ATI Mental Health Proctored
Comprehensive Mental Health
Nursing Proctored Assessment
Review: 403 Practice Questions
with Detailed Rationales 2026
A nurse is assisting with the planning of a therapeutic determine the rules that the group will follow
support group for individuals who have bulimia nervosa.
Which of the following tasks should the nurse include *during the orientation phase of group development, the nurse should determine
during the orientation phase of group development? the rules that apply to the group and ensure that all members understand these
rules. Examples of rules to be discussed include confidentiality and meeting
A. determine the rules that the group will follow times.
B. address disagreements among group members
C. help clients work through the grief response
D. transition from the role of leader to facilitator
A nurse is providing support for a client who is grieving "Dealing with your mother's death must be difficult for you."
the loss of her mother who died from Alzeimer's disease.
Which of the following statements should the nurse *The nurse should use therapeutic communication when supporting a client who
offer? is grieving. This statement keeps the focus of the conversation on the client by
acknowledging her grief and encourages further communication."
A. "I know how you must be feeling. I recently lost my
father."
B. "Dealing with your mother's death must be difficult for
you."
C. "Knowing your mother is in a better place provides you
with some comfort."
D. "I want you to let me know what I can do to help you
cope with your mother's death."
,A nurse in the emergency room is collecting data from a Respiratory depression
client who has heroin intoxication. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? *Heroin is an opioid; therefore, the nurse should expect this client who has heroin
intoxication to exhibit respiratory depression.
A. Seizure activity
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hypersensitivity to pain
D. Increased mental alertness
A nurse on a mental health unit is caring for a client who The client has a history of violence
is displaying signs of anger. Which of the following pieces
of information about the client is the strongest indicator *The client's history of violence is the most important indicator that this client
that the client might become aggressive? might become violent; therefore, this is the strongest indicator of potential
aggressiveness.
A. The client has marginal coping skills
B. The client has a history of violence
C. The client feels powerless after being hospitalized
D. The client blames others for her problems
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the caregiver of a Offer finger foods to the client
client who has dementia. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? *The caregiver should offer finger foods that the client can eat without sitting
down. Clients who have dementia often like to wander and walk off nervous
A. Offer the client a list of activities to choose from energy, which can decrease anxiety and calm the client.
B. Offer finger foods to the client
C. Discourage naps throughout the day
D. Turn on the television when the client is in the room
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client with Encourage the client to have frequent rest periods
bipolar disorder who has acute mania. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse recommend *The nurse should recommend encouraging frequent rest periods throughout the
including in the plan? day to decrease the client's risk of exhaustion from the constant activity
associated with acute mania.
A. Provide the client with a low-calorie, low-fat diet
B. Encourage the client to have frequent rest periods
C. Escort the client to daily group therapy
D. Limit the client's intake of caffeinated beverages to 12
oz per day
A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client who has Helps the client deal with distorted thought processes
bipolar disorder. Which of the following is an effect of
using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for a client who *CBT assists the client with recognizing distorted thought processes that are
has bipolar disorder? maladaptive with regards to recovery. When experiencing mania, the client tends
to view the future unrealistically as highly favorable. CBT assists the client in
A. Prevents the need for mood-stabilizing medications recognizing and challenging such unrealistic or "automatic" thoughts and can help
B. Helps the client deal with distorted thought processes the client and the health care team recognize early trends toward mania
C. Aids in communication among family members
D. Replaces the need for lifestyle interventions
,A nurse is caring for a client in a mental health facility and Notify the provider of the client's threat
overhears the client discussing plans to harm her father-
in-law physically when she is discharged. Which of the *It is the nurse's duty to notify the provider of the client's threat. It will then be the
following interventions should the nurse take? provider's responsibility to warn the the intended victim or the police of the
client's threat
A. Ask the client to sign a contract agreeing not to harm
others
B. Notify the provider of the client's threat
C. Keep the client's discussion confidential
D. Place the client in individual observation
A nurse is preparing to meet with a client who has Facilitate change in the client's behavior
borderline personality disorder. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take during the working *The nurse should facilitate change in the client's behavior during the working
phase of the therapeutic relationship? phase of the therapeutic relationship.
A. Introduce the concept of client confidentiality
B. Establish goals with the client
C. Define the roles of the nurse and the client
D. Facilitate change in the client's behavior
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who Search the client and his belongings upon arrival
has suicidal ideation and is being transferred to the
mental health unit. Which of the following interventions *The nurse should plan to search the client and all of his belongings upon arrival
should the nurse recommend? to the unit. This search is conducted for the client's safety so that the nurse can
identify and remove any objects that increase the client's risk of injury or suicide.
A. Search the client and his belongings upon arrival Potentially harmfully objects include razors, shoelaces, hygiene products, and
B. Assign the client to a private room near the nurse's tweezers
station
C. Instruct assistive personnel to check on the client
every 15 m in
D. Keep the door to the client's room closed
A nurse is talking with a client about his admission to a "It sounds like you are concerned about your family's reaction."
mental health unit. The client states, "I just don't know if I
should be here. What will my family think?" Which of the *In a reflective response, the nurse directs feelings and statements back to the
following responses by the nurse uses the therapeutic client, allowing the client to think about personal feelings
communication technique of reflection?
A. "It sounds like you are concerned about your family's
reaction."
B. "What your family thinks isn't important; you need to be
concerned about getting well."
C. "I suspect your family doesn't seem to understand you.
D. "Many clients are concerned about the reaction of
their families."
, A nurse is caring for a client who just received a terminal Denial
diagnosis of cancer. Which of the following initial
reactions should the nurse expect from the client? *The nurse should expect the client to deny the reality of the diagnosis initially.
This is a protective reaction seeking to avoid psychological pain
A. Bargaining
B. Depression
C. Denial
D. Anger
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a child "Weigh your child 3 times per week."
who has a new prescription for methylphenidate to treat
ADHD. Which of the following instructions should the *The nurse should instruct the parent to weigh the child 2 to 3 times per week.
nurse include in the teaching? Weight loss is an adverse effect of this medication. If significant weight loss
occurs, the parent should notify the provider.
A. "Weigh your child 3 times per week."
B. "Expect your child to experience dark-colored stools."
C. "Administer this medication at bedtime."
D. "You should limit your child's intake of caffeine."
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has "This medication should not be stopped abruptly."
generalized anxiety disorder and a new prescription for
venlafaxine. Which of the following statements should the *The nurse should instruct the client that stopping venlafaxine abruptly will lead
nurse make? to manifestations of withdrawal.
A. "This medication is only for short-term use"
B. "This medication can be taken on an as-needed basis."
C. "This medication will effectively reduce your physical
manifestations of anxiety."
D. "This medication should not be stopped abruptly."
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has Liver function levels
bipolar disorder and a new prescription for valproic acid.
The nurse should explain that the provider will routinely *The nurse should inform the client of the need to monitor liver function levels
prescribe which of the following tests while the client is regularly due to the risk of hepatotoxicity while taking valproic acid. It is is
taking valproic acid? recommended to obtain baseline levels and then repeat testing every 2 months
during the first 6 months of therapy.
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Chest X-ray
C. Thyroid function tests
D. Liver function levels
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking Thrombocytopenia
carbamazepine. The nurse should monitor the client for
which of the following adverse effects of *The nurse should monitor the client for thrombocytopenia (an increased risk of
carbamazepine? bleeding). The nurse should monitor for bleeding of the gums, which can indicate
thrombocytopenia, and notify the provider if this occurs.
A. Thrombocytopenia
B. Weight loss
C. Polyuria
D. Insomnia
Comprehensive Mental Health
Nursing Proctored Assessment
Review: 403 Practice Questions
with Detailed Rationales 2026
A nurse is assisting with the planning of a therapeutic determine the rules that the group will follow
support group for individuals who have bulimia nervosa.
Which of the following tasks should the nurse include *during the orientation phase of group development, the nurse should determine
during the orientation phase of group development? the rules that apply to the group and ensure that all members understand these
rules. Examples of rules to be discussed include confidentiality and meeting
A. determine the rules that the group will follow times.
B. address disagreements among group members
C. help clients work through the grief response
D. transition from the role of leader to facilitator
A nurse is providing support for a client who is grieving "Dealing with your mother's death must be difficult for you."
the loss of her mother who died from Alzeimer's disease.
Which of the following statements should the nurse *The nurse should use therapeutic communication when supporting a client who
offer? is grieving. This statement keeps the focus of the conversation on the client by
acknowledging her grief and encourages further communication."
A. "I know how you must be feeling. I recently lost my
father."
B. "Dealing with your mother's death must be difficult for
you."
C. "Knowing your mother is in a better place provides you
with some comfort."
D. "I want you to let me know what I can do to help you
cope with your mother's death."
,A nurse in the emergency room is collecting data from a Respiratory depression
client who has heroin intoxication. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? *Heroin is an opioid; therefore, the nurse should expect this client who has heroin
intoxication to exhibit respiratory depression.
A. Seizure activity
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hypersensitivity to pain
D. Increased mental alertness
A nurse on a mental health unit is caring for a client who The client has a history of violence
is displaying signs of anger. Which of the following pieces
of information about the client is the strongest indicator *The client's history of violence is the most important indicator that this client
that the client might become aggressive? might become violent; therefore, this is the strongest indicator of potential
aggressiveness.
A. The client has marginal coping skills
B. The client has a history of violence
C. The client feels powerless after being hospitalized
D. The client blames others for her problems
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the caregiver of a Offer finger foods to the client
client who has dementia. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? *The caregiver should offer finger foods that the client can eat without sitting
down. Clients who have dementia often like to wander and walk off nervous
A. Offer the client a list of activities to choose from energy, which can decrease anxiety and calm the client.
B. Offer finger foods to the client
C. Discourage naps throughout the day
D. Turn on the television when the client is in the room
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client with Encourage the client to have frequent rest periods
bipolar disorder who has acute mania. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse recommend *The nurse should recommend encouraging frequent rest periods throughout the
including in the plan? day to decrease the client's risk of exhaustion from the constant activity
associated with acute mania.
A. Provide the client with a low-calorie, low-fat diet
B. Encourage the client to have frequent rest periods
C. Escort the client to daily group therapy
D. Limit the client's intake of caffeinated beverages to 12
oz per day
A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client who has Helps the client deal with distorted thought processes
bipolar disorder. Which of the following is an effect of
using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for a client who *CBT assists the client with recognizing distorted thought processes that are
has bipolar disorder? maladaptive with regards to recovery. When experiencing mania, the client tends
to view the future unrealistically as highly favorable. CBT assists the client in
A. Prevents the need for mood-stabilizing medications recognizing and challenging such unrealistic or "automatic" thoughts and can help
B. Helps the client deal with distorted thought processes the client and the health care team recognize early trends toward mania
C. Aids in communication among family members
D. Replaces the need for lifestyle interventions
,A nurse is caring for a client in a mental health facility and Notify the provider of the client's threat
overhears the client discussing plans to harm her father-
in-law physically when she is discharged. Which of the *It is the nurse's duty to notify the provider of the client's threat. It will then be the
following interventions should the nurse take? provider's responsibility to warn the the intended victim or the police of the
client's threat
A. Ask the client to sign a contract agreeing not to harm
others
B. Notify the provider of the client's threat
C. Keep the client's discussion confidential
D. Place the client in individual observation
A nurse is preparing to meet with a client who has Facilitate change in the client's behavior
borderline personality disorder. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take during the working *The nurse should facilitate change in the client's behavior during the working
phase of the therapeutic relationship? phase of the therapeutic relationship.
A. Introduce the concept of client confidentiality
B. Establish goals with the client
C. Define the roles of the nurse and the client
D. Facilitate change in the client's behavior
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who Search the client and his belongings upon arrival
has suicidal ideation and is being transferred to the
mental health unit. Which of the following interventions *The nurse should plan to search the client and all of his belongings upon arrival
should the nurse recommend? to the unit. This search is conducted for the client's safety so that the nurse can
identify and remove any objects that increase the client's risk of injury or suicide.
A. Search the client and his belongings upon arrival Potentially harmfully objects include razors, shoelaces, hygiene products, and
B. Assign the client to a private room near the nurse's tweezers
station
C. Instruct assistive personnel to check on the client
every 15 m in
D. Keep the door to the client's room closed
A nurse is talking with a client about his admission to a "It sounds like you are concerned about your family's reaction."
mental health unit. The client states, "I just don't know if I
should be here. What will my family think?" Which of the *In a reflective response, the nurse directs feelings and statements back to the
following responses by the nurse uses the therapeutic client, allowing the client to think about personal feelings
communication technique of reflection?
A. "It sounds like you are concerned about your family's
reaction."
B. "What your family thinks isn't important; you need to be
concerned about getting well."
C. "I suspect your family doesn't seem to understand you.
D. "Many clients are concerned about the reaction of
their families."
, A nurse is caring for a client who just received a terminal Denial
diagnosis of cancer. Which of the following initial
reactions should the nurse expect from the client? *The nurse should expect the client to deny the reality of the diagnosis initially.
This is a protective reaction seeking to avoid psychological pain
A. Bargaining
B. Depression
C. Denial
D. Anger
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parent of a child "Weigh your child 3 times per week."
who has a new prescription for methylphenidate to treat
ADHD. Which of the following instructions should the *The nurse should instruct the parent to weigh the child 2 to 3 times per week.
nurse include in the teaching? Weight loss is an adverse effect of this medication. If significant weight loss
occurs, the parent should notify the provider.
A. "Weigh your child 3 times per week."
B. "Expect your child to experience dark-colored stools."
C. "Administer this medication at bedtime."
D. "You should limit your child's intake of caffeine."
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has "This medication should not be stopped abruptly."
generalized anxiety disorder and a new prescription for
venlafaxine. Which of the following statements should the *The nurse should instruct the client that stopping venlafaxine abruptly will lead
nurse make? to manifestations of withdrawal.
A. "This medication is only for short-term use"
B. "This medication can be taken on an as-needed basis."
C. "This medication will effectively reduce your physical
manifestations of anxiety."
D. "This medication should not be stopped abruptly."
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has Liver function levels
bipolar disorder and a new prescription for valproic acid.
The nurse should explain that the provider will routinely *The nurse should inform the client of the need to monitor liver function levels
prescribe which of the following tests while the client is regularly due to the risk of hepatotoxicity while taking valproic acid. It is is
taking valproic acid? recommended to obtain baseline levels and then repeat testing every 2 months
during the first 6 months of therapy.
A. Electrocardiogram
B. Chest X-ray
C. Thyroid function tests
D. Liver function levels
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking Thrombocytopenia
carbamazepine. The nurse should monitor the client for
which of the following adverse effects of *The nurse should monitor the client for thrombocytopenia (an increased risk of
carbamazepine? bleeding). The nurse should monitor for bleeding of the gums, which can indicate
thrombocytopenia, and notify the provider if this occurs.
A. Thrombocytopenia
B. Weight loss
C. Polyuria
D. Insomnia
