ATI PN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM / APPROVED PN ATI MENTAL
HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM 2026/2027 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM APPROVED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (100% CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) CURRENTLY
UPDATED VERSION 2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS A+
|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF |BRAND NEW!
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major
depressive disorder. Which finding requires the highest priority
intervention?
A. The client refuses breakfast.
B. The client remains isolated in the room.
C. The client states, "Everyone would be better off without me."
D. The client reports difficulty sleeping.
Correct Answer: C – The client states, "Everyone would be better off
without me." Rationale: A statement suggesting hopelessness or that
others would be better off without the client indicates possible
suicidal ideation. Safety is always the nurse's priority. Nutritional
deficits, isolation, and insomnia require intervention but are
secondary to suicide risk.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer haloperidol to a client
experiencing acute psychosis. Which assessment should be
completed first?
,A. Visual acuity
B. Blood glucose level
C. Presence of extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Hearing ability
Correct Answer: C – Presence of extrapyramidal symptoms.
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic associated
with extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). The nurse should assess for
EPS before administration to establish a baseline and monitor for
adverse effects.
3. A client with major depressive disorder says, "Nothing matters
anymore." Which is the best response?
A. "You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
C. "I understand how you feel."
D. "Why do you feel that way?"
Correct Answer: B – "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
Rationale: The priority is to assess for suicidal ideation. Asking
directly about self-harm is essential for safety. Option A minimizes
feelings; option C is nontherapeutic (assuming understanding);
option D asks "why," which can seem judgmental.
,4. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is in a
manic phase. Which intervention is most important?
A. Encourage group activities.
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods.
C. Limit physical activity.
D. Offer detailed explanations of rules.
Correct Answer: B – Provide high-calorie finger foods. Rationale:
Manic clients may not sit for meals and can expend many calories.
Finger foods allow eating on the move. Group activities may
overstimulate; physical activity is not limited but should be
structured; detailed explanations may not be attended to.
5. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning
my food." Which is the best response?
A. "That's not true. The CIA doesn't care about you."
B. "I know you believe that, but I don't see evidence of poison."
C. "You must be very scared. Let's check your food together."
D. "Let's talk about something else."
Correct Answer: B – "I know you believe that, but I don't see
evidence of poison." Rationale: Acknowledging the client's belief
without reinforcing the delusion is therapeutic. Option C may
, reinforce the delusion; option A is argumentative; option D
dismisses the client's concern.
6. Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client
experiencing auditory hallucinations?
A. Encourage the client to obey the voices.
B. Ask what the voices are saying and assess for commands to harm
self or others.
C. Tell the client the voices are imaginary.
D. Ignore the client's comments.
Correct Answer: B – Ask what the voices are saying and assess for
commands to harm self or others. Rationale: Assessing the content
of hallucinations determines whether they include command
hallucinations, which may pose an immediate safety risk.
7. A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly
licensed nurse. Which statements by the newly licensed nurse
indicate an understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A. "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens."
B. "To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression."
C. "To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence."
HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM 2026/2027 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM APPROVED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (100% CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) CURRENTLY
UPDATED VERSION 2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS A+
|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF |BRAND NEW!
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major
depressive disorder. Which finding requires the highest priority
intervention?
A. The client refuses breakfast.
B. The client remains isolated in the room.
C. The client states, "Everyone would be better off without me."
D. The client reports difficulty sleeping.
Correct Answer: C – The client states, "Everyone would be better off
without me." Rationale: A statement suggesting hopelessness or that
others would be better off without the client indicates possible
suicidal ideation. Safety is always the nurse's priority. Nutritional
deficits, isolation, and insomnia require intervention but are
secondary to suicide risk.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer haloperidol to a client
experiencing acute psychosis. Which assessment should be
completed first?
,A. Visual acuity
B. Blood glucose level
C. Presence of extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Hearing ability
Correct Answer: C – Presence of extrapyramidal symptoms.
Rationale: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic associated
with extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). The nurse should assess for
EPS before administration to establish a baseline and monitor for
adverse effects.
3. A client with major depressive disorder says, "Nothing matters
anymore." Which is the best response?
A. "You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
C. "I understand how you feel."
D. "Why do you feel that way?"
Correct Answer: B – "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
Rationale: The priority is to assess for suicidal ideation. Asking
directly about self-harm is essential for safety. Option A minimizes
feelings; option C is nontherapeutic (assuming understanding);
option D asks "why," which can seem judgmental.
,4. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is in a
manic phase. Which intervention is most important?
A. Encourage group activities.
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods.
C. Limit physical activity.
D. Offer detailed explanations of rules.
Correct Answer: B – Provide high-calorie finger foods. Rationale:
Manic clients may not sit for meals and can expend many calories.
Finger foods allow eating on the move. Group activities may
overstimulate; physical activity is not limited but should be
structured; detailed explanations may not be attended to.
5. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning
my food." Which is the best response?
A. "That's not true. The CIA doesn't care about you."
B. "I know you believe that, but I don't see evidence of poison."
C. "You must be very scared. Let's check your food together."
D. "Let's talk about something else."
Correct Answer: B – "I know you believe that, but I don't see
evidence of poison." Rationale: Acknowledging the client's belief
without reinforcing the delusion is therapeutic. Option C may
, reinforce the delusion; option A is argumentative; option D
dismisses the client's concern.
6. Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client
experiencing auditory hallucinations?
A. Encourage the client to obey the voices.
B. Ask what the voices are saying and assess for commands to harm
self or others.
C. Tell the client the voices are imaginary.
D. Ignore the client's comments.
Correct Answer: B – Ask what the voices are saying and assess for
commands to harm self or others. Rationale: Assessing the content
of hallucinations determines whether they include command
hallucinations, which may pose an immediate safety risk.
7. A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly
licensed nurse. Which statements by the newly licensed nurse
indicate an understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A. "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens."
B. "To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression."
C. "To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence."
