ATI Mental Health A 2019 Proctored
Exam ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | ATI
Mental Health Proctored | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Client Relationship (Questions 1–10)
Q1: A nurse is conducting an admission assessment with a client who has a history of depression. The
client states, "I just want to sleep and never wake up." Which of the following responses by the nurse is
therapeutic?
A. "You have so much to live for. You shouldn't feel that way."
B. "Have you thought about how your family would feel if you actually did that?"
C. "Are you thinking about harming yourself?" [CORRECT]
D. "I understand. Everyone feels that way sometimes."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must directly address suicidal ideation to assess safety. Option A is a non-
therapeutic block ("You shouldn't feel that way" – disagreeing/judging). Option B induces guilt ("how
your family would feel"). Option D minimizes the client's feelings ("Everyone feels that way"). The
priority is safety assessment.
Q2: A nurse is caring for a client who is pacing the hallway and appears agitated. The nurse approaches
the client and says, "I noticed you are pacing. Can we sit down and talk about what is happening?"
Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using?
A. Focusing.
B. Presenting reality.
,C. Offering self. [CORRECT]
D. Giving recognition.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Offering self involves making oneself available to the client ("Can we sit down..."). Option A
directs the conversation to a specific topic. Option B is used when the client misperceives reality. Option
D acknowledges a behavior ("I notice you are pacing") but the therapeutic intervention is the offer of
presence/time.
Q3: Audio-Style Question (Text Description) The nurse is interviewing a client who is speaking rapidly,
jumping from one topic to another with no logical connection. The client states, "I need to go to the sky
and buy a fly and tie the dye." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You are speaking very quickly, and I am having trouble following you."
B. "Can you explain to me what you mean by 'tie the dye'?"
C. "I can see you are feeling very anxious right now." [CORRECT]
D. "You should rest now; your thoughts are racing."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client is exhibiting flight of ideas or loose associations, common in mania. The nurse
should not argue or try to follow the illogical thought process (Option B). Option A is an observation but
does not address the underlying anxiety/energy. Option C validates the client's emotional state without
reinforcing the manic behavior. Option D is advising (non-therapeutic).
Q4: A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client. In which phase of the nurse-client
relationship does the nurse assist the client to express feelings about their illness?
A. Orientation phase.
B. Working phase. [CORRECT]
C. Termination phase.
D. Pre-interaction phase.
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Working phase is where goals are met, feelings are expressed, and behavioral changes
occur. Orientation (A) establishes trust and goals. Termination (C) reviews progress and ends the
relationship.
Q5: A client says to the nurse, "My boss fired me today. I don't know how I'm going to pay my bills." The
nurse replies, "Don't worry, you will find another job soon." Which non-therapeutic block is the nurse
using?
A. Giving false reassurance. [CORRECT]
B. Giving advice.
C. Rejecting.
D. Judging.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse offers a cliché or reassurance ("Don't worry," "You will find another job") that has
no basis in fact and cuts off communication. Giving advice (B) would be telling the client what to do.
Q6: Select All That Apply (SATA) Which of the following are characteristics of a therapeutic nurse-client
relationship? (Select all that apply)
A. The focus is on the client's problems and needs. [CORRECT]
B. The relationship has a specific goal or objective. [CORRECT]
C. The nurse shares personal problems to build rapport.
D. The relationship is time-limited. [CORRECT]
E. The nurse accepts the client's behavior unconditionally. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Exam ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | ATI
Mental Health Proctored | Verified Q&A |
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Client Relationship (Questions 1–10)
Q1: A nurse is conducting an admission assessment with a client who has a history of depression. The
client states, "I just want to sleep and never wake up." Which of the following responses by the nurse is
therapeutic?
A. "You have so much to live for. You shouldn't feel that way."
B. "Have you thought about how your family would feel if you actually did that?"
C. "Are you thinking about harming yourself?" [CORRECT]
D. "I understand. Everyone feels that way sometimes."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must directly address suicidal ideation to assess safety. Option A is a non-
therapeutic block ("You shouldn't feel that way" – disagreeing/judging). Option B induces guilt ("how
your family would feel"). Option D minimizes the client's feelings ("Everyone feels that way"). The
priority is safety assessment.
Q2: A nurse is caring for a client who is pacing the hallway and appears agitated. The nurse approaches
the client and says, "I noticed you are pacing. Can we sit down and talk about what is happening?"
Which therapeutic communication technique is the nurse using?
A. Focusing.
B. Presenting reality.
,C. Offering self. [CORRECT]
D. Giving recognition.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Offering self involves making oneself available to the client ("Can we sit down..."). Option A
directs the conversation to a specific topic. Option B is used when the client misperceives reality. Option
D acknowledges a behavior ("I notice you are pacing") but the therapeutic intervention is the offer of
presence/time.
Q3: Audio-Style Question (Text Description) The nurse is interviewing a client who is speaking rapidly,
jumping from one topic to another with no logical connection. The client states, "I need to go to the sky
and buy a fly and tie the dye." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "You are speaking very quickly, and I am having trouble following you."
B. "Can you explain to me what you mean by 'tie the dye'?"
C. "I can see you are feeling very anxious right now." [CORRECT]
D. "You should rest now; your thoughts are racing."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client is exhibiting flight of ideas or loose associations, common in mania. The nurse
should not argue or try to follow the illogical thought process (Option B). Option A is an observation but
does not address the underlying anxiety/energy. Option C validates the client's emotional state without
reinforcing the manic behavior. Option D is advising (non-therapeutic).
Q4: A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client. In which phase of the nurse-client
relationship does the nurse assist the client to express feelings about their illness?
A. Orientation phase.
B. Working phase. [CORRECT]
C. Termination phase.
D. Pre-interaction phase.
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Working phase is where goals are met, feelings are expressed, and behavioral changes
occur. Orientation (A) establishes trust and goals. Termination (C) reviews progress and ends the
relationship.
Q5: A client says to the nurse, "My boss fired me today. I don't know how I'm going to pay my bills." The
nurse replies, "Don't worry, you will find another job soon." Which non-therapeutic block is the nurse
using?
A. Giving false reassurance. [CORRECT]
B. Giving advice.
C. Rejecting.
D. Judging.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse offers a cliché or reassurance ("Don't worry," "You will find another job") that has
no basis in fact and cuts off communication. Giving advice (B) would be telling the client what to do.
Q6: Select All That Apply (SATA) Which of the following are characteristics of a therapeutic nurse-client
relationship? (Select all that apply)
A. The focus is on the client's problems and needs. [CORRECT]
B. The relationship has a specific goal or objective. [CORRECT]
C. The nurse shares personal problems to build rapport.
D. The relationship is time-limited. [CORRECT]
E. The nurse accepts the client's behavior unconditionally. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
