2026/2027
ATI RN Medical Surgical Proctored Retake
Exam 2026/2027 Advanced Review Guide
for Practice Exams, Test Bank Preparation,
and Success Strategies
Question 1
A charge nurse is discussing mental status examinations with a newly licensed nurse.
Which statements indicate understanding? (Select all that apply)
A. To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens.
B. To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression.
C. To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a sentence.
D. To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of objects.
E. To assess abstract thinking, I should ask the client to identify recent presidents.
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale:
Cognitive ability is commonly assessed using tasks like serial sevens or other
concentration exercises, making option A correct. Affect refers to observable
emotional expression, including facial expressions and tone, so B is also correct.
Language ability can be assessed through writing or speaking tasks such as writing a
sentence, making C correct. Remote memory refers to past events (not immediate
recall), so repeating a list of objects assesses short-term memory, making D incorrect.
Identifying presidents evaluates knowledge and sometimes abstract thinking, but not
remote memory in this context, making E incorrect.
Question 2
A nurse is planning care for a client with a mental health disorder. Which is a
psychobiological intervention?
A. Systematic desensitization therapy
B. Teaching coping mechanisms
C. Assessing comorbid conditions
D. Monitoring medication side effects
Correct Answer: D
,2026/2027
Rationale:
Psychobiological interventions focus on physiological treatment such as medication
management and monitoring effects. Monitoring for adverse medication effects is a
direct psychobiological nursing role. Systematic desensitization is behavioral therapy,
not biological. Teaching coping skills is psychosocial. Assessing comorbid conditions
is assessment-based, not intervention-focused in the psychobiological category.
Question 3
Priority during an initial mental health interview?
A. Coordinate social services
B. Identify client perception of mental health
C. Include family in interview
D. Teach about disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The priority is understanding the client’s perception of their condition, which
establishes baseline insight and therapeutic rapport. Social services coordination and
family involvement are secondary. Teaching is not appropriate until assessment is
complete.
Question 4
Finding expected in a stuporous client?
A. Arouses briefly to sternal rub
B. GCS <7
C. Decorticate rigidity
D. Alert but disoriented
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Stupor is a reduced level of consciousness where the client responds only to vigorous
or painful stimuli such as sternal rub. GCS <7 indicates coma. Decorticate posturing
is a neurological sign, not defining stupor. Alert disorientation indicates confusion,
not stupor.
Question 5
DSM-5 discussion includes which? (Select all that apply)
,2026/2027
A. Client education handouts
B. Diagnostic criteria
C. Medication recommendations
D. Guides nursing care
E. Expected findings
Correct Answer: B, D, E
Rationale:
DSM-5 provides diagnostic criteria, helps guide nursing care, and outlines expected
clinical findings. It does not provide patient education handouts or medication
prescriptions.
Question 6
Which client requires emergency admission?
A. Schizophrenia with delusions
B. Depression history of suicide attempt
C. Assaultive behavior with weapon
D. Bipolar pacing and talking
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Immediate danger to others (assault with weapon) requires emergency intervention.
Delusions and pacing do not indicate immediate violence risk. Past suicide attempt
alone is not current emergency risk.
Question 7
False imprisonment example?
A. Invasion of privacy
B. False imprisonment
C. Assault
D. Battery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Restraining a client in seclusion without proper justification is false imprisonment
because it restricts freedom of movement without legal justification.
Question 8
, 2026/2027
Client hides knife—nurse action?
A. Keep confidential
B. Observe only
C. Inform client must report
D. Report without telling client
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Nurses must break confidentiality when safety is threatened. The client must also be
informed to maintain therapeutic trust.
Question 9
Restraint documentation includes? (Select all)
A. Ate breakfast
B. Offered water hourly
C. Shouting obscenities
D. Medication given
E. Acting out
Correct Answer: B, C, D
Rationale:
Objective care and behavior documentation is required. Intake (water), behaviors, and
medication administration are appropriate. Vague statements like “acted out” are not
acceptable.
Question 10
First action for confidentiality breach in hallway?
A. Notify manager
B. Stop discussion
C. In-service training
D. Incident report
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Immediate correction of inappropriate behavior is priority before administrative steps.
Question 11
ATI RN Medical Surgical Proctored Retake
Exam 2026/2027 Advanced Review Guide
for Practice Exams, Test Bank Preparation,
and Success Strategies
Question 1
A charge nurse is discussing mental status examinations with a newly licensed nurse.
Which statements indicate understanding? (Select all that apply)
A. To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens.
B. To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression.
C. To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a sentence.
D. To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of objects.
E. To assess abstract thinking, I should ask the client to identify recent presidents.
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale:
Cognitive ability is commonly assessed using tasks like serial sevens or other
concentration exercises, making option A correct. Affect refers to observable
emotional expression, including facial expressions and tone, so B is also correct.
Language ability can be assessed through writing or speaking tasks such as writing a
sentence, making C correct. Remote memory refers to past events (not immediate
recall), so repeating a list of objects assesses short-term memory, making D incorrect.
Identifying presidents evaluates knowledge and sometimes abstract thinking, but not
remote memory in this context, making E incorrect.
Question 2
A nurse is planning care for a client with a mental health disorder. Which is a
psychobiological intervention?
A. Systematic desensitization therapy
B. Teaching coping mechanisms
C. Assessing comorbid conditions
D. Monitoring medication side effects
Correct Answer: D
,2026/2027
Rationale:
Psychobiological interventions focus on physiological treatment such as medication
management and monitoring effects. Monitoring for adverse medication effects is a
direct psychobiological nursing role. Systematic desensitization is behavioral therapy,
not biological. Teaching coping skills is psychosocial. Assessing comorbid conditions
is assessment-based, not intervention-focused in the psychobiological category.
Question 3
Priority during an initial mental health interview?
A. Coordinate social services
B. Identify client perception of mental health
C. Include family in interview
D. Teach about disorder
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The priority is understanding the client’s perception of their condition, which
establishes baseline insight and therapeutic rapport. Social services coordination and
family involvement are secondary. Teaching is not appropriate until assessment is
complete.
Question 4
Finding expected in a stuporous client?
A. Arouses briefly to sternal rub
B. GCS <7
C. Decorticate rigidity
D. Alert but disoriented
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Stupor is a reduced level of consciousness where the client responds only to vigorous
or painful stimuli such as sternal rub. GCS <7 indicates coma. Decorticate posturing
is a neurological sign, not defining stupor. Alert disorientation indicates confusion,
not stupor.
Question 5
DSM-5 discussion includes which? (Select all that apply)
,2026/2027
A. Client education handouts
B. Diagnostic criteria
C. Medication recommendations
D. Guides nursing care
E. Expected findings
Correct Answer: B, D, E
Rationale:
DSM-5 provides diagnostic criteria, helps guide nursing care, and outlines expected
clinical findings. It does not provide patient education handouts or medication
prescriptions.
Question 6
Which client requires emergency admission?
A. Schizophrenia with delusions
B. Depression history of suicide attempt
C. Assaultive behavior with weapon
D. Bipolar pacing and talking
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Immediate danger to others (assault with weapon) requires emergency intervention.
Delusions and pacing do not indicate immediate violence risk. Past suicide attempt
alone is not current emergency risk.
Question 7
False imprisonment example?
A. Invasion of privacy
B. False imprisonment
C. Assault
D. Battery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Restraining a client in seclusion without proper justification is false imprisonment
because it restricts freedom of movement without legal justification.
Question 8
, 2026/2027
Client hides knife—nurse action?
A. Keep confidential
B. Observe only
C. Inform client must report
D. Report without telling client
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Nurses must break confidentiality when safety is threatened. The client must also be
informed to maintain therapeutic trust.
Question 9
Restraint documentation includes? (Select all)
A. Ate breakfast
B. Offered water hourly
C. Shouting obscenities
D. Medication given
E. Acting out
Correct Answer: B, C, D
Rationale:
Objective care and behavior documentation is required. Intake (water), behaviors, and
medication administration are appropriate. Vague statements like “acted out” are not
acceptable.
Question 10
First action for confidentiality breach in hallway?
A. Notify manager
B. Stop discussion
C. In-service training
D. Incident report
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Immediate correction of inappropriate behavior is priority before administrative steps.
Question 11
