ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam
2026 with NGN: 70 Exam Questions and
Answers
Section I: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is reviewing the concept of the therapeutic milieu. Which of the
following are components of a therapeutic milieu? (SATA)
• A. Safety and structure
• B. Open communication
• C. Restrictive visitation
• D. Client involvement in decision-making
• E. Promotion of independence
Correct answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: A therapeutic milieu includes safety, structure, open
communication, client involvement, and promotion of independence. Restrictive
visitation is not a component of a therapeutic milieu; it may be used in specific
situations but is not a defining characteristic.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with a mental illness.
Which of the following best describes the concept of stigma?
• A. A legal restriction placed on clients with mental illness
• B. A negative stereotype leading to discrimination
• C. A clinical diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria
• D. A voluntary admission to a psychiatric facility
, Correct answer: B
Rationale: Stigma refers to negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination
directed toward individuals with mental illness. It is not a legal restriction,
diagnosis, or admission type.
3. A nurse is discussing the DSM-5-TR with a group of nursing students. Which of
the following statements indicates understanding?
• A. "The DSM-5-TR provides nursing diagnoses for psychiatric clients."
• B. "The DSM-5-TR is used to diagnose medical conditions only."
• C. "The DSM-5-TR provides criteria for diagnosing mental disorders."
• D. "The DSM-5-TR replaces the need for a nursing assessment."
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR is the standard classification system used by mental
health professionals to diagnose mental disorders. It does not provide nursing
diagnoses, is not limited to medical conditions, and does not replace nursing
assessment.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a mental health crisis. Which
of the following is the priority nursing action?
• A. Obtain a detailed psychosocial history
• B. Ensure the client's safety
• C. Administer PRN medication
• D. Document the client's behavior
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Safety is the priority in any crisis situation. Maslow's hierarchy
,places safety and physiological needs first. Obtaining history, administering
medication, and documentation are important but secondary to ensuring safety.
5. A nurse is reviewing the concept of deinstitutionalization. Which of the
following is a consequence of this movement?
• A. Increased long-term psychiatric hospital admissions
• B. Decreased community mental health services
• C. Increased need for community-based care
• D. Elimination of mental health stigma
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Deinstitutionalization shifted care from long-term psychiatric
facilities to community-based settings, increasing the need for community mental
health services. It did not eliminate stigma or increase long-term admissions.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's mental status. Which of the following are
components of the mental status examination? (SATA)
• A. Appearance
• B. Mood and affect
• C. Blood glucose level
• D. Thought process
• E. Cognitive function
Correct answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: The mental status exam includes appearance, behavior, mood,
affect, thought process, thought content, cognition, and insight/judgment. Blood
glucose is a physical assessment, not part of the MSE.
, 7. A nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted involuntarily. Which of
the following client rights must be maintained?
• A. The right to refuse all treatment
• B. The right to leave the facility at any time
• C. The right to receive treatment in the least restrictive environment
• D. The right to have no visitors
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Clients have the right to treatment in the least restrictive
environment. Involuntary admission limits the right to leave, but clients retain
other rights. The right to refuse treatment may be limited in emergencies.
8. A nurse is explaining the concept of informed consent to a client. Which of the
following elements are required for informed consent? (SATA)
• A. The client must be competent
• B. The client must understand the procedure
• C. The client's family must agree
• D. The client must consent voluntarily
• E. The client must be informed of risks and benefits
Correct answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Informed consent requires competence, understanding,
voluntariness, and disclosure of risks/benefits. Family agreement is not required
for an adult competent client.
2026 with NGN: 70 Exam Questions and
Answers
Section I: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
1. A nurse is reviewing the concept of the therapeutic milieu. Which of the
following are components of a therapeutic milieu? (SATA)
• A. Safety and structure
• B. Open communication
• C. Restrictive visitation
• D. Client involvement in decision-making
• E. Promotion of independence
Correct answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: A therapeutic milieu includes safety, structure, open
communication, client involvement, and promotion of independence. Restrictive
visitation is not a component of a therapeutic milieu; it may be used in specific
situations but is not a defining characteristic.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with a mental illness.
Which of the following best describes the concept of stigma?
• A. A legal restriction placed on clients with mental illness
• B. A negative stereotype leading to discrimination
• C. A clinical diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria
• D. A voluntary admission to a psychiatric facility
, Correct answer: B
Rationale: Stigma refers to negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination
directed toward individuals with mental illness. It is not a legal restriction,
diagnosis, or admission type.
3. A nurse is discussing the DSM-5-TR with a group of nursing students. Which of
the following statements indicates understanding?
• A. "The DSM-5-TR provides nursing diagnoses for psychiatric clients."
• B. "The DSM-5-TR is used to diagnose medical conditions only."
• C. "The DSM-5-TR provides criteria for diagnosing mental disorders."
• D. "The DSM-5-TR replaces the need for a nursing assessment."
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The DSM-5-TR is the standard classification system used by mental
health professionals to diagnose mental disorders. It does not provide nursing
diagnoses, is not limited to medical conditions, and does not replace nursing
assessment.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a mental health crisis. Which
of the following is the priority nursing action?
• A. Obtain a detailed psychosocial history
• B. Ensure the client's safety
• C. Administer PRN medication
• D. Document the client's behavior
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Safety is the priority in any crisis situation. Maslow's hierarchy
,places safety and physiological needs first. Obtaining history, administering
medication, and documentation are important but secondary to ensuring safety.
5. A nurse is reviewing the concept of deinstitutionalization. Which of the
following is a consequence of this movement?
• A. Increased long-term psychiatric hospital admissions
• B. Decreased community mental health services
• C. Increased need for community-based care
• D. Elimination of mental health stigma
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Deinstitutionalization shifted care from long-term psychiatric
facilities to community-based settings, increasing the need for community mental
health services. It did not eliminate stigma or increase long-term admissions.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's mental status. Which of the following are
components of the mental status examination? (SATA)
• A. Appearance
• B. Mood and affect
• C. Blood glucose level
• D. Thought process
• E. Cognitive function
Correct answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: The mental status exam includes appearance, behavior, mood,
affect, thought process, thought content, cognition, and insight/judgment. Blood
glucose is a physical assessment, not part of the MSE.
, 7. A nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted involuntarily. Which of
the following client rights must be maintained?
• A. The right to refuse all treatment
• B. The right to leave the facility at any time
• C. The right to receive treatment in the least restrictive environment
• D. The right to have no visitors
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Clients have the right to treatment in the least restrictive
environment. Involuntary admission limits the right to leave, but clients retain
other rights. The right to refuse treatment may be limited in emergencies.
8. A nurse is explaining the concept of informed consent to a client. Which of the
following elements are required for informed consent? (SATA)
• A. The client must be competent
• B. The client must understand the procedure
• C. The client's family must agree
• D. The client must consent voluntarily
• E. The client must be informed of risks and benefits
Correct answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Informed consent requires competence, understanding,
voluntariness, and disclosure of risks/benefits. Family agreement is not required
for an adult competent client.
