ATI RN Mental Health Proctored Exam (13
LatestVersions, 2024/2025) / ATI Mental
Health Proctored Exam /Mental Health ATI
Proctored Exam (Complete Guide for
exam Preparation, 100% Correct Answers)
ATI Mental Health Practice Questions – Batch
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports feeling worthless and hopeless.
Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
✅
A) “Try to think positive thoughts.”
B) “I understand you feel hopeless; can you tell me more about these feelings?”
C) “Other patients have worse problems than you.”
D) “You should get out and exercise more.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves active listening and exploring feelings without
judgment. Encouraging the patient to share feelings helps build trust.
2. A nurse observes a patient pacing and clenching fists while waiting for a procedure.
The patient says, “I can’t take this anymore!” What is the priority action?
A) Ask the patient to calm down.
✅
B) Notify the provider immediately.
C) Assess for risk of self-harm.
D) Offer a warm drink.
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Assessing for self-harm risk is crucial before any intervention.
3. Which medication is classified as an SSRI?
✅
A) Lorazepam
B) Fluoxetine
,C) Haloperidol
D) Lithium
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed
for depression and anxiety disorders.
4. A patient with schizophrenia says, “The TV is sending me messages.” This is an
example of:
✅
A) Hallucination
B) Delusion
C) Obsession
D) Compulsion
Answer: B
Rationale: A delusion is a false fixed belief not based in reality. A hallucination is a sensory
perception without stimulus.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing a panic attack?
✅
A) Leave the patient alone to calm down
B) Encourage deep breathing and stay with the patient
C) Provide a high-stimulation environment
D) Offer psychoanalysis immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Staying with the patient and guiding slow breathing helps reduce panic and
provides reassurance.
6. A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What should the nurse do first?
✅
A) Encourage the patient to drink fluids
B) Assess for signs of lithium toxicity
C) Increase the dose
D) Advise a low-sodium diet
Answer: B
Rationale: GI upset, tremors, and confusion are early signs of lithium toxicity. Prompt
assessment is critical.
, 7. Which statement indicates a patient has insight into their anxiety disorder?
✅
A) “I can’t control my worry, it just happens.”
B) “I notice that my worry increases before big deadlines, so I try relaxation techniques.”
C) “Everyone thinks my worries are silly.”
D) “I will avoid all stressful situations forever.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Insight is shown when patients recognize triggers and apply coping strategies.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient with anorexia nervosa. Which intervention is priority?
✅
A) Encouraging group therapy
B) Monitoring vital signs and weight
C) Discussing body image concerns
D) Planning social activities
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical health and safety are the priority in severe malnutrition.
9. Which defense mechanism is described when a patient refuses to acknowledge they
have cancer?
✅
A) Projection
B) Denial
C) Regression
D) Rationalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Denial involves refusing to accept reality to avoid anxiety or distress.
10. A patient with PTSD is experiencing nightmares and flashbacks. Which intervention is
most therapeutic?
✅
A) Encourage avoidance of triggers
B) Provide grounding techniques and safe environment
C) Reassure that the past is gone
D) Prescribe opioids
Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques help the patient focus on the present and feel safe.
LatestVersions, 2024/2025) / ATI Mental
Health Proctored Exam /Mental Health ATI
Proctored Exam (Complete Guide for
exam Preparation, 100% Correct Answers)
ATI Mental Health Practice Questions – Batch
1. A patient with major depressive disorder reports feeling worthless and hopeless.
Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
✅
A) “Try to think positive thoughts.”
B) “I understand you feel hopeless; can you tell me more about these feelings?”
C) “Other patients have worse problems than you.”
D) “You should get out and exercise more.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves active listening and exploring feelings without
judgment. Encouraging the patient to share feelings helps build trust.
2. A nurse observes a patient pacing and clenching fists while waiting for a procedure.
The patient says, “I can’t take this anymore!” What is the priority action?
A) Ask the patient to calm down.
✅
B) Notify the provider immediately.
C) Assess for risk of self-harm.
D) Offer a warm drink.
Answer: C
Rationale: Safety is the priority. Assessing for self-harm risk is crucial before any intervention.
3. Which medication is classified as an SSRI?
✅
A) Lorazepam
B) Fluoxetine
,C) Haloperidol
D) Lithium
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed
for depression and anxiety disorders.
4. A patient with schizophrenia says, “The TV is sending me messages.” This is an
example of:
✅
A) Hallucination
B) Delusion
C) Obsession
D) Compulsion
Answer: B
Rationale: A delusion is a false fixed belief not based in reality. A hallucination is a sensory
perception without stimulus.
5. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing a panic attack?
✅
A) Leave the patient alone to calm down
B) Encourage deep breathing and stay with the patient
C) Provide a high-stimulation environment
D) Offer psychoanalysis immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Staying with the patient and guiding slow breathing helps reduce panic and
provides reassurance.
6. A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What should the nurse do first?
✅
A) Encourage the patient to drink fluids
B) Assess for signs of lithium toxicity
C) Increase the dose
D) Advise a low-sodium diet
Answer: B
Rationale: GI upset, tremors, and confusion are early signs of lithium toxicity. Prompt
assessment is critical.
, 7. Which statement indicates a patient has insight into their anxiety disorder?
✅
A) “I can’t control my worry, it just happens.”
B) “I notice that my worry increases before big deadlines, so I try relaxation techniques.”
C) “Everyone thinks my worries are silly.”
D) “I will avoid all stressful situations forever.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Insight is shown when patients recognize triggers and apply coping strategies.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient with anorexia nervosa. Which intervention is priority?
✅
A) Encouraging group therapy
B) Monitoring vital signs and weight
C) Discussing body image concerns
D) Planning social activities
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical health and safety are the priority in severe malnutrition.
9. Which defense mechanism is described when a patient refuses to acknowledge they
have cancer?
✅
A) Projection
B) Denial
C) Regression
D) Rationalization
Answer: B
Rationale: Denial involves refusing to accept reality to avoid anxiety or distress.
10. A patient with PTSD is experiencing nightmares and flashbacks. Which intervention is
most therapeutic?
✅
A) Encourage avoidance of triggers
B) Provide grounding techniques and safe environment
C) Reassure that the past is gone
D) Prescribe opioids
Answer: B
Rationale: Grounding techniques help the patient focus on the present and feel safe.
