❖ Spring Semester 2026 – ATI RN Mental Health CMS Exam Prep |
150+ Practice Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Behavioral
Disorders, Therapeutic Communication, Patient Safety & ATI RN
CMS Exam Readiness – Fully Updated for 2026
Question 1:
Which of the following is the primary goal of therapeutic communication?
A) To provide solutions for the client's problems
B) To enhance the client's understanding and self-awareness
C) To create a friendly and relaxed environment
D) To maintain strict boundaries
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To enhance the client's understanding and self-awareness
Rationale: The primary goal of therapeutic communication is to promote the client's
self-awareness and understanding of their thoughts and feelings. This process
facilitates personal growth and helps clients to articulate their concerns, enabling
effective treatment strategies.
Question 2:
A nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with Major Depression. Which symptom
would the nurse expect to find?
A) Euphoria
B) Grandiosity
C) Anhedonia
D) Paranoia
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Anhedonia
Rationale: Anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, is a common symptom of
Major Depression. Unlike mania or mood elevation (euphoria), individuals with major
depression usually experience a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Question 3:
What is the priority nursing action when caring for a patient who is suicidal?
A) Remove any potential weapons from the patient's environment
B) Discuss the reasons for the patient's feelings
C) Increase the patient's activity level
D) Refer the patient to group therapy
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Remove any potential weapons from the patient's
environment
,Rationale: The priority nursing action is to ensure the safety of the patient. Removing
potential weapons or means of self-harm reduces the immediate risk of suicide and
allows for a safer therapeutic environment.
Question 4:
Which of the following is a common side effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A) Sexual dysfunction
B) Drowsiness
C) Weight loss
D) Hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Sexual dysfunction
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a well-documented side effect of SSRIs, which can
affect both libido and sexual performance. This side effect often needs to be managed
as part of the treatment plan for patients on these medications.
Question 5:
In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which technique is used to challenge and
change negative thought patterns?
A) Journaling
B) Cognitive restructuring
C) Guided imagery
D) Relaxation training
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Cognitive restructuring
Rationale: Cognitive restructuring is a core technique in CBT that involves identifying,
challenging, and changing negative thought patterns into more positive or realistic ones,
thus helping clients manage their emotional responses and behaviors better.
Question 6:
Which assessment finding is most indicative of a patient's risk for developing post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A) Recent marriage
B) Supportive family environment
C) Exposure to a traumatic event
D) History of chronic illness
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Exposure to a traumatic event
,Rationale: Exposure to a traumatic event is the key factor in the development of PTSD.
Not everyone exposed to trauma will develop the disorder, but it is a necessary
condition.
Question 7:
What is a common sign of alcohol withdrawal?
A) Decreased appetite
B) Fatigue
C) Tremors
D) Weight gain
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Tremors
Rationale: Tremors are a classic sign of alcohol withdrawal, occurring as the body
reacts to the absence of alcohol after a period of heavy use.
Question 8:
Which of the following interventions is most effective for a patient experiencing
acute anxiety?
A) Offering reassurance and comfort
B) Encouraging deep breathing exercises
C) Redirecting the patient to a more calming task
D) Discussing feelings in detail
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Redirecting the patient to a more calming task
Rationale: Redirecting the patient to a calming task can help reduce anxiety by shifting
focus away from stressors and promoting a sense of control.
Question 9:
What is the primary focus of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
A) Improving cognitive distortions
B) Enhancing emotional intelligence
C) Teaching skills for emotional regulation
D) Changing negative behaviors through rewards
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Teaching skills for emotional regulation
Rationale: DBT primarily focuses on teaching patients skills to regulate emotions,
improve interpersonal effectiveness, and manage distress, particularly in individuals
with borderline personality disorder.
, Question 10:
Which of the following is a key therapeutic factor in group therapy?
A) Individual goal setting
B) Interpersonal learning
C) Structured agenda
D) Time for personal reflection
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Interpersonal learning
Rationale: Interpersonal learning is a key therapeutic factor in group therapy, enabling
members to learn about themselves and others through interactions and feedback from
peers.
Question 11:
Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in depression?
A) Serotonin
B) Acetylcholine
C) Dopamine
D) Norepinephrine
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Serotonin
Rationale: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in mood
regulation, and decreased levels are commonly associated with depression.
Question 12:
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibits disorganized speech. This
symptom can best be described as:
A) A lack of insight
B) A type of hallucination
C) Flight of ideas
D) Withdrawal from social interaction
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Flight of ideas
Rationale: Disorganized speech is indicative of thought disorganization in
schizophrenia and often presents as flight of ideas, where the patient’s thoughts rapidly
shift between topics.
150+ Practice Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Behavioral
Disorders, Therapeutic Communication, Patient Safety & ATI RN
CMS Exam Readiness – Fully Updated for 2026
Question 1:
Which of the following is the primary goal of therapeutic communication?
A) To provide solutions for the client's problems
B) To enhance the client's understanding and self-awareness
C) To create a friendly and relaxed environment
D) To maintain strict boundaries
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To enhance the client's understanding and self-awareness
Rationale: The primary goal of therapeutic communication is to promote the client's
self-awareness and understanding of their thoughts and feelings. This process
facilitates personal growth and helps clients to articulate their concerns, enabling
effective treatment strategies.
Question 2:
A nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with Major Depression. Which symptom
would the nurse expect to find?
A) Euphoria
B) Grandiosity
C) Anhedonia
D) Paranoia
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Anhedonia
Rationale: Anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, is a common symptom of
Major Depression. Unlike mania or mood elevation (euphoria), individuals with major
depression usually experience a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Question 3:
What is the priority nursing action when caring for a patient who is suicidal?
A) Remove any potential weapons from the patient's environment
B) Discuss the reasons for the patient's feelings
C) Increase the patient's activity level
D) Refer the patient to group therapy
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Remove any potential weapons from the patient's
environment
,Rationale: The priority nursing action is to ensure the safety of the patient. Removing
potential weapons or means of self-harm reduces the immediate risk of suicide and
allows for a safer therapeutic environment.
Question 4:
Which of the following is a common side effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A) Sexual dysfunction
B) Drowsiness
C) Weight loss
D) Hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Sexual dysfunction
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is a well-documented side effect of SSRIs, which can
affect both libido and sexual performance. This side effect often needs to be managed
as part of the treatment plan for patients on these medications.
Question 5:
In cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which technique is used to challenge and
change negative thought patterns?
A) Journaling
B) Cognitive restructuring
C) Guided imagery
D) Relaxation training
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Cognitive restructuring
Rationale: Cognitive restructuring is a core technique in CBT that involves identifying,
challenging, and changing negative thought patterns into more positive or realistic ones,
thus helping clients manage their emotional responses and behaviors better.
Question 6:
Which assessment finding is most indicative of a patient's risk for developing post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A) Recent marriage
B) Supportive family environment
C) Exposure to a traumatic event
D) History of chronic illness
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Exposure to a traumatic event
,Rationale: Exposure to a traumatic event is the key factor in the development of PTSD.
Not everyone exposed to trauma will develop the disorder, but it is a necessary
condition.
Question 7:
What is a common sign of alcohol withdrawal?
A) Decreased appetite
B) Fatigue
C) Tremors
D) Weight gain
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Tremors
Rationale: Tremors are a classic sign of alcohol withdrawal, occurring as the body
reacts to the absence of alcohol after a period of heavy use.
Question 8:
Which of the following interventions is most effective for a patient experiencing
acute anxiety?
A) Offering reassurance and comfort
B) Encouraging deep breathing exercises
C) Redirecting the patient to a more calming task
D) Discussing feelings in detail
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Redirecting the patient to a more calming task
Rationale: Redirecting the patient to a calming task can help reduce anxiety by shifting
focus away from stressors and promoting a sense of control.
Question 9:
What is the primary focus of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
A) Improving cognitive distortions
B) Enhancing emotional intelligence
C) Teaching skills for emotional regulation
D) Changing negative behaviors through rewards
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Teaching skills for emotional regulation
Rationale: DBT primarily focuses on teaching patients skills to regulate emotions,
improve interpersonal effectiveness, and manage distress, particularly in individuals
with borderline personality disorder.
, Question 10:
Which of the following is a key therapeutic factor in group therapy?
A) Individual goal setting
B) Interpersonal learning
C) Structured agenda
D) Time for personal reflection
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Interpersonal learning
Rationale: Interpersonal learning is a key therapeutic factor in group therapy, enabling
members to learn about themselves and others through interactions and feedback from
peers.
Question 11:
Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in depression?
A) Serotonin
B) Acetylcholine
C) Dopamine
D) Norepinephrine
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Serotonin
Rationale: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in mood
regulation, and decreased levels are commonly associated with depression.
Question 12:
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibits disorganized speech. This
symptom can best be described as:
A) A lack of insight
B) A type of hallucination
C) Flight of ideas
D) Withdrawal from social interaction
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Flight of ideas
Rationale: Disorganized speech is indicative of thought disorganization in
schizophrenia and often presents as flight of ideas, where the patient’s thoughts rapidly
shift between topics.
