ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2026 WITH NGN QUESTIONS
FORMAT 2027 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 70 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW!!.
A charge nurse is discussing mental status examinations with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly
licensed nurse indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward
by 7."
B) "To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression."
C) "To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence."
D) "To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of
objects."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Asking the client to repeat a list of objects is appropriate to assess
immediate memory, not remote memory. Remote memory is assessed
by asking the client to recall past events, such as childhood experiences
or historical facts. Option A is correct because counting backward by 7
assesses cognitive ability and concentration. Option B is correct
because observing facial expression is the appropriate method for
assessing affect. Option C is correct because writing a sentence
assesses language ability. The newly licensed nurse's statement
indicates a need for further teaching regarding the distinction between
immediate and remote memory.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluate (Evaluation)
TOP: Mental Status Examination
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder.
Which of the following is appropriate to include as a psychobiological
intervention?
A) Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
B) Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
C) Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of medications.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Monitoring for adverse effects of medications is an example of a
psychobiological intervention, which addresses the biological and
physiological aspects of mental health disorders. Option A is incorrect
because systematic desensitization is a cognitive-behavioral
intervention. Option B is incorrect because teaching coping
mechanisms is a counseling or health teaching intervention. Option C is
incorrect because assessing for comorbid health conditions is health
promotion and maintenance.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Psychiatric Nursing Interventions
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
,A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an
initial client interview. When conducting the interview, which of the
following is the highest priority action?
A) Respect the client's need for personal space.
B) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
C) Include the client's family in the interview.
D) Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Assessment is the priority action when using the nursing process
approach. Identifying the client's perception of her mental health status
provides important information about the client's psychosocial history
and current concerns. Option A is incorrect while respecting personal
space is appropriate, it is not the highest priority. Option C is incorrect
while including the family may be appropriate, it is not the highest
priority. Option D is incorrect because teaching should occur after
assessment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
TOP: Initial Client Interview and Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
A nurse is told during change-of-shift report that a client is stuporous.
When assessing the client, which of the following is an expected
finding?
A) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
B) The client has a Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 7.
, C) The client exhibits decorticate rigidity.
D) The client is alert but disoriented to time and place.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
A client who is stuporous requires vigorous or painful stimuli to elicit a
response. A sternal rub is a painful stimulus that may briefly arouse a
stuporous client. Option B is incorrect because a GCS score less than 7
indicates a comatose state, not stupor. Option C is incorrect because
abnormal posturing is associated with a comatose state. Option D is
incorrect because a stuporous client is not alert.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Levels of Consciousness Assessment
MSC: Physiological Integrity/Physiological Adaptation
A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Which of
the following is appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that
apply.)
A) The DSM-5 is used to identify mental health disorders.
B) The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria.
C) The DSM-5 indicates recommended pharmacological treatment.
D) The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care.
E) The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings.
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale
The DSM-5 is used as a diagnostic tool to identify mental health
FORMAT 2027 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 70 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW!!.
A charge nurse is discussing mental status examinations with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly
licensed nurse indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward
by 7."
B) "To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression."
C) "To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence."
D) "To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of
objects."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Asking the client to repeat a list of objects is appropriate to assess
immediate memory, not remote memory. Remote memory is assessed
by asking the client to recall past events, such as childhood experiences
or historical facts. Option A is correct because counting backward by 7
assesses cognitive ability and concentration. Option B is correct
because observing facial expression is the appropriate method for
assessing affect. Option C is correct because writing a sentence
assesses language ability. The newly licensed nurse's statement
indicates a need for further teaching regarding the distinction between
immediate and remote memory.
,DIF: Cognitive Level: Evaluate (Evaluation)
TOP: Mental Status Examination
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder.
Which of the following is appropriate to include as a psychobiological
intervention?
A) Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
B) Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
C) Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of medications.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Monitoring for adverse effects of medications is an example of a
psychobiological intervention, which addresses the biological and
physiological aspects of mental health disorders. Option A is incorrect
because systematic desensitization is a cognitive-behavioral
intervention. Option B is incorrect because teaching coping
mechanisms is a counseling or health teaching intervention. Option C is
incorrect because assessing for comorbid health conditions is health
promotion and maintenance.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Psychiatric Nursing Interventions
MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
,A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an
initial client interview. When conducting the interview, which of the
following is the highest priority action?
A) Respect the client's need for personal space.
B) Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
C) Include the client's family in the interview.
D) Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Assessment is the priority action when using the nursing process
approach. Identifying the client's perception of her mental health status
provides important information about the client's psychosocial history
and current concerns. Option A is incorrect while respecting personal
space is appropriate, it is not the highest priority. Option C is incorrect
while including the family may be appropriate, it is not the highest
priority. Option D is incorrect because teaching should occur after
assessment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (Application)
TOP: Initial Client Interview and Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
A nurse is told during change-of-shift report that a client is stuporous.
When assessing the client, which of the following is an expected
finding?
A) The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
B) The client has a Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 7.
, C) The client exhibits decorticate rigidity.
D) The client is alert but disoriented to time and place.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
A client who is stuporous requires vigorous or painful stimuli to elicit a
response. A sternal rub is a painful stimulus that may briefly arouse a
stuporous client. Option B is incorrect because a GCS score less than 7
indicates a comatose state, not stupor. Option C is incorrect because
abnormal posturing is associated with a comatose state. Option D is
incorrect because a stuporous client is not alert.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (Comprehension)
TOP: Levels of Consciousness Assessment
MSC: Physiological Integrity/Physiological Adaptation
A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Which of
the following is appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that
apply.)
A) The DSM-5 is used to identify mental health disorders.
B) The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria.
C) The DSM-5 indicates recommended pharmacological treatment.
D) The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care.
E) The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings.
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale
The DSM-5 is used as a diagnostic tool to identify mental health
