ASSESSMENT TECHNOLOGIES INSTITUTE
AT I
M E N TA L H E A LT H A P R O C TO R E D E X A M
ATI MENTAL HEALTH A
2026 Proctored Exam
Aligned with ATI Mental Health Nursing Content Mastery Series
NCLEX-RN Test Plan & Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Standards
A+ GRAD ED · 150 QUES TIONS
E XA M I N AT I O N C O D E ATI-MH-A-2026
T O TA L Q U E S T I O N S 150 Multiple Choice
SECTIONS 11 (Sections 1–11)
ED ITION
S TA N D A R D S ATI Content Mastery Series
REFERENCE NCLEX-RN Test Plan & APA Guidelines
Aligned with ATI Mental Health Nursing Content Mastery Series, NCLEX-RN Test Plan,
and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Standards (2026/2027 Edition).
AT I P R O C T O R E D E X A M I N AT I O N · M E N TA L H E A LT H N U R S I N G
,ATI MENTAL HEALTH A 2026 PROCTORED EXAM 150 Questions | A+ Graded
ATI MENTAL HEALTH A 2026 PROCTORED EXAM
Aligned with ATI Mental Health Nursing Content Mastery Series & NCLEX-RN Test Plan
Aligned with ATI Mental Health Nursing Content Mastery Series, NCLEX-RN Test Plan, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Standards (2026/2027 Edition).
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing & Therapeutic Communication
20 Questions · Question Range Q1–Q20
Q1: A psychiatric nurse is caring for a patient who says, 'I'm not sure I want to keep living, but I don't want
to talk about it.' Which response by the nurse demonstrates the MOST therapeutic communication
technique?
A. You should really talk about it; it will make you feel better.
B. I notice you mentioned not wanting to keep living. Can you tell me more about what you're feeling?
*[CORRECT]*
C. Everything will be okay; you just need some rest.
D. Why don't you want to talk about it?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse uses the therapeutic techniques of clarifying and exploring by reflecting the patient's statement and inviting
further disclosure. Choice A is advice-giving (non-therapeutic); Choice C is false reassurance (non-therapeutic); Choice D asks a
'why' question, which can feel judgmental. ATI Mental Health guidelines emphasize using open-ended questions and reflection to
facilitate patient expression and assessment of suicidal ideation.
Q2: A patient with depression tells the nurse, 'I'm just a burden to my family.' Which response is an example
of the therapeutic technique of validation?
A. You're not a burden; your family loves you.
B. It sounds like you feel guilty about how your depression is affecting your family. *[CORRECT]*
C. Don't say that about yourself; you're valuable.
D. Why would you think that?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Validation acknowledges the patient's feelings without agreeing or disagreeing with the content. Choice A is disagreement
(invalidates feelings); Choice C is false reassurance; Choice D asks 'why' (non-therapeutic). ATI Mental Health guidelines define
validation as acknowledging the patient's emotional state. Reflection of feeling ('It sounds like you feel guilty...') is a form of
validation that demonstrates empathy.
Q3: A nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient. The patient says, 'I'm scared. I've never been in a
psychiatric hospital before.' Which response by the nurse uses the therapeutic technique of giving
information?
ATI Mental Health | Aligned with NCLEX-RN Test Plan & Psychiatric-Mental Health Standards Page 1
,ATI MENTAL HEALTH A 2026 PROCTORED EXAM 150 Questions | A+ Graded
A. Don't worry; this is a very safe place.
B. It's normal to feel scared. Let me explain what to expect during your stay, including the unit schedule and
visiting hours. *[CORRECT]*
C. Why are you scared? There's nothing to be afraid of.
D. You'll get used to it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Giving information reduces anxiety by providing factual orientation. Choice A is false reassurance; Choice C asks 'why'
and dismisses feelings; Choice D is minimizing. ATI Mental Health guidelines emphasize orientation to the milieu to reduce anxiety in
newly admitted patients.
Q4: A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. The patient says, 'The voices are
telling me to hurt myself.' Which response by the nurse is MOST therapeutic?
A. The voices aren't real; you need to ignore them.
B. I understand the voices are frightening. I will stay with you, and we are safe here. *[CORRECT]*
C. Tell the voices to stop.
D. You know the voices aren't real, so don't listen to them.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse validates the patient's experience (not the delusion/hallucination content) and provides a sense of safety. Choice
A dismisses the patient's reality (invalidating); Choice C is directive and ineffective for command hallucinations; Choice D argues
with the patient. ATI Mental Health guidelines emphasize not arguing with hallucinations while ensuring patient safety, especially with
command hallucinations to harm self or others.
Q5: A nurse is leading a group therapy session. One patient dominates the conversation, preventing others
from speaking. Which intervention by the nurse is MOST appropriate?
A. Tell the patient they need to be quiet.
B. Acknowledge the patient's contribution, then redirect by inviting another patient to share: 'John, you've
shared a lot today. I'd like to hear from Mary now.' *[CORRECT]*
C. Ignore the dominating patient.
D. End the session early to avoid further conflict.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse uses the technique of redirecting/blocking to maintain group balance without humiliating the dominating patient.
Choice A is confrontational and shaming; Choice C enables the dominance; Choice D avoids the issue. ATI Mental Health guidelines
emphasize group leadership that balances participation and respects all members.
Q6: A patient says, 'My doctor doesn't know what he's doing. He gave me medication that makes me sick.'
Which response by the nurse uses the therapeutic technique of reflecting?
A. You should talk to your doctor about your concerns.
B. You sound frustrated with your doctor and the medication side effects. *[CORRECT]*
C. Doctors know what they're doing; just give it time.
D. What medication is it?
Correct Answer: B
ATI Mental Health | Aligned with NCLEX-RN Test Plan & Psychiatric-Mental Health Standards Page 2
, ATI MENTAL HEALTH A 2026 PROCTORED EXAM 150 Questions | A+ Graded
Rationale: Reflecting redirects the patient's feeling back to them, encouraging further exploration. Choice A is advice-giving; Choice
C is defending the doctor (non-therapeutic); Choice D changes the subject. ATI Mental Health guidelines define reflecting as
mirroring the patient's feelings to promote self-awareness.
Q7: A nurse is caring for a patient who has been silent for the entire shift. The nurse sits with the patient
without speaking. Which therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Focusing
B. Silence *[CORRECT]*
C. Active listening
D. Clarifying
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Silence is a therapeutic technique that allows the patient time to think and respond at their own pace. Choice A (focusing)
directs attention to a specific topic; Choice C (active listening) involves verbal and nonverbal responses; Choice D (clarifying) asks for
more information. ATI Mental Health guidelines recognize silence as therapeutic when used purposefully and not as avoidance.
Q8: A patient tells the nurse, 'I think my roommate is talking about me behind my back.' Which response
demonstrates the therapeutic technique of clarifying?
A. I'm sure your roommate isn't talking about you.
B. Are you saying your roommate is talking about you when you're not in the room? *[CORRECT]*
C. Why would you think that?
D. You need to talk to your roommate about this.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clarifying restates the patient's message to ensure accurate understanding. Choice A is disagreement (invalidates); Choice
C asks 'why' (non-therapeutic); Choice D is advice-giving. ATI Mental Health guidelines emphasize clarifying when patient statements
are ambiguous or could be misinterpreted.
Q9: A patient with anxiety is verbalizing rapidly about multiple concerns. Which intervention by the nurse
uses the therapeutic technique of focusing?
A. Tell me more about your fear of leaving the hospital. *[CORRECT]*
B. You're talking too fast; slow down.
C. Don't worry about all that right now.
D. I'm going to come back later when you're calmer.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Focusing redirects the patient to a specific topic, helping them organize their thoughts. Choice B is directive; Choice C is
minimizing; Choice D is avoidance. ATI Mental Health guidelines recommend focusing when a patient's anxiety prevents them from
organizing thoughts.
Q10: A patient tells the nurse, 'I'm going to kill myself when I get out of here.' What is the nurse's PRIORITY
action?
A. Document the statement and notify the provider at the end of the shift
B. Stay with the patient, notify the provider immediately, and initiate suicide precautions *[CORRECT]*
ATI Mental Health | Aligned with NCLEX-RN Test Plan & Psychiatric-Mental Health Standards Page 3
AT I
M E N TA L H E A LT H A P R O C TO R E D E X A M
ATI MENTAL HEALTH A
2026 Proctored Exam
Aligned with ATI Mental Health Nursing Content Mastery Series
NCLEX-RN Test Plan & Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Standards
A+ GRAD ED · 150 QUES TIONS
E XA M I N AT I O N C O D E ATI-MH-A-2026
T O TA L Q U E S T I O N S 150 Multiple Choice
SECTIONS 11 (Sections 1–11)
ED ITION
S TA N D A R D S ATI Content Mastery Series
REFERENCE NCLEX-RN Test Plan & APA Guidelines
Aligned with ATI Mental Health Nursing Content Mastery Series, NCLEX-RN Test Plan,
and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Standards (2026/2027 Edition).
AT I P R O C T O R E D E X A M I N AT I O N · M E N TA L H E A LT H N U R S I N G
,ATI MENTAL HEALTH A 2026 PROCTORED EXAM 150 Questions | A+ Graded
ATI MENTAL HEALTH A 2026 PROCTORED EXAM
Aligned with ATI Mental Health Nursing Content Mastery Series & NCLEX-RN Test Plan
Aligned with ATI Mental Health Nursing Content Mastery Series, NCLEX-RN Test Plan, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Standards (2026/2027 Edition).
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing & Therapeutic Communication
20 Questions · Question Range Q1–Q20
Q1: A psychiatric nurse is caring for a patient who says, 'I'm not sure I want to keep living, but I don't want
to talk about it.' Which response by the nurse demonstrates the MOST therapeutic communication
technique?
A. You should really talk about it; it will make you feel better.
B. I notice you mentioned not wanting to keep living. Can you tell me more about what you're feeling?
*[CORRECT]*
C. Everything will be okay; you just need some rest.
D. Why don't you want to talk about it?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse uses the therapeutic techniques of clarifying and exploring by reflecting the patient's statement and inviting
further disclosure. Choice A is advice-giving (non-therapeutic); Choice C is false reassurance (non-therapeutic); Choice D asks a
'why' question, which can feel judgmental. ATI Mental Health guidelines emphasize using open-ended questions and reflection to
facilitate patient expression and assessment of suicidal ideation.
Q2: A patient with depression tells the nurse, 'I'm just a burden to my family.' Which response is an example
of the therapeutic technique of validation?
A. You're not a burden; your family loves you.
B. It sounds like you feel guilty about how your depression is affecting your family. *[CORRECT]*
C. Don't say that about yourself; you're valuable.
D. Why would you think that?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Validation acknowledges the patient's feelings without agreeing or disagreeing with the content. Choice A is disagreement
(invalidates feelings); Choice C is false reassurance; Choice D asks 'why' (non-therapeutic). ATI Mental Health guidelines define
validation as acknowledging the patient's emotional state. Reflection of feeling ('It sounds like you feel guilty...') is a form of
validation that demonstrates empathy.
Q3: A nurse is assessing a newly admitted patient. The patient says, 'I'm scared. I've never been in a
psychiatric hospital before.' Which response by the nurse uses the therapeutic technique of giving
information?
ATI Mental Health | Aligned with NCLEX-RN Test Plan & Psychiatric-Mental Health Standards Page 1
,ATI MENTAL HEALTH A 2026 PROCTORED EXAM 150 Questions | A+ Graded
A. Don't worry; this is a very safe place.
B. It's normal to feel scared. Let me explain what to expect during your stay, including the unit schedule and
visiting hours. *[CORRECT]*
C. Why are you scared? There's nothing to be afraid of.
D. You'll get used to it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Giving information reduces anxiety by providing factual orientation. Choice A is false reassurance; Choice C asks 'why'
and dismisses feelings; Choice D is minimizing. ATI Mental Health guidelines emphasize orientation to the milieu to reduce anxiety in
newly admitted patients.
Q4: A patient with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations. The patient says, 'The voices are
telling me to hurt myself.' Which response by the nurse is MOST therapeutic?
A. The voices aren't real; you need to ignore them.
B. I understand the voices are frightening. I will stay with you, and we are safe here. *[CORRECT]*
C. Tell the voices to stop.
D. You know the voices aren't real, so don't listen to them.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse validates the patient's experience (not the delusion/hallucination content) and provides a sense of safety. Choice
A dismisses the patient's reality (invalidating); Choice C is directive and ineffective for command hallucinations; Choice D argues
with the patient. ATI Mental Health guidelines emphasize not arguing with hallucinations while ensuring patient safety, especially with
command hallucinations to harm self or others.
Q5: A nurse is leading a group therapy session. One patient dominates the conversation, preventing others
from speaking. Which intervention by the nurse is MOST appropriate?
A. Tell the patient they need to be quiet.
B. Acknowledge the patient's contribution, then redirect by inviting another patient to share: 'John, you've
shared a lot today. I'd like to hear from Mary now.' *[CORRECT]*
C. Ignore the dominating patient.
D. End the session early to avoid further conflict.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse uses the technique of redirecting/blocking to maintain group balance without humiliating the dominating patient.
Choice A is confrontational and shaming; Choice C enables the dominance; Choice D avoids the issue. ATI Mental Health guidelines
emphasize group leadership that balances participation and respects all members.
Q6: A patient says, 'My doctor doesn't know what he's doing. He gave me medication that makes me sick.'
Which response by the nurse uses the therapeutic technique of reflecting?
A. You should talk to your doctor about your concerns.
B. You sound frustrated with your doctor and the medication side effects. *[CORRECT]*
C. Doctors know what they're doing; just give it time.
D. What medication is it?
Correct Answer: B
ATI Mental Health | Aligned with NCLEX-RN Test Plan & Psychiatric-Mental Health Standards Page 2
, ATI MENTAL HEALTH A 2026 PROCTORED EXAM 150 Questions | A+ Graded
Rationale: Reflecting redirects the patient's feeling back to them, encouraging further exploration. Choice A is advice-giving; Choice
C is defending the doctor (non-therapeutic); Choice D changes the subject. ATI Mental Health guidelines define reflecting as
mirroring the patient's feelings to promote self-awareness.
Q7: A nurse is caring for a patient who has been silent for the entire shift. The nurse sits with the patient
without speaking. Which therapeutic technique is the nurse using?
A. Focusing
B. Silence *[CORRECT]*
C. Active listening
D. Clarifying
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Silence is a therapeutic technique that allows the patient time to think and respond at their own pace. Choice A (focusing)
directs attention to a specific topic; Choice C (active listening) involves verbal and nonverbal responses; Choice D (clarifying) asks for
more information. ATI Mental Health guidelines recognize silence as therapeutic when used purposefully and not as avoidance.
Q8: A patient tells the nurse, 'I think my roommate is talking about me behind my back.' Which response
demonstrates the therapeutic technique of clarifying?
A. I'm sure your roommate isn't talking about you.
B. Are you saying your roommate is talking about you when you're not in the room? *[CORRECT]*
C. Why would you think that?
D. You need to talk to your roommate about this.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clarifying restates the patient's message to ensure accurate understanding. Choice A is disagreement (invalidates); Choice
C asks 'why' (non-therapeutic); Choice D is advice-giving. ATI Mental Health guidelines emphasize clarifying when patient statements
are ambiguous or could be misinterpreted.
Q9: A patient with anxiety is verbalizing rapidly about multiple concerns. Which intervention by the nurse
uses the therapeutic technique of focusing?
A. Tell me more about your fear of leaving the hospital. *[CORRECT]*
B. You're talking too fast; slow down.
C. Don't worry about all that right now.
D. I'm going to come back later when you're calmer.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Focusing redirects the patient to a specific topic, helping them organize their thoughts. Choice B is directive; Choice C is
minimizing; Choice D is avoidance. ATI Mental Health guidelines recommend focusing when a patient's anxiety prevents them from
organizing thoughts.
Q10: A patient tells the nurse, 'I'm going to kill myself when I get out of here.' What is the nurse's PRIORITY
action?
A. Document the statement and notify the provider at the end of the shift
B. Stay with the patient, notify the provider immediately, and initiate suicide precautions *[CORRECT]*
ATI Mental Health | Aligned with NCLEX-RN Test Plan & Psychiatric-Mental Health Standards Page 3
