ATI CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH FINAL
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who has
several prescriptions for psychotic medications. The client tells the
nurse that she has always has trouble following a medication
regimen. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
Answer: "Let's work together to devise a schedule that is convenient
for you on a daily basis."
This response illustrates the therapeutic communication technique
of formulating a plan of action. It demonstrates the nurse's
willingness to work with the client to modify the schedule so that it
meets the client's needs at this time.
◉ A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a client who is newly
diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Which of the
following interventions is the nurse's priority?
Answer: Protecting the client from self-harm behavior
The greatest risk to the client is harm to self or others, therefore this
is the nurse's priority. C. Encouraging the client to talk about her
feelings.
,◉ A nurse is collecting data from a client who is receiving treatment
for alcohol detoxification. Which of the followings is the nurse's
priority?
Answer: Hallucinations
Hallucinations occur during severe alcohol withdrawal and present
the greatest safety risk to the client, therefore this is the priority
finding.
◉ A nurse is collecting data from a school age child who has an
intellectual development disorder. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
Answer: Has difficulty performing age-appropriate self-care
activities
This child will likely have difficulty managing age appropriate
actives of daily living such as self-grooming, eating, and toileting.
The school age child will also likely have deficits in intellectual
functioning and social functioning.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who lost all his possessions in a
house fire and states, "i have no idea what i am going to do. I cannot
even think right now". Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
,Identify other housing options and sources of transportation.
Notify the facility chaplain to request scheduling an appointment.
Confirm that everything will be all right because belongings can be
replaced.
Maintain eye contact with client and summarize the client's feelings.
Answer: Maintain eye contact with client and summarize the client's
feelings;
This demonstrates therapeutic communication. During the initial
interview, it is important for the nurse to provide an atmosphere of
support and safety. If a person believes that someone is genuinely
concerned, then he may believe that help is available. Maintaining
eye contact demonstrates support, empathy, and advocacy.
◉ A nurse is discussing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with a
newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the
newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the underlying
reason clients with OCD perform ritualistic behaviors?
"The ritualistic behavior provides sexual satisfaction."
"The client performs ritualistic behavior to boost self-esteem."
"The ritualistic behavior temporarily relieves anxiety."
, "The client performs ritualistic behavior to decrease feelings of
shame."
Answer: "The ritualistic behavior temporarily relieves anxiety.";
Clients with OCD perform ritualistic behaviors to provide a
temporary relief from anxiety related to obsessions.
◉ A nurse is teaching a female client who has anxiety disorder about
alprazolam. Which of the following information should the nurse
include in the teaching?
"Use a reliable form of contraception while taking this medication."
"If a dose is missed, double the next dose of medication."
"This medication may increase your blood pressure."
"Do not eat aged cheeses while taking this medication."
Answer: "Use a reliable form of contraception while taking this
medication.";
Alprazolam is a pregnancy category D medication, indicating it
causes definitive adverse effects on a fetus.
◉ A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has
multiple medication prescriptions and must take the medications at
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who has
several prescriptions for psychotic medications. The client tells the
nurse that she has always has trouble following a medication
regimen. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
Answer: "Let's work together to devise a schedule that is convenient
for you on a daily basis."
This response illustrates the therapeutic communication technique
of formulating a plan of action. It demonstrates the nurse's
willingness to work with the client to modify the schedule so that it
meets the client's needs at this time.
◉ A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a client who is newly
diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Which of the
following interventions is the nurse's priority?
Answer: Protecting the client from self-harm behavior
The greatest risk to the client is harm to self or others, therefore this
is the nurse's priority. C. Encouraging the client to talk about her
feelings.
,◉ A nurse is collecting data from a client who is receiving treatment
for alcohol detoxification. Which of the followings is the nurse's
priority?
Answer: Hallucinations
Hallucinations occur during severe alcohol withdrawal and present
the greatest safety risk to the client, therefore this is the priority
finding.
◉ A nurse is collecting data from a school age child who has an
intellectual development disorder. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
Answer: Has difficulty performing age-appropriate self-care
activities
This child will likely have difficulty managing age appropriate
actives of daily living such as self-grooming, eating, and toileting.
The school age child will also likely have deficits in intellectual
functioning and social functioning.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who lost all his possessions in a
house fire and states, "i have no idea what i am going to do. I cannot
even think right now". Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
,Identify other housing options and sources of transportation.
Notify the facility chaplain to request scheduling an appointment.
Confirm that everything will be all right because belongings can be
replaced.
Maintain eye contact with client and summarize the client's feelings.
Answer: Maintain eye contact with client and summarize the client's
feelings;
This demonstrates therapeutic communication. During the initial
interview, it is important for the nurse to provide an atmosphere of
support and safety. If a person believes that someone is genuinely
concerned, then he may believe that help is available. Maintaining
eye contact demonstrates support, empathy, and advocacy.
◉ A nurse is discussing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with a
newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the
newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the underlying
reason clients with OCD perform ritualistic behaviors?
"The ritualistic behavior provides sexual satisfaction."
"The client performs ritualistic behavior to boost self-esteem."
"The ritualistic behavior temporarily relieves anxiety."
, "The client performs ritualistic behavior to decrease feelings of
shame."
Answer: "The ritualistic behavior temporarily relieves anxiety.";
Clients with OCD perform ritualistic behaviors to provide a
temporary relief from anxiety related to obsessions.
◉ A nurse is teaching a female client who has anxiety disorder about
alprazolam. Which of the following information should the nurse
include in the teaching?
"Use a reliable form of contraception while taking this medication."
"If a dose is missed, double the next dose of medication."
"This medication may increase your blood pressure."
"Do not eat aged cheeses while taking this medication."
Answer: "Use a reliable form of contraception while taking this
medication.";
Alprazolam is a pregnancy category D medication, indicating it
causes definitive adverse effects on a fetus.
◉ A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has
multiple medication prescriptions and must take the medications at
