ATI RN
Mental Health
EXAM
Inside you will find:
3 Exam sets
Answer options (A–D)
Correct Answer
Clear explanation/rationale
✅ ATI RN Mental Health – Exam (Set 1)
1. Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
A client asks the nurse, “What is the difference between mental health and
mental illness?”
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
,A. “Mental illness means the client is dangerous to others.”
B. “Mental health is the absence of stress or worry.”
C. “Mental health allows people to adapt to stress, while illness interferes
with functioning.”
D. “Mental illness is only diagnosed when a person has hallucinations.”
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mental health is the ability to adapt successfully to stressors in
the environment, while mental illness is characterized by maladaptive
responses that interfere with daily functioning. Not all mental illness involves
hallucinations, and stress alone does not define illness.
2. Legal & Ethical
A nurse is caring for a client admitted involuntarily after expressing intent to
harm others. The nurse understands which principle is being applied?
A. Least restrictive environment
B. Autonomy
C. Beneficence
D. Duty to protect
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Involuntary admission for clients at risk of harming themselves or
others is a legal action based on the duty to protect. Autonomy is limited
when safety is at risk. The least restrictive environment applies once
stabilization occurs.
3. Levels of Prevention
A nurse is teaching a community group about suicide prevention. Providing
education about stress management and coping skills represents which level
of prevention?
, A. Primary
B. Secondary
C. Tertiary
D. Crisis
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on preventing mental health issues
before they occur, such as teaching coping strategies. Secondary prevention
involves early detection, and tertiary prevention involves rehabilitation after
illness.
4. Therapeutic Communication
A client says, “I feel hopeless, nothing will ever get better.” Which of the
following is the nurse’s best response?
A. “Don’t worry, things will improve soon.”
B. “Why do you feel hopeless?”
C. “Tell me more about what you’re feeling right now.”
D. “You should try to think more positively.”
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage expression of feelings. “Why”
questions are nontherapeutic, reassurance minimizes feelings, and giving
advice is inappropriate.
5. Nurse–Client Relationship
During the termination phase, which action is appropriate for the nurse?
A. Establish goals for treatment
B. Explore unresolved issues
C. Discuss progress and summarize goals achieved
D. Build rapport with the client
Mental Health
EXAM
Inside you will find:
3 Exam sets
Answer options (A–D)
Correct Answer
Clear explanation/rationale
✅ ATI RN Mental Health – Exam (Set 1)
1. Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
A client asks the nurse, “What is the difference between mental health and
mental illness?”
Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
,A. “Mental illness means the client is dangerous to others.”
B. “Mental health is the absence of stress or worry.”
C. “Mental health allows people to adapt to stress, while illness interferes
with functioning.”
D. “Mental illness is only diagnosed when a person has hallucinations.”
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mental health is the ability to adapt successfully to stressors in
the environment, while mental illness is characterized by maladaptive
responses that interfere with daily functioning. Not all mental illness involves
hallucinations, and stress alone does not define illness.
2. Legal & Ethical
A nurse is caring for a client admitted involuntarily after expressing intent to
harm others. The nurse understands which principle is being applied?
A. Least restrictive environment
B. Autonomy
C. Beneficence
D. Duty to protect
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Involuntary admission for clients at risk of harming themselves or
others is a legal action based on the duty to protect. Autonomy is limited
when safety is at risk. The least restrictive environment applies once
stabilization occurs.
3. Levels of Prevention
A nurse is teaching a community group about suicide prevention. Providing
education about stress management and coping skills represents which level
of prevention?
, A. Primary
B. Secondary
C. Tertiary
D. Crisis
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on preventing mental health issues
before they occur, such as teaching coping strategies. Secondary prevention
involves early detection, and tertiary prevention involves rehabilitation after
illness.
4. Therapeutic Communication
A client says, “I feel hopeless, nothing will ever get better.” Which of the
following is the nurse’s best response?
A. “Don’t worry, things will improve soon.”
B. “Why do you feel hopeless?”
C. “Tell me more about what you’re feeling right now.”
D. “You should try to think more positively.”
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage expression of feelings. “Why”
questions are nontherapeutic, reassurance minimizes feelings, and giving
advice is inappropriate.
5. Nurse–Client Relationship
During the termination phase, which action is appropriate for the nurse?
A. Establish goals for treatment
B. Explore unresolved issues
C. Discuss progress and summarize goals achieved
D. Build rapport with the client
