ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam
2026–2027 (NGN) — 150-Question Practice Exam
Comprehensive Practice & Review Questions with Answers
Question 1 of 150
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly
licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching? (Select
all that apply.)
[ ] To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens.
[X] To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression.
[ ] To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence.
[ ] To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of
objects.
[ ] To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to
identify our most recent presidents.
Question 2 of 150
A client tells the nurse, "The FBI is following me and reading my
thoughts." Which is the MOST therapeutic response?
[X] "That must be very frightening for you."
[ ] "There is no FBI following you."
, [ ] "Why do you think the FBI would be interested in you?"
[ ] "You're safe here; no one can read your thoughts."
Question 3 of 150
A nurse is obtaining a mental health history from an older adult
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
[X] Interview the client in a private setting
[ ] Ask the client's family to answer all questions
[ ] Conduct the interview in a public waiting area
[ ] Avoid asking about sensitive topics
Question 4 of 150
A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned to the unit after
receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following
assessments is the nurse's priority?
[ ] First voiding
[ ] Short-term memory
[X] Presence of gag reflex
[ ] Return of bowel sounds
Question 5 of 150
A nurse is talking to a client following a group therapy session. The
client tells the nurse that the group leader seemed angry with the
,client during the session. Which of the following responses should
the nurse make?
[ ] "I'm sure the leader wasn't angry with you."
[ ] "You should bring this up at the next group session."
[X] "What made you think the leader was angry?"
[ ] "Let's talk about something else to distract you."
Question 6 of 150
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct
an initial client interview. When conducting the interview, which of
the following actions should the nurse identify as the priority?
[ ] Coordinate holistic care with social services.
[X] Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
[ ] Include the client's family in the interview.
[ ] Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Question 7 of 150
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing active auditory
hallucinations. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
[ ] Avoid asking direct questions about the client's experience
[ ] Convey sympathy for the client's experience
[ ] Tell the client her experience is not real
, [X] Focus the client on reality-based activities
Question 8 of 150
A nurse is admitting a client who has schizophrenia to an acute care
setting. When the nurse questions the client regarding their
admission, the client states, "I'm red, in the head and I am going to
bed." The nurse should document the client's speech pattern as
which of the following?
[X] Clang associations
[ ] Echolalia
[ ] Neologisms
[ ] Word salad
Question 9 of 150
A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone, but I hid a sharp knife
under my mattress in order to protect myself from my roommate,
who is always yelling at me and threatening me." Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
[ ] Keep the client's communication confidential
[ ] Watch the client and roommate closely without intervening
[X] Tell the client this must be reported to the healthcare team
[ ] Confiscate the knife without discussing it with the client
2026–2027 (NGN) — 150-Question Practice Exam
Comprehensive Practice & Review Questions with Answers
Question 1 of 150
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly
licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching? (Select
all that apply.)
[ ] To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens.
[X] To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression.
[ ] To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence.
[ ] To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of
objects.
[ ] To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to
identify our most recent presidents.
Question 2 of 150
A client tells the nurse, "The FBI is following me and reading my
thoughts." Which is the MOST therapeutic response?
[X] "That must be very frightening for you."
[ ] "There is no FBI following you."
, [ ] "Why do you think the FBI would be interested in you?"
[ ] "You're safe here; no one can read your thoughts."
Question 3 of 150
A nurse is obtaining a mental health history from an older adult
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
[X] Interview the client in a private setting
[ ] Ask the client's family to answer all questions
[ ] Conduct the interview in a public waiting area
[ ] Avoid asking about sensitive topics
Question 4 of 150
A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned to the unit after
receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following
assessments is the nurse's priority?
[ ] First voiding
[ ] Short-term memory
[X] Presence of gag reflex
[ ] Return of bowel sounds
Question 5 of 150
A nurse is talking to a client following a group therapy session. The
client tells the nurse that the group leader seemed angry with the
,client during the session. Which of the following responses should
the nurse make?
[ ] "I'm sure the leader wasn't angry with you."
[ ] "You should bring this up at the next group session."
[X] "What made you think the leader was angry?"
[ ] "Let's talk about something else to distract you."
Question 6 of 150
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct
an initial client interview. When conducting the interview, which of
the following actions should the nurse identify as the priority?
[ ] Coordinate holistic care with social services.
[X] Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
[ ] Include the client's family in the interview.
[ ] Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Question 7 of 150
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing active auditory
hallucinations. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
[ ] Avoid asking direct questions about the client's experience
[ ] Convey sympathy for the client's experience
[ ] Tell the client her experience is not real
, [X] Focus the client on reality-based activities
Question 8 of 150
A nurse is admitting a client who has schizophrenia to an acute care
setting. When the nurse questions the client regarding their
admission, the client states, "I'm red, in the head and I am going to
bed." The nurse should document the client's speech pattern as
which of the following?
[X] Clang associations
[ ] Echolalia
[ ] Neologisms
[ ] Word salad
Question 9 of 150
A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone, but I hid a sharp knife
under my mattress in order to protect myself from my roommate,
who is always yelling at me and threatening me." Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
[ ] Keep the client's communication confidential
[ ] Watch the client and roommate closely without intervening
[X] Tell the client this must be reported to the healthcare team
[ ] Confiscate the knife without discussing it with the client
