ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following st
atements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply)
. - CORRECT ANSWER --To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens."
-To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression.
-To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a sentence."
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder. Which of the following actions sh
ould the nurse include as a psychobiological intervention? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an initial client interview. When co
nducting the interview, which of the following actions should the nurse identify as the priority? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is stuporous. When assessing the client, which
of the following findings should the nurse expect? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
ABnurse is planning a peer group discussion about the DSM-
5. Which of the following information is appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that apply) -
CORRECT ANSWER -The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental health disorders.
-The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who have mental health disorders.
-The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings of mental health disorders.
ABnurse in an emergency mental health facility is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should identify
that which of the following clients requires a temporary emergency admission? - CORRECT ANSWER -
ABclient who has borderline personality disorder and assaulted a homeless man with a metal rod
ABnurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in seclusion overnight because the unit is v
ery short-
staffed, and the client frequently fights with other clients. The nurse's actions are an example of which o
f the following torts? - CORRECT ANSWER -False imprisonment
,A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress in order to protect my
self from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and threatening me." Which of the following action
s should the nurse take? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the intention to do so.
ABnurse is caring for a client who is in mechanical restraints. Which of the followingBstatements should t
he nurse include in the documentation? (Select all that apply) - CORRECT ANSWER --
Client was offered 8 oz of water every hr."
-Client shouted obscenities at assistive personnel."
-Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg by mouth at 1000.
ABnurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's hallucinations in the hallway with another nur
se. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Tell the nurse to stop discussing the behavior
ABnurse is caring for the parents of a child who has demonstrated changes in behavior and mood. When
the mother of the child asks the nurse for reassurance about her son's condition, which of the followin
g responses should the nurse make? - CORRECT ANSWER -
I understand you're concerned. Let's discuss what concerns you specifically."
A nurse is caring for a client who smokesBand has lung cancer. The client reports, "I'm coughing because
I have that cold that everyone has been getting." The nurse should identify that the client is using which
of the following defense mechanisms? - CORRECT ANSWER -Denial
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who was just informed that she requires emergen
cy surgery. The client has a respiratory rate 30/min and says, "This is difficult to comprehend. I feel shak
y and nervous." The nurse should identify that the client is experiencing which of the following levels of
anxiety? - CORRECT ANSWER -Moderate
ABnurse is caring for a client who is experiencing moderate anxiety. Which of the following actions shoul
d the nurse take when trying to give necessary information to the client? (Select all that apply.) -
CORRECT ANSWER --Discuss prior use of coping mechanisms with the client.
-Demonstrate a calm manner while using simple and clear directions.
, ABnurse is talking with a client who is at risk for suicide following the death of his spouse. Which of the f
ollowing statements should the nurse make? - CORRECT ANSWER --
Losing someone close to you must be very upsetting."
ABcharge nurse is discussing the characteristics of a nurse-
client relationship with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse i
nclude in the discussion? (Select all that apply) - CORRECT ANSWER --It is goal-directed.
-Behavioral change is encouraged.
-A termination date is established.
ABnurse is in the working phase of a therapeutic relationship with a client who has methamphetamine u
se disorder. Which of the following actions indicates transference behavior? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The client accuses the nurses of telling him what to do just like his ex-girlfriend.
ABnurse is planning care for the termination phase of a nurse-
client relationship. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Discussing ways to use new behaviors
ABnurse is orienting a new client to a mental health unit. When explaining the unit's community meeting
s, which of the following statements should the nurse make? - CORRECT ANSWER -
You and the other clients will meet with staff to discuss common problems.
ABnurse is caring several clients who are attending community-
based mental health programs. Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to visit first? -
CORRECT ANSWER -
A client who says he is hearing a voice that tells him he is not worth living anymore.
A community mental health nurse isBplanning care to address the issue of depression among older adult
clients in the community. Which of the followingBinterventions should the nurse plan as a method of te
rtiary prevention? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Establishing rehabilitation programs to decrease the effects of depression
A nurse is working in a community mental health facility. Which of the following services does this type
of program provide? (Select all that apply) - CORRECT ANSWER --Educational groups
-Medication dispensing programs
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following st
atements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply)
. - CORRECT ANSWER --To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens."
-To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression.
-To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a sentence."
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder. Which of the following actions sh
ould the nurse include as a psychobiological intervention? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an initial client interview. When co
nducting the interview, which of the following actions should the nurse identify as the priority? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is stuporous. When assessing the client, which
of the following findings should the nurse expect? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
ABnurse is planning a peer group discussion about the DSM-
5. Which of the following information is appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that apply) -
CORRECT ANSWER -The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental health disorders.
-The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who have mental health disorders.
-The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings of mental health disorders.
ABnurse in an emergency mental health facility is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should identify
that which of the following clients requires a temporary emergency admission? - CORRECT ANSWER -
ABclient who has borderline personality disorder and assaulted a homeless man with a metal rod
ABnurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in seclusion overnight because the unit is v
ery short-
staffed, and the client frequently fights with other clients. The nurse's actions are an example of which o
f the following torts? - CORRECT ANSWER -False imprisonment
,A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress in order to protect my
self from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and threatening me." Which of the following action
s should the nurse take? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the intention to do so.
ABnurse is caring for a client who is in mechanical restraints. Which of the followingBstatements should t
he nurse include in the documentation? (Select all that apply) - CORRECT ANSWER --
Client was offered 8 oz of water every hr."
-Client shouted obscenities at assistive personnel."
-Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg by mouth at 1000.
ABnurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's hallucinations in the hallway with another nur
se. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Tell the nurse to stop discussing the behavior
ABnurse is caring for the parents of a child who has demonstrated changes in behavior and mood. When
the mother of the child asks the nurse for reassurance about her son's condition, which of the followin
g responses should the nurse make? - CORRECT ANSWER -
I understand you're concerned. Let's discuss what concerns you specifically."
A nurse is caring for a client who smokesBand has lung cancer. The client reports, "I'm coughing because
I have that cold that everyone has been getting." The nurse should identify that the client is using which
of the following defense mechanisms? - CORRECT ANSWER -Denial
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who was just informed that she requires emergen
cy surgery. The client has a respiratory rate 30/min and says, "This is difficult to comprehend. I feel shak
y and nervous." The nurse should identify that the client is experiencing which of the following levels of
anxiety? - CORRECT ANSWER -Moderate
ABnurse is caring for a client who is experiencing moderate anxiety. Which of the following actions shoul
d the nurse take when trying to give necessary information to the client? (Select all that apply.) -
CORRECT ANSWER --Discuss prior use of coping mechanisms with the client.
-Demonstrate a calm manner while using simple and clear directions.
, ABnurse is talking with a client who is at risk for suicide following the death of his spouse. Which of the f
ollowing statements should the nurse make? - CORRECT ANSWER --
Losing someone close to you must be very upsetting."
ABcharge nurse is discussing the characteristics of a nurse-
client relationship with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse i
nclude in the discussion? (Select all that apply) - CORRECT ANSWER --It is goal-directed.
-Behavioral change is encouraged.
-A termination date is established.
ABnurse is in the working phase of a therapeutic relationship with a client who has methamphetamine u
se disorder. Which of the following actions indicates transference behavior? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The client accuses the nurses of telling him what to do just like his ex-girlfriend.
ABnurse is planning care for the termination phase of a nurse-
client relationship. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Discussing ways to use new behaviors
ABnurse is orienting a new client to a mental health unit. When explaining the unit's community meeting
s, which of the following statements should the nurse make? - CORRECT ANSWER -
You and the other clients will meet with staff to discuss common problems.
ABnurse is caring several clients who are attending community-
based mental health programs. Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to visit first? -
CORRECT ANSWER -
A client who says he is hearing a voice that tells him he is not worth living anymore.
A community mental health nurse isBplanning care to address the issue of depression among older adult
clients in the community. Which of the followingBinterventions should the nurse plan as a method of te
rtiary prevention? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Establishing rehabilitation programs to decrease the effects of depression
A nurse is working in a community mental health facility. Which of the following services does this type
of program provide? (Select all that apply) - CORRECT ANSWER --Educational groups
-Medication dispensing programs
