ATI PN MENTAL HEALTH CMS 2026
PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF
Core Domains
Therapeutic Communication and Nurse-Client Relationship
Mood Disorders and Suicide Risk
Anxiety, Trauma, and Stressor-Related Disorders
Psychotic Disorders and Psychopharmacology
Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
Personality and Eating Disorders
Legal, Ethical, and Cultural Considerations
Crisis Intervention and Safety
Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Clinical Judgment Scenarios
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the practical nursing
student's mastery of psychiatric-mental health nursing concepts
essential for entry-level practice. The assessment evaluates clinical
judgment, therapeutic communication, crisis intervention,
psychopharmacology, and legal/ethical responsibilities required for
practical nursing practice in mental health settings. Questions are
formatted to mirror the actual ATI PN Mental Health CMS Proctored
Assessment, including multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, and
Next Generation NCLEX-style case scenarios. Emphasis is placed on
real-world application, priority safety concerns, and decision-
making in diverse mental health settings.
,Question 1
A practical nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major depressive
disorder. Which finding requires the highest priority intervention?
A. The client refuses breakfast.
B. The client remains isolated in the room.
C. The client states, "Everyone would be better off without me."
D. The client reports difficulty sleeping.
C. The client states, "Everyone would be better off without me."
RATIONALE: A statement suggesting hopelessness or that others
would be better off without the client indicates possible suicidal
ideation. Safety is always the nurse's priority. Nutritional deficits,
isolation, and insomnia require intervention but are secondary to suicide
risk .
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer haloperidol to a client experiencing
acute psychosis. Which assessment should be completed first?
A. Visual acuity
B. Blood glucose level
C. Presence of extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Hearing ability
C. Presence of extrapyramidal symptoms
RATIONALE: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic
associated with extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). The nurse should
assess for EPS before administration to establish a baseline and monitor
for adverse effects .
Question 3
,A client with major depressive disorder says, "Nothing matters
anymore." Which is the best response?
A. "You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
C. "I understand how you feel."
D. "Why do you feel that way?"
B. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
RATIONALE: The priority is to assess for suicidal ideation. Asking
directly about self-harm is essential for safety. Option A minimizes
feelings; option C is nontherapeutic (assuming understanding); option D
asks "why," which can seem judgmental .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is in a manic
phase. Which intervention is most important?
A. Encourage group activities.
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods.
C. Limit physical activity.
D. Offer detailed explanations of rules.
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods.
RATIONALE: Manic clients may not sit for meals and can expend
many calories. Finger foods allow eating on the move. Group activities
may overstimulate; physical activity is not limited but should be
structured; detailed explanations may not be attended to .
Question 5
A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning my
food." Which is the best response?
, A. "That's not true. The CIA doesn't care about you."
B. "I know you believe that, but I don't see evidence of poison."
C. "You must be very scared. Let's check your food together."
D. "Let's talk about something else."
B. "I know you believe that, but I don't see evidence of poison."
RATIONALE: Acknowledging the client's belief without reinforcing
the delusion is therapeutic. Option C may reinforce the delusion; option
A is argumentative; option D dismisses the client's concern .
Question 6
Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client experiencing
auditory hallucinations?
A. Encourage the client to obey the voices.
B. Ask what the voices are saying and assess for commands to harm self
or others.
C. Tell the client the voices are imaginary.
D. Ignore the client's comments.
B. Ask what the voices are saying and assess for commands to harm
self or others.
RATIONALE: Assessing the content of hallucinations determines
whether they include command hallucinations, which may pose an
immediate safety risk .
Question 7
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed
nurse. Which statements by the newly licensed nurse indicate an
understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Core Domains
Therapeutic Communication and Nurse-Client Relationship
Mood Disorders and Suicide Risk
Anxiety, Trauma, and Stressor-Related Disorders
Psychotic Disorders and Psychopharmacology
Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
Personality and Eating Disorders
Legal, Ethical, and Cultural Considerations
Crisis Intervention and Safety
Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Clinical Judgment Scenarios
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the practical nursing
student's mastery of psychiatric-mental health nursing concepts
essential for entry-level practice. The assessment evaluates clinical
judgment, therapeutic communication, crisis intervention,
psychopharmacology, and legal/ethical responsibilities required for
practical nursing practice in mental health settings. Questions are
formatted to mirror the actual ATI PN Mental Health CMS Proctored
Assessment, including multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, and
Next Generation NCLEX-style case scenarios. Emphasis is placed on
real-world application, priority safety concerns, and decision-
making in diverse mental health settings.
,Question 1
A practical nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major depressive
disorder. Which finding requires the highest priority intervention?
A. The client refuses breakfast.
B. The client remains isolated in the room.
C. The client states, "Everyone would be better off without me."
D. The client reports difficulty sleeping.
C. The client states, "Everyone would be better off without me."
RATIONALE: A statement suggesting hopelessness or that others
would be better off without the client indicates possible suicidal
ideation. Safety is always the nurse's priority. Nutritional deficits,
isolation, and insomnia require intervention but are secondary to suicide
risk .
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer haloperidol to a client experiencing
acute psychosis. Which assessment should be completed first?
A. Visual acuity
B. Blood glucose level
C. Presence of extrapyramidal symptoms
D. Hearing ability
C. Presence of extrapyramidal symptoms
RATIONALE: Haloperidol is a first-generation antipsychotic
associated with extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). The nurse should
assess for EPS before administration to establish a baseline and monitor
for adverse effects .
Question 3
,A client with major depressive disorder says, "Nothing matters
anymore." Which is the best response?
A. "You have so much to live for."
B. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
C. "I understand how you feel."
D. "Why do you feel that way?"
B. "Are you thinking of harming yourself?"
RATIONALE: The priority is to assess for suicidal ideation. Asking
directly about self-harm is essential for safety. Option A minimizes
feelings; option C is nontherapeutic (assuming understanding); option D
asks "why," which can seem judgmental .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder who is in a manic
phase. Which intervention is most important?
A. Encourage group activities.
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods.
C. Limit physical activity.
D. Offer detailed explanations of rules.
B. Provide high-calorie finger foods.
RATIONALE: Manic clients may not sit for meals and can expend
many calories. Finger foods allow eating on the move. Group activities
may overstimulate; physical activity is not limited but should be
structured; detailed explanations may not be attended to .
Question 5
A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The CIA is poisoning my
food." Which is the best response?
, A. "That's not true. The CIA doesn't care about you."
B. "I know you believe that, but I don't see evidence of poison."
C. "You must be very scared. Let's check your food together."
D. "Let's talk about something else."
B. "I know you believe that, but I don't see evidence of poison."
RATIONALE: Acknowledging the client's belief without reinforcing
the delusion is therapeutic. Option C may reinforce the delusion; option
A is argumentative; option D dismisses the client's concern .
Question 6
Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client experiencing
auditory hallucinations?
A. Encourage the client to obey the voices.
B. Ask what the voices are saying and assess for commands to harm self
or others.
C. Tell the client the voices are imaginary.
D. Ignore the client's comments.
B. Ask what the voices are saying and assess for commands to harm
self or others.
RATIONALE: Assessing the content of hallucinations determines
whether they include command hallucinations, which may pose an
immediate safety risk .
Question 7
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed
nurse. Which statements by the newly licensed nurse indicate an
understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
