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ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH LEVEL 1 PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
MENTAL HEALTH
Prepare for the ATI RN Mental Health Exam Level 1 with a focused study resource
designed to reinforce essential psychiatric and mental health nursing concepts. It
supports review of therapeutic communication, mental health assessment,
psychiatric disorders, psychopharmacology, crisis intervention, safety, and legal and
ethical considerations. Use the material to strengthen clinical judgment, improve
recall, and identify areas requiring additional review before assessment. This resource
is best suited for RN nursing students preparing for the ATI RN Mental Health
assessment and Level 1 proficiency.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
FOUNDATIONS & THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
1. 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."
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
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memory, not remote memory. Remote memory is assessed by asking
about past events (e.g., birth date, historical events).
2. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder.
Which of the following is appropriate to include as a psychobiological
intervention?
• A) Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
• B) Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
• C) Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
• D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of medications.
Answer: D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of medications.
Rationale: Monitoring for adverse effects of medications is a
psychobiological intervention (addressing the biological/physiological
aspects of care). Systematic desensitization is cognitive-behavioral,
coping mechanisms are counseling/health teaching, and assessing for
comorbidities is health promotion.
3. A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an
initial client interview. When conducting the interview, which of the
following is the highest priority action?
• A) Respect the client's need for personal space.
• B) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
• C) Include the client's family in the interview.
• D) Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Answer: B) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
Rationale: Assessment is the priority action when using the nursing
process approach. Identifying the client's perception of her mental health
status provides important information about the client's psychosocial
history.
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4. A nurse is told during change-of-shift report that a client is stuporous.
When assessing the client, which of the following is an expected finding?
• A) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
• B) The client has a Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 7.
• C) The client exhibits decorticate rigidity.
• D) The client is alert but disoriented to time and place.
Answer: A) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
Rationale: A stuporous client requires vigorous or painful stimuli to elicit
a response. GCS < 7 indicates a comatose state, and abnormal posturing
(decorticate/decerebrate) is seen in comatose clients, not stuporous
clients.
5. 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 laboratory findings.
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: The DSM-5 is used to identify mental health disorders,
establishes diagnostic criteria, and assists nurses in planning care. It
does not indicate recommended pharmacological treatment or expected
laboratory findings—those are determined by clinical guidelines and
individualized assessment.
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6. A nurse in a mental health clinic is caring for a client who has bipolar
disorder and states, "I no longer take my medication because I like the
feeling of being manic." Which of the following responses by the nurse is
an example of therapeutic communication?
• A) "You should take your medication as prescribed."
• B) "You feel better when you don't take your medication?"
• C) "That is not a good reason to stop your medication."
• D) "What does your doctor think about that?"
Answer: B) "You feel better when you don't take your medication?"
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic communication technique
of validating/clarifying the client's feelings. It acknowledges the client's
statement with an open-ended paraphrase and allows for further
exploration of the subject.
7. A nurse enters a client's room and observes that the client is agitated
and pacing rapidly. The client looks at the nurse and says, "Back off. Leave
me alone." What statement should the nurse make?
• A) "I demand that you calm down now. Your behavior is unacceptable."
• B) "I will close the door to provide privacy, and you can tell me what is
bothering you."
• C) "I will give you some space if you calm down. Tell me what is making
you feel so tense."
• D) "I will leave you alone for a few minutes while you try to control
yourself."
Answer: C) "I will give you some space if you calm down. Tell me what is
making you feel so tense."
Rationale: The nurse should remain at a safe distance, stay calm, and set
ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH LEVEL 1 PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
MENTAL HEALTH
Prepare for the ATI RN Mental Health Exam Level 1 with a focused study resource
designed to reinforce essential psychiatric and mental health nursing concepts. It
supports review of therapeutic communication, mental health assessment,
psychiatric disorders, psychopharmacology, crisis intervention, safety, and legal and
ethical considerations. Use the material to strengthen clinical judgment, improve
recall, and identify areas requiring additional review before assessment. This resource
is best suited for RN nursing students preparing for the ATI RN Mental Health
assessment and Level 1 proficiency.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
FOUNDATIONS & THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION
1. 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."
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
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memory, not remote memory. Remote memory is assessed by asking
about past events (e.g., birth date, historical events).
2. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder.
Which of the following is appropriate to include as a psychobiological
intervention?
• A) Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
• B) Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
• C) Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
• D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of medications.
Answer: D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of medications.
Rationale: Monitoring for adverse effects of medications is a
psychobiological intervention (addressing the biological/physiological
aspects of care). Systematic desensitization is cognitive-behavioral,
coping mechanisms are counseling/health teaching, and assessing for
comorbidities is health promotion.
3. A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an
initial client interview. When conducting the interview, which of the
following is the highest priority action?
• A) Respect the client's need for personal space.
• B) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
• C) Include the client's family in the interview.
• D) Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Answer: B) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
Rationale: Assessment is the priority action when using the nursing
process approach. Identifying the client's perception of her mental health
status provides important information about the client's psychosocial
history.
, Page 3 of 49
4. A nurse is told during change-of-shift report that a client is stuporous.
When assessing the client, which of the following is an expected finding?
• A) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
• B) The client has a Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 7.
• C) The client exhibits decorticate rigidity.
• D) The client is alert but disoriented to time and place.
Answer: A) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
Rationale: A stuporous client requires vigorous or painful stimuli to elicit
a response. GCS < 7 indicates a comatose state, and abnormal posturing
(decorticate/decerebrate) is seen in comatose clients, not stuporous
clients.
5. 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 laboratory findings.
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: The DSM-5 is used to identify mental health disorders,
establishes diagnostic criteria, and assists nurses in planning care. It
does not indicate recommended pharmacological treatment or expected
laboratory findings—those are determined by clinical guidelines and
individualized assessment.
, Page 4 of 49
6. A nurse in a mental health clinic is caring for a client who has bipolar
disorder and states, "I no longer take my medication because I like the
feeling of being manic." Which of the following responses by the nurse is
an example of therapeutic communication?
• A) "You should take your medication as prescribed."
• B) "You feel better when you don't take your medication?"
• C) "That is not a good reason to stop your medication."
• D) "What does your doctor think about that?"
Answer: B) "You feel better when you don't take your medication?"
Rationale: This response uses the therapeutic communication technique
of validating/clarifying the client's feelings. It acknowledges the client's
statement with an open-ended paraphrase and allows for further
exploration of the subject.
7. A nurse enters a client's room and observes that the client is agitated
and pacing rapidly. The client looks at the nurse and says, "Back off. Leave
me alone." What statement should the nurse make?
• A) "I demand that you calm down now. Your behavior is unacceptable."
• B) "I will close the door to provide privacy, and you can tell me what is
bothering you."
• C) "I will give you some space if you calm down. Tell me what is making
you feel so tense."
• D) "I will leave you alone for a few minutes while you try to control
yourself."
Answer: C) "I will give you some space if you calm down. Tell me what is
making you feel so tense."
Rationale: The nurse should remain at a safe distance, stay calm, and set
