ATI CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ If Anxious/depressed
Answer: use open ended and supportive statements
◉ if client is suicidal
Answer: use direct, yes or no questions to assess suicide risk
◉ if client is panicked
Answer: use gentle guidance and direction
◉ if client is confused
Answer: provide reality orientation
◉ if the client has delusions/hallucinations/paranoia
Answer: acknowledge these but do not reinforce
◉ if client has obsessive/compulsive behavior
Answer: communicate after compulsive behavior
, ◉ if client has a personality or cognitive disorder
Answer: be calm/matter of fact
◉ Treatments for mental illness
Answer: meds, talk/behavior therapy, brain stimulation
◉ Brain stimulation therapy
Answer: ECT
◉ Electroconculsive Therapy (ECT)
Answer: indicated for major depressive disorders, schizophrenia, or
acute manic disorders
therapy received 3x/week for 2-3 weeks
screen client for home med use (lithium/maois/seizure threshold
meds should be dc'd two weeks prior to ect.
after therapy, reorient client bc short term memory loss is common
◉ Anxiety disorders
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ If Anxious/depressed
Answer: use open ended and supportive statements
◉ if client is suicidal
Answer: use direct, yes or no questions to assess suicide risk
◉ if client is panicked
Answer: use gentle guidance and direction
◉ if client is confused
Answer: provide reality orientation
◉ if the client has delusions/hallucinations/paranoia
Answer: acknowledge these but do not reinforce
◉ if client has obsessive/compulsive behavior
Answer: communicate after compulsive behavior
, ◉ if client has a personality or cognitive disorder
Answer: be calm/matter of fact
◉ Treatments for mental illness
Answer: meds, talk/behavior therapy, brain stimulation
◉ Brain stimulation therapy
Answer: ECT
◉ Electroconculsive Therapy (ECT)
Answer: indicated for major depressive disorders, schizophrenia, or
acute manic disorders
therapy received 3x/week for 2-3 weeks
screen client for home med use (lithium/maois/seizure threshold
meds should be dc'd two weeks prior to ect.
after therapy, reorient client bc short term memory loss is common
◉ Anxiety disorders
