ATI RN Mental Health Proctored-2019
(Questions and Answers, Download for
an A score)
Section 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Q1–15)
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with a mental illness. Which of the
following best describes the concept of "recovery" in mental health nursing?
A. Complete elimination of symptoms
B. A process of restoring functioning and meaning despite symptoms
C. Long-term institutional care
D. Permanent medication dependence
Recovery is a client-centered process of building a meaningful life despite the presence of
symptoms; it is not defined by cure.
2. Which theorist is associated with the hierarchy of needs that includes safety and
belonging?
A. Sigmund Freud
B. Erik Erikson
C. Abraham Maslow
D. Jean Piaget
Maslow's hierarchy places safety and belonging below esteem and self-actualization.
3. A nurse is using the DSM-5. Which of the following is the primary purpose of this manual?
A. To prescribe medications
B. To standardize diagnosis of mental disorders
C. To determine nursing interventions
D. To establish legal competency
The DSM-5 provides standardized criteria for diagnosis; it does not dictate treatment.
4. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with depression when deficient?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
Serotonin deficiency is strongly linked to depression; SSRIs increase availability.
,5. A nurse is teaching a client about the role of GABA. Which effect should the nurse describe?
A. Excitatory
B. Inhibitory/calming
C. Psychotomimetic
D. Sympathomimetic
GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter; benzodiazepines enhance its effect.
6. Which of the following is an example of a protective factor for mental illness?
A. History of childhood trauma
B. Strong social support
C. Chronic poverty
D. Family history of schizophrenia
Social support is a well-established protective factor.
7. A nurse is reviewing the concept of stigma. Which statement by a client indicates
internalized stigma?
A. "My family doesn't understand my illness."
B. "I'm worthless because I have a mental illness."
C. "The doctor explained my diagnosis well."
D. "I take my medication every day."
Internalized stigma occurs when the client accepts negative stereotypes about mental
illness.
8. SATA: Which of the following are components of the mental status exam (MSE)? Select all
that apply.
A. Appearance
B. Mood and affect
C. Serum lithium level
D. Thought content
E. Cognition
The MSE includes appearance, behavior, mood/affect, thought process/content, cognition,
and insight/judgment. Labs are not part of the MSE.
9. A nurse is assessing a client's judgment. Which question best evaluates this?
A. "What day is it?"
B. "What would you do if you found a wallet on the street?"
C. "Can you repeat three words?"
D. "Do you hear voices?"
Judgment is assessed by posing hypothetical scenarios requiring reasoning.
, 10. Which of the following describes "milieu therapy"?
A. Individual psychoanalysis
B. Use of the therapeutic environment for healing
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Pharmacologic management
Milieu therapy uses the structured environment and community as therapeutic tools.
11. A nurse is teaching about the role of dopamine in schizophrenia. Excess dopamine activity
in which pathway is most associated with positive symptoms?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Mesolimbic hyperactivity is linked to positive symptoms; mesocortical hypoactivity to
negative symptoms.
12. Which of the following is a primary goal of psychiatric rehabilitation?
A. Cure of mental illness
B. Restoration of community functioning
C. Long-term seclusion
D. Lifetime hospitalization
Psychiatric rehabilitation focuses on functional recovery and community integration.
13. A nurse is discussing informed consent with a client. Which element is NOT required for
informed consent?
A. Voluntariness
B. Capacity
C. Disclosure of information
D. Family approval
Family approval is not a required element; the client must be competent, informed, and
voluntary.
14. Which of the following is an example of a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Avolition
D. Disorganized speech
Negative symptoms include avolition, alogia, anhedonia, and flat affect.
(Questions and Answers, Download for
an A score)
Section 1: Foundations of Mental Health Nursing (Q1–15)
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with a mental illness. Which of the
following best describes the concept of "recovery" in mental health nursing?
A. Complete elimination of symptoms
B. A process of restoring functioning and meaning despite symptoms
C. Long-term institutional care
D. Permanent medication dependence
Recovery is a client-centered process of building a meaningful life despite the presence of
symptoms; it is not defined by cure.
2. Which theorist is associated with the hierarchy of needs that includes safety and
belonging?
A. Sigmund Freud
B. Erik Erikson
C. Abraham Maslow
D. Jean Piaget
Maslow's hierarchy places safety and belonging below esteem and self-actualization.
3. A nurse is using the DSM-5. Which of the following is the primary purpose of this manual?
A. To prescribe medications
B. To standardize diagnosis of mental disorders
C. To determine nursing interventions
D. To establish legal competency
The DSM-5 provides standardized criteria for diagnosis; it does not dictate treatment.
4. Which neurotransmitter is most associated with depression when deficient?
A. Dopamine
B. Serotonin
C. GABA
D. Acetylcholine
Serotonin deficiency is strongly linked to depression; SSRIs increase availability.
,5. A nurse is teaching a client about the role of GABA. Which effect should the nurse describe?
A. Excitatory
B. Inhibitory/calming
C. Psychotomimetic
D. Sympathomimetic
GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter; benzodiazepines enhance its effect.
6. Which of the following is an example of a protective factor for mental illness?
A. History of childhood trauma
B. Strong social support
C. Chronic poverty
D. Family history of schizophrenia
Social support is a well-established protective factor.
7. A nurse is reviewing the concept of stigma. Which statement by a client indicates
internalized stigma?
A. "My family doesn't understand my illness."
B. "I'm worthless because I have a mental illness."
C. "The doctor explained my diagnosis well."
D. "I take my medication every day."
Internalized stigma occurs when the client accepts negative stereotypes about mental
illness.
8. SATA: Which of the following are components of the mental status exam (MSE)? Select all
that apply.
A. Appearance
B. Mood and affect
C. Serum lithium level
D. Thought content
E. Cognition
The MSE includes appearance, behavior, mood/affect, thought process/content, cognition,
and insight/judgment. Labs are not part of the MSE.
9. A nurse is assessing a client's judgment. Which question best evaluates this?
A. "What day is it?"
B. "What would you do if you found a wallet on the street?"
C. "Can you repeat three words?"
D. "Do you hear voices?"
Judgment is assessed by posing hypothetical scenarios requiring reasoning.
, 10. Which of the following describes "milieu therapy"?
A. Individual psychoanalysis
B. Use of the therapeutic environment for healing
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Pharmacologic management
Milieu therapy uses the structured environment and community as therapeutic tools.
11. A nurse is teaching about the role of dopamine in schizophrenia. Excess dopamine activity
in which pathway is most associated with positive symptoms?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Mesolimbic hyperactivity is linked to positive symptoms; mesocortical hypoactivity to
negative symptoms.
12. Which of the following is a primary goal of psychiatric rehabilitation?
A. Cure of mental illness
B. Restoration of community functioning
C. Long-term seclusion
D. Lifetime hospitalization
Psychiatric rehabilitation focuses on functional recovery and community integration.
13. A nurse is discussing informed consent with a client. Which element is NOT required for
informed consent?
A. Voluntariness
B. Capacity
C. Disclosure of information
D. Family approval
Family approval is not a required element; the client must be competent, informed, and
voluntary.
14. Which of the following is an example of a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Hallucinations
B. Delusions
C. Avolition
D. Disorganized speech
Negative symptoms include avolition, alogia, anhedonia, and flat affect.
