1|Page
ATI MENTAL HEALTH NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2025–
2026 | 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES,
ALREADY GRADED A+
Q1.
A nurse is admitting a client who has major depressive disorder. Which of the
following is the highest priority action?
a) Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
b) Monitor the client closely for self-harm
c) Provide teaching about antidepressant medications
d) Offer frequent snacks throughout the day
Correct Answer: b) Monitor the client closely for self-harm
Rationale: The priority in depression is safety. Suicide risk must be assessed and
addressed before initiating therapy, education, or nutrition interventions.
Q2.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is starting fluoxetine. Which
statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) “I should expect to feel better tomorrow.”
b) “I might have decreased sexual desire.”
c) “I should stop taking this medicine if I feel nauseous.”
d) “This drug will cure my depression.”
Correct Answer: b) “I might have decreased sexual desire.”
Rationale: SSRIs may cause sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and weight changes.
Symptom relief usually takes 1–4 weeks. Antidepressants manage, not cure,
depression.
,2|Page
Q3.
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing command
hallucinations. Which is the priority response?
a) “I don’t hear any voices.”
b) “You seem upset. Are the voices telling you to hurt yourself?”
c) “Let’s play a card game to distract you.”
d) “These voices aren’t real.”
Correct Answer: b) “You seem upset. Are the voices telling you to hurt
yourself?”
Rationale: The nurse must first assess for risk of harm. Determining if
hallucinations are dangerous ensures immediate safety. Distraction and
reorientation come later.
Q4.
A client receiving lithium reports diarrhea, vomiting, and tremors. Which action
should the nurse take first?
a) Administer an antiemetic
b) Withhold the next lithium dose
c) Encourage fluids
d) Check the client’s blood pressure
Correct Answer: b) Withhold the next lithium dose
Rationale: GI upset and tremors indicate lithium toxicity. The medication should
be held, and the provider notified. Supportive care can follow.
Q5.
A nurse is caring for a client with alcohol withdrawal. Which medication should
the nurse anticipate?
a) Disulfiram
b) Methadone
c) Chlordiazepoxide
d) Bupropion
, 3|Page
Correct Answer: c) Chlordiazepoxide
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide reduce withdrawal
symptoms, prevent seizures, and stabilize vital signs.
Q6.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client taking buspirone. Which statement
requires further teaching?
a) “This medication can cause dizziness.”
b) “I might feel sleepy at first.”
c) “I can take this for fast relief during a panic attack.”
d) “It may take several weeks to feel the full effect.”
Correct Answer: c) “I can take this for fast relief during a panic attack.”
Rationale: Buspirone is not effective for acute anxiety. It takes 2–4 weeks to
work. It does not cause dependence like benzodiazepines.
Q7.
A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. Which is the priority nursing
action?
a) Provide frequent rest periods
b) Offer high-calorie finger foods
c) Encourage participation in group therapy
d) Discuss consequences of risky behaviors
Correct Answer: a) Provide frequent rest periods
Rationale: Clients in mania are at risk for exhaustion due to hyperactivity. Rest is
the immediate priority, followed by nutrition and limit setting.
Q8.
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing severe anxiety. Which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
a) Provide detailed explanations about all procedures
b) Encourage the client to focus on deep-breathing exercises
ATI MENTAL HEALTH NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2025–
2026 | 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES,
ALREADY GRADED A+
Q1.
A nurse is admitting a client who has major depressive disorder. Which of the
following is the highest priority action?
a) Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
b) Monitor the client closely for self-harm
c) Provide teaching about antidepressant medications
d) Offer frequent snacks throughout the day
Correct Answer: b) Monitor the client closely for self-harm
Rationale: The priority in depression is safety. Suicide risk must be assessed and
addressed before initiating therapy, education, or nutrition interventions.
Q2.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is starting fluoxetine. Which
statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) “I should expect to feel better tomorrow.”
b) “I might have decreased sexual desire.”
c) “I should stop taking this medicine if I feel nauseous.”
d) “This drug will cure my depression.”
Correct Answer: b) “I might have decreased sexual desire.”
Rationale: SSRIs may cause sexual dysfunction, insomnia, and weight changes.
Symptom relief usually takes 1–4 weeks. Antidepressants manage, not cure,
depression.
,2|Page
Q3.
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing command
hallucinations. Which is the priority response?
a) “I don’t hear any voices.”
b) “You seem upset. Are the voices telling you to hurt yourself?”
c) “Let’s play a card game to distract you.”
d) “These voices aren’t real.”
Correct Answer: b) “You seem upset. Are the voices telling you to hurt
yourself?”
Rationale: The nurse must first assess for risk of harm. Determining if
hallucinations are dangerous ensures immediate safety. Distraction and
reorientation come later.
Q4.
A client receiving lithium reports diarrhea, vomiting, and tremors. Which action
should the nurse take first?
a) Administer an antiemetic
b) Withhold the next lithium dose
c) Encourage fluids
d) Check the client’s blood pressure
Correct Answer: b) Withhold the next lithium dose
Rationale: GI upset and tremors indicate lithium toxicity. The medication should
be held, and the provider notified. Supportive care can follow.
Q5.
A nurse is caring for a client with alcohol withdrawal. Which medication should
the nurse anticipate?
a) Disulfiram
b) Methadone
c) Chlordiazepoxide
d) Bupropion
, 3|Page
Correct Answer: c) Chlordiazepoxide
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide reduce withdrawal
symptoms, prevent seizures, and stabilize vital signs.
Q6.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client taking buspirone. Which statement
requires further teaching?
a) “This medication can cause dizziness.”
b) “I might feel sleepy at first.”
c) “I can take this for fast relief during a panic attack.”
d) “It may take several weeks to feel the full effect.”
Correct Answer: c) “I can take this for fast relief during a panic attack.”
Rationale: Buspirone is not effective for acute anxiety. It takes 2–4 weeks to
work. It does not cause dependence like benzodiazepines.
Q7.
A client with bipolar disorder is in the manic phase. Which is the priority nursing
action?
a) Provide frequent rest periods
b) Offer high-calorie finger foods
c) Encourage participation in group therapy
d) Discuss consequences of risky behaviors
Correct Answer: a) Provide frequent rest periods
Rationale: Clients in mania are at risk for exhaustion due to hyperactivity. Rest is
the immediate priority, followed by nutrition and limit setting.
Q8.
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing severe anxiety. Which is the most
appropriate nursing intervention?
a) Provide detailed explanations about all procedures
b) Encourage the client to focus on deep-breathing exercises
