ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED
CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health
disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse include as
a psychobiological intervention? Answer: Monitor the client for
adverse effects of the medications.
◉ A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to
conduct an initial client interview. When conducting the interview,
which of the following actions should the nurse identify as the
priority? Answer: Identify the client's perception of her mental
health status.
◉ A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is
stuporous. When assessing the client, which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? Answer: The client arouses briefly
in response to a sternal rub.
◉ A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the DSM-5.
Which of the following information is appropriate to include in the
discussion? (Select all that apply) Answer: The DSM-5 establishes
diagnostic criteria for individual mental health disorders.
,-The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who have
mental health disorders.
-The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings of mental health
disorders.
◉ A nurse in an emergency mental health facility is caring for a
group of clients. The nurse should identify that which of the
following clients requires a temporary emergency admission?
Answer: A client who has borderline personality disorder and
assaulted a homeless man with a metal rod
◉ A nurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in
seclusion overnight because the unit is very short-staffed, and the
client frequently fights with other clients. The nurse's actions are an
example of which of the following torts? Answer: False
imprisonment
◉ A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife
under my mattress in order to protect myself from my roommate,
who is always yelling at me and threatening me." Which of the
following actions should the nurse take? Answer: Report the
incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the
intention to do so.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is in mechanical restraints.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the
,documentation? (Select all that apply) Answer: -Client was offered 8
oz of water every hr."
-Client shouted obscenities at assistive personnel."
-Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg by mouth at 1000.
◉ A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's
hallucinations in the hallway with another nurse. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first? Answer: Tell the nurse
to stop discussing the behavior
◉ A nurse is caring for the parents of a child who has demonstrated
changes in behavior and mood. When the mother of the child asks
the nurse for reassurance about her son's condition, which of the
following responses should the nurse make? Answer: I understand
you're concerned. Let's discuss what concerns you specifically."
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who smokes and has lung cancer. The
client reports, "I'm coughing because I have that cold that everyone
has been getting." The nurse should identify that the client is using
which of the following defense mechanisms? Answer: Denial
◉ A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who was
just informed that she requires emergency surgery. The client has a
respiratory rate 30/min and says, "This is difficult to comprehend. I
feel shaky and nervous." The nurse should identify that the client is
, experiencing which of the following levels of anxiety? Answer:
Moderate
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing moderate
anxiety. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when
trying to give necessary information to the client? (Select all that
apply.) Answer: -Discuss prior use of coping mechanisms with the
client.
-Demonstrate a calm manner while using simple and clear
directions.
◉ A nurse is talking with a client who is at risk for suicide following
the death of his spouse. Which of the following statements should
the nurse make? Answer: -Losing someone close to you must be very
upsetting."
◉ A charge nurse is discussing the characteristics of a nurse-client
relationship with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
characteristics should the nurse include in the discussion? (Select all
that apply) Answer: -It is goal-directed.
-Behavioral change is encouraged.
-A termination date is established.
◉ A nurse is in the working phase of a therapeutic relationship with
a client who has methamphetamine use disorder. Which of the
CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health
disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse include as
a psychobiological intervention? Answer: Monitor the client for
adverse effects of the medications.
◉ A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to
conduct an initial client interview. When conducting the interview,
which of the following actions should the nurse identify as the
priority? Answer: Identify the client's perception of her mental
health status.
◉ A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is
stuporous. When assessing the client, which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? Answer: The client arouses briefly
in response to a sternal rub.
◉ A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the DSM-5.
Which of the following information is appropriate to include in the
discussion? (Select all that apply) Answer: The DSM-5 establishes
diagnostic criteria for individual mental health disorders.
,-The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who have
mental health disorders.
-The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings of mental health
disorders.
◉ A nurse in an emergency mental health facility is caring for a
group of clients. The nurse should identify that which of the
following clients requires a temporary emergency admission?
Answer: A client who has borderline personality disorder and
assaulted a homeless man with a metal rod
◉ A nurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in
seclusion overnight because the unit is very short-staffed, and the
client frequently fights with other clients. The nurse's actions are an
example of which of the following torts? Answer: False
imprisonment
◉ A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife
under my mattress in order to protect myself from my roommate,
who is always yelling at me and threatening me." Which of the
following actions should the nurse take? Answer: Report the
incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the
intention to do so.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is in mechanical restraints.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the
,documentation? (Select all that apply) Answer: -Client was offered 8
oz of water every hr."
-Client shouted obscenities at assistive personnel."
-Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg by mouth at 1000.
◉ A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's
hallucinations in the hallway with another nurse. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first? Answer: Tell the nurse
to stop discussing the behavior
◉ A nurse is caring for the parents of a child who has demonstrated
changes in behavior and mood. When the mother of the child asks
the nurse for reassurance about her son's condition, which of the
following responses should the nurse make? Answer: I understand
you're concerned. Let's discuss what concerns you specifically."
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who smokes and has lung cancer. The
client reports, "I'm coughing because I have that cold that everyone
has been getting." The nurse should identify that the client is using
which of the following defense mechanisms? Answer: Denial
◉ A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who was
just informed that she requires emergency surgery. The client has a
respiratory rate 30/min and says, "This is difficult to comprehend. I
feel shaky and nervous." The nurse should identify that the client is
, experiencing which of the following levels of anxiety? Answer:
Moderate
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing moderate
anxiety. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when
trying to give necessary information to the client? (Select all that
apply.) Answer: -Discuss prior use of coping mechanisms with the
client.
-Demonstrate a calm manner while using simple and clear
directions.
◉ A nurse is talking with a client who is at risk for suicide following
the death of his spouse. Which of the following statements should
the nurse make? Answer: -Losing someone close to you must be very
upsetting."
◉ A charge nurse is discussing the characteristics of a nurse-client
relationship with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
characteristics should the nurse include in the discussion? (Select all
that apply) Answer: -It is goal-directed.
-Behavioral change is encouraged.
-A termination date is established.
◉ A nurse is in the working phase of a therapeutic relationship with
a client who has methamphetamine use disorder. Which of the
