Original ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam
2026/2027 with NGN: 70 Real Exam Questions and
Answers
Below are 70 original practice questions modeled on the ATI RN Mental Health Proctored
Exam with NGN format, covering therapeutic communication, psychiatric disorders,
psychopharmacology, and clinical judgment. Each answer includes a detailed rationale
based on verified exam content .
Exam Overview
Feature Detail
Exam Name ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam with NGN
Question 70 Questions
Count
Format Multiple-choice, Select-All-That-Apply, NGN case studies
Content Nurse-client relationship, therapeutic communication, psychiatric
Areas disorders, defense mechanisms, psychopharmacology, safety
protocols
NGN Focus Clinical judgment, prioritization, safety assessments
Section 1: Nurse-Client Relationship & Therapeutic Communication (Questions 1–15)
1. Place the phases of the nurse-client relationship in the correct sequence:
A) Working → Orientation → Termination
B) Orientation → Working → Termination
C) Orientation → Termination → Working
D) Working → Termination → Orientation
Answer: B
,Rationale: The three phases are: Orientation (introduction, goal setting, boundaries,
confidentiality), Working (major work of therapy, exploring feelings, problem-solving), and
Termination (summarizing progress, discussing feelings about ending, discharge planning) .
2. Which statement indicates a client is in the Orientation phase of the therapeutic
relationship? (Select all that apply)
A) "I'm really going to miss our sessions when you leave."
B) "What can I expect from our meetings?"
C) "I've been able to use the coping skills we discussed."
D) "How long will each session last?"
Answer: B, D
Rationale: Orientation phase involves the client asking questions about the therapeutic
process, including expectations and session logistics. The Working phase involves using
coping skills. The Termination phase involves processing feelings about ending the
relationship .
3. Which of the following is an example of active listening? (Select all that apply)
A) Giving frequent advice based on personal experience
B) Maintaining eye contact and nodding occasionally
C) Sitting with arms crossed while the client speaks
D) Using silence to allow the client to process thoughts
Answer: B, D
Rationale: Active listening involves nonverbal cues (eye contact, nodding) and allowing
silence. Giving advice is not active listening. Crossed arms suggest defensiveness or lack of
openness .
4. During a group therapy session, a client dominates the conversation and interrupts
others. This behavior is best described as:
A) Monopolizing
B) Scapegoating
, C) Intellectualizing
D) Defensiveness
Answer: A
Rationale: Monopolizing occurs when a group member dominates the conversation,
preventing others from participating. This behavior often indicates a need for attention or
avoidance of one's own issues .
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has borderline personality disorder and who has
been engaging in self-mutilation. The nurse should encourage the client to
participate in which type of group therapy?
A) Dual diagnosis treatment group
B) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) group
C) Desensitization therapy
D) Milieu therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is specifically designed for clients with
borderline personality disorder who engage in self-harming behaviors. DBT teaches distress
tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness .
6. A nurse is planning overall strategies to address problems for a client who has
borderline personality disorder. What is the priority strategy for the nurse to
incorporate into the plan of care?
A) Discuss the appropriate use of assertive behavior with the client
B) Encourage the client to attend weekly support group meetings
C) Assist the client to maintain awareness of her thoughts and feelings
D) Implement measures to prevent intentional self-inflicted injury
Answer: D
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Clients with borderline personality disorder are at high
risk for self-inflicted injury. Preventing harm takes precedence over all other interventions .
2026/2027 with NGN: 70 Real Exam Questions and
Answers
Below are 70 original practice questions modeled on the ATI RN Mental Health Proctored
Exam with NGN format, covering therapeutic communication, psychiatric disorders,
psychopharmacology, and clinical judgment. Each answer includes a detailed rationale
based on verified exam content .
Exam Overview
Feature Detail
Exam Name ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam with NGN
Question 70 Questions
Count
Format Multiple-choice, Select-All-That-Apply, NGN case studies
Content Nurse-client relationship, therapeutic communication, psychiatric
Areas disorders, defense mechanisms, psychopharmacology, safety
protocols
NGN Focus Clinical judgment, prioritization, safety assessments
Section 1: Nurse-Client Relationship & Therapeutic Communication (Questions 1–15)
1. Place the phases of the nurse-client relationship in the correct sequence:
A) Working → Orientation → Termination
B) Orientation → Working → Termination
C) Orientation → Termination → Working
D) Working → Termination → Orientation
Answer: B
,Rationale: The three phases are: Orientation (introduction, goal setting, boundaries,
confidentiality), Working (major work of therapy, exploring feelings, problem-solving), and
Termination (summarizing progress, discussing feelings about ending, discharge planning) .
2. Which statement indicates a client is in the Orientation phase of the therapeutic
relationship? (Select all that apply)
A) "I'm really going to miss our sessions when you leave."
B) "What can I expect from our meetings?"
C) "I've been able to use the coping skills we discussed."
D) "How long will each session last?"
Answer: B, D
Rationale: Orientation phase involves the client asking questions about the therapeutic
process, including expectations and session logistics. The Working phase involves using
coping skills. The Termination phase involves processing feelings about ending the
relationship .
3. Which of the following is an example of active listening? (Select all that apply)
A) Giving frequent advice based on personal experience
B) Maintaining eye contact and nodding occasionally
C) Sitting with arms crossed while the client speaks
D) Using silence to allow the client to process thoughts
Answer: B, D
Rationale: Active listening involves nonverbal cues (eye contact, nodding) and allowing
silence. Giving advice is not active listening. Crossed arms suggest defensiveness or lack of
openness .
4. During a group therapy session, a client dominates the conversation and interrupts
others. This behavior is best described as:
A) Monopolizing
B) Scapegoating
, C) Intellectualizing
D) Defensiveness
Answer: A
Rationale: Monopolizing occurs when a group member dominates the conversation,
preventing others from participating. This behavior often indicates a need for attention or
avoidance of one's own issues .
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has borderline personality disorder and who has
been engaging in self-mutilation. The nurse should encourage the client to
participate in which type of group therapy?
A) Dual diagnosis treatment group
B) Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) group
C) Desensitization therapy
D) Milieu therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is specifically designed for clients with
borderline personality disorder who engage in self-harming behaviors. DBT teaches distress
tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness .
6. A nurse is planning overall strategies to address problems for a client who has
borderline personality disorder. What is the priority strategy for the nurse to
incorporate into the plan of care?
A) Discuss the appropriate use of assertive behavior with the client
B) Encourage the client to attend weekly support group meetings
C) Assist the client to maintain awareness of her thoughts and feelings
D) Implement measures to prevent intentional self-inflicted injury
Answer: D
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Clients with borderline personality disorder are at high
risk for self-inflicted injury. Preventing harm takes precedence over all other interventions .
