2019 ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM
NEWEST VERSION LASTEST UPDATED ON ARPRIL
2024 WITH CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+
1.A client is fearful of driving and enters a behavioral therapy
program to help him overcome his anxiety. Using systematic
desensitization, he is able to drive down a familiar street without
experiencing a panic attack. The nurse should recognize that to
continue positive results, the client should participate in which of
the following?
a. Biofeedback
b. Therapist modeling
c. Frequent pacing
d. Positive reinforcement - correct answer✔✔a. Biofeedback
2. A nurse is counseling a client following the death of the client's
partner 8 months ago. Which of the following client statements
indicates maladaptive grieving?
a. "I am so sorry for the times I was angry with my partner."
b. "I like looking at his personal items in the closet."
c. "I find myself thinking about my partner often."
d. "I still don't feel up to returning to work." - correct answer✔✔d.
"I still don't feel up to returning to work."
Rationale: 8 months too long Maladaptive Grief: . Distorted or
exaggerated grief response - unable to
perform activities of daily living.
RISK FACTORS FOR MALADAPTIVE GRIEVING
●● Being dependent upon the deceased
,●● Unexpected death at a young age, through violence, or by a
socially unacceptable manner
●● Inadequate coping skills or lack of social support
●● Pre-existing mental health issues, such as depression or
substance use disorder
3./21 A nurse in an inpatient mental health facility is assessing a
client who has schizophrenia and is taking haloperidol
(antipsychotic,
1st gen).
Which of the following clinical findings is the nurse's priority?
a. Headache
b. Insomnia (sedation)
c. Urinary hesitancy (Complication → ANTIcholinergic effects)
d. High fever (Complication → agranulocytosis) - correct
answer✔✔d. High fever (Complication → agranulocytosis)
Other complications: Acute dystonia, Pseudoparkinsonism,
Akathisia, Tardive dyskinesia,
Neuroendocrine effects (Gynecomastia, Weight gain, Menstrual
irregularities), NMS,
Orthostatic Hypotension, Sedation, Sexual dysfunction, Skin
effects, Liver impairment
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has obsessive
compulsive disorder. Which of the following recommendations
should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?
a. Reality Orientation therapy (re-orient to reality)
b. Operant Conditioning (receives positive rewards for positive
behavior)
c. Thought Stopping (say "stop" when compulsive behaviors arise
& substitute
w/ positive thought)
, d. Validation Therapy (acknowledging pt's feelings) - correct
answer✔✔c. Thought Stopping (say "stop" when compulsive
behaviors arise & substitute
w/ positive thought)
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of
bipolar disorder. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
a. Provide in depth explanation of nursing expectations
(inability to focus - give concise explanations)
b. Encourage the client to participate in group activities
(decrease stimulation)
c. Avoid power struggles by remaining neutral (do not react
personally to pt's comments)
d. Allow the client to set limits for his behavior (nurse sets limits) -
correct answer✔✔c. Avoid power struggles by remaining neutral
(do not react
personally to pt's comments)
6. A nurse is providing behavioral therapy for a client who has
OCD. The client repeatedly checks that the doors are locked at
night. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give
the client when using thought stopping technique?
a. "Keep a journal of how often you check the locks each
night."
b. "Ask a family member to check the locks for you at night."
c. "Focus on abdominal breathing whenever you go to
check the locks."
d. "Snap a rubber band on your wrist when you think about
checking the locks." - correct answer✔✔d. "Snap a rubber band
on your wrist when you think about
checking the locks."
Thought stopping: teach pt to say "stop" when negative
NEWEST VERSION LASTEST UPDATED ON ARPRIL
2024 WITH CORRECT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+
1.A client is fearful of driving and enters a behavioral therapy
program to help him overcome his anxiety. Using systematic
desensitization, he is able to drive down a familiar street without
experiencing a panic attack. The nurse should recognize that to
continue positive results, the client should participate in which of
the following?
a. Biofeedback
b. Therapist modeling
c. Frequent pacing
d. Positive reinforcement - correct answer✔✔a. Biofeedback
2. A nurse is counseling a client following the death of the client's
partner 8 months ago. Which of the following client statements
indicates maladaptive grieving?
a. "I am so sorry for the times I was angry with my partner."
b. "I like looking at his personal items in the closet."
c. "I find myself thinking about my partner often."
d. "I still don't feel up to returning to work." - correct answer✔✔d.
"I still don't feel up to returning to work."
Rationale: 8 months too long Maladaptive Grief: . Distorted or
exaggerated grief response - unable to
perform activities of daily living.
RISK FACTORS FOR MALADAPTIVE GRIEVING
●● Being dependent upon the deceased
,●● Unexpected death at a young age, through violence, or by a
socially unacceptable manner
●● Inadequate coping skills or lack of social support
●● Pre-existing mental health issues, such as depression or
substance use disorder
3./21 A nurse in an inpatient mental health facility is assessing a
client who has schizophrenia and is taking haloperidol
(antipsychotic,
1st gen).
Which of the following clinical findings is the nurse's priority?
a. Headache
b. Insomnia (sedation)
c. Urinary hesitancy (Complication → ANTIcholinergic effects)
d. High fever (Complication → agranulocytosis) - correct
answer✔✔d. High fever (Complication → agranulocytosis)
Other complications: Acute dystonia, Pseudoparkinsonism,
Akathisia, Tardive dyskinesia,
Neuroendocrine effects (Gynecomastia, Weight gain, Menstrual
irregularities), NMS,
Orthostatic Hypotension, Sedation, Sexual dysfunction, Skin
effects, Liver impairment
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has obsessive
compulsive disorder. Which of the following recommendations
should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?
a. Reality Orientation therapy (re-orient to reality)
b. Operant Conditioning (receives positive rewards for positive
behavior)
c. Thought Stopping (say "stop" when compulsive behaviors arise
& substitute
w/ positive thought)
, d. Validation Therapy (acknowledging pt's feelings) - correct
answer✔✔c. Thought Stopping (say "stop" when compulsive
behaviors arise & substitute
w/ positive thought)
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of
bipolar disorder. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
a. Provide in depth explanation of nursing expectations
(inability to focus - give concise explanations)
b. Encourage the client to participate in group activities
(decrease stimulation)
c. Avoid power struggles by remaining neutral (do not react
personally to pt's comments)
d. Allow the client to set limits for his behavior (nurse sets limits) -
correct answer✔✔c. Avoid power struggles by remaining neutral
(do not react
personally to pt's comments)
6. A nurse is providing behavioral therapy for a client who has
OCD. The client repeatedly checks that the doors are locked at
night. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give
the client when using thought stopping technique?
a. "Keep a journal of how often you check the locks each
night."
b. "Ask a family member to check the locks for you at night."
c. "Focus on abdominal breathing whenever you go to
check the locks."
d. "Snap a rubber band on your wrist when you think about
checking the locks." - correct answer✔✔d. "Snap a rubber band
on your wrist when you think about
checking the locks."
Thought stopping: teach pt to say "stop" when negative
