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Ace your RN Mental Health exam with this comprehensive 2026 study guide featuring 70 screenshot-style questions with verified answers and detailed rationales. Covers depressive disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, lithium toxicity, MAOIs, safety, and more.RN mental health, ATI mental health, Psychiatric nursing, Nursing exam prep, Mental health Q&A, ATI 2026, Nursing student, Psychiatric study guide, Schizophrenia nursing, Bipolar disorder, Lithium toxicity, MAOI teaching, Nursing school, Proctored exam prep, ATI test bank.
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Question 1 A nurse is caring for a client admitted with major depressive disorder. Which statement by the client requires the nurse's immediate intervention? A. "I don't feel like eating today." B. "Nothing will ever get better." C. "My family would be better off without me." D. "I don't want to attend group therapy." Correct Answer: C Rationale: Statements indicating suicidal ideation or hopelessness with perceived burden require immediate assessment and intervention.
A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who states, "The FBI has placed a chip in my brain." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? A. "That is not true." B. "Why do you think the FBI would do that?" C. "I understand that this feels real to you, but I do not share that belief." D. "Tell me more about the chip." Correct Answer: C Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the client's feelings without reinforcing or arguing about the delusion.
A nurse is assessing a client who has bipolar disorder and is experiencing mania. Which finding should the nurse expect? A. Slow speech and poor eye contact B. Flight of ideas and decreased need for sleep C. Withdrawal from social interactions D. Excessive guilt and hopelessness Correct Answer: B Rationale: Mania is characterized by rapid thoughts, pressured speech, increased energy, and decreased need for sleep.
A nurse is caring for a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which nursing intervention is most appropriate? A. Prevent the client from performing rituals. B. Allow sufficient time for ritualistic behaviors initially. C. Tell the client the rituals are irrational. D. Interrupt rituals whenever they begin. Correct Answer: B Rationale: Initially allowing rituals helps decrease anxiety while gradually limiting the behavior as treatment progresses.
A nurse is caring for a client prescribed clozapine. Which finding requires immediate action? A. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) B. Drowsiness after taking the medication C. White blood cell count of 2,500/mm³ D. Dry mouth Correct Answer: C Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. A significantly low white blood cell count requires immediate provider notification.
A nurse is teaching a client who is prescribed phenelzine , a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which food should the client avoid? A. Fresh apples B. Grilled chicken C. Aged cheddar cheese D. Steamed rice Correct Answer: C Rationale: Foods high in tyramine, such as aged cheeses, can cause a hypertensive crisis when taken with MAOIs.
A nurse is caring for a client admitted after a suicide attempt. Which nursing intervention is the priority? A. Encourage participation in group therapy. B. Remove objects that could be used for self-harm. C. Discuss positive coping strategies. D. Ask the family to visit frequently. Correct Answer: B Rationale: Client safety is the priority. Removing potentially harmful objects helps prevent further self-injury during the acute phase.
Question 11 A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Which finding requires immediate nursing intervention? A. Client reports mild anxiety before a group session B. Client states, "I hear voices telling me to hurt myself." C. Client requests additional educational materials D. Client prefers to eat meals alone Correct Answer: B Rationale: Command hallucinations directing self-harm represent an immediate safety risk and require prompt intervention.
Question 12 A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Which finding requires immediate nursing intervention? A. Client reports mild anxiety before a group session B. Client states, "I hear voices telling me to hurt myself." C. Client requests additional educational materials D. Client prefers to eat meals alone Correct Answer: B Rationale: Command hallucinations directing self-harm represent an immediate safety risk and require prompt intervention.
Question 14 A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Which finding requires immediate nursing intervention? A. Client reports mild anxiety before a group session B. Client states, "I hear voices telling me to hurt myself." C. Client requests additional educational materials D. Client prefers to eat meals alone Correct Answer: B Rationale: Command hallucinations directing self-harm represent an immediate safety risk and require prompt intervention.
Question 15 A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Which finding requires immediate nursing intervention? A. Client reports mild anxiety before a group session B. Client states, "I hear voices telling me to hurt myself." C. Client requests additional educational materials D. Client prefers to eat meals alone Correct Answer: B Rationale: Command hallucinations directing self-harm represent an immediate safety risk and require prompt intervention.
Question 17 A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Which finding requires immediate nursing intervention? A. Client reports mild anxiety before a group session B. Client states, "I hear voices telling me to hurt myself." C. Client requests additional educational materials D. Client prefers to eat meals alone Correct Answer: B Rationale: Command hallucinations directing self-harm represent an immediate safety risk and require prompt intervention.
Question 18 A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Which finding requires immediate nursing intervention? A. Client reports mild anxiety before a group session B. Client states, "I hear voices telling me to hurt myself." C. Client requests additional educational materials D. Client prefers to eat meals alone Correct Answer: B Rationale: Command hallucinations directing self-harm represent an immediate safety risk and require prompt intervention.