2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam 2
Questions and Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales Graded A+ Guaranteed
Pass
An adolescent female who is admitted with bulimia tells the practical nurse (PN) that she
does not have an eating disorder. Which finding should the PN report that is most indicative
of long standing purging behaviors?
A. Polyuria
B. Excessive facial hair
C. Dental enamel erosion
D. Elevated blood pressure
C. Dental enamel erosion
A+ TEST BANK 1
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
rationale:
Dental enamel erosion (C) results from repeated exposure of the teeth to gastric hydrochloric
acid in vomitus and is most characteristics of long standing purging behaviors seen in bulimia.
Polyuria (A) related to diuretic use and facial hair (B) related to significant body fat loss and
reduced estrogen production is more likely characteristic of anorexia nervosa. Hypotension,
not elevated blood pressure (D), may be seen with bulimia.
A male client who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, catatonic type, is admitted to the mental
health unit and does not verbally communicate to any of the staff. His wife states that he
became increasingly anxious, withdrawn, and stayed in bed staring at the wall since his recent
job promotion. Which nursing diagnosis should the PN implement of this client?
A. Impaired verbal communication related to severe anxiety
B. Personal identity disturbance related to workplace stress
C. Fear of responsibility related to a promotional opportunity
D. Ineffective individual coping related to unresolved conflict
A. Impaired verbal communication related to severe anxiety
rationale:
Impaired verbal communication can result from maladaptive neurobiological responses that
results from a precipitating stressor, which is mostly likely severe anxiety aroused by this
client's recent job promotion (A). (B, C, and D) do not address the concept of psych-cognitive
functioning in schizophrenia
The practical nurse (PN) is interacting with a male client who is worried about being admitted
to the mental health unit. Which self-reported characteristic should the PN acknowledge as
most indicative of the client's healthy boundary of self-concept?
A. Lets others define his self-concept
B. Takes responsibility to meet his own needs
A+ TEST BANK 2
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
C. Gives to others for the sake of giving
D. Believes others should anticipate his needs
B. Takes responsibility to meet his own needs
rationale:
The client who acts responsibly in meeting his own needs (B) best describes a client's healthy
boundary, so acknowledging this self-appraised self-concept provides the best feedback.
Giving as much as possible for the sake of giving (C), believing others can anticipate the
client's own needs (D), and letting others define the client (A) are examples of unhealthy
boundaries, rather than assertive behavior
A male client arrives at the mental health clinic and tells the practical nurse (PN) that he is
overwhelmed and does not know who to talk to about his life. Based on the client's
comments, what aspect of the client's life should the practical nurse explore first with the
client?
A. Coping mechanisms
B. Problem resolution
C. Support system
D. Perception of the event
C. Support system
rationale:
The client is alluding to the lack of support, so determining if the client has family, friends,
clergy, or coworkers should be identified first (C). (A, B, and D) are other factors that should
be explored after the nurse-client relationship is established
A+ TEST BANK 3
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
A 35 year old male client is admitted after a suicide attempt, Which action should the practical
nurse (PN) implement when interacting with the client?
A. Redirect conversations that focus on the topic of suicide
B. Recommend that the client focus on peers rather than self-absorption
C. Encourage the client to express feelings rather than suppress them
D. Discuss the impact that suicidal behaviors have on his family
C. Encourage the client to express feelings rather than suppress them
rationale:
Expressing feelings in a therapeutic environment decreases hopelessness, so encouraging the
client to express any feelings (C), particularly suicidal thoughts, is the priority. Avoiding the
discussion of suicide (A) impedes recognition and early intervention for suicidal ideations,
such as detail and lethality of a suicidal plan. A client who is suicidal often finds it difficult to
move from self-absorption to other's perspective (B and D) because of his own feelings of
unworthiness, fear of rejection by others, and low self-esteem.
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a female client with borderline personality disorder and a
history of self-mutilation. The client tells the PN that another staff member makes her feel
angry and unimportant. What priority intervention should the PN implement?
A. Tell the client that she will be secluded if she acts out
B. Give the client a reward for expressing her anger
C. Explain that she should cope by doing something physical
D. Ask her if she feels like hurting herself when she is angry
D. Ask her if she feels like hurting herself when she is angry
rationale:
A client with borderline personality disorder uses splitting and self-inflicted trauma as
attention seeking and coping behaviors. The client's history of impulsivity and self-mutilation
A+ TEST BANK 4
2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam 2
Questions and Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales Graded A+ Guaranteed
Pass
An adolescent female who is admitted with bulimia tells the practical nurse (PN) that she
does not have an eating disorder. Which finding should the PN report that is most indicative
of long standing purging behaviors?
A. Polyuria
B. Excessive facial hair
C. Dental enamel erosion
D. Elevated blood pressure
C. Dental enamel erosion
A+ TEST BANK 1
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
rationale:
Dental enamel erosion (C) results from repeated exposure of the teeth to gastric hydrochloric
acid in vomitus and is most characteristics of long standing purging behaviors seen in bulimia.
Polyuria (A) related to diuretic use and facial hair (B) related to significant body fat loss and
reduced estrogen production is more likely characteristic of anorexia nervosa. Hypotension,
not elevated blood pressure (D), may be seen with bulimia.
A male client who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, catatonic type, is admitted to the mental
health unit and does not verbally communicate to any of the staff. His wife states that he
became increasingly anxious, withdrawn, and stayed in bed staring at the wall since his recent
job promotion. Which nursing diagnosis should the PN implement of this client?
A. Impaired verbal communication related to severe anxiety
B. Personal identity disturbance related to workplace stress
C. Fear of responsibility related to a promotional opportunity
D. Ineffective individual coping related to unresolved conflict
A. Impaired verbal communication related to severe anxiety
rationale:
Impaired verbal communication can result from maladaptive neurobiological responses that
results from a precipitating stressor, which is mostly likely severe anxiety aroused by this
client's recent job promotion (A). (B, C, and D) do not address the concept of psych-cognitive
functioning in schizophrenia
The practical nurse (PN) is interacting with a male client who is worried about being admitted
to the mental health unit. Which self-reported characteristic should the PN acknowledge as
most indicative of the client's healthy boundary of self-concept?
A. Lets others define his self-concept
B. Takes responsibility to meet his own needs
A+ TEST BANK 2
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
C. Gives to others for the sake of giving
D. Believes others should anticipate his needs
B. Takes responsibility to meet his own needs
rationale:
The client who acts responsibly in meeting his own needs (B) best describes a client's healthy
boundary, so acknowledging this self-appraised self-concept provides the best feedback.
Giving as much as possible for the sake of giving (C), believing others can anticipate the
client's own needs (D), and letting others define the client (A) are examples of unhealthy
boundaries, rather than assertive behavior
A male client arrives at the mental health clinic and tells the practical nurse (PN) that he is
overwhelmed and does not know who to talk to about his life. Based on the client's
comments, what aspect of the client's life should the practical nurse explore first with the
client?
A. Coping mechanisms
B. Problem resolution
C. Support system
D. Perception of the event
C. Support system
rationale:
The client is alluding to the lack of support, so determining if the client has family, friends,
clergy, or coworkers should be identified first (C). (A, B, and D) are other factors that should
be explored after the nurse-client relationship is established
A+ TEST BANK 3
, 2026 ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam
A 35 year old male client is admitted after a suicide attempt, Which action should the practical
nurse (PN) implement when interacting with the client?
A. Redirect conversations that focus on the topic of suicide
B. Recommend that the client focus on peers rather than self-absorption
C. Encourage the client to express feelings rather than suppress them
D. Discuss the impact that suicidal behaviors have on his family
C. Encourage the client to express feelings rather than suppress them
rationale:
Expressing feelings in a therapeutic environment decreases hopelessness, so encouraging the
client to express any feelings (C), particularly suicidal thoughts, is the priority. Avoiding the
discussion of suicide (A) impedes recognition and early intervention for suicidal ideations,
such as detail and lethality of a suicidal plan. A client who is suicidal often finds it difficult to
move from self-absorption to other's perspective (B and D) because of his own feelings of
unworthiness, fear of rejection by others, and low self-esteem.
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a female client with borderline personality disorder and a
history of self-mutilation. The client tells the PN that another staff member makes her feel
angry and unimportant. What priority intervention should the PN implement?
A. Tell the client that she will be secluded if she acts out
B. Give the client a reward for expressing her anger
C. Explain that she should cope by doing something physical
D. Ask her if she feels like hurting herself when she is angry
D. Ask her if she feels like hurting herself when she is angry
rationale:
A client with borderline personality disorder uses splitting and self-inflicted trauma as
attention seeking and coping behaviors. The client's history of impulsivity and self-mutilation
A+ TEST BANK 4
