ATI CMS EXAM REVIEW – MENTAL
HEALTH | COMPREHENSIVE
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING STUDY GUIDE
2026 | GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED
SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Exam Prep and Comprehensive Rationales Included
,LOC - STUPOROUS patient barely responds to painful stimuli
example
rubbing sternum
LOC - COMATOSE patient is unresponsive
abnormal posturing may be present
DECORTICATE POSTURING arms flexed/internally rotated
legs extended/internally rotated
DECEREBRATE POSTURING head arched back
arms/legs extended
AUTONOMY patient has the right to make their own decisions even if not in their best interest
BENEFICENCE do what is best for the patient
do good
FIDELITY keep your promises
loyalty/faithfulness
JUSTICE provide fairness in care and allocation of resources
NONMALEFICENCE do no harm
VERACITY tell the truth
PATIENT RIGHTS - REFUSAL OF TREATMENT even patients who are involuntarily admitted have the right to refuse treatment
,PATIENT RIGHTS - CONFIDENTIALITY HIPAA states that health information cannot be released without patient's
permission
client's right to privacy continues even after death
CONFIDENTIALITY - NURSING ACTIONS if someone calls to get an update, suggest they reach out to the patient's family
if you overhear a conversation in a public space, take action to stop the violation
PATIENT RIGHTS - MANDATORY REPORTING nurses are required to report suspicion of abuse
warn/protect third parties who are at risk for harm
INFORMED CONSENT - PROVIDER RESPONSIBILITIES communicate purpose of procedure
provide a complete description of procedure in patient's primary language (use
interpreter if needed)
explain risks vs. benefits
describe other options to treat condition
INFORMED CONSENT - NURSE/RN RESPONSIBILITIES make sure provider gave patient appropriate information regarding procedure
ensure that patient is competent to give informed consent
have patient sign consent document
notify provider if patient has more questions or doesn't understand information
provided
RESTRAINTS - TYPES Physical
- vest
- belt
- mitten
Chemical
- sedative Rx
- antipsychotic Rx
RESTRAINTS - ALTERNATIVES provide verbal interventions
diversions
calm/quiet environment
, RESTRAINTS - PRESCRIPTIONS MUST BE IN WRITING
prescription must be rewritten every 24 hours
in an emergency situation, a nurse may use restraints, but must obtain a written
prescription per facility policy (usually within 15-30 minutes)
RESTRAINTS - TIME LIMITS Adults
4 hours
Ages 9 - 17
2 hours
Ages 8 and Under
1 hour
RESTRAINTS - DOCUMENTATION complete every 15-30 minutes
include the following:
- precipitating event
- alternative interventions attempted
- time treatment began
- medication(s) administered
- patient assessment (current behavior, VS, pain)
- patient care provided (food, toileting)
RESTRAINTS - DISCONTINUATION restraints can be discontinued when patient can follow nurse's directions
UNINTENTIONAL TORTS Negligence
forgetting to set bed alarm for a fall risk patient
Malpractice
medication error that harms patient
INTENTIONAL TORTS Assault
nurse threatens patient
Battery
- nurse hits patient
- gives Rx against patient's will
False Imprisonment
- nurse inappropriately restrains a patient
- nurse administers a chemical restraint (Rx)
INTRAPERSONAL COMMUNICATION self-talk
thinking thoughts, but not verbalizing them
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION one-on-one communication with another person
HEALTH | COMPREHENSIVE
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING STUDY GUIDE
2026 | GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED
SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Exam Prep and Comprehensive Rationales Included
,LOC - STUPOROUS patient barely responds to painful stimuli
example
rubbing sternum
LOC - COMATOSE patient is unresponsive
abnormal posturing may be present
DECORTICATE POSTURING arms flexed/internally rotated
legs extended/internally rotated
DECEREBRATE POSTURING head arched back
arms/legs extended
AUTONOMY patient has the right to make their own decisions even if not in their best interest
BENEFICENCE do what is best for the patient
do good
FIDELITY keep your promises
loyalty/faithfulness
JUSTICE provide fairness in care and allocation of resources
NONMALEFICENCE do no harm
VERACITY tell the truth
PATIENT RIGHTS - REFUSAL OF TREATMENT even patients who are involuntarily admitted have the right to refuse treatment
,PATIENT RIGHTS - CONFIDENTIALITY HIPAA states that health information cannot be released without patient's
permission
client's right to privacy continues even after death
CONFIDENTIALITY - NURSING ACTIONS if someone calls to get an update, suggest they reach out to the patient's family
if you overhear a conversation in a public space, take action to stop the violation
PATIENT RIGHTS - MANDATORY REPORTING nurses are required to report suspicion of abuse
warn/protect third parties who are at risk for harm
INFORMED CONSENT - PROVIDER RESPONSIBILITIES communicate purpose of procedure
provide a complete description of procedure in patient's primary language (use
interpreter if needed)
explain risks vs. benefits
describe other options to treat condition
INFORMED CONSENT - NURSE/RN RESPONSIBILITIES make sure provider gave patient appropriate information regarding procedure
ensure that patient is competent to give informed consent
have patient sign consent document
notify provider if patient has more questions or doesn't understand information
provided
RESTRAINTS - TYPES Physical
- vest
- belt
- mitten
Chemical
- sedative Rx
- antipsychotic Rx
RESTRAINTS - ALTERNATIVES provide verbal interventions
diversions
calm/quiet environment
, RESTRAINTS - PRESCRIPTIONS MUST BE IN WRITING
prescription must be rewritten every 24 hours
in an emergency situation, a nurse may use restraints, but must obtain a written
prescription per facility policy (usually within 15-30 minutes)
RESTRAINTS - TIME LIMITS Adults
4 hours
Ages 9 - 17
2 hours
Ages 8 and Under
1 hour
RESTRAINTS - DOCUMENTATION complete every 15-30 minutes
include the following:
- precipitating event
- alternative interventions attempted
- time treatment began
- medication(s) administered
- patient assessment (current behavior, VS, pain)
- patient care provided (food, toileting)
RESTRAINTS - DISCONTINUATION restraints can be discontinued when patient can follow nurse's directions
UNINTENTIONAL TORTS Negligence
forgetting to set bed alarm for a fall risk patient
Malpractice
medication error that harms patient
INTENTIONAL TORTS Assault
nurse threatens patient
Battery
- nurse hits patient
- gives Rx against patient's will
False Imprisonment
- nurse inappropriately restrains a patient
- nurse administers a chemical restraint (Rx)
INTRAPERSONAL COMMUNICATION self-talk
thinking thoughts, but not verbalizing them
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION one-on-one communication with another person
