ATI Mental Health NGN Proctored Exam
(Versions A–C) – Practice Bank
(Original Practice Questions – Not Actual
ATI Items)
Instructions:
One best answer per question.
Correct answer: bold.
Rationale: italics.
Therapeutic Communication & Mental Status Assessment (1–20)
1. A client with depression says, “I wish I were dead; everyone would be better off without me.”
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Reassure the client that things will get better
B. Ask directly, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
C. Document the statement and continue the assessment
D. Encourage the client to talk about childhood experiences
Answer: B
Rationale: Any expression of hopelessness or suicidal ideation requires direct assessment of suicidal
intent and plan.
2. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic when a client says, “I feel like no one cares
about me”?
A. “That’s not true; your family loves you.”
B. “It sounds like you’re feeling very alone right now.”
C. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
D. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Reflective listening validates feelings without minimizing or changing the subject.
3. A client with schizophrenia says, “The voices are telling me to hurt myself.” Priority nursing
action:
A. Tell the client the voices aren’t real
B. Assess the content of the command and ensure safety
, C. Ignore the statement
D. Encourage the client to argue with the voices
Answer: B
Rationale: Command hallucinations to self-harm require immediate safety assessment and intervention.
4. Which behavior indicates improvement in a client with major depressive disorder?
A. Increased sleep duration only
B. Improved appetite and engagement in activities
C. Weight gain alone
D. Decreased talking
Answer: B
Rationale: Improved functioning and interest indicate clinical improvement.
5. A nurse is assessing a client’s mental status. Which finding is part of the “appearance” domain?
A. Thought content
B. Grooming and hygiene
C. Memory
D. Insight
Answer: B
Rationale: Appearance includes grooming, dress, and hygiene.
6. Which question best assesses orientation?
A. “What is your favorite color?”
B. “Can you tell me your name, where you are, and today’s date?”
C. “Do you know why you’re here?”
D. “What did you have for breakfast?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Orientation is assessed by person, place, and time.
7. A client with mania is speaking rapidly, jumping from topic to topic. This is documented as:
A. Circumstantiality
B. Flight of ideas
C. Word salad
D. Neologisms
Answer: B
Rationale: Flight of ideas is rapid, continuous speech with abrupt topic changes.
8. Which finding suggests impaired insight?
A. Client states, “I have bipolar disorder and need my meds.”
B. Client states, “I don’t have any problems; I don’t need treatment.”
C. Client identifies today’s date correctly
D. Client recalls three words after 5 minutes
, Answer: B
Rationale: Lack of awareness of illness indicates impaired insight.
9. A client with anxiety is pacing and reports “I can’t sit still.” The nurse documents this as:
A. Akathisia
B. Dystonia
C. Tremor
D. Rigidity
Answer: A
Rationale: Akathisia is a subjective and objective sense of restlessness.
10. Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing a panic attack?
A. Encourage discussion of deep childhood trauma immediately
B. Speak in short, simple sentences and stay with the client
C. Leave the client alone to promote independence
D. Offer multiple choices to help the client feel in control
Answer: B
Rationale: During a panic attack, cognitive processing is impaired; calm, simple communication is best.
11. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder spends hours washing hands. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Prohibit hand washing entirely
B. Allow the behavior but gradually set limits
C. Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcing it
D. Scold the client for wasting time
Answer: B
Rationale: Abruptly stopping compulsions can increase anxiety; gradual limit-setting is more therapeutic.
12. Which statement by a client indicates effective use of coping strategies for anxiety?
A. “I avoid all social situations.”
B. “I use deep breathing and challenge my negative thoughts.”
C. “I drink alcohol to relax.”
D. “I skip my meds when I feel fine.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Adaptive coping includes relaxation and cognitive techniques.
13. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) startles easily and avoids reminders of the
trauma. This cluster of symptoms is best described as:
A. Re-experiencing
B. Hyperarousal and avoidance
C. Negative alterations in mood
D. Dissociation
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypervigilance/startle and avoidance are core PTSD symptom clusters.
(Versions A–C) – Practice Bank
(Original Practice Questions – Not Actual
ATI Items)
Instructions:
One best answer per question.
Correct answer: bold.
Rationale: italics.
Therapeutic Communication & Mental Status Assessment (1–20)
1. A client with depression says, “I wish I were dead; everyone would be better off without me.”
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Reassure the client that things will get better
B. Ask directly, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
C. Document the statement and continue the assessment
D. Encourage the client to talk about childhood experiences
Answer: B
Rationale: Any expression of hopelessness or suicidal ideation requires direct assessment of suicidal
intent and plan.
2. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic when a client says, “I feel like no one cares
about me”?
A. “That’s not true; your family loves you.”
B. “It sounds like you’re feeling very alone right now.”
C. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
D. “Let’s talk about something else.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Reflective listening validates feelings without minimizing or changing the subject.
3. A client with schizophrenia says, “The voices are telling me to hurt myself.” Priority nursing
action:
A. Tell the client the voices aren’t real
B. Assess the content of the command and ensure safety
, C. Ignore the statement
D. Encourage the client to argue with the voices
Answer: B
Rationale: Command hallucinations to self-harm require immediate safety assessment and intervention.
4. Which behavior indicates improvement in a client with major depressive disorder?
A. Increased sleep duration only
B. Improved appetite and engagement in activities
C. Weight gain alone
D. Decreased talking
Answer: B
Rationale: Improved functioning and interest indicate clinical improvement.
5. A nurse is assessing a client’s mental status. Which finding is part of the “appearance” domain?
A. Thought content
B. Grooming and hygiene
C. Memory
D. Insight
Answer: B
Rationale: Appearance includes grooming, dress, and hygiene.
6. Which question best assesses orientation?
A. “What is your favorite color?”
B. “Can you tell me your name, where you are, and today’s date?”
C. “Do you know why you’re here?”
D. “What did you have for breakfast?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Orientation is assessed by person, place, and time.
7. A client with mania is speaking rapidly, jumping from topic to topic. This is documented as:
A. Circumstantiality
B. Flight of ideas
C. Word salad
D. Neologisms
Answer: B
Rationale: Flight of ideas is rapid, continuous speech with abrupt topic changes.
8. Which finding suggests impaired insight?
A. Client states, “I have bipolar disorder and need my meds.”
B. Client states, “I don’t have any problems; I don’t need treatment.”
C. Client identifies today’s date correctly
D. Client recalls three words after 5 minutes
, Answer: B
Rationale: Lack of awareness of illness indicates impaired insight.
9. A client with anxiety is pacing and reports “I can’t sit still.” The nurse documents this as:
A. Akathisia
B. Dystonia
C. Tremor
D. Rigidity
Answer: A
Rationale: Akathisia is a subjective and objective sense of restlessness.
10. Which intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing a panic attack?
A. Encourage discussion of deep childhood trauma immediately
B. Speak in short, simple sentences and stay with the client
C. Leave the client alone to promote independence
D. Offer multiple choices to help the client feel in control
Answer: B
Rationale: During a panic attack, cognitive processing is impaired; calm, simple communication is best.
11. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder spends hours washing hands. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Prohibit hand washing entirely
B. Allow the behavior but gradually set limits
C. Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcing it
D. Scold the client for wasting time
Answer: B
Rationale: Abruptly stopping compulsions can increase anxiety; gradual limit-setting is more therapeutic.
12. Which statement by a client indicates effective use of coping strategies for anxiety?
A. “I avoid all social situations.”
B. “I use deep breathing and challenge my negative thoughts.”
C. “I drink alcohol to relax.”
D. “I skip my meds when I feel fine.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Adaptive coping includes relaxation and cognitive techniques.
13. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) startles easily and avoids reminders of the
trauma. This cluster of symptoms is best described as:
A. Re-experiencing
B. Hyperarousal and avoidance
C. Negative alterations in mood
D. Dissociation
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypervigilance/startle and avoidance are core PTSD symptom clusters.
