ATI RN Mental Health Proctored-2019 (Questions
and Answers, Download for an A score)
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing (Q1-25)
1. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination on a newly admitted client.
Which technique should the nurse use to assess the client's remote memory?
A. Ask the client to repeat three objects immediately after hearing them
B. Instruct the client to count backward by 7 starting from 100
C. Ask the client to recall a significant historical event or personal past experience
D. Have the client write a complete sentence about any topic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Remote memory involves recalling past events and experiences
stored over a long period. Asking a client to recall a significant historical event or
personal past experience directly evaluates remote memory function. Option A
assesses immediate memory, Option B assesses concentration and cognitive
ability, and Option D assesses language ability.
2. During a therapeutic interaction, a client states, "I just can't sleep at night. I
keep tossing and turning." Which response by the nurse demonstrates the
therapeutic communication technique of restating?
A. "Why do you think you're having trouble sleeping?"
B. "You are having difficulty sleeping?"
C. "Tell me more about what's been happening at night."
D. "I understand how frustrating that must be for you."
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Restating involves repeating the main idea of what the client has
said using similar or identical words to convey understanding and encourage
further exploration. Option A uses a "why" question which can make the client
defensive. Option C demonstrates clarification. Option D demonstrates empathy,
not restating.
3. A client diagnosed with cancer tells the nurse, "It's just a bad cold. The tests
are probably wrong." Which defense mechanism is the client using?
A. Rationalization
B. Repression
C. Denial
D. Displacement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Denial is the defense mechanism in which a person refuses to
acknowledge the reality of a painful or threatening situation, attributing
symptoms to a less serious cause. Rationalization involves creating logical
explanations for unacceptable behavior. Repression is the unconscious exclusion
of unpleasant experiences. Displacement redirects emotions to a safer substitute
target.
4. A psychiatric-mental health nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship
with a client. During which phase of the nurse-client relationship should the
nurse primarily focus on establishing trust and setting the framework for the
relationship?
A. Pre-interaction phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Working phase
,D. Termination phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase (also called the introductory phase) is the
first phase of the nurse-client relationship where the primary focus is on
establishing trust, rapport, and setting the contractual framework. The pre-
interaction phase occurs before meeting the client. The working phase focuses on
problem-solving. The termination phase focuses on summarizing progress and
saying goodbye.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I was attacked last year, but I
honestly cannot remember any of the details." Which defense mechanism is the
client most likely demonstrating?
A. Denial
B. Suppression
C. Repression
D. Projection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Repression is the involuntary blocking of unpleasant memories
from conscious awareness, often seen after trauma. The client genuinely cannot
recall the traumatic event. Denial involves refusing to acknowledge reality.
Suppression is the voluntary exclusion of unacceptable thoughts. Projection
involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings to another person.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. During the initial
interview, the client takes off his belt and screams, "A snake!" Which of the
following responses is appropriate?
A. "That is your belt, not a snake."
, B. "I know you are scared. That is a belt, not a snake."
C. "You need to calm down and sit down."
D. "Stop screaming, you are frightening the other clients."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's fear and presents reality in
a non-threatening manner. Option A dismisses the client's feelings. Option C is
commanding and dismissive. Option D focuses on other clients rather than the
client's distress and uses a commanding tone.
7. A nurse is working with a client who is withdrawn and uncommunicative.
Which nursing intervention is most likely to encourage communication?
A. Staying with the client and acknowledging the client's presence
B. Asking open-ended questions about why the client is upset
C. Encouraging the client to participate in group activities
D. Leaving the client alone until they are ready to talk
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sitting with the client and acknowledging their presence
demonstrates acceptance and builds trust without overwhelming the client.
Option B may be too demanding for a withdrawn client. Option C may increase
anxiety. Option D abandons the client and does not facilitate communication.
8. A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go on anymore." Which is the most
therapeutic response?
A. "You have so much to live for."
B. "Why would you say something like that?"
and Answers, Download for an A score)
Section 1: Foundations of Psychiatric Nursing (Q1-25)
1. A nurse is conducting a mental status examination on a newly admitted client.
Which technique should the nurse use to assess the client's remote memory?
A. Ask the client to repeat three objects immediately after hearing them
B. Instruct the client to count backward by 7 starting from 100
C. Ask the client to recall a significant historical event or personal past experience
D. Have the client write a complete sentence about any topic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Remote memory involves recalling past events and experiences
stored over a long period. Asking a client to recall a significant historical event or
personal past experience directly evaluates remote memory function. Option A
assesses immediate memory, Option B assesses concentration and cognitive
ability, and Option D assesses language ability.
2. During a therapeutic interaction, a client states, "I just can't sleep at night. I
keep tossing and turning." Which response by the nurse demonstrates the
therapeutic communication technique of restating?
A. "Why do you think you're having trouble sleeping?"
B. "You are having difficulty sleeping?"
C. "Tell me more about what's been happening at night."
D. "I understand how frustrating that must be for you."
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Restating involves repeating the main idea of what the client has
said using similar or identical words to convey understanding and encourage
further exploration. Option A uses a "why" question which can make the client
defensive. Option C demonstrates clarification. Option D demonstrates empathy,
not restating.
3. A client diagnosed with cancer tells the nurse, "It's just a bad cold. The tests
are probably wrong." Which defense mechanism is the client using?
A. Rationalization
B. Repression
C. Denial
D. Displacement
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Denial is the defense mechanism in which a person refuses to
acknowledge the reality of a painful or threatening situation, attributing
symptoms to a less serious cause. Rationalization involves creating logical
explanations for unacceptable behavior. Repression is the unconscious exclusion
of unpleasant experiences. Displacement redirects emotions to a safer substitute
target.
4. A psychiatric-mental health nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship
with a client. During which phase of the nurse-client relationship should the
nurse primarily focus on establishing trust and setting the framework for the
relationship?
A. Pre-interaction phase
B. Orientation phase
C. Working phase
,D. Termination phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The orientation phase (also called the introductory phase) is the
first phase of the nurse-client relationship where the primary focus is on
establishing trust, rapport, and setting the contractual framework. The pre-
interaction phase occurs before meeting the client. The working phase focuses on
problem-solving. The termination phase focuses on summarizing progress and
saying goodbye.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I was attacked last year, but I
honestly cannot remember any of the details." Which defense mechanism is the
client most likely demonstrating?
A. Denial
B. Suppression
C. Repression
D. Projection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Repression is the involuntary blocking of unpleasant memories
from conscious awareness, often seen after trauma. The client genuinely cannot
recall the traumatic event. Denial involves refusing to acknowledge reality.
Suppression is the voluntary exclusion of unacceptable thoughts. Projection
involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings to another person.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia. During the initial
interview, the client takes off his belt and screams, "A snake!" Which of the
following responses is appropriate?
A. "That is your belt, not a snake."
, B. "I know you are scared. That is a belt, not a snake."
C. "You need to calm down and sit down."
D. "Stop screaming, you are frightening the other clients."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's fear and presents reality in
a non-threatening manner. Option A dismisses the client's feelings. Option C is
commanding and dismissive. Option D focuses on other clients rather than the
client's distress and uses a commanding tone.
7. A nurse is working with a client who is withdrawn and uncommunicative.
Which nursing intervention is most likely to encourage communication?
A. Staying with the client and acknowledging the client's presence
B. Asking open-ended questions about why the client is upset
C. Encouraging the client to participate in group activities
D. Leaving the client alone until they are ready to talk
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sitting with the client and acknowledging their presence
demonstrates acceptance and builds trust without overwhelming the client.
Option B may be too demanding for a withdrawn client. Option C may increase
anxiety. Option D abandons the client and does not facilitate communication.
8. A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go on anymore." Which is the most
therapeutic response?
A. "You have so much to live for."
B. "Why would you say something like that?"
