ATI MENTAL HEALTH 2026 PRACTICE EXAM WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS A+ LEVEL
1. A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is scheduled to receive
ECT for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Which of the
following client statements indicates understanding of the teaching?
A) It is common to treat depression with ECT before trying medications
B) I can have my depression cured if I receive a series of ECT treatments
C) I should receive ECT once a week for 6 weeks
D) I will receive a muscle relaxant to protect me from injury during ECT -
ANSWER D
2. A charge nurse is discussing TMS with a newly licensed nurse. Which of
the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) TMS is indicated for clients who have schizophrenia spectrum disorders
B) I will provide postanesthia care following TMS
C) TMS treatments usually last 5-10 minutes
D) I will schedule the client for daily TMS treatments for the first several weeks -
ANSWER D
3. A nurse is assessing a client immediately following an ECT procedure.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that
apply)
A) Hypotension
B) Paralytic ileus
C) Memory loss
D) Nausea
E) Confusion - ANSWER C, D, E
, 4. A nurse is leading a peer group discussion about the indications for
ECT. Which of the following indications should the nurse include in the
discussion?
A) Borderline personality disorder
B) Acute withdrawal related to a substance use disorder
C) Bipolar disorder with rapid cycling
D) Dysphoric disorder - ANSWER C
5. A nurse is planning care for a client following surgical implantation of a
VNS device. The nurse should plan to monitor for which of the
following adverse effects? (Select all that apply)
A) Voice changes
B) Seizure activity
C) Disorientation
D) Dysphagia
E) Neck pain - ANSWER A, D, E
6. A nurse observes a client who has OCD repeatedly applying, removing,
and then reapplying makeup. The nurse identifies that repetitive
behavior in a client who has OCD is due to which of the following
underlying reasons?
A) Narcissistic behavior
B) Fear of rejection from staff
C) Attempt to reduce anxiety
D) Adverse effect of antidepressant medication - ANSWER C
7. A nurse is preparing to provide an educational seminar on stress to
other nursing staff. Which of the following information should the nurse
include in the discussion?
A) Excessive stressors cause the client to experience distress
B) The body's initial adaptive response to stress is denial
C) Absence of stressors results in homeostasis
D) Negative, rather than positive, stressors produce a biological response -
ANSWER A
, 8. A nurse is discussing acute vs prolonged stress with a client. Which of
the following effects should the nurse identify as an acute stress
response?
A) Chronic pain
B) Decreased immune system
C) Increased blood pressure
D) Panic attacks
E) Unhappiness - ANSWER A, B, E
9. A nurse is teaching a client about stress-reduction techniques. Which of
the following client statements indicates understanding of the teaching?
A) Cognitive reframing will help me change by irrational thoughts to something
positive
B) Progressive muscle relaxation uses a mechanical device to help me gain control
over my pulse rate
C) Biofeedback causes my body to release endorphins so that I feel less stress and
anxiety
D) Mindfulness allows me to prioritize the stressors that I have in my life so that I
have less anxiety - ANSWER A
10.What is beneficence in mental health? - ANSWER The quality of doing
good and can be described as doing charity.
What does autonomy refer to in patient rights? - ANSWER The client's right to
make their own decisions.
Can clients admitted under involuntary commitment refuse treatment? - ANSWER
Yes, unless deemed incompetent by the courts.
What is the first step in using restraints? - ANSWER Always start with the shortest
duration and least restrictive method.
What should never be the reason for using seclusion/restraint? - ANSWER For the
convenience of staff or punishment of the client.
, How often should circulation checks be performed when using restraints? -
ANSWER Every 15 minutes.
What is the definition of assault in mental health law? - ANSWER Making a verbal
threat to a client's person.
What is battery in the context of mental health? - ANSWER Touching a client in a
harmful or offensive way.
What are the key components of therapeutic communication? - ANSWER Evoking
client thoughts, feelings, and needs without asking 'why'.
What is rationalization as a defense mechanism? - ANSWER Justifying behaviors
or feelings with logical reasons.
What is the purpose of systematic desensitization in therapy? - ANSWER To
expose clients to anxiety-provoking stimuli while using relaxation techniques.
What is aversion therapy? - ANSWER Pairing maladaptive behavior with
punishment to promote change.
What is the goal of thought stopping? - ANSWER To instruct clients to replace
negative thoughts with positive ones.
What are the risk factors for depression? - ANSWER Family history, personal
history, being female, older age, and poor social support.
What nursing interventions are important for clients with anxiety disorders? -
ANSWER Remain with the client, determine suicide risk, and provide a structured
environment.
What medications are commonly used for anxiety disorders? - ANSWER SSRIs
and anxiolytics like diazepam and buspirone.
VERIFIED ANSWERS A+ LEVEL
1. A nurse is providing teaching for a client who is scheduled to receive
ECT for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Which of the
following client statements indicates understanding of the teaching?
A) It is common to treat depression with ECT before trying medications
B) I can have my depression cured if I receive a series of ECT treatments
C) I should receive ECT once a week for 6 weeks
D) I will receive a muscle relaxant to protect me from injury during ECT -
ANSWER D
2. A charge nurse is discussing TMS with a newly licensed nurse. Which of
the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) TMS is indicated for clients who have schizophrenia spectrum disorders
B) I will provide postanesthia care following TMS
C) TMS treatments usually last 5-10 minutes
D) I will schedule the client for daily TMS treatments for the first several weeks -
ANSWER D
3. A nurse is assessing a client immediately following an ECT procedure.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that
apply)
A) Hypotension
B) Paralytic ileus
C) Memory loss
D) Nausea
E) Confusion - ANSWER C, D, E
, 4. A nurse is leading a peer group discussion about the indications for
ECT. Which of the following indications should the nurse include in the
discussion?
A) Borderline personality disorder
B) Acute withdrawal related to a substance use disorder
C) Bipolar disorder with rapid cycling
D) Dysphoric disorder - ANSWER C
5. A nurse is planning care for a client following surgical implantation of a
VNS device. The nurse should plan to monitor for which of the
following adverse effects? (Select all that apply)
A) Voice changes
B) Seizure activity
C) Disorientation
D) Dysphagia
E) Neck pain - ANSWER A, D, E
6. A nurse observes a client who has OCD repeatedly applying, removing,
and then reapplying makeup. The nurse identifies that repetitive
behavior in a client who has OCD is due to which of the following
underlying reasons?
A) Narcissistic behavior
B) Fear of rejection from staff
C) Attempt to reduce anxiety
D) Adverse effect of antidepressant medication - ANSWER C
7. A nurse is preparing to provide an educational seminar on stress to
other nursing staff. Which of the following information should the nurse
include in the discussion?
A) Excessive stressors cause the client to experience distress
B) The body's initial adaptive response to stress is denial
C) Absence of stressors results in homeostasis
D) Negative, rather than positive, stressors produce a biological response -
ANSWER A
, 8. A nurse is discussing acute vs prolonged stress with a client. Which of
the following effects should the nurse identify as an acute stress
response?
A) Chronic pain
B) Decreased immune system
C) Increased blood pressure
D) Panic attacks
E) Unhappiness - ANSWER A, B, E
9. A nurse is teaching a client about stress-reduction techniques. Which of
the following client statements indicates understanding of the teaching?
A) Cognitive reframing will help me change by irrational thoughts to something
positive
B) Progressive muscle relaxation uses a mechanical device to help me gain control
over my pulse rate
C) Biofeedback causes my body to release endorphins so that I feel less stress and
anxiety
D) Mindfulness allows me to prioritize the stressors that I have in my life so that I
have less anxiety - ANSWER A
10.What is beneficence in mental health? - ANSWER The quality of doing
good and can be described as doing charity.
What does autonomy refer to in patient rights? - ANSWER The client's right to
make their own decisions.
Can clients admitted under involuntary commitment refuse treatment? - ANSWER
Yes, unless deemed incompetent by the courts.
What is the first step in using restraints? - ANSWER Always start with the shortest
duration and least restrictive method.
What should never be the reason for using seclusion/restraint? - ANSWER For the
convenience of staff or punishment of the client.
, How often should circulation checks be performed when using restraints? -
ANSWER Every 15 minutes.
What is the definition of assault in mental health law? - ANSWER Making a verbal
threat to a client's person.
What is battery in the context of mental health? - ANSWER Touching a client in a
harmful or offensive way.
What are the key components of therapeutic communication? - ANSWER Evoking
client thoughts, feelings, and needs without asking 'why'.
What is rationalization as a defense mechanism? - ANSWER Justifying behaviors
or feelings with logical reasons.
What is the purpose of systematic desensitization in therapy? - ANSWER To
expose clients to anxiety-provoking stimuli while using relaxation techniques.
What is aversion therapy? - ANSWER Pairing maladaptive behavior with
punishment to promote change.
What is the goal of thought stopping? - ANSWER To instruct clients to replace
negative thoughts with positive ones.
What are the risk factors for depression? - ANSWER Family history, personal
history, being female, older age, and poor social support.
What nursing interventions are important for clients with anxiety disorders? -
ANSWER Remain with the client, determine suicide risk, and provide a structured
environment.
What medications are commonly used for anxiety disorders? - ANSWER SSRIs
and anxiolytics like diazepam and buspirone.
