• ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EDITION 4 12.0
Complete Practice Test Bank 300 Exam-Style
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales All Core Domains Covered | A+
Graded TABLE OF CONTENTS | Section | Topic
Area | Questions
A client who recently retired is admitted to the psychiatric inpatient unit with a diagnosis of major depression.
The initial nursing care plan includes the goal "Assist client to express feelings of guilt." What is true about the
goal statement referring to the client's depression?
A. Implementation of the goal should be deferred until further data can be gathered.
B. The depression will dissipate once the client becomes accustomed to retirement.
C. Depressed clients may be unaware of guilt feelings and should be encouraged to increase self-awareness.
P 1
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
D. Nursing goals should be approved by the treatment team before they are initiated. –
Correct Answer :C. Depressed clients may be unaware of guilt feelings and should be encouraged to increase
self-awareness.
Depression is associated with feelings of guilt, and clients are often not aware of these feelings. Awareness is the
first step in dealing with guilt (or any other feeling), so the nurse's efforts should be directed toward increasing
the client's awareness of feelings. Although a goal may be changed based on an evaluation of interventions to
meet the goal, a goal should never be ignored. Option B dismisses the client's symptoms as age-related. Setting
goals for the nursing care plan is a function of the nurse, although the nurse can collaborate with the treatment
team.
What is the priority nursing action three days after the admission of a client diagnosed with obsessive-
compulsive disorder?
A. Establish a written contract with the client to gradually decrease the compulsive behaviors.
B. Sit with the client quietly for 15 minutes every day and not discuss the ritualistic behaviors.
C. Include the client's spouse in the 1:1 therapy sessions.
D. Refer the client to an obsessive-compulsive outpatient support group. –
Correct Answer :A. Establish a written contract with the client to gradually decrease the compulsive behaviors.
After a time when a trusting nurse-client relationship is established, the goal is to decrease the compulsive
behaviors. A written contract has a high rate of compliance as long as the behaviors are not abruptly stopped.
Sitting with the client quietly does nothing but spend time with the client, and does not address the reason for
the admissions. The therapy is not 1:1 if the client's spouse is included. The client needs time to safely develop
trust with the nurse in 1:1 sessions. Separate time for the spouse and family needs to be identified. After three
days, the client is not likely ready for discharge.
A spouse reveals to the clinic nurse that physical abuse is occurring in the home. However, the client feels the
need to remain in the home environment. What actions must the nurse take on behalf of this client? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Encourage the client to blame the children for not reporting the abuse.
B. Report the physical abuse to the proper authorities.
P 2
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
C. Provide the client with a hotline number for abuse victims.
D. Work with the client to initiate a safety plan.
E. Encourage the client to attend the Alcoholic Anonymous support group.
- Correct Answer :B. Report the physical abuse to the proper authorities.
C. Provide the client with a hotline number for abuse victims.
D. Work with the client to initiate a safety plan.
The nurse on the behavioral unit notices a change in the client's behavior. When voluntarily admitted, the client
appeared sad with mournful eyes, and frequent sighing. Upon the morning assessment, the client is
noncommunicative and displays continuous rocking motions. What is the nurse's next action?
A. Contact the client's family.
B. Review the client's medication list.
C. Hug the client in an attempt to stop the rocking.
D. Tell the client to stop rocking immediately. –
Correct Answer :B. Review the client's medication list.
Assessment first to determine if the client's behaviors may be related to any of the medications. The family will
need to be informed of the change in behavior, but not until a thorough assessment for the new onset has been
completed. Since the client is not if harm to self or others, there is no need for the nurse to intervene to stop the
behavior.
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of depression. Which characteristic is most indicative of depression?
A. Grandiose ideation
B. Self-destructive thoughts
C. Suspiciousness of others
D. Negative self-image - Correct Answer :D. Negative self-image
P 3
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
A client who was admitted two days earlier to a drug rehabilitation unit tells the nurse, "I'm going to do what you
people tell me to do so I can get out of here and get a job." What is the most accurate interpretation of this
client's statement?
A. The treatment program is effective and the client is highly motivated.
B. Defense mechanisms are being used to decrease anxiety.
C. Manipulation is being used to achieve the client's personal goals.
D. The client has insight into his behaviors, so privileges should be given. –
Correct Answer :C. Manipulation is being used to achieve the client's personal goals.
Drug abusers and patients with antisocial behaviors tend to be manipulative, so option C is the best
interpretation of the client's statement at this time in the client's treatment. He has been in treatment only 2
days, which is not enough time to benefit from the program, so options A and D are highly unlikely. Although
defense mechanisms are frequently used to decrease anxiety, this statement is more likely because of option C.
A nurse working in the emergency department of a children's hospital admits a child whose injuries could have
been the result of abuse. Which statement most accurately describes the nurse's responsibility in cases of
suspected child abuse?
A. Obtain objective data such as radiographs before reporting suspicions.
B. Confirm suspicions of abuse with the health care provider.
C. Report any case of suspected child abuse.
D. Document injuries to confirm suspected abuse. - Correct Answer :C. Report any case of suspected child
abuse.
The nurse is reviewing signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease with a new nurse to the unit. Which definition
indicates the new nurse understands the term aphasia?
A. Failure to recognize a family member.
B. Loss of memory caused by degeneration of the brain.
C. Language disturbance in understanding and stating words.
P 4
HEALTH NURSING
ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EDITION 4 12.0
Complete Practice Test Bank 300 Exam-Style
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales All Core Domains Covered | A+
Graded TABLE OF CONTENTS | Section | Topic
Area | Questions
A client who recently retired is admitted to the psychiatric inpatient unit with a diagnosis of major depression.
The initial nursing care plan includes the goal "Assist client to express feelings of guilt." What is true about the
goal statement referring to the client's depression?
A. Implementation of the goal should be deferred until further data can be gathered.
B. The depression will dissipate once the client becomes accustomed to retirement.
C. Depressed clients may be unaware of guilt feelings and should be encouraged to increase self-awareness.
P 1
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
D. Nursing goals should be approved by the treatment team before they are initiated. –
Correct Answer :C. Depressed clients may be unaware of guilt feelings and should be encouraged to increase
self-awareness.
Depression is associated with feelings of guilt, and clients are often not aware of these feelings. Awareness is the
first step in dealing with guilt (or any other feeling), so the nurse's efforts should be directed toward increasing
the client's awareness of feelings. Although a goal may be changed based on an evaluation of interventions to
meet the goal, a goal should never be ignored. Option B dismisses the client's symptoms as age-related. Setting
goals for the nursing care plan is a function of the nurse, although the nurse can collaborate with the treatment
team.
What is the priority nursing action three days after the admission of a client diagnosed with obsessive-
compulsive disorder?
A. Establish a written contract with the client to gradually decrease the compulsive behaviors.
B. Sit with the client quietly for 15 minutes every day and not discuss the ritualistic behaviors.
C. Include the client's spouse in the 1:1 therapy sessions.
D. Refer the client to an obsessive-compulsive outpatient support group. –
Correct Answer :A. Establish a written contract with the client to gradually decrease the compulsive behaviors.
After a time when a trusting nurse-client relationship is established, the goal is to decrease the compulsive
behaviors. A written contract has a high rate of compliance as long as the behaviors are not abruptly stopped.
Sitting with the client quietly does nothing but spend time with the client, and does not address the reason for
the admissions. The therapy is not 1:1 if the client's spouse is included. The client needs time to safely develop
trust with the nurse in 1:1 sessions. Separate time for the spouse and family needs to be identified. After three
days, the client is not likely ready for discharge.
A spouse reveals to the clinic nurse that physical abuse is occurring in the home. However, the client feels the
need to remain in the home environment. What actions must the nurse take on behalf of this client? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Encourage the client to blame the children for not reporting the abuse.
B. Report the physical abuse to the proper authorities.
P 2
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
C. Provide the client with a hotline number for abuse victims.
D. Work with the client to initiate a safety plan.
E. Encourage the client to attend the Alcoholic Anonymous support group.
- Correct Answer :B. Report the physical abuse to the proper authorities.
C. Provide the client with a hotline number for abuse victims.
D. Work with the client to initiate a safety plan.
The nurse on the behavioral unit notices a change in the client's behavior. When voluntarily admitted, the client
appeared sad with mournful eyes, and frequent sighing. Upon the morning assessment, the client is
noncommunicative and displays continuous rocking motions. What is the nurse's next action?
A. Contact the client's family.
B. Review the client's medication list.
C. Hug the client in an attempt to stop the rocking.
D. Tell the client to stop rocking immediately. –
Correct Answer :B. Review the client's medication list.
Assessment first to determine if the client's behaviors may be related to any of the medications. The family will
need to be informed of the change in behavior, but not until a thorough assessment for the new onset has been
completed. Since the client is not if harm to self or others, there is no need for the nurse to intervene to stop the
behavior.
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of depression. Which characteristic is most indicative of depression?
A. Grandiose ideation
B. Self-destructive thoughts
C. Suspiciousness of others
D. Negative self-image - Correct Answer :D. Negative self-image
P 3
, • ATI RN MENTAL 09/09/2026
HEALTH NURSING
A client who was admitted two days earlier to a drug rehabilitation unit tells the nurse, "I'm going to do what you
people tell me to do so I can get out of here and get a job." What is the most accurate interpretation of this
client's statement?
A. The treatment program is effective and the client is highly motivated.
B. Defense mechanisms are being used to decrease anxiety.
C. Manipulation is being used to achieve the client's personal goals.
D. The client has insight into his behaviors, so privileges should be given. –
Correct Answer :C. Manipulation is being used to achieve the client's personal goals.
Drug abusers and patients with antisocial behaviors tend to be manipulative, so option C is the best
interpretation of the client's statement at this time in the client's treatment. He has been in treatment only 2
days, which is not enough time to benefit from the program, so options A and D are highly unlikely. Although
defense mechanisms are frequently used to decrease anxiety, this statement is more likely because of option C.
A nurse working in the emergency department of a children's hospital admits a child whose injuries could have
been the result of abuse. Which statement most accurately describes the nurse's responsibility in cases of
suspected child abuse?
A. Obtain objective data such as radiographs before reporting suspicions.
B. Confirm suspicions of abuse with the health care provider.
C. Report any case of suspected child abuse.
D. Document injuries to confirm suspected abuse. - Correct Answer :C. Report any case of suspected child
abuse.
The nurse is reviewing signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease with a new nurse to the unit. Which definition
indicates the new nurse understands the term aphasia?
A. Failure to recognize a family member.
B. Loss of memory caused by degeneration of the brain.
C. Language disturbance in understanding and stating words.
P 4
