ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM
1. A nurse is providing teaching about self-care behaviors to a client who has major depressive
disorder. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I will use the coping mechanisms that helped me in the past."
B. "I will rely on my partner to plan out my schedule each day."
C. "I will stay in bed on days when I feel exhausted."
D. "I will avoid talking about events that upset me."
ANSWER = A. "I will use the coping mechanisms that helped me in the past."
This choice demonstrates an understanding of the importance of utilizing effective coping mechanisms.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. The client states,
"I can't think about that until after my first grandchild is born next week." The nurse should
identify the client's statement as indicating the maladaptive use of which of the following
defense mechanisms?
A. Compensation
B. Sublimation
C. Regression
D. Suppression
ANSWER = D. Suppression
Suppression involves consciously avoiding or postponing dealing with a stressor, which aligns with the
client's statement of delaying thinking about their diagnosis until after a significant event.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has bipolar disorder. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as an indication that the client is experiencing acute mania?
A. Writes a detailed daily activity schedule
B. Isolates self from others
C. Reports a lack of sleep
D. Refuses to engage in conversation
ANSWER = C. Reports a lack of sleep
Reporting a lack of sleep is characteristic of acute mania, as individuals in manic episodes often
experience decreased need for sleep.
, 4. A home health nurse is visiting a client who is recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery
and reports experiencing stress. The nurse should determine that which of the following factors
might interfere with the client's recovery?
A. The client walks their dog daily.
B. The client's best friend moved away.
C. The client exercises in the morning.
D. The client has stopped drinking coffee.
ANSWER = B. The client's best friend moved away.
The loss of social support due to the best friend moving away can increase stress and negatively impact
the client's recovery.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who states, "Things will never work out." Which of the following
responses should the nurse make?
A. "Have you been thinking about harming yourself?"
B. "Why do you feel like things will never work out?"
C. "You should try to focus on yourself for a change."
D. "Maybe an antidepressant will make you feel better."
ANSWER = A. "Have you been thinking about harming yourself?"
This response jumps to the assumption of suicidal ideation without exploring the client's feelings further.
6. A nurse is leading a grief support group for bereaved clients. Which of the following client
statements should the nurse report to the provider as an indication of clinical depression?
A. "It'll be a long time before I'm happy again."
B. "I don't know how I could cope if I didn't have my family's support."
C. "I feel like I'm angry at the whole world right now."
D. "I don't feel anything but numbness anymore."
ANSWER = D. "I don't feel anything but numbness anymore."
Feeling numb or anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure, is a symptom commonly associated
with clinical depression and should be reported to the provider for further evaluation and intervention.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has physical restraints applied. The nurse determines that the
restraints should be removed when which of the following occurs?
A. The client demonstrates that he is oriented to person, place, and time.
B. The client states that he will harm himself unless the restraints are removed.
C. The client is able to follow commands.
D. The client refuses to take his medication unless he is released.
, ANSWER = C. The client is able to follow commands.
The ability to follow commands indicates a level of cooperation and self-control, which may warrant
removal of restraints as the client can potentially be managed without them.
8. A nurse is conducting an admission interview with a client who is experiencing mania. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Speaks in rhyming sentences
B. Makes inappropriate sexual comments
C. States that he hasn't bathed in 2 days
D. Reports eating twice in the past week
ANSWER = D. Reports eating twice in the past week
Decreased appetite and irregular eating patterns are common during mania due to increased activity
levels. Eating twice in the past is not sufficient to meet energy requirements and the client might be at
risk of hypoglycemia.
9. A nurse is providing teaching to the caregiver of an older adult client who has Alzheimer's
disease and is being cared for at home. The client wanders at night and has a history of previous
falls. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Place the client in a reclining chair.
B. Put locks at top of doors.
C. Encourage physical activity prior to bed time.
D. Position the mattress on the floor.
E. Install sensor devices on outside doors.
ANSWER = B. C. D. E.
Putting locks at the top of doors can prevent the client from wandering outside, which reduces the risk
of falls and getting lost, especially during the night. Encouraging physical activity prior to bedtime can
help in expending energy which may lead to better sleep and reduce restlessness and wandering at
night. Positioning the mattress on the floor can minimize injury from falls that may occur when the client
attempts to get out of bed during the night. Installing sensor devices on outside doors can alert the
caregiver if the client attempts to leave the house, which is crucial for preventing wandering and
potential falls. Placing the client in a reclining chair is not recommended as it does not prevent
wandering or falls and may even restrict movement leading to discomfort or pressure sores.
1. A nurse is providing teaching about self-care behaviors to a client who has major depressive
disorder. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. "I will use the coping mechanisms that helped me in the past."
B. "I will rely on my partner to plan out my schedule each day."
C. "I will stay in bed on days when I feel exhausted."
D. "I will avoid talking about events that upset me."
ANSWER = A. "I will use the coping mechanisms that helped me in the past."
This choice demonstrates an understanding of the importance of utilizing effective coping mechanisms.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. The client states,
"I can't think about that until after my first grandchild is born next week." The nurse should
identify the client's statement as indicating the maladaptive use of which of the following
defense mechanisms?
A. Compensation
B. Sublimation
C. Regression
D. Suppression
ANSWER = D. Suppression
Suppression involves consciously avoiding or postponing dealing with a stressor, which aligns with the
client's statement of delaying thinking about their diagnosis until after a significant event.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has bipolar disorder. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as an indication that the client is experiencing acute mania?
A. Writes a detailed daily activity schedule
B. Isolates self from others
C. Reports a lack of sleep
D. Refuses to engage in conversation
ANSWER = C. Reports a lack of sleep
Reporting a lack of sleep is characteristic of acute mania, as individuals in manic episodes often
experience decreased need for sleep.
, 4. A home health nurse is visiting a client who is recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery
and reports experiencing stress. The nurse should determine that which of the following factors
might interfere with the client's recovery?
A. The client walks their dog daily.
B. The client's best friend moved away.
C. The client exercises in the morning.
D. The client has stopped drinking coffee.
ANSWER = B. The client's best friend moved away.
The loss of social support due to the best friend moving away can increase stress and negatively impact
the client's recovery.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who states, "Things will never work out." Which of the following
responses should the nurse make?
A. "Have you been thinking about harming yourself?"
B. "Why do you feel like things will never work out?"
C. "You should try to focus on yourself for a change."
D. "Maybe an antidepressant will make you feel better."
ANSWER = A. "Have you been thinking about harming yourself?"
This response jumps to the assumption of suicidal ideation without exploring the client's feelings further.
6. A nurse is leading a grief support group for bereaved clients. Which of the following client
statements should the nurse report to the provider as an indication of clinical depression?
A. "It'll be a long time before I'm happy again."
B. "I don't know how I could cope if I didn't have my family's support."
C. "I feel like I'm angry at the whole world right now."
D. "I don't feel anything but numbness anymore."
ANSWER = D. "I don't feel anything but numbness anymore."
Feeling numb or anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure, is a symptom commonly associated
with clinical depression and should be reported to the provider for further evaluation and intervention.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has physical restraints applied. The nurse determines that the
restraints should be removed when which of the following occurs?
A. The client demonstrates that he is oriented to person, place, and time.
B. The client states that he will harm himself unless the restraints are removed.
C. The client is able to follow commands.
D. The client refuses to take his medication unless he is released.
, ANSWER = C. The client is able to follow commands.
The ability to follow commands indicates a level of cooperation and self-control, which may warrant
removal of restraints as the client can potentially be managed without them.
8. A nurse is conducting an admission interview with a client who is experiencing mania. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Speaks in rhyming sentences
B. Makes inappropriate sexual comments
C. States that he hasn't bathed in 2 days
D. Reports eating twice in the past week
ANSWER = D. Reports eating twice in the past week
Decreased appetite and irregular eating patterns are common during mania due to increased activity
levels. Eating twice in the past is not sufficient to meet energy requirements and the client might be at
risk of hypoglycemia.
9. A nurse is providing teaching to the caregiver of an older adult client who has Alzheimer's
disease and is being cared for at home. The client wanders at night and has a history of previous
falls. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Place the client in a reclining chair.
B. Put locks at top of doors.
C. Encourage physical activity prior to bed time.
D. Position the mattress on the floor.
E. Install sensor devices on outside doors.
ANSWER = B. C. D. E.
Putting locks at the top of doors can prevent the client from wandering outside, which reduces the risk
of falls and getting lost, especially during the night. Encouraging physical activity prior to bedtime can
help in expending energy which may lead to better sleep and reduce restlessness and wandering at
night. Positioning the mattress on the floor can minimize injury from falls that may occur when the client
attempts to get out of bed during the night. Installing sensor devices on outside doors can alert the
caregiver if the client attempts to leave the house, which is crucial for preventing wandering and
potential falls. Placing the client in a reclining chair is not recommended as it does not prevent
wandering or falls and may even restrict movement leading to discomfort or pressure sores.
