ATI CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026
1. A nurse in an acute care facility is assisting with the admission of an older adult client
who has late-stage Alzheimer's disease. The nurse notes that the client's partner
appears exhausted. He states that he is finding it more and more difficult to care for his
partner. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Ask the partner to talk about his difficulties in caring for the client.
The first action the nurse should take, using the nursing process priority framework, is to
collect data regarding the partner's ability to take care of the client.
2. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking bupropion. Which of the
following findings indicates the medications is effective?
Decrease in urge to smoke
Bupropion is an antidepressant that is also used for smoking cessation.
3. A nurse is caring for a client whose partner died 1 year ago. The client states I feel so
lonely. I don't go out with my friends anymore. The nurse should identify that the client is
in which of the following stages of grief?
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Denial
Depression;
The nurse should identify that the client is in the depression stage of the grieving
process. This stage includes withdrawal, regression, and social isolation.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse identify as negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Auditory hallucinations
Delusions
Lack of emotion
Loose association of ideas
Lack of emotion;
The nurse should identify lack of emotion as a negative symptom of schizophrenia.
Other negative symptoms can include withdrawal from others, lack of energy, negative
self-talk, lack of motivation, and feelings of rejection.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in recovery from a substance use disorder. The
client constantly discusses the destructive actions of people use illicit drugs. 6. Which of
the following adaptive defense mechanisms is the client demonstrating?
,Reaction formation
Rationalization
Suppression
Undoing
Reaction formation;
The client is using reaction formation when unacceptable behaviors are controlled and
kept out of awareness by developing the opposite behavior. This is an adaptive use of
the defense mechanism.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is in recovery from a substance use disorder and is
receiving treatment for withdrawal from heroin. Which of the following manifestations
should the nurse expect?
Bradycardia
Hypertension
Slurred speech
Pinpoint pupils
Hypertension;
Hypertension is a manifestation of opioid withdrawal. Additionally, a client who is
experiencing withdrawal can experience tachycardia, hyperthermia, and tachypnea.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for fluoxetine. Which of the
following findings is a potential adverse effect of the medication?
Urinary retention
Bradycardia
Increased temperature
Orthostatic hypotension
Increased temperature;
Hyperpyrexia or fever is a potential adverse effect of fluoxetine. Serotonin syndrome is
a rare life-threatening occurrence associated with SSRIs. The effects include fever,
tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, sweating, diarrhea, delirium, mood swings,
hostility, seizures, apnea, and possible death.
9. A nurse is assessing a toddler during a well child visit. Which of the following findings
should the nurse identify and report to the provider as an indication of physical
maltreatment?
Several round burns on the soles of the feet
An abrasion on the elbow
Two bruises on the right shin in various stages of healing
A contusion on the forehead
, Several round burns on the soles of the feet;
Although minor injuries are common in toddlers due to their general lack of coordination,
the nurse should identify that physical findings such as round burns on the soles of a
child's feet can indicate potential physical maltreatment. Burns such as these can be
made with a cigarette or a cigar and should alert the nurse to a potential instance of
maltreatment that should be reported to the provider.
A nurse is caring for a client who becomes agitated while playing a game of cards with
other clients. The client stands up, throws the cards on the floor, and says, "I don't want
to play anymore." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Ignore the client's outburst.
Whisper reassuring comments in the client's ear.
Allow the client to choose another activity.
Ask the client to accompany the nurse to another area.
Ask the client to accompany the nurse to another area;
The nurse should ask the client in a calm and nonthreatening manner to walk with them
to another area, away from the location of the outburst. Removing the client from the
situation will ensure the safety of the other clients as well as deescalate the situation.
A nurse is discussing types of crises with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
experiences should the nurse include as an example of maturational crisis?
Assault
Retirement
House fire
Job change
Retirement;
The nurse should include retirement as an example of a maturational crisis. A
maturational crisis is an internal crisis that leads to psychosocial regression or growth. It
is a naturally occurring event in a client's life. Other examples of a maturational crisis
include marriage, the birth of children, and the death of parents.
A nurse is evaluating the outcome for a client who has depression following the death of
his wife 3 months ago. Which of the following client statements indicates a need for
further intervention?
"I just don't feel like eating because I never like to eat alone."
At risk for malnutrition and injury.
A nurse in a long-term care setting is caring for a client who has Alzheimer's disease.
The client states, "I just came back from a hard day's work in my office." The nurse
should identify this statement is an example of which of the following coping
mechanisms?
2026
1. A nurse in an acute care facility is assisting with the admission of an older adult client
who has late-stage Alzheimer's disease. The nurse notes that the client's partner
appears exhausted. He states that he is finding it more and more difficult to care for his
partner. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Ask the partner to talk about his difficulties in caring for the client.
The first action the nurse should take, using the nursing process priority framework, is to
collect data regarding the partner's ability to take care of the client.
2. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking bupropion. Which of the
following findings indicates the medications is effective?
Decrease in urge to smoke
Bupropion is an antidepressant that is also used for smoking cessation.
3. A nurse is caring for a client whose partner died 1 year ago. The client states I feel so
lonely. I don't go out with my friends anymore. The nurse should identify that the client is
in which of the following stages of grief?
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Denial
Depression;
The nurse should identify that the client is in the depression stage of the grieving
process. This stage includes withdrawal, regression, and social isolation.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse identify as negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Auditory hallucinations
Delusions
Lack of emotion
Loose association of ideas
Lack of emotion;
The nurse should identify lack of emotion as a negative symptom of schizophrenia.
Other negative symptoms can include withdrawal from others, lack of energy, negative
self-talk, lack of motivation, and feelings of rejection.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in recovery from a substance use disorder. The
client constantly discusses the destructive actions of people use illicit drugs. 6. Which of
the following adaptive defense mechanisms is the client demonstrating?
,Reaction formation
Rationalization
Suppression
Undoing
Reaction formation;
The client is using reaction formation when unacceptable behaviors are controlled and
kept out of awareness by developing the opposite behavior. This is an adaptive use of
the defense mechanism.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is in recovery from a substance use disorder and is
receiving treatment for withdrawal from heroin. Which of the following manifestations
should the nurse expect?
Bradycardia
Hypertension
Slurred speech
Pinpoint pupils
Hypertension;
Hypertension is a manifestation of opioid withdrawal. Additionally, a client who is
experiencing withdrawal can experience tachycardia, hyperthermia, and tachypnea.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for fluoxetine. Which of the
following findings is a potential adverse effect of the medication?
Urinary retention
Bradycardia
Increased temperature
Orthostatic hypotension
Increased temperature;
Hyperpyrexia or fever is a potential adverse effect of fluoxetine. Serotonin syndrome is
a rare life-threatening occurrence associated with SSRIs. The effects include fever,
tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, sweating, diarrhea, delirium, mood swings,
hostility, seizures, apnea, and possible death.
9. A nurse is assessing a toddler during a well child visit. Which of the following findings
should the nurse identify and report to the provider as an indication of physical
maltreatment?
Several round burns on the soles of the feet
An abrasion on the elbow
Two bruises on the right shin in various stages of healing
A contusion on the forehead
, Several round burns on the soles of the feet;
Although minor injuries are common in toddlers due to their general lack of coordination,
the nurse should identify that physical findings such as round burns on the soles of a
child's feet can indicate potential physical maltreatment. Burns such as these can be
made with a cigarette or a cigar and should alert the nurse to a potential instance of
maltreatment that should be reported to the provider.
A nurse is caring for a client who becomes agitated while playing a game of cards with
other clients. The client stands up, throws the cards on the floor, and says, "I don't want
to play anymore." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Ignore the client's outburst.
Whisper reassuring comments in the client's ear.
Allow the client to choose another activity.
Ask the client to accompany the nurse to another area.
Ask the client to accompany the nurse to another area;
The nurse should ask the client in a calm and nonthreatening manner to walk with them
to another area, away from the location of the outburst. Removing the client from the
situation will ensure the safety of the other clients as well as deescalate the situation.
A nurse is discussing types of crises with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
experiences should the nurse include as an example of maturational crisis?
Assault
Retirement
House fire
Job change
Retirement;
The nurse should include retirement as an example of a maturational crisis. A
maturational crisis is an internal crisis that leads to psychosocial regression or growth. It
is a naturally occurring event in a client's life. Other examples of a maturational crisis
include marriage, the birth of children, and the death of parents.
A nurse is evaluating the outcome for a client who has depression following the death of
his wife 3 months ago. Which of the following client statements indicates a need for
further intervention?
"I just don't feel like eating because I never like to eat alone."
At risk for malnutrition and injury.
A nurse in a long-term care setting is caring for a client who has Alzheimer's disease.
The client states, "I just came back from a hard day's work in my office." The nurse
should identify this statement is an example of which of the following coping
mechanisms?
