ATI MENTAL HEALTH CMS PROCTOR
RETAKE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Therapeutic Communication and the Nurse-Client Relationship
• Psychopharmacology and Medication Management
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Mental Health Nursing
• Crisis Intervention, Suicide, and Safety
• Psychiatric Disorders: Assessment and Diagnosis
• Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
• Child, Adolescent, and Older Adult Mental Health
• Therapeutic Milieu and Group Dynamics
• NGN Clinical Judgment and Case Scenarios
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the nursing student's
mastery of psychiatric mental health nursing concepts, clinical
judgment, and safe practice for the ATI CMS Proctor Retake. It
,evaluates knowledge across therapeutic communication,
psychopharmacology, legal and ethical standards, crisis intervention,
and evidence-based care for diverse psychiatric populations. The
multiple-choice and scenario-based format emphasizes real-world
application, critical thinking, and prioritization. Candidates are
tested on their ability to apply the nursing process, maintain safety,
and integrate cultural competence into mental health care.
Successful completion demonstrates readiness for entry-level
psychiatric nursing practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–70
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who says, "The
voices are telling me to hurt myself." Which of the following is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication immediately
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
C. Assess the client's suicide risk and ensure immediate safety
D. Tell the client that the voices are not real
C. Assess the client's suicide risk and ensure immediate safety
RATIONALE: Command hallucinations directing self-harm
constitute a psychiatric emergency. The nurse's first priority is to
assess suicide risk and ensure immediate safety, which may include
one-to-one observation, removing harmful objects, and notifying
,the provider. Medication (A) may be part of the plan but safety
assessment comes first. Asking what the voices are saying (B) is
important but does not take precedence over safety. Telling the
client the voices are not real (D) is non-therapeutic and can increase
distress.
Question 2
A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who has
anxiety. Which response demonstrates the technique of reflection?
A. "You seem to be feeling very anxious right now."
B. "Why do you think you are anxious?"
C. "I understand exactly how you feel."
D. "Let's talk about something else to distract you."
A. "You seem to be feeling very anxious right now."
RATIONALE: Reflection involves mirroring the client's feelings
back to them to show understanding and encourage further
expression. Option A reflects the client's emotional state. Option B
asks "why," which can be defensive. Option C is self-disclosure that
shifts focus to the nurse. Option D is changing the subject, which is
non-therapeutic.
Question 3
A client on clozapine reports fever, sore throat, and fatigue. Which
action should the nurse take first?
, A. Administer acetaminophen for fever
B. Obtain an absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C. Reduce the clozapine dose
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
B. Obtain an absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
RATIONALE: Clozapine carries a black box warning for severe
neutropenia/agranulocytosis. Fever, sore throat, and fatigue may
indicate infection secondary to neutropenia. The nurse must obtain
an ANC immediately. Administering acetaminophen (A) masks
symptoms. Reducing the dose (C) without provider order is
inappropriate. Encouraging fluids (D) does not address the
potential life-threatening adverse effect.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Leave the client alone to practice deep breathing
B. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice
C. Encourage the client to describe the panic attack in detail
D. Administer a PRN benzodiazepine immediately
B. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice
RATIONALE: During a panic attack, the client feels
overwhelmed and frightened. Staying with the client and speaking
calmly provides reassurance and safety. Leaving the client alone (A)
may worsen feelings of abandonment. Asking the client to describe
RETAKE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Therapeutic Communication and the Nurse-Client Relationship
• Psychopharmacology and Medication Management
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Mental Health Nursing
• Crisis Intervention, Suicide, and Safety
• Psychiatric Disorders: Assessment and Diagnosis
• Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
• Child, Adolescent, and Older Adult Mental Health
• Therapeutic Milieu and Group Dynamics
• NGN Clinical Judgment and Case Scenarios
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the nursing student's
mastery of psychiatric mental health nursing concepts, clinical
judgment, and safe practice for the ATI CMS Proctor Retake. It
,evaluates knowledge across therapeutic communication,
psychopharmacology, legal and ethical standards, crisis intervention,
and evidence-based care for diverse psychiatric populations. The
multiple-choice and scenario-based format emphasizes real-world
application, critical thinking, and prioritization. Candidates are
tested on their ability to apply the nursing process, maintain safety,
and integrate cultural competence into mental health care.
Successful completion demonstrates readiness for entry-level
psychiatric nursing practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–70
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who says, "The
voices are telling me to hurt myself." Which of the following is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication immediately
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
C. Assess the client's suicide risk and ensure immediate safety
D. Tell the client that the voices are not real
C. Assess the client's suicide risk and ensure immediate safety
RATIONALE: Command hallucinations directing self-harm
constitute a psychiatric emergency. The nurse's first priority is to
assess suicide risk and ensure immediate safety, which may include
one-to-one observation, removing harmful objects, and notifying
,the provider. Medication (A) may be part of the plan but safety
assessment comes first. Asking what the voices are saying (B) is
important but does not take precedence over safety. Telling the
client the voices are not real (D) is non-therapeutic and can increase
distress.
Question 2
A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who has
anxiety. Which response demonstrates the technique of reflection?
A. "You seem to be feeling very anxious right now."
B. "Why do you think you are anxious?"
C. "I understand exactly how you feel."
D. "Let's talk about something else to distract you."
A. "You seem to be feeling very anxious right now."
RATIONALE: Reflection involves mirroring the client's feelings
back to them to show understanding and encourage further
expression. Option A reflects the client's emotional state. Option B
asks "why," which can be defensive. Option C is self-disclosure that
shifts focus to the nurse. Option D is changing the subject, which is
non-therapeutic.
Question 3
A client on clozapine reports fever, sore throat, and fatigue. Which
action should the nurse take first?
, A. Administer acetaminophen for fever
B. Obtain an absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
C. Reduce the clozapine dose
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
B. Obtain an absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
RATIONALE: Clozapine carries a black box warning for severe
neutropenia/agranulocytosis. Fever, sore throat, and fatigue may
indicate infection secondary to neutropenia. The nurse must obtain
an ANC immediately. Administering acetaminophen (A) masks
symptoms. Reducing the dose (C) without provider order is
inappropriate. Encouraging fluids (D) does not address the
potential life-threatening adverse effect.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack.
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Leave the client alone to practice deep breathing
B. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice
C. Encourage the client to describe the panic attack in detail
D. Administer a PRN benzodiazepine immediately
B. Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice
RATIONALE: During a panic attack, the client feels
overwhelmed and frightened. Staying with the client and speaking
calmly provides reassurance and safety. Leaving the client alone (A)
may worsen feelings of abandonment. Asking the client to describe
