ATI MENTAL HEALTH 2023 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed nurse. Which of
the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the
teaching? (Select all that apply)
A) To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens.
B) To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression
C) To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a sentence.
D) To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of objects.
E) To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to identify our most
recent presidents. - ANS-A, B, C
2. A charge nurse is discussing the care of a client who has MDD with a newly licensed
nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) Care during the continuation phase focuses on treating continued manifestations of
MDD
B) The treatment of MDD during the maintenance phase lasts for 6-12 weeks
C) The client is at greatest risk for suicide during the first weeks of an MDD episode
D) Medication and psychotherapy are most effective during the acute phase of MDD -
ANS-C
3. A charge nurse is discussing the characteristics of a nurse-client relationship with a
newly licensed nurse. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse include in
the discussion? (Select all that apply)
A) The needs of both participants are met
B) An emotional commitment exists between the participants
C) It is goal-directed
D) Behavioral change is encouraged
E) A termination date is established - ANS-C, D, E
4. A charge nurse is discussing TMS with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) TMS is indicated for clients who have schizophrenia spectrum disorders
B) I will provide postanesthia care following TMS
C) TMS treatments usually last 5-10 minutes
D) I will schedule the client for daily TMS treatments for the first several weeks - ANS-D
5. A client says she is experiencing increased stress because her significant other is
"pressuring me and my kids to go live with him. I love him, but I'm not ready to do that."
Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make to promote a change in
the client's situation?
A) Learn to practice mindfulness
B) Use assertiveness techniques
, C) Exercise regularly
D) Rely on the support of a close friend - ANS-B
6. A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress in
order to protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and threatening
me." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily, using
therapeutic communication to convince him to admit to hiding the knife.
B) Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and his roommate
closely.
C) Tell the client that this must be reported to the healthcare team because it concerns
the health and safety of the client and others.
D) Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the
intention to do so. - ANS-D
7. A community mental health nurse is planning care to address the issue of depression
among older adult clients in the community. Which of the following interventions should
the nurse plan as a method of tertiary prevention?
A) Educating clients on health promotion techniques to reduce the risk of depression
B) Performing screenings for depression at community health programs
C) Establishing rehabilitation programs to decrease the effects of depression
D) Providing support groups for clients at risk for depression - ANS-C
8. A home health nurse is making a visit to a client who has Alzheimer's disease to assess
the home for safety. Which of the following suggestions should the nurse make to
decrease the client's risk for injury? (Select all that apply)
A) Install childproof door locks
B) Place rugs over electrical cords
C) Mark cleaning supplies with colored tape
D) Place the client's mattress on the floor
E) Install light fixtures above stairs - ANS-A, D, E
9. A nurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in seclusion overnight
because the unit is very short-staffed, and the client frequently fights with other clients.
The nurse's actions are an example of which of the following torts?
A) Invasion of privacy
B) False imprisonment
C) Assault
D) Battery - ANS-B
10.A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's hallucinations in the hallway
with another nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Notify the nurse manager
B) Tell the nurse to stop discussing the behavior
C) Provide an in-service program about confidentiality
D) Complete an incident report - ANS-B
11.A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a client who has major neurocognitive
disorder and attempts to wander out of the building. The client states, "I have to get
home." Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
AND ANSWERS
1. A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed nurse. Which of
the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the
teaching? (Select all that apply)
A) To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens.
B) To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression
C) To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a sentence.
D) To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of objects.
E) To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to identify our most
recent presidents. - ANS-A, B, C
2. A charge nurse is discussing the care of a client who has MDD with a newly licensed
nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) Care during the continuation phase focuses on treating continued manifestations of
MDD
B) The treatment of MDD during the maintenance phase lasts for 6-12 weeks
C) The client is at greatest risk for suicide during the first weeks of an MDD episode
D) Medication and psychotherapy are most effective during the acute phase of MDD -
ANS-C
3. A charge nurse is discussing the characteristics of a nurse-client relationship with a
newly licensed nurse. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse include in
the discussion? (Select all that apply)
A) The needs of both participants are met
B) An emotional commitment exists between the participants
C) It is goal-directed
D) Behavioral change is encouraged
E) A termination date is established - ANS-C, D, E
4. A charge nurse is discussing TMS with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) TMS is indicated for clients who have schizophrenia spectrum disorders
B) I will provide postanesthia care following TMS
C) TMS treatments usually last 5-10 minutes
D) I will schedule the client for daily TMS treatments for the first several weeks - ANS-D
5. A client says she is experiencing increased stress because her significant other is
"pressuring me and my kids to go live with him. I love him, but I'm not ready to do that."
Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make to promote a change in
the client's situation?
A) Learn to practice mindfulness
B) Use assertiveness techniques
, C) Exercise regularly
D) Rely on the support of a close friend - ANS-B
6. A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress in
order to protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and threatening
me." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily, using
therapeutic communication to convince him to admit to hiding the knife.
B) Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and his roommate
closely.
C) Tell the client that this must be reported to the healthcare team because it concerns
the health and safety of the client and others.
D) Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the
intention to do so. - ANS-D
7. A community mental health nurse is planning care to address the issue of depression
among older adult clients in the community. Which of the following interventions should
the nurse plan as a method of tertiary prevention?
A) Educating clients on health promotion techniques to reduce the risk of depression
B) Performing screenings for depression at community health programs
C) Establishing rehabilitation programs to decrease the effects of depression
D) Providing support groups for clients at risk for depression - ANS-C
8. A home health nurse is making a visit to a client who has Alzheimer's disease to assess
the home for safety. Which of the following suggestions should the nurse make to
decrease the client's risk for injury? (Select all that apply)
A) Install childproof door locks
B) Place rugs over electrical cords
C) Mark cleaning supplies with colored tape
D) Place the client's mattress on the floor
E) Install light fixtures above stairs - ANS-A, D, E
9. A nurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in seclusion overnight
because the unit is very short-staffed, and the client frequently fights with other clients.
The nurse's actions are an example of which of the following torts?
A) Invasion of privacy
B) False imprisonment
C) Assault
D) Battery - ANS-B
10.A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's hallucinations in the hallway
with another nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Notify the nurse manager
B) Tell the nurse to stop discussing the behavior
C) Provide an in-service program about confidentiality
D) Complete an incident report - ANS-B
11.A nurse in a long-term care facility is caring for a client who has major neurocognitive
disorder and attempts to wander out of the building. The client states, "I have to get
home." Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
