ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam
– Complete Practice Questions &
Rationales 2026-2027
Question 1
The nurse is providing care to a client with somatic symptom disorder
(SSD). Which intervention would the nurse expect to be included in the
client's plan of care?
A. Multiple provider evaluations
B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Mood stabilizers to manage symptoms
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a key component of care for
somatic symptom disorder, helping clients identify and modify maladaptive
thoughts and behaviors related to their physical symptoms.
Question 2
A client is diagnosed with a disorder characterized by unexplained, sudden
deficits in sensory or motor function. This describes which condition?
A. Body dysmorphic disorder
B. Hypochondriasis
C. Somatization disorder
D. Conversion disorder
,*Correct Answer: D. *
Rationale: Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) is
characterized by unexplained, sudden deficits in sensory or motor function
that cannot be explained by a neurological or medical condition.
Question 3
In which disorder is the individual motivated solely by the desire to assume
the sick role?
A. Body dysmorphic disorder
B. Conversion disorder
C. Factitious disorder
D. Complex somatic symptom disorder
*Correct Answer: C. *
Rationale: Factitious disorder (Munchausen syndrome) involves deliberate
fabrication of physical or psychological symptoms to assume the sick role.
Unlike malingering, there is no external incentive such as financial gain.
Question 4
Which would be most important for a nurse to do when caring for a client
with somatic symptom disorder?
A. Administer prescribed pharmacotherapy
B. Ensure adherence to counseling
C. Develop a sound, positive nurse-client relationship
D. Assist in developing a daily routine
*Correct Answer: C. *
,Rationale: Developing a trusting, therapeutic nurse-client relationship is
essential for clients with somatic symptom disorder. This foundation enables
effective treatment and helps the client feel understood and supported.
Question 5
After teaching a group of nursing students about somatic symptom
disorder, the instructor determines that additional education is needed
when the students identify which statement as true?
A. The client believes he/she has a serious illness.
B. The client embraces the "sick role."
C. *The client usually thinks anxiety is behind the symptoms. *
D. The client believes that his/her condition is catastrophic and disabling.
*Correct Answer: C. *
Rationale: Clients with somatic symptom disorder typically do not recognize
that anxiety or psychological factors are behind their physical symptoms.
They genuinely believe their symptoms are caused by a physical illness.
Question 6
When describing the major difference between somatic symptom disorder
and factitious disorders, which statement would the nurse include?
A. In somatic symptom disorder, clients consciously seek attention.
B. In factitious disorders, clients are unaware that their symptoms are not
real.
C. *In somatic symptom disorder, clients are not consciously aware that
needs are being met through physical complaints. *
D. Factitious disorders respond much more readily to psychopharmacologic
treatment.
, *Correct Answer: C. *
Rationale: In somatic symptom disorder, the physical symptoms are
unconscious and involuntary—psychological needs are expressed through
physical complaints without the client's conscious awareness. This
distinguishes it from factitious disorder where symptoms are deliberately
produced.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who seeks care frequently due to fear of
having a serious illness. After learning that the laboratory results showed no
abnormalities, the client begins to hyperventilate. The client is exhibiting
manifestations of which disorder?
A. Functional neurological symptom disorder
B. Factitious disorder
C. Somatic symptom disorder
D. Illness anxiety disorder
*Correct Answer: D. *
Rationale: Illness anxiety disorder (formerly hypochondriasis) is characterized
by persistent preoccupation with having a serious illness despite medical
evaluation and reassurance. The client's anxiety is focused on the fear of
illness itself, not on the physical symptoms.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who states they feel like they see themselves
from outside their body. The nurse should document that the client is
experiencing which manifestation?
– Complete Practice Questions &
Rationales 2026-2027
Question 1
The nurse is providing care to a client with somatic symptom disorder
(SSD). Which intervention would the nurse expect to be included in the
client's plan of care?
A. Multiple provider evaluations
B. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Mood stabilizers to manage symptoms
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a key component of care for
somatic symptom disorder, helping clients identify and modify maladaptive
thoughts and behaviors related to their physical symptoms.
Question 2
A client is diagnosed with a disorder characterized by unexplained, sudden
deficits in sensory or motor function. This describes which condition?
A. Body dysmorphic disorder
B. Hypochondriasis
C. Somatization disorder
D. Conversion disorder
,*Correct Answer: D. *
Rationale: Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) is
characterized by unexplained, sudden deficits in sensory or motor function
that cannot be explained by a neurological or medical condition.
Question 3
In which disorder is the individual motivated solely by the desire to assume
the sick role?
A. Body dysmorphic disorder
B. Conversion disorder
C. Factitious disorder
D. Complex somatic symptom disorder
*Correct Answer: C. *
Rationale: Factitious disorder (Munchausen syndrome) involves deliberate
fabrication of physical or psychological symptoms to assume the sick role.
Unlike malingering, there is no external incentive such as financial gain.
Question 4
Which would be most important for a nurse to do when caring for a client
with somatic symptom disorder?
A. Administer prescribed pharmacotherapy
B. Ensure adherence to counseling
C. Develop a sound, positive nurse-client relationship
D. Assist in developing a daily routine
*Correct Answer: C. *
,Rationale: Developing a trusting, therapeutic nurse-client relationship is
essential for clients with somatic symptom disorder. This foundation enables
effective treatment and helps the client feel understood and supported.
Question 5
After teaching a group of nursing students about somatic symptom
disorder, the instructor determines that additional education is needed
when the students identify which statement as true?
A. The client believes he/she has a serious illness.
B. The client embraces the "sick role."
C. *The client usually thinks anxiety is behind the symptoms. *
D. The client believes that his/her condition is catastrophic and disabling.
*Correct Answer: C. *
Rationale: Clients with somatic symptom disorder typically do not recognize
that anxiety or psychological factors are behind their physical symptoms.
They genuinely believe their symptoms are caused by a physical illness.
Question 6
When describing the major difference between somatic symptom disorder
and factitious disorders, which statement would the nurse include?
A. In somatic symptom disorder, clients consciously seek attention.
B. In factitious disorders, clients are unaware that their symptoms are not
real.
C. *In somatic symptom disorder, clients are not consciously aware that
needs are being met through physical complaints. *
D. Factitious disorders respond much more readily to psychopharmacologic
treatment.
, *Correct Answer: C. *
Rationale: In somatic symptom disorder, the physical symptoms are
unconscious and involuntary—psychological needs are expressed through
physical complaints without the client's conscious awareness. This
distinguishes it from factitious disorder where symptoms are deliberately
produced.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who seeks care frequently due to fear of
having a serious illness. After learning that the laboratory results showed no
abnormalities, the client begins to hyperventilate. The client is exhibiting
manifestations of which disorder?
A. Functional neurological symptom disorder
B. Factitious disorder
C. Somatic symptom disorder
D. Illness anxiety disorder
*Correct Answer: D. *
Rationale: Illness anxiety disorder (formerly hypochondriasis) is characterized
by persistent preoccupation with having a serious illness despite medical
evaluation and reassurance. The client's anxiety is focused on the fear of
illness itself, not on the physical symptoms.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who states they feel like they see themselves
from outside their body. The nurse should document that the client is
experiencing which manifestation?
