NURS325: MENTAL HEALTH NURSING -
ATI PRACTICE TEST A | QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND NURSE-
PATIENT RELATIONSHIP
Question 1: The nurse is caring for a depressed patient who states, "There is no point in
going on." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You have so much to live for."
B) "I understand how you feel."
C) "Tell me more about what you're feeling right now."
D) "Things will get better soon."
Correct Answer: C) "Tell me more about what you're feeling right now."
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic communication technique of exploring,
which encourages the patient to express their feelings further. It validates the patient's
emotions and opens the door for deeper discussion. "I understand" is nontherapeutic
because it assumes understanding without allowing the patient to explain their unique
experience.
,Question 2: A patient tells the nurse, "I feel like I'm going crazy." The most therapeutic
response is:
A) "No, you're not going crazy."
B) "What makes you feel that way?"
C) "Don't worry, you're safe here."
D) "That's a common feeling."
Correct Answer: B) "What makes you feel that way?"
Rationale: This response uses the technique of clarification to help the patient explore
and identify the source of their feelings. It encourages the patient to reflect and
provides the nurse with valuable information about the patient's thought processes .
Question 3: A patient tells the nurse, "My family doesn't visit me anymore." Which
response demonstrates empathy?
A) "I know how you feel; my family doesn't visit me either."
B) "You sound sad about that. Tell me what that's like for you."
C) "Maybe they are just busy."
D) "You shouldn't let that bother you."
Correct Answer: B) "You sound sad about that. Tell me what that's like for you."
Rationale: This response demonstrates empathy by acknowledging the patient's
expressed emotion (sadness) and inviting the patient to elaborate. Empathy involves
understanding the patient's feelings and communicating that understanding .
Question 4: A patient says, "I want to die." What is the nurse's priority response?
A) "Don't say that."
B) "Have you thought about how you would do it?"
C) "You have so much to live for."
D) "Tell me more about those feelings."
Correct Answer: D) "Tell me more about those feelings."
,Rationale: The priority is to assess the patient's suicidal ideation. Asking "Tell me more"
is open-ended and allows the patient to express their feelings. The nurse must then
assess for specific plan, intent, and means. Asking directly about suicide does not plant
the idea and is essential for safety .
Question 5: The nurse is caring for a patient who is silent. The most appropriate nursing
intervention is:
A) Leave the patient alone
B) Sit quietly with the patient and allow them to initiate conversation
C) Ask the patient why they are being silent
D) Tell the patient they need to talk
Correct Answer: B) Sit quietly with the patient and allow them to initiate
conversation
Rationale: Therapeutic use of silence provides the patient with time to reflect and
process thoughts. The nurse's presence communicates acceptance. Silence is a
therapeutic communication technique that should not be filled unnecessarily .
Question 6: A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I can do this anymore." The nurse
responds, "You're feeling overwhelmed?" This is an example of:
A) Paraphrasing
B) Clarifying
C) Reflecting
D) Restating
Correct Answer: C) Reflecting
Rationale: Reflecting involves directing the patient's feelings or thoughts back to the
patient. It helps the patient explore their own feelings and validates their experience.
This technique encourages the patient to continue expressing themselves .
, Question 7: The nurse tells the patient, "You mentioned feeling anxious earlier. Tell me
more about what triggers that anxiety." This is an example of:
A) Restating
B) Focusing
C) Confrontation
D) Observation
Correct Answer: B) Focusing
Rationale: Focusing is a therapeutic communication technique that concentrates on a
specific point or issue. It helps the patient explore a particular topic in more depth and
prevents the conversation from becoming scattered .
Question 8: The patient is speaking rapidly and jumping from topic to topic. The nurse
says, "Let's slow down and focus on one thing at a time." This is:
A) Restating
B) Structuring
C) Confrontation
D) Summarizing
Correct Answer: B) Structuring
Rationale: Structuring helps organize the interaction and can help a patient who is
disorganized or manic to focus. It provides boundaries and direction to the conversation
.
Question 9: A patient states, "I'm not worth anything." The nurse's most therapeutic
response is:
A) "Of course you are worth something."
B) "Let's focus on your strengths and accomplishments."
C) "Why do you feel that way?"
D) "That's not true."
ATI PRACTICE TEST A | QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
SECTION 1: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND NURSE-
PATIENT RELATIONSHIP
Question 1: The nurse is caring for a depressed patient who states, "There is no point in
going on." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You have so much to live for."
B) "I understand how you feel."
C) "Tell me more about what you're feeling right now."
D) "Things will get better soon."
Correct Answer: C) "Tell me more about what you're feeling right now."
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic communication technique of exploring,
which encourages the patient to express their feelings further. It validates the patient's
emotions and opens the door for deeper discussion. "I understand" is nontherapeutic
because it assumes understanding without allowing the patient to explain their unique
experience.
,Question 2: A patient tells the nurse, "I feel like I'm going crazy." The most therapeutic
response is:
A) "No, you're not going crazy."
B) "What makes you feel that way?"
C) "Don't worry, you're safe here."
D) "That's a common feeling."
Correct Answer: B) "What makes you feel that way?"
Rationale: This response uses the technique of clarification to help the patient explore
and identify the source of their feelings. It encourages the patient to reflect and
provides the nurse with valuable information about the patient's thought processes .
Question 3: A patient tells the nurse, "My family doesn't visit me anymore." Which
response demonstrates empathy?
A) "I know how you feel; my family doesn't visit me either."
B) "You sound sad about that. Tell me what that's like for you."
C) "Maybe they are just busy."
D) "You shouldn't let that bother you."
Correct Answer: B) "You sound sad about that. Tell me what that's like for you."
Rationale: This response demonstrates empathy by acknowledging the patient's
expressed emotion (sadness) and inviting the patient to elaborate. Empathy involves
understanding the patient's feelings and communicating that understanding .
Question 4: A patient says, "I want to die." What is the nurse's priority response?
A) "Don't say that."
B) "Have you thought about how you would do it?"
C) "You have so much to live for."
D) "Tell me more about those feelings."
Correct Answer: D) "Tell me more about those feelings."
,Rationale: The priority is to assess the patient's suicidal ideation. Asking "Tell me more"
is open-ended and allows the patient to express their feelings. The nurse must then
assess for specific plan, intent, and means. Asking directly about suicide does not plant
the idea and is essential for safety .
Question 5: The nurse is caring for a patient who is silent. The most appropriate nursing
intervention is:
A) Leave the patient alone
B) Sit quietly with the patient and allow them to initiate conversation
C) Ask the patient why they are being silent
D) Tell the patient they need to talk
Correct Answer: B) Sit quietly with the patient and allow them to initiate
conversation
Rationale: Therapeutic use of silence provides the patient with time to reflect and
process thoughts. The nurse's presence communicates acceptance. Silence is a
therapeutic communication technique that should not be filled unnecessarily .
Question 6: A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I can do this anymore." The nurse
responds, "You're feeling overwhelmed?" This is an example of:
A) Paraphrasing
B) Clarifying
C) Reflecting
D) Restating
Correct Answer: C) Reflecting
Rationale: Reflecting involves directing the patient's feelings or thoughts back to the
patient. It helps the patient explore their own feelings and validates their experience.
This technique encourages the patient to continue expressing themselves .
, Question 7: The nurse tells the patient, "You mentioned feeling anxious earlier. Tell me
more about what triggers that anxiety." This is an example of:
A) Restating
B) Focusing
C) Confrontation
D) Observation
Correct Answer: B) Focusing
Rationale: Focusing is a therapeutic communication technique that concentrates on a
specific point or issue. It helps the patient explore a particular topic in more depth and
prevents the conversation from becoming scattered .
Question 8: The patient is speaking rapidly and jumping from topic to topic. The nurse
says, "Let's slow down and focus on one thing at a time." This is:
A) Restating
B) Structuring
C) Confrontation
D) Summarizing
Correct Answer: B) Structuring
Rationale: Structuring helps organize the interaction and can help a patient who is
disorganized or manic to focus. It provides boundaries and direction to the conversation
.
Question 9: A patient states, "I'm not worth anything." The nurse's most therapeutic
response is:
A) "Of course you are worth something."
B) "Let's focus on your strengths and accomplishments."
C) "Why do you feel that way?"
D) "That's not true."
