1|Page
ATI PN Mental Health Proctored Exam with NGN (NEW UPDATED VERSION)
LATEST ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS) | GUARANTEED PASS A+ UPDATED THIS YEAR 2 VERSIONS
ATI PN Mental Health Practice Exam –
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports feeling hopeless and states, “I want to end it
all.” Which is the priority nursing action?
A. Encourage the patient to talk about feelings
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Ask the patient to write a journal
D. Provide group therapy resources
Answer: B
Rationale: Suicidal ideation with intent is an emergency; immediate notification of the provider
ensures safety and timely intervention.
2. SATA: Which behaviors are common in patients experiencing anxiety?
A. Restlessness
B. Rapid speech
C. Muscle tension
D. Hallucinations
E. Increased heart rate
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Anxiety typically presents with restlessness, rapid speech, tension, and autonomic
symptoms; hallucinations are more associated with psychotic disorders.
3. A patient with schizophrenia hears voices telling them to harm themselves. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Enter the room and sit quietly
B. Ensure the patient’s environment is safe
C. Explain that the voices are not real
D. Ask the patient to participate in a group activity
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety is always the priority for a patient experiencing command hallucinations.
4. NGN-Style Scenario:
A patient presents with signs of mania: pressured speech, decreased need for sleep, and
impulsivity. The nurse’s assessment includes irritability and risky behaviors.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Provide a structured environment
B. Encourage participation in group therapy
C. Allow unlimited freedom to prevent agitation
D. Teach relaxation techniques
Answer: A
Rationale: Patients with mania benefit from structured, predictable environments to reduce risk
and manage behaviors safely.
5. SATA: Which are therapeutic communication techniques for mental health nursing?
A. Active listening
B. Giving advice
C. Open-ended questions
D. Using silence appropriately
E. Minimizing the patient’s feelings
Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves listening, open-ended questions, and
appropriate silence. Giving advice and minimizing feelings are non-therapeutic.
6. A patient taking fluoxetine for depression reports insomnia. Which is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the patient to take the medication in the morning
B. Instruct the patient to skip doses at night
C. Stop the medication immediately
D. Suggest over-the-counter sleep aids
Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs can cause insomnia; taking the dose in the morning helps minimize sleep
disturbances.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
7. SATA: Which are common side effects of antipsychotic medications?
A. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
B. Sedation
C. Weight gain
D. Tachycardia
E. Hyperglycemia
Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: Antipsychotics can cause EPS, sedation, metabolic changes including weight gain
and hyperglycemia, and cardiovascular effects like tachycardia.
8. A patient with generalized anxiety disorder is scheduled for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I will take my medication only if I feel anxious.”
B. “I will practice identifying and challenging anxious thoughts.”
C. “I should avoid all stressful situations permanently.”
D. “CBT will stop anxiety instantly.”
Answer: B
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive thought patterns to reduce
anxiety.
9. NGN-Style Scenario:
A patient with a history of alcohol use disorder presents with tremors, nausea, and agitation 8
hours after their last drink.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Monitor vital signs and assess for withdrawal severity
B. Encourage the patient to rest
C. Provide educational pamphlets on alcohol risks
D. Call a social worker for outpatient resources
Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening; assessment of severity and vital signs is
the priority.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
10. SATA: Which nursing interventions are appropriate for a patient with PTSD experiencing
flashbacks?
A. Ensure patient safety
B. Encourage avoidance of triggers at all costs
C. Provide grounding techniques
D. Remain calm and supportive
E. Force patient to discuss trauma immediately
Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Safety, grounding, and supportive presence are therapeutic. Avoidance and forced
discussion can worsen symptoms.
11. A patient with bipolar disorder states, “I feel like I can do anything and don’t need sleep.”
Which lab or assessment should the nurse prioritize?
A. Blood glucose
B. Sleep pattern and energy level
C. Liver function tests
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing sleep and energy is crucial in mania to prevent exhaustion and related
complications.
12. SATA: Which are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Social withdrawal
D. Flat affect
E. Disorganized speech
Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Positive symptoms involve added experiences like hallucinations, delusions, and
disorganized thought; negative symptoms include withdrawal and flat affect.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
ATI PN Mental Health Proctored Exam with NGN (NEW UPDATED VERSION)
LATEST ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS) | GUARANTEED PASS A+ UPDATED THIS YEAR 2 VERSIONS
ATI PN Mental Health Practice Exam –
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports feeling hopeless and states, “I want to end it
all.” Which is the priority nursing action?
A. Encourage the patient to talk about feelings
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Ask the patient to write a journal
D. Provide group therapy resources
Answer: B
Rationale: Suicidal ideation with intent is an emergency; immediate notification of the provider
ensures safety and timely intervention.
2. SATA: Which behaviors are common in patients experiencing anxiety?
A. Restlessness
B. Rapid speech
C. Muscle tension
D. Hallucinations
E. Increased heart rate
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Anxiety typically presents with restlessness, rapid speech, tension, and autonomic
symptoms; hallucinations are more associated with psychotic disorders.
3. A patient with schizophrenia hears voices telling them to harm themselves. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Enter the room and sit quietly
B. Ensure the patient’s environment is safe
C. Explain that the voices are not real
D. Ask the patient to participate in a group activity
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety is always the priority for a patient experiencing command hallucinations.
4. NGN-Style Scenario:
A patient presents with signs of mania: pressured speech, decreased need for sleep, and
impulsivity. The nurse’s assessment includes irritability and risky behaviors.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Provide a structured environment
B. Encourage participation in group therapy
C. Allow unlimited freedom to prevent agitation
D. Teach relaxation techniques
Answer: A
Rationale: Patients with mania benefit from structured, predictable environments to reduce risk
and manage behaviors safely.
5. SATA: Which are therapeutic communication techniques for mental health nursing?
A. Active listening
B. Giving advice
C. Open-ended questions
D. Using silence appropriately
E. Minimizing the patient’s feelings
Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves listening, open-ended questions, and
appropriate silence. Giving advice and minimizing feelings are non-therapeutic.
6. A patient taking fluoxetine for depression reports insomnia. Which is the most appropriate
nursing intervention?
A. Encourage the patient to take the medication in the morning
B. Instruct the patient to skip doses at night
C. Stop the medication immediately
D. Suggest over-the-counter sleep aids
Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs can cause insomnia; taking the dose in the morning helps minimize sleep
disturbances.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
7. SATA: Which are common side effects of antipsychotic medications?
A. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
B. Sedation
C. Weight gain
D. Tachycardia
E. Hyperglycemia
Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: Antipsychotics can cause EPS, sedation, metabolic changes including weight gain
and hyperglycemia, and cardiovascular effects like tachycardia.
8. A patient with generalized anxiety disorder is scheduled for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I will take my medication only if I feel anxious.”
B. “I will practice identifying and challenging anxious thoughts.”
C. “I should avoid all stressful situations permanently.”
D. “CBT will stop anxiety instantly.”
Answer: B
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive thought patterns to reduce
anxiety.
9. NGN-Style Scenario:
A patient with a history of alcohol use disorder presents with tremors, nausea, and agitation 8
hours after their last drink.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Monitor vital signs and assess for withdrawal severity
B. Encourage the patient to rest
C. Provide educational pamphlets on alcohol risks
D. Call a social worker for outpatient resources
Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening; assessment of severity and vital signs is
the priority.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
10. SATA: Which nursing interventions are appropriate for a patient with PTSD experiencing
flashbacks?
A. Ensure patient safety
B. Encourage avoidance of triggers at all costs
C. Provide grounding techniques
D. Remain calm and supportive
E. Force patient to discuss trauma immediately
Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Safety, grounding, and supportive presence are therapeutic. Avoidance and forced
discussion can worsen symptoms.
11. A patient with bipolar disorder states, “I feel like I can do anything and don’t need sleep.”
Which lab or assessment should the nurse prioritize?
A. Blood glucose
B. Sleep pattern and energy level
C. Liver function tests
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing sleep and energy is crucial in mania to prevent exhaustion and related
complications.
12. SATA: Which are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Social withdrawal
D. Flat affect
E. Disorganized speech
Answer: A, B, E
Rationale: Positive symptoms involve added experiences like hallucinations, delusions, and
disorganized thought; negative symptoms include withdrawal and flat affect.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
