ATI Mental Health Proctored Examination
Comprehensive 100-Question Practice Test
Bank
Advanced Level | Nursing Students &
Professionals | Updated 2026/2027
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1–12)
Question 1
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is newly admitted to a
mental health facility. Which of the following actions should the
nurse perform first?
A) Establish rapport with the client
B) Determine the client's coping strategies
C) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status
D) Review the client's medical history
Correct Answer: C) Identify the client's perception of her mental
health status
,Rationale: According to the nursing process, data collection begins
with the client's unique perspective. Understanding the client's own
view of her mental health is the priority to guide individualized care
planning.
Question 2
A charge nurse is discussing mental status examinations with a
newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the
newly licensed nurse indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by 7."
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."
Correct Answer: D) "To assess remote memory, I should have the
client repeat a list of objects."
Rationale: Asking the client to repeat a list of objects assesses
immediate memory, not remote memory. Remote memory involves
recalling past events from years ago.
Question 3
During change-of-shift report, a nurse is told that a client is
,stuporous. When assessing the client, which finding should the
nurse expect?
A) The client responds verbally but is confused
B) The client is alert but drowsy
C) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub
D) The client has purposeful movement in response to stimuli
Correct Answer: C) The client arouses briefly in response to a
sternal rub
Rationale: Altered levels of consciousness range from lethargy to
coma. A stuporous client is nearly unresponsive and only arouses
briefly with vigorous, noxious, or painful stimuli, such as a sternal
rub.
Question 4
A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the DSM-5.
Which of the following should the nurse include as a function of
the DSM-5? (Select all that apply)
A) Provides legal guidelines for involuntary admission
B) Establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental health
disorders
C) Assists nurses in planning care for clients with mental health
disorders
D) Includes expected assessment findings for mental health
disorders
E) Outlines treatment modalities for psychiatric conditions
, Correct Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: The DSM-5 establishes standardized diagnostic criteria
and expected assessment findings, which directly aid nurses in
assessment and care planning. It does not establish state-specific
legal criteria for involuntary holds, nor does it outline medical
treatment modalities or pharmacology protocols.
Question 5
A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client who
has major depressive disorder. Which action by the nurse
demonstrates the principle of genuineness?
A) Using a standardized greeting for all clients
B) Responding authentically and congruently while maintaining
professional boundaries
C) Agreeing with the client's negative self-statements to build
rapport
D) Avoiding self-disclosure of any kind to maintain objectivity
Correct Answer: B) Responding authentically and congruently
while maintaining professional boundaries
Rationale: Genuineness involves being real, honest, and authentic.
The nurse's responses should match their feelings. Superficial or
formulaic responses are not genuine. Agreeing with negative
statements reinforces distortions, and complete self-avoidance is
not necessary.
Comprehensive 100-Question Practice Test
Bank
Advanced Level | Nursing Students &
Professionals | Updated 2026/2027
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL
HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1–12)
Question 1
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is newly admitted to a
mental health facility. Which of the following actions should the
nurse perform first?
A) Establish rapport with the client
B) Determine the client's coping strategies
C) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status
D) Review the client's medical history
Correct Answer: C) Identify the client's perception of her mental
health status
,Rationale: According to the nursing process, data collection begins
with the client's unique perspective. Understanding the client's own
view of her mental health is the priority to guide individualized care
planning.
Question 2
A charge nurse is discussing mental status examinations with a
newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the
newly licensed nurse indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by 7."
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."
Correct Answer: D) "To assess remote memory, I should have the
client repeat a list of objects."
Rationale: Asking the client to repeat a list of objects assesses
immediate memory, not remote memory. Remote memory involves
recalling past events from years ago.
Question 3
During change-of-shift report, a nurse is told that a client is
,stuporous. When assessing the client, which finding should the
nurse expect?
A) The client responds verbally but is confused
B) The client is alert but drowsy
C) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub
D) The client has purposeful movement in response to stimuli
Correct Answer: C) The client arouses briefly in response to a
sternal rub
Rationale: Altered levels of consciousness range from lethargy to
coma. A stuporous client is nearly unresponsive and only arouses
briefly with vigorous, noxious, or painful stimuli, such as a sternal
rub.
Question 4
A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the DSM-5.
Which of the following should the nurse include as a function of
the DSM-5? (Select all that apply)
A) Provides legal guidelines for involuntary admission
B) Establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental health
disorders
C) Assists nurses in planning care for clients with mental health
disorders
D) Includes expected assessment findings for mental health
disorders
E) Outlines treatment modalities for psychiatric conditions
, Correct Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: The DSM-5 establishes standardized diagnostic criteria
and expected assessment findings, which directly aid nurses in
assessment and care planning. It does not establish state-specific
legal criteria for involuntary holds, nor does it outline medical
treatment modalities or pharmacology protocols.
Question 5
A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client who
has major depressive disorder. Which action by the nurse
demonstrates the principle of genuineness?
A) Using a standardized greeting for all clients
B) Responding authentically and congruently while maintaining
professional boundaries
C) Agreeing with the client's negative self-statements to build
rapport
D) Avoiding self-disclosure of any kind to maintain objectivity
Correct Answer: B) Responding authentically and congruently
while maintaining professional boundaries
Rationale: Genuineness involves being real, honest, and authentic.
The nurse's responses should match their feelings. Superficial or
formulaic responses are not genuine. Agreeing with negative
statements reinforces distortions, and complete self-avoidance is
not necessary.
