consent
D. Right to vote in local and national elections
E. Right to confidential treatment
F. Right to keep all personal belongings
Correct Answer: ACDE
Rationale: Clients who are involuntarily admitted still retain the right to refuse treatment
and the right to informed consent unless a court has ruled otherwise. They also maintain
their civil rights, including the right to vote and the right to confidentiality under HIPAA.
They do not have the right to leave against medical advice, and personal belongings may be
restricted for safety reasons.
,2. A nurse is performing a mental status examination on a client with schizophrenia. The
client states, ‘The grass is green, I need a bean, the queen is seen.’ The nurse should
document this as which of the following?
A. Clang association
B. Echolalia
C. Word salad
D. Neologism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clang association is a speech pattern where the client chooses words based on
their sound or rhyming rather than their meaning. This is frequently observed in clients
experiencing mania or schizophrenia. The nurse must document these specific thought
process alterations to track the effectiveness of antipsychotic medications.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for lithium carbonate
for bipolar disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Maintain a consistent intake of sodium.
B. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
D. Expect to experience fine hand tremors as a sign of toxicity.
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely linked to sodium levels in the body;
therefore, the client must maintain a consistent sodium intake. If sodium levels drop, the
kidneys retain lithium, which can lead to toxicity. The nurse should also emphasize the
need for adequate hydration and regular blood level monitoring.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has major depressive disorder and is being considered for
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following conditions is a contraindication for
ECT?
A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
B. Type 2 diabetes mellitus
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Recent myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A recent myocardial infarction is a significant risk factor because ECT causes a
brief period of hypertension and tachycardia during the seizure. This cardiovascular stress
can be dangerous for a client with recent heart damage. Other contraindications include
increased intracranial pressure and recent cerebrovascular accidents.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa who has a BMI of 14. Which of the
following nursing interventions is the priority?
A. Monitoring the client’s electrolyte levels
B. Initiating a behavior modification program
, C. Setting a target weight with the client
D. Encouraging the client to express feelings about body image
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a client with a severely low BMI, physiological stability is the priority over
psychological interventions. Monitoring electrolyte levels is crucial to prevent cardiac
dysrhythmias and complications from refeeding syndrome. Once the client is medically
stable, the nurse can address the psychological aspects of the eating disorder.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Somnolence
D. Diaphoresis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal typically manifests as autonomic hyperactivity, including
diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hypertension. The nurse should also look for tremors,
anxiety, and potential seizures during the first 48 to 72 hours. These symptoms are caused
by the central nervous system’s rebound effect after the depressive effects of alcohol are
removed.
2026 Q&A with Rationale (ATI Mental
Health Proctored Exam 2026)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted involuntarily for psychiatric treatment. Which
of the following rights does the client maintain? (Select all that apply.)
A. Right to refuse psychotropic medications
B. Right to leave against medical advice
C. Right to informed consent
D. Right to vote in local and national elections
E. Right to confidential treatment
F. Right to keep all personal belongings
Correct Answer: ACDE
Rationale: Clients who are involuntarily admitted still retain the right to refuse treatment
and the right to informed consent unless a court has ruled otherwise. They also maintain
their civil rights, including the right to vote and the right to confidentiality under HIPAA.
They do not have the right to leave against medical advice, and personal belongings may be
restricted for safety reasons.
,2. A nurse is performing a mental status examination on a client with schizophrenia. The
client states, ‘The grass is green, I need a bean, the queen is seen.’ The nurse should
document this as which of the following?
A. Clang association
B. Echolalia
C. Word salad
D. Neologism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clang association is a speech pattern where the client chooses words based on
their sound or rhyming rather than their meaning. This is frequently observed in clients
experiencing mania or schizophrenia. The nurse must document these specific thought
process alterations to track the effectiveness of antipsychotic medications.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for lithium carbonate
for bipolar disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Maintain a consistent intake of sodium.
B. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
D. Expect to experience fine hand tremors as a sign of toxicity.
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely linked to sodium levels in the body;
therefore, the client must maintain a consistent sodium intake. If sodium levels drop, the
kidneys retain lithium, which can lead to toxicity. The nurse should also emphasize the
need for adequate hydration and regular blood level monitoring.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has major depressive disorder and is being considered for
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following conditions is a contraindication for
ECT?
A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
B. Type 2 diabetes mellitus
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Recent myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A recent myocardial infarction is a significant risk factor because ECT causes a
brief period of hypertension and tachycardia during the seizure. This cardiovascular stress
can be dangerous for a client with recent heart damage. Other contraindications include
increased intracranial pressure and recent cerebrovascular accidents.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with anorexia nervosa who has a BMI of 14. Which of the
following nursing interventions is the priority?
A. Monitoring the client’s electrolyte levels
B. Initiating a behavior modification program
, C. Setting a target weight with the client
D. Encouraging the client to express feelings about body image
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a client with a severely low BMI, physiological stability is the priority over
psychological interventions. Monitoring electrolyte levels is crucial to prevent cardiac
dysrhythmias and complications from refeeding syndrome. Once the client is medically
stable, the nurse can address the psychological aspects of the eating disorder.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Somnolence
D. Diaphoresis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal typically manifests as autonomic hyperactivity, including
diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hypertension. The nurse should also look for tremors,
anxiety, and potential seizures during the first 48 to 72 hours. These symptoms are caused
by the central nervous system’s rebound effect after the depressive effects of alcohol are
removed.
