MENTAL HEALTH RN ATI PROCTORED EXAM 2026.
ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam 2025/2026 - 200 Practice Questions &
Answers
INSTRUCTIONS: Select the best answer for each question. Rationales are provided
for each correct answer.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS & LEGAL/ETHICAL ISSUES
Question 1:
A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Which of the following is
appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that apply)
A. The DSM-5 is used to identify mental health disorders.
B. The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria.
C. The DSM-5 indicates recommended pharmacological treatment.
D. The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care.
E. The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings.
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: The DSM-5 is a diagnostic tool that establishes diagnostic criteria and
identifies expected findings for mental health disorders. It is used by nurses to
plan, implement, and evaluate care. The DSM-5 does NOT indicate recommended
,pharmacological treatment; treatment decisions are based on clinical guidelines
and individual client needs .
Question 2:
Which of the following is an example of a client who requires emergency
admission to a mental health facility?
A. A client with schizophrenia who has frequent hallucinations.
B. A client with symptoms of depression who attempted suicide a year ago.
C. A client with borderline personality disorder who assaulted a homeless man
with a metal rod.
D. A client with bipolar disorder who paces quickly down the sidewalk while
talking to himself.
Answer: C
Rationale: Emergency admission (involuntary commitment) is justified when a
client poses an imminent danger to self or others. Assaulting another person with
a weapon constitutes imminent danger to others. Hallucinations, depression
history without current plan, and pacing alone do not meet criteria for emergency
commitment .
,Question 3:
A client tells a student nurse, "Don't tell anyone, but I hid a sharp knife under my
mattress in order to protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at
me and threatening me." Which action should the nurse take?
A. Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily using
therapeutic communication.
B. Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and
roommate closely.
C. Tell the client this must be reported to healthcare staff because it concerns
health and safety.
D. Report the incident without informing the client.
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety threats must be reported immediately. Using the ethical
principle of veracity (truthfulness), the nurse must inform the client that
confidentiality cannot be maintained when there is a risk of harm to self or
others. This is a serious safety issue requiring staff intervention .
Question 4:
, A charge nurse is discussing mental status examinations with a newly licensed
nurse. Which statement 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."
Answer: D
Rationale: Asking the client to repeat a list of objects assesses immediate
memory, not remote memory. Remote memory is assessed by asking about past
events such as birthplace, school history, or past employment. All other
statements are correct .
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted involuntarily following a suicide
attempt. The client states, "I am leaving right now, and you cannot stop me."
Which response should the nurse make?
A. "You can leave as soon as you sign an Against Medical Advice form."
B. "I will have to call security to place you in restraints if you try to walk out."
ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam 2025/2026 - 200 Practice Questions &
Answers
INSTRUCTIONS: Select the best answer for each question. Rationales are provided
for each correct answer.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS & LEGAL/ETHICAL ISSUES
Question 1:
A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Which of the following is
appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that apply)
A. The DSM-5 is used to identify mental health disorders.
B. The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria.
C. The DSM-5 indicates recommended pharmacological treatment.
D. The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care.
E. The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings.
Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: The DSM-5 is a diagnostic tool that establishes diagnostic criteria and
identifies expected findings for mental health disorders. It is used by nurses to
plan, implement, and evaluate care. The DSM-5 does NOT indicate recommended
,pharmacological treatment; treatment decisions are based on clinical guidelines
and individual client needs .
Question 2:
Which of the following is an example of a client who requires emergency
admission to a mental health facility?
A. A client with schizophrenia who has frequent hallucinations.
B. A client with symptoms of depression who attempted suicide a year ago.
C. A client with borderline personality disorder who assaulted a homeless man
with a metal rod.
D. A client with bipolar disorder who paces quickly down the sidewalk while
talking to himself.
Answer: C
Rationale: Emergency admission (involuntary commitment) is justified when a
client poses an imminent danger to self or others. Assaulting another person with
a weapon constitutes imminent danger to others. Hallucinations, depression
history without current plan, and pacing alone do not meet criteria for emergency
commitment .
,Question 3:
A client tells a student nurse, "Don't tell anyone, but I hid a sharp knife under my
mattress in order to protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at
me and threatening me." Which action should the nurse take?
A. Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily using
therapeutic communication.
B. Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and
roommate closely.
C. Tell the client this must be reported to healthcare staff because it concerns
health and safety.
D. Report the incident without informing the client.
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety threats must be reported immediately. Using the ethical
principle of veracity (truthfulness), the nurse must inform the client that
confidentiality cannot be maintained when there is a risk of harm to self or
others. This is a serious safety issue requiring staff intervention .
Question 4:
, A charge nurse is discussing mental status examinations with a newly licensed
nurse. Which statement 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."
Answer: D
Rationale: Asking the client to repeat a list of objects assesses immediate
memory, not remote memory. Remote memory is assessed by asking about past
events such as birthplace, school history, or past employment. All other
statements are correct .
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted involuntarily following a suicide
attempt. The client states, "I am leaving right now, and you cannot stop me."
Which response should the nurse make?
A. "You can leave as soon as you sign an Against Medical Advice form."
B. "I will have to call security to place you in restraints if you try to walk out."
