ATI MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED DETAILED ANSWERS
⩥ A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking bupropion.
Which of the following findings indicates the medications is effective?
Answer: Decrease in urge to smoke
Bupropion is an antidepressant that is also used for smoking cessation.
⩥ A nurse is evaluating the outcome for a client who has depression
following the death of his wife 3 months ago. Which of the following
client statements indicates a need for further intervention? Answer: "I
just don't feel like eating because I never like to eat alone."
At risk for malnutrition and injury.
⩥ A nurse in a long-term care setting is caring for a client who has
Alzheimer's disease. The client states, "I just came back from a hard
day's work in my office." The nurse should identify this statement is an
example of which of the following coping mechanisms? Answer:
Confabulation
,Confabulation is the creation of information which is untrue to fill in
gaps in memory and to protect self-esteem in clients who have dementia.
⩥ A nurse is planning care for a new client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take in order to use the technique of
presence to establish the nurse- client relationship? Answer: Use active
listening when with the client.
The nurse should use active listening to establish presence with the
client. presence involves eye contact, body language, voice tone,
listening, and reflection to convay openness and understanding.
⩥ A nurse is assessing a client in the emergency department who drank
alcohol while taking disulfiram. The client states, "The nurse told me not
to drink when taking the medication. I am just a social drinker. I didn't
realize that having just one drink with my friends would cause such a
problem." Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client
demonstrating? Answer: Rationalization
The client is demonstrating rationalization when he creates reasonable
and acceptable explanations for unacceptable behavior. The client is
using rationalization asa defense mechanisms to justify why he had just
one drink. Even though the nurse told him not to drink alcohol.
,⩥ A nurse is caring for a group of older adult clients. Which of the
following client findings indicates delirium? Answer: A client asks when
family members will be arriving after visiting 1 hr earlier.
Delirium is characterized by a change in cognition that occurs over a
short period of time. It always results from secondary physiological
condition, ( infection, surgery, prolonged hospitalization, hypoxia, fever,
medication) and is a transient disorder. Although delirium can occur at
any age, it is more common in older adults. It frequently progresses in
the evening hours and is sometimes called "sundown syndrome"
⩥ A nurse is collecting data from a client newly admitted for anorexia
nervousa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Answer: Amenorrhea
The nurse should expect the client to report amenorrhea due to low body
weight.
⩥ A nurse is collecting data from a client who has bipolar disorder with
main. Which of the following findings is the nurse's priority? Answer:
The client paces in the hallway during the day and most of the night.
When using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the nurse determines that the
priority findings is the client's physiological need for rest and food.
Nonstop activity is an emergency situation for a client who has mania,
since the client might go for long periods without eating or sleep.
, ⩥ A nurse is preparing to assist with the care of a client of a client who
is undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following
pieces of equipment should the nurse set up in the room prior to the
treatment? SATA Answer: - Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor.
The provider will monitor the client's brainwave patterns during the
procedure.
- Oxygen saturation monitor
The client requires continuous oxygen saturation monitoring because she
will receive a short-acting barbiturate to induce sleep and a muscle-
paralyzing agent to prevent muscle distress and injury.
-Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor.
The provider will monitor the client's cardiac response during the
procedure.
⩥ A nurse is assisting with a family therapy session for parents and 2
school-age children. Which of the following statements should the nurse
recognize as an example of effective communication among family
members? Answer: "Can you tell me the reason you get upset each time
I go to the mall?"
This is an expel of effective and healthy communication. Healthy
communication expresses clear, understandable messages between
ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED DETAILED ANSWERS
⩥ A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking bupropion.
Which of the following findings indicates the medications is effective?
Answer: Decrease in urge to smoke
Bupropion is an antidepressant that is also used for smoking cessation.
⩥ A nurse is evaluating the outcome for a client who has depression
following the death of his wife 3 months ago. Which of the following
client statements indicates a need for further intervention? Answer: "I
just don't feel like eating because I never like to eat alone."
At risk for malnutrition and injury.
⩥ A nurse in a long-term care setting is caring for a client who has
Alzheimer's disease. The client states, "I just came back from a hard
day's work in my office." The nurse should identify this statement is an
example of which of the following coping mechanisms? Answer:
Confabulation
,Confabulation is the creation of information which is untrue to fill in
gaps in memory and to protect self-esteem in clients who have dementia.
⩥ A nurse is planning care for a new client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take in order to use the technique of
presence to establish the nurse- client relationship? Answer: Use active
listening when with the client.
The nurse should use active listening to establish presence with the
client. presence involves eye contact, body language, voice tone,
listening, and reflection to convay openness and understanding.
⩥ A nurse is assessing a client in the emergency department who drank
alcohol while taking disulfiram. The client states, "The nurse told me not
to drink when taking the medication. I am just a social drinker. I didn't
realize that having just one drink with my friends would cause such a
problem." Which of the following defense mechanisms is the client
demonstrating? Answer: Rationalization
The client is demonstrating rationalization when he creates reasonable
and acceptable explanations for unacceptable behavior. The client is
using rationalization asa defense mechanisms to justify why he had just
one drink. Even though the nurse told him not to drink alcohol.
,⩥ A nurse is caring for a group of older adult clients. Which of the
following client findings indicates delirium? Answer: A client asks when
family members will be arriving after visiting 1 hr earlier.
Delirium is characterized by a change in cognition that occurs over a
short period of time. It always results from secondary physiological
condition, ( infection, surgery, prolonged hospitalization, hypoxia, fever,
medication) and is a transient disorder. Although delirium can occur at
any age, it is more common in older adults. It frequently progresses in
the evening hours and is sometimes called "sundown syndrome"
⩥ A nurse is collecting data from a client newly admitted for anorexia
nervousa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Answer: Amenorrhea
The nurse should expect the client to report amenorrhea due to low body
weight.
⩥ A nurse is collecting data from a client who has bipolar disorder with
main. Which of the following findings is the nurse's priority? Answer:
The client paces in the hallway during the day and most of the night.
When using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the nurse determines that the
priority findings is the client's physiological need for rest and food.
Nonstop activity is an emergency situation for a client who has mania,
since the client might go for long periods without eating or sleep.
, ⩥ A nurse is preparing to assist with the care of a client of a client who
is undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which of the following
pieces of equipment should the nurse set up in the room prior to the
treatment? SATA Answer: - Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor.
The provider will monitor the client's brainwave patterns during the
procedure.
- Oxygen saturation monitor
The client requires continuous oxygen saturation monitoring because she
will receive a short-acting barbiturate to induce sleep and a muscle-
paralyzing agent to prevent muscle distress and injury.
-Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor.
The provider will monitor the client's cardiac response during the
procedure.
⩥ A nurse is assisting with a family therapy session for parents and 2
school-age children. Which of the following statements should the nurse
recognize as an example of effective communication among family
members? Answer: "Can you tell me the reason you get upset each time
I go to the mall?"
This is an expel of effective and healthy communication. Healthy
communication expresses clear, understandable messages between
