2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam 3
Questions and Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales Graded A+ Guaranteed
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After 4 days on the inpatient psychiatric unit a client on suicidal precautions tells the nurse,
"Hey, look! I was feeling pretty depressed for a while, but I'm certainly not going to kill
myself." What is the nurse's best response to this statement?
1. "You do seem to be feeling better."
2. "We should talk some more about this."
3. "We have to observe you until you're better."
4. "I don't understand what you mean by killing yourself."
2. "We should talk some more about this."
The statement "We should talk some more about this" encourages the client to talk about
A+ TEST BANK 1
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
feelings without the nurse setting the focus for the discussion. "You do seem to be feeling
better" cuts off further communication of feelings; the client's statement may actually
indicate a desire to act on the suicidal ideation. "We have to observe you until you're better"
does not foster communication or a discussion of feelings. "I don't understand what you
mean by killing yourself" will make the client wonder where the nurse has been for 4 days.
A hospitalized psychiatric client with the diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder demands
a sleeping pill before going to bed. After being refused the sleeping pill, the client throws a
book at the nurse. How does the nurse identify this behavior?
1. Exploitive
2. Acting out
3. Manipulative
4 Reaction formation
2. Acting out
Acting out is the process of expressing feelings behaviorally. The action is not exploitive,
because no evidence is provided to demonstrate that anyone has been used to get what the
client wants. The action is not manipulative, because no evidence is provided to demonstrate
that anyone has been influenced against his or her wishes. The action is not eaction
formation, disguising unacceptable feelings by expressing opposite emotions.
Suicide precautions are ordered for a newly admitted client. What is the most therapeutic way
to provide these precautions?
1. Keeping the client in the lounge during the daytime
2. Encouraging the client to express feelings frequently
3. Assigning a staff member to be with the client at all times
4. Having a nursing aide observe the client every half hour at night
A+ TEST BANK 2
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
3. Assigning a staff member to be with the client at all times
Emotional support and close surveillance can demonstrate the staff's caring and their
attempt to prevent the client from acting out of suicidal ideation. Although surveillance may
meet the client's safety needs, it does not meet the client's emotional needs. Also, the client
would still have the opportunity to attempt suicide at night. Encouraging the client to express
feelings frequently is not a suicide precaution. Having a nursing aide check the client every
half hour at night is unsafe; the client could still find a way to carry out a suicide attempt in the
room.
A client with a history of substance abuse is brought to the emergency department. The client
is having seizures, is hypertensive, and has hyperthermia. What drug should the nurse
consider that the client may have been abusing?
1. Alcohol
2. Fentanyl
3. Oxycodone
4. Methamphetamine
4. Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that increases the heart rate and blood pressure. It can
cause hyperthermia, convulsions, and death. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS)
depressant. Overdose of alcohol leads to a decreased level of consciousness and respiratory
depression. Fentanyl and oxycodone are opioid and CNS depressants. Overdose leads to
hypotension, a decreased level of consciousness, and respiratory depression.
A nurse is caring for a group of children with the diagnosis of autism. Which signs and
symptoms are associated with this disorder? Select all that apply.
1. Lack of appetite
2. Depressed mood
A+ TEST BANK 3
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
3. Repetitive activities
4. Self-injurious behaviors
5. Lack of communication with others
3. Repetitive activities
4. Self-injurious behaviors
5. Lack of communication with others
Perseveration (repetition of a behavior pattern) is commonly demonstrated by children with
autism; this behavior provides comfort. Self-stimulation through injurious behavior is
associated with autism. Children with autism have difficulty communicating or do not
communicate at all with others. There may be unusual eating habits and food preferences,
but lack of appetite is not associated with autism. Mood disorders are usually not associated
with autism.
A client with a long history of alcohol dependence spends 28 days in an alcohol-rehabilitation
unit. What type of referral does the nurse anticipate will be included in the discharge plan?
1. Halfway house
2. Family therapist
3. Psychoanalytic therapy group
4. Community-based self-help group
4. Community-based self-help group
Referral to a community-based self-help group is an essential component of the discharge
plan to provide ongoing support. The client probably does not need a halfway house.
Although some forms of therapy may be helpful, the most successful intervention for alcohol
abuse is Alcoholics Anonymous.
A delirious client sees a design on the wallpaper and perceives it as an animal. In the change-
of-shift report, how should the nurse communicate what the client perceived?
1. A delusion
A+ TEST BANK 4
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam 3
Questions and Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales Graded A+ Guaranteed
Pass
After 4 days on the inpatient psychiatric unit a client on suicidal precautions tells the nurse,
"Hey, look! I was feeling pretty depressed for a while, but I'm certainly not going to kill
myself." What is the nurse's best response to this statement?
1. "You do seem to be feeling better."
2. "We should talk some more about this."
3. "We have to observe you until you're better."
4. "I don't understand what you mean by killing yourself."
2. "We should talk some more about this."
The statement "We should talk some more about this" encourages the client to talk about
A+ TEST BANK 1
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
feelings without the nurse setting the focus for the discussion. "You do seem to be feeling
better" cuts off further communication of feelings; the client's statement may actually
indicate a desire to act on the suicidal ideation. "We have to observe you until you're better"
does not foster communication or a discussion of feelings. "I don't understand what you
mean by killing yourself" will make the client wonder where the nurse has been for 4 days.
A hospitalized psychiatric client with the diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder demands
a sleeping pill before going to bed. After being refused the sleeping pill, the client throws a
book at the nurse. How does the nurse identify this behavior?
1. Exploitive
2. Acting out
3. Manipulative
4 Reaction formation
2. Acting out
Acting out is the process of expressing feelings behaviorally. The action is not exploitive,
because no evidence is provided to demonstrate that anyone has been used to get what the
client wants. The action is not manipulative, because no evidence is provided to demonstrate
that anyone has been influenced against his or her wishes. The action is not eaction
formation, disguising unacceptable feelings by expressing opposite emotions.
Suicide precautions are ordered for a newly admitted client. What is the most therapeutic way
to provide these precautions?
1. Keeping the client in the lounge during the daytime
2. Encouraging the client to express feelings frequently
3. Assigning a staff member to be with the client at all times
4. Having a nursing aide observe the client every half hour at night
A+ TEST BANK 2
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
3. Assigning a staff member to be with the client at all times
Emotional support and close surveillance can demonstrate the staff's caring and their
attempt to prevent the client from acting out of suicidal ideation. Although surveillance may
meet the client's safety needs, it does not meet the client's emotional needs. Also, the client
would still have the opportunity to attempt suicide at night. Encouraging the client to express
feelings frequently is not a suicide precaution. Having a nursing aide check the client every
half hour at night is unsafe; the client could still find a way to carry out a suicide attempt in the
room.
A client with a history of substance abuse is brought to the emergency department. The client
is having seizures, is hypertensive, and has hyperthermia. What drug should the nurse
consider that the client may have been abusing?
1. Alcohol
2. Fentanyl
3. Oxycodone
4. Methamphetamine
4. Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that increases the heart rate and blood pressure. It can
cause hyperthermia, convulsions, and death. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS)
depressant. Overdose of alcohol leads to a decreased level of consciousness and respiratory
depression. Fentanyl and oxycodone are opioid and CNS depressants. Overdose leads to
hypotension, a decreased level of consciousness, and respiratory depression.
A nurse is caring for a group of children with the diagnosis of autism. Which signs and
symptoms are associated with this disorder? Select all that apply.
1. Lack of appetite
2. Depressed mood
A+ TEST BANK 3
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
3. Repetitive activities
4. Self-injurious behaviors
5. Lack of communication with others
3. Repetitive activities
4. Self-injurious behaviors
5. Lack of communication with others
Perseveration (repetition of a behavior pattern) is commonly demonstrated by children with
autism; this behavior provides comfort. Self-stimulation through injurious behavior is
associated with autism. Children with autism have difficulty communicating or do not
communicate at all with others. There may be unusual eating habits and food preferences,
but lack of appetite is not associated with autism. Mood disorders are usually not associated
with autism.
A client with a long history of alcohol dependence spends 28 days in an alcohol-rehabilitation
unit. What type of referral does the nurse anticipate will be included in the discharge plan?
1. Halfway house
2. Family therapist
3. Psychoanalytic therapy group
4. Community-based self-help group
4. Community-based self-help group
Referral to a community-based self-help group is an essential component of the discharge
plan to provide ongoing support. The client probably does not need a halfway house.
Although some forms of therapy may be helpful, the most successful intervention for alcohol
abuse is Alcoholics Anonymous.
A delirious client sees a design on the wallpaper and perceives it as an animal. In the change-
of-shift report, how should the nurse communicate what the client perceived?
1. A delusion
A+ TEST BANK 4
