ATI Capstone Mental Health, ATI Capstone: Mental Health,
ATI Mental health Assessment ACTUAL EXAM / ATI
MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM 2026
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND DETAILEDVERIFIED
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
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? - ANSWER//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.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking bupropion. Which of the following
findings indicates the medications is effective? - ANSWER//Decrease in urge to smoke
Bupropion is an antidepressant that is also used for smoking cessation.
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? - ANSWER//"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? - ANSWER//Confabulation
Confabulation is the creation of information which is untrue to fill in gaps in memory and
to protect self-esteem in clients who have dementia.
A nurse is planning care for a new client. Which of the following actions should the
nurse plan to take in order to use the technique of presence to establish the nurse-
client relationship? - ANSWER//Use active listening when with the client.
,The nurse should use active listening to establish presence with the client. presence
involves eye contact, body language, voice tone, listening, and reflection to convay
openness and understanding.
A nurse is assessing a client in the emergency department who drank alcohol while
taking disulfiram. The client states, "The nurse told me not to drink when taking the
medication. I am just a social drinker. I didn't realize that having just one drink with my
friends would cause such a problem." Which of the following defense mechanisms is the
client demonstrating? - ANSWER//Rationalization
The client is demonstrating rationalization when he creates reasonable and acceptable
explanations for unacceptable behavior. The client is using rationalization asa defense
mechanisms to justify why he had just one drink. Even though the nurse told him not to
drink alcohol.
A nurse is caring for a group of older adult clients. Which of the following client findings
indicates delirium? - ANSWER//A client asks when family members will be arriving after
visiting 1 hr earlier.
Delirium is characterized by a change in cognition that occurs over a short period of
time. It always results from secondary physiological condition, ( infection, surgery,
prolonged hospitalization, hypoxia, fever, medication) and is a transient disorder.
Although delirium can occur at any age, it is more common in older adults. It frequently
progresses in the evening hours and is sometimes called "sundown syndrome"
A nurse is collecting data from a client newly admitted for anorexia nervousa. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect? - ANSWER//Amenorrhea
The nurse should expect the client to report amenorrhea due to low body weight.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has bipolar disorder with main. Which of the
following findings is the nurse's priority? - ANSWER//The client paces in the hallway
during the day and most of the night.
When using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the nurse determines that the priority findings
is the client's physiological need for rest and food. Nonstop activity is an emergency
situation for a client who has mania, since the client might go for long periods without
eating or sleep.
A nurse is preparing to assist with the care of a client of a client who is undergo
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following pieces of equipment should the
nurse set up in the room prior to the treatment? SATA - ANSWER//-
Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor.
The provider will monitor the client's brainwave patterns during the procedure.
- Oxygen saturation monitor
, The client requires continuous oxygen saturation monitoring because she will receive a
short-acting barbiturate to induce sleep and a muscle-paralyzing agent to prevent
muscle distress and injury.
-Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor.
The provider will monitor the client's cardiac response during the procedure.
A nurse is assisting with a family therapy session for parents and 2 school-age children.
Which of the following statements should the nurse recognize as an example of
effective communication among family members? - ANSWER//"Can you tell me the
reason you get upset each time I go to the mall?"
This is an expel of effective and healthy communication. Healthy communication
expresses clear, understandable messages between family members. Each family
member is encourage to express his or her feelings and thoughts.
A n urse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is 2 days postpartum and has a history
of postpartum depression. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- ANSWER//Sleep as much as possible.
The nurse should encourage the client to sleep as much as she can during the next few
weeks. Sleep deprivation can increase the risk for postpartum depression.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a female client who is prescribed chlorpromazine.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching? - ANSWER//"I will contact my provider if I have difficulty urinating"
Chlorpromazine is a first-generation, or typical, antipsychotic medication prescribed for
schizophrenia. The client should monitor for anticholinergic adverse effects, such as dry
mouth and urinary retention. Difficulty urinating could be a sign of urinary retention and
should be reported to the provider for further evaluation.
A nurse is collecting data from a client following a recent suicide attempt. Which of the
following findings in the client's history places him at the greatest risk for another suicide
attempt? - ANSWER//Impulsivity
A client who has impulsivity is at risk for suicide because he is more likely to take an
action quickly without thinking about the consequences.
A nurse is caring for client who escapes anxiety - causing thoughts by ignoring their
existence. The nurse should recognize this behavior as which of the following defense
mechanisms? - ANSWER//Undoing
The nurse correctly identifies this as an example of denial which is escaping unpleasant
or anxiety - causing thoughts or feelings by ignoring their existence.
ATI Mental health Assessment ACTUAL EXAM / ATI
MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM 2026
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND DETAILEDVERIFIED
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
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? - ANSWER//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.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking bupropion. Which of the following
findings indicates the medications is effective? - ANSWER//Decrease in urge to smoke
Bupropion is an antidepressant that is also used for smoking cessation.
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? - ANSWER//"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? - ANSWER//Confabulation
Confabulation is the creation of information which is untrue to fill in gaps in memory and
to protect self-esteem in clients who have dementia.
A nurse is planning care for a new client. Which of the following actions should the
nurse plan to take in order to use the technique of presence to establish the nurse-
client relationship? - ANSWER//Use active listening when with the client.
,The nurse should use active listening to establish presence with the client. presence
involves eye contact, body language, voice tone, listening, and reflection to convay
openness and understanding.
A nurse is assessing a client in the emergency department who drank alcohol while
taking disulfiram. The client states, "The nurse told me not to drink when taking the
medication. I am just a social drinker. I didn't realize that having just one drink with my
friends would cause such a problem." Which of the following defense mechanisms is the
client demonstrating? - ANSWER//Rationalization
The client is demonstrating rationalization when he creates reasonable and acceptable
explanations for unacceptable behavior. The client is using rationalization asa defense
mechanisms to justify why he had just one drink. Even though the nurse told him not to
drink alcohol.
A nurse is caring for a group of older adult clients. Which of the following client findings
indicates delirium? - ANSWER//A client asks when family members will be arriving after
visiting 1 hr earlier.
Delirium is characterized by a change in cognition that occurs over a short period of
time. It always results from secondary physiological condition, ( infection, surgery,
prolonged hospitalization, hypoxia, fever, medication) and is a transient disorder.
Although delirium can occur at any age, it is more common in older adults. It frequently
progresses in the evening hours and is sometimes called "sundown syndrome"
A nurse is collecting data from a client newly admitted for anorexia nervousa. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect? - ANSWER//Amenorrhea
The nurse should expect the client to report amenorrhea due to low body weight.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has bipolar disorder with main. Which of the
following findings is the nurse's priority? - ANSWER//The client paces in the hallway
during the day and most of the night.
When using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the nurse determines that the priority findings
is the client's physiological need for rest and food. Nonstop activity is an emergency
situation for a client who has mania, since the client might go for long periods without
eating or sleep.
A nurse is preparing to assist with the care of a client of a client who is undergo
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following pieces of equipment should the
nurse set up in the room prior to the treatment? SATA - ANSWER//-
Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor.
The provider will monitor the client's brainwave patterns during the procedure.
- Oxygen saturation monitor
, The client requires continuous oxygen saturation monitoring because she will receive a
short-acting barbiturate to induce sleep and a muscle-paralyzing agent to prevent
muscle distress and injury.
-Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor.
The provider will monitor the client's cardiac response during the procedure.
A nurse is assisting with a family therapy session for parents and 2 school-age children.
Which of the following statements should the nurse recognize as an example of
effective communication among family members? - ANSWER//"Can you tell me the
reason you get upset each time I go to the mall?"
This is an expel of effective and healthy communication. Healthy communication
expresses clear, understandable messages between family members. Each family
member is encourage to express his or her feelings and thoughts.
A n urse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is 2 days postpartum and has a history
of postpartum depression. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- ANSWER//Sleep as much as possible.
The nurse should encourage the client to sleep as much as she can during the next few
weeks. Sleep deprivation can increase the risk for postpartum depression.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a female client who is prescribed chlorpromazine.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching? - ANSWER//"I will contact my provider if I have difficulty urinating"
Chlorpromazine is a first-generation, or typical, antipsychotic medication prescribed for
schizophrenia. The client should monitor for anticholinergic adverse effects, such as dry
mouth and urinary retention. Difficulty urinating could be a sign of urinary retention and
should be reported to the provider for further evaluation.
A nurse is collecting data from a client following a recent suicide attempt. Which of the
following findings in the client's history places him at the greatest risk for another suicide
attempt? - ANSWER//Impulsivity
A client who has impulsivity is at risk for suicide because he is more likely to take an
action quickly without thinking about the consequences.
A nurse is caring for client who escapes anxiety - causing thoughts by ignoring their
existence. The nurse should recognize this behavior as which of the following defense
mechanisms? - ANSWER//Undoing
The nurse correctly identifies this as an example of denial which is escaping unpleasant
or anxiety - causing thoughts or feelings by ignoring their existence.
