MCQs for ATI Mental Health
1. Which of the following is a characteristic symptom of major
depressive disorder? A) Elevated mood
B) Increased energy
C) Anhedonia
D) Decreased appetite
Answer: C) Anhedonia
Rationale: Anhedonia, or loss of interest or pleasure in activities,
is a core symptom of major depressive disorder.
2. What is the primary goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT)? A) Change the client's environment
B) Identify and modify distorted thinking patterns
C) Establish a supportive therapeutic relationship
D) Explore the client's past
Answer: B) Identify and modify distorted thinking patterns
Rationale: CBT focuses on recognizing and changing negative
thought patterns to improve emotional responses and behaviors.
3. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing
hallucinations. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate? A) Encourage the patient to ignore the
hallucinations
B) Validate the patient's feelings about the hallucinations
C) Provide reality-based feedback
D) Administer antipsychotic medication
Answer: C) Provide reality-based feedback
Rationale: Providing reality-based feedback helps the patient
differentiate between their experiences and reality.
4. Which medication class is primarily used to treat anxiety
disorders? A) Antipsychotics
B) SSRIs
C) Mood stabilizers
D) Stimulants
Answer: B) SSRIs
, Rationale: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are
commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders.
5. What is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants? A)
Diarrhea
B) Sedation
C) Insomnia
D) Increased appetite
Answer: B) Sedation
Rationale: Sedation is a frequent side effect of tricyclic
antidepressants due to their antihistaminic properties.
6. In which phase of the therapeutic relationship does the nurse
establish trust with the patient? A) Working phase
B) Termination phase
C) Pre-interaction phase
D) Orientation phase
Answer: D) Orientation phase
Rationale: The orientation phase is when the nurse builds rapport
and establishes trust with the patient.
7. What is the primary focus of dialectical behavior therapy
(DBT)? A) Improving social skills
B) Reducing impulsive behaviors
C) Exploring childhood experiences
D) Increasing self-awareness
Answer: B) Reducing impulsive behaviors
Rationale: DBT is specifically designed to help individuals with
emotion regulation and reduce self-destructive behaviors.
8. A patient with a history of substance abuse is undergoing
detoxification. Which nursing action is most important? A)
Monitor vital signs frequently
B) Provide patient education on relapse prevention
C) Encourage family involvement
D) Offer alternative therapies
Answer: A) Monitor vital signs frequently
Rationale: Monitoring vital signs is crucial during detoxification
due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms that can affect stability.
1. Which of the following is a characteristic symptom of major
depressive disorder? A) Elevated mood
B) Increased energy
C) Anhedonia
D) Decreased appetite
Answer: C) Anhedonia
Rationale: Anhedonia, or loss of interest or pleasure in activities,
is a core symptom of major depressive disorder.
2. What is the primary goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT)? A) Change the client's environment
B) Identify and modify distorted thinking patterns
C) Establish a supportive therapeutic relationship
D) Explore the client's past
Answer: B) Identify and modify distorted thinking patterns
Rationale: CBT focuses on recognizing and changing negative
thought patterns to improve emotional responses and behaviors.
3. A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is experiencing
hallucinations. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate? A) Encourage the patient to ignore the
hallucinations
B) Validate the patient's feelings about the hallucinations
C) Provide reality-based feedback
D) Administer antipsychotic medication
Answer: C) Provide reality-based feedback
Rationale: Providing reality-based feedback helps the patient
differentiate between their experiences and reality.
4. Which medication class is primarily used to treat anxiety
disorders? A) Antipsychotics
B) SSRIs
C) Mood stabilizers
D) Stimulants
Answer: B) SSRIs
, Rationale: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are
commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders.
5. What is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants? A)
Diarrhea
B) Sedation
C) Insomnia
D) Increased appetite
Answer: B) Sedation
Rationale: Sedation is a frequent side effect of tricyclic
antidepressants due to their antihistaminic properties.
6. In which phase of the therapeutic relationship does the nurse
establish trust with the patient? A) Working phase
B) Termination phase
C) Pre-interaction phase
D) Orientation phase
Answer: D) Orientation phase
Rationale: The orientation phase is when the nurse builds rapport
and establishes trust with the patient.
7. What is the primary focus of dialectical behavior therapy
(DBT)? A) Improving social skills
B) Reducing impulsive behaviors
C) Exploring childhood experiences
D) Increasing self-awareness
Answer: B) Reducing impulsive behaviors
Rationale: DBT is specifically designed to help individuals with
emotion regulation and reduce self-destructive behaviors.
8. A patient with a history of substance abuse is undergoing
detoxification. Which nursing action is most important? A)
Monitor vital signs frequently
B) Provide patient education on relapse prevention
C) Encourage family involvement
D) Offer alternative therapies
Answer: A) Monitor vital signs frequently
Rationale: Monitoring vital signs is crucial during detoxification
due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms that can affect stability.
