(NGN) ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM
WITH 100% CORRECT SOLUTION WITH
RATIONALE| RATED A+ 2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has depression. Which statement by the nurse
demonstrates the use of the therapeutic communication technique of "offering
self"?
A) "I'll sit with you for a while."
B) "You should focus on positive thoughts."
C) "Why are you feeling depressed?"
D) "I think you need to get out more."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Offering self involves making yourself available to the client without
imposing your own agenda. Saying "I'll sit with you for a while" demonstrates presence
and support. The other options are non-therapeutic, judgmental, or probing .
2. A nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of "restating." Which
statement is an example of restating?
A) "You mentioned that you feel sad. Tell me more."
B) "You said you feel sad. Is that correct?"
C) "I understand you feel sad."
D) "You feel sad because your daughter moved away."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Restating involves repeating the client's message back to them to confirm
understanding. "You said you feel sad. Is that correct?" is a direct restatement. The other
options are examples of exploring, empathy, and clarifying .
3. The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing anxiety. Which
communication technique is most therapeutic?
A) "Calm down. Everything will be fine."
B) "I can see that you are feeling anxious. Tell me more about what is bothering you."
,C) "You shouldn't be anxious about this."
D) "Why are you so anxious?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's feelings and encouraging them to express
themselves is therapeutic. The other responses minimize the client's feelings, are
dismissive, or are probing .
4. A client is crying and states, "I just can't do this anymore." Which response is
most therapeutic?
A) "Don't cry. Everything will be okay."
B) "You sound very upset. Tell me more about what you are feeling."
C) "You have so much to live for. You shouldn't feel this way."
D) "You need to snap out of it."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This response validates the client's feelings and encourages them to express
their emotions. The other options minimize the client's feelings and are non-therapeutic
.
5. The nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. Which response is most appropriate?
A) "The voices are not real. Ignore them."
B) "I know the voices seem real to you, but I don't hear them."
C) "You need to tell the voices to go away."
D) "Those voices are just in your head."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This response validates the client's experience while maintaining reality. It
does not argue with the client's perception but gently reinforces that the hallucinations
are not real to others .
SECTION 2: PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS (Questions 16-35)
6. A client is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which of the following is a positive
symptom of schizophrenia?
,A) Flat affect
B) Hallucinations
C) Alogia
D) Avolition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positive symptoms are those that add to normal functioning, such as
hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Flat affect, alogia, and avolition are
negative symptoms .
7. Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Hallucinations
B) Delusions
C) Flat affect
D) Disorganized speech
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Negative symptoms take away from normal functioning and include flat
affect, alogia, avolition, and anhedonia. Hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized
speech are positive symptoms .
8. A client with major depressive disorder reports feeling hopeless and worthless.
Which nursing diagnosis is the priority?
A) Impaired social interaction
B) Risk for self-harm
C) Disturbed sleep pattern
D) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Risk for self-harm is the priority because the client is expressing hopelessness
and worthlessness, which are risk factors for suicide. The other diagnoses may be
applicable but are not the priority .
9. A client is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is currently in a manic episode.
Which finding would the nurse expect to assess?
A) Depressed mood
B) Grandiose thinking
, C) Social withdrawal
D) Flat affect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grandiose thinking (inflated self-esteem and grandiosity) is a hallmark of a
manic episode. Depressed mood, social withdrawal, and flat affect are associated with
depressive episodes .
10. A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reports excessive worry.
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the client to stop worrying
B) Teach relaxation techniques
C) Restrict visitors
D) Encourage the client to isolate themselves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Teaching relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle
relaxation) helps the client manage anxiety. Telling the client to stop worrying is not
helpful, and isolation is contraindicated .
11. A client is diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Which situation would most
likely trigger anxiety?
A) Being in a crowded room
B) Being alone
C) Writing a letter
D) Watching television
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Social anxiety disorder is characterized by intense fear of social situations
where the person may be scrutinized or judged. Being in a crowded room is a common
trigger .
12. A client has panic disorder and is experiencing a panic attack. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer a PRN benzodiazepine
B) Stay with the client and provide reassurance
WITH 100% CORRECT SOLUTION WITH
RATIONALE| RATED A+ 2026/2027
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has depression. Which statement by the nurse
demonstrates the use of the therapeutic communication technique of "offering
self"?
A) "I'll sit with you for a while."
B) "You should focus on positive thoughts."
C) "Why are you feeling depressed?"
D) "I think you need to get out more."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Offering self involves making yourself available to the client without
imposing your own agenda. Saying "I'll sit with you for a while" demonstrates presence
and support. The other options are non-therapeutic, judgmental, or probing .
2. A nurse is using the therapeutic communication technique of "restating." Which
statement is an example of restating?
A) "You mentioned that you feel sad. Tell me more."
B) "You said you feel sad. Is that correct?"
C) "I understand you feel sad."
D) "You feel sad because your daughter moved away."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Restating involves repeating the client's message back to them to confirm
understanding. "You said you feel sad. Is that correct?" is a direct restatement. The other
options are examples of exploring, empathy, and clarifying .
3. The nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing anxiety. Which
communication technique is most therapeutic?
A) "Calm down. Everything will be fine."
B) "I can see that you are feeling anxious. Tell me more about what is bothering you."
,C) "You shouldn't be anxious about this."
D) "Why are you so anxious?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's feelings and encouraging them to express
themselves is therapeutic. The other responses minimize the client's feelings, are
dismissive, or are probing .
4. A client is crying and states, "I just can't do this anymore." Which response is
most therapeutic?
A) "Don't cry. Everything will be okay."
B) "You sound very upset. Tell me more about what you are feeling."
C) "You have so much to live for. You shouldn't feel this way."
D) "You need to snap out of it."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This response validates the client's feelings and encourages them to express
their emotions. The other options minimize the client's feelings and are non-therapeutic
.
5. The nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. Which response is most appropriate?
A) "The voices are not real. Ignore them."
B) "I know the voices seem real to you, but I don't hear them."
C) "You need to tell the voices to go away."
D) "Those voices are just in your head."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This response validates the client's experience while maintaining reality. It
does not argue with the client's perception but gently reinforces that the hallucinations
are not real to others .
SECTION 2: PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS (Questions 16-35)
6. A client is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Which of the following is a positive
symptom of schizophrenia?
,A) Flat affect
B) Hallucinations
C) Alogia
D) Avolition
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positive symptoms are those that add to normal functioning, such as
hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Flat affect, alogia, and avolition are
negative symptoms .
7. Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Hallucinations
B) Delusions
C) Flat affect
D) Disorganized speech
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Negative symptoms take away from normal functioning and include flat
affect, alogia, avolition, and anhedonia. Hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized
speech are positive symptoms .
8. A client with major depressive disorder reports feeling hopeless and worthless.
Which nursing diagnosis is the priority?
A) Impaired social interaction
B) Risk for self-harm
C) Disturbed sleep pattern
D) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Risk for self-harm is the priority because the client is expressing hopelessness
and worthlessness, which are risk factors for suicide. The other diagnoses may be
applicable but are not the priority .
9. A client is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is currently in a manic episode.
Which finding would the nurse expect to assess?
A) Depressed mood
B) Grandiose thinking
, C) Social withdrawal
D) Flat affect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Grandiose thinking (inflated self-esteem and grandiosity) is a hallmark of a
manic episode. Depressed mood, social withdrawal, and flat affect are associated with
depressive episodes .
10. A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reports excessive worry.
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Tell the client to stop worrying
B) Teach relaxation techniques
C) Restrict visitors
D) Encourage the client to isolate themselves
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Teaching relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle
relaxation) helps the client manage anxiety. Telling the client to stop worrying is not
helpful, and isolation is contraindicated .
11. A client is diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Which situation would most
likely trigger anxiety?
A) Being in a crowded room
B) Being alone
C) Writing a letter
D) Watching television
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Social anxiety disorder is characterized by intense fear of social situations
where the person may be scrutinized or judged. Being in a crowded room is a common
trigger .
12. A client has panic disorder and is experiencing a panic attack. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer a PRN benzodiazepine
B) Stay with the client and provide reassurance
