lOMoARcPSD|9700590
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions &
Verified Answers)
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam 2019
1. A client is fearful of driving and enters a behavioral therapy program to help him overcome
his anxiety. Using systematic desensitization, he is able to drive down a familiar street
without experiencing a panic attack. The nurse should recognize that to continue positive
results, the client should participate in which of the following?
a. Biofeedback
b. Therapist modeling
c. Frequent pacing
d. Positive reinforcement
2. A nurse is counseling a client following the death of the client’s partner 8 months ago.
Which of the following client statements indicates maladaptive grieving?
a. “I am so sorry for the times I was angry with my partner.”
b. “I like looking at his personal items in the closet.”
c. “I find myself thinking about my partner often.”
d. “I still don’t feel up to returning to work.”
Rationale: 8 months too long Maladaptive Grief: . Distorted or exaggerated grief response - unable to perform activities of daily
living.
RISK FACTORS FOR MALADAPTIVE GRIEVING
●● Being dependent upon the deceased
●● Unexpected death at a young age, through violence, or by a socially unacceptable manner
●● Inadequate coping skills or lack of social support
●● Pre-existing mental health issues, such as depression or substance use disorder
3. /21 A nurse in an inpatient mental health facility is assessing a client who has schizophrenia
and is taking haloperidol (anti-psychotic, 1st gen). Which of the following clinical findings is
the nurse’s priority?
a. Headache
b. Insomnia (sedation)
c. Urinary hesitancy (Complication → ANTIcholinergic effects)
d. High fever (Complication → agranulocytosis)
Other complications: Acute dystonia, Pseudoparkinsonism, Akathisia, Tardive dyskinesia,
Neuroendocrine effects (Gynecomastia, Weight gain, Menstrual irregularities), NMS, Orthostatic
Hypotension, Sedation, Sexual dysfunction, Skin effects, Liver impairment
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4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has obsessive compulsive disorder. Which of
the following recommendations should the nurse include in the client’s plan of care?
a. Reality Orientation therapy (re-orient to reality)
b. Operant Conditioning (receives positive rewards for positive behavior)
c. Thought Stopping (say “stop” when compulsive behaviors arise & substitute
w/ positive thought)
d. Validation Therapy (acknowledging pt’s feelings)
4. A nurse is providing teaching to the daughter of an older client who has
obsessive- compulsive disorder. Which of the following statements by the daughter
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a. “I will provide my mother with detailed instructions about how to
perform self-care.” (Give simple directions)
b. “I will limit my mother’s clothing choices when she is getting
dressed.” (If client is indecisive, limit the client's choices; if client still unable to make a decision, give client one outfit to wear)
c. “I will wake my mother up a couple of times in the night to check on her.”
d. “I will discourage my mother from talking about her physical complaints.”
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Provide in depth explanation of nursing expectations (inability to focus
- give concise explanations)
b. Encourage the client to participate in group activities
(decrease stimulation)
c. Avoid power struggles by remaining neutral (do not react
personally to pt’s comments)
d. Allow the client to set limits for his behavior (nurse sets limits)
6. A nurse is providing behavioral therapy for a client who has OCD. The client repeatedly checks
that the doors are locked at night. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give
the client when using thought stopping technique?
a. “Keep a journal of how often you check the locks each night.”
b. “Ask a family member to check the locks for you at night.”
c. “Focus on abdominal breathing whenever you go to check the locks.”
d. “Snap a rubber band on your wrist when you think about checking the locks.”
Downloaded by ruth marchessini
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Thought stopping: teach pt to say “stop” when negative
thoughts/compulsive behaviors arise & substitute positive thought - goal for pt use command
silently over time
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a cocaine use disorder. Which of the
following manifestations should the nurse expect the client to have during
withdrawal?
a. Hand tremors (Intoxication)
b. Fatigue
c. Seizures (Intoxication)
d. Rapid speech
Rationale: Pg: 97 WITHDRAWAL MANIFESTATIONS● Depression, fatigue, craving, excess sleeping or insomnia, dramatic
unpleasant dreams, psychomotor retardation, agitation● Not life-threatening, but possible occurrence of suicidal ideation
Cocaine = STIMULANT → OPPOSITE of HEROIN
● Withdrawal = opposite effects
8. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is taking clozapine. For which of
the following findings should the nurse withhold the medication and notify the provider?
a. WBC count
b. Heart rate
c. Report of photosensitivity
d. Blood glucose level
9./59. A nurse is creating a plan of care for a client who has major depressive disorder.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
a. Keep the ring light on in the client’s room at night
b. Encourage physical activity for the client during the day
c. Identity and schedule alternative group activities for the client
d. Discourage the client from expressing feeling of anger
10. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
a. Diminished reflexes
b. Hypotension - increased BP
c. Insomnia
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ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam Questions &
Verified Answers)
ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam 2019
1. A client is fearful of driving and enters a behavioral therapy program to help him overcome
his anxiety. Using systematic desensitization, he is able to drive down a familiar street
without experiencing a panic attack. The nurse should recognize that to continue positive
results, the client should participate in which of the following?
a. Biofeedback
b. Therapist modeling
c. Frequent pacing
d. Positive reinforcement
2. A nurse is counseling a client following the death of the client’s partner 8 months ago.
Which of the following client statements indicates maladaptive grieving?
a. “I am so sorry for the times I was angry with my partner.”
b. “I like looking at his personal items in the closet.”
c. “I find myself thinking about my partner often.”
d. “I still don’t feel up to returning to work.”
Rationale: 8 months too long Maladaptive Grief: . Distorted or exaggerated grief response - unable to perform activities of daily
living.
RISK FACTORS FOR MALADAPTIVE GRIEVING
●● Being dependent upon the deceased
●● Unexpected death at a young age, through violence, or by a socially unacceptable manner
●● Inadequate coping skills or lack of social support
●● Pre-existing mental health issues, such as depression or substance use disorder
3. /21 A nurse in an inpatient mental health facility is assessing a client who has schizophrenia
and is taking haloperidol (anti-psychotic, 1st gen). Which of the following clinical findings is
the nurse’s priority?
a. Headache
b. Insomnia (sedation)
c. Urinary hesitancy (Complication → ANTIcholinergic effects)
d. High fever (Complication → agranulocytosis)
Other complications: Acute dystonia, Pseudoparkinsonism, Akathisia, Tardive dyskinesia,
Neuroendocrine effects (Gynecomastia, Weight gain, Menstrual irregularities), NMS, Orthostatic
Hypotension, Sedation, Sexual dysfunction, Skin effects, Liver impairment
Downloaded by ruth marchessini
()
, lOMoARcPSD|9700590
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has obsessive compulsive disorder. Which of
the following recommendations should the nurse include in the client’s plan of care?
a. Reality Orientation therapy (re-orient to reality)
b. Operant Conditioning (receives positive rewards for positive behavior)
c. Thought Stopping (say “stop” when compulsive behaviors arise & substitute
w/ positive thought)
d. Validation Therapy (acknowledging pt’s feelings)
4. A nurse is providing teaching to the daughter of an older client who has
obsessive- compulsive disorder. Which of the following statements by the daughter
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a. “I will provide my mother with detailed instructions about how to
perform self-care.” (Give simple directions)
b. “I will limit my mother’s clothing choices when she is getting
dressed.” (If client is indecisive, limit the client's choices; if client still unable to make a decision, give client one outfit to wear)
c. “I will wake my mother up a couple of times in the night to check on her.”
d. “I will discourage my mother from talking about her physical complaints.”
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Provide in depth explanation of nursing expectations (inability to focus
- give concise explanations)
b. Encourage the client to participate in group activities
(decrease stimulation)
c. Avoid power struggles by remaining neutral (do not react
personally to pt’s comments)
d. Allow the client to set limits for his behavior (nurse sets limits)
6. A nurse is providing behavioral therapy for a client who has OCD. The client repeatedly checks
that the doors are locked at night. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give
the client when using thought stopping technique?
a. “Keep a journal of how often you check the locks each night.”
b. “Ask a family member to check the locks for you at night.”
c. “Focus on abdominal breathing whenever you go to check the locks.”
d. “Snap a rubber band on your wrist when you think about checking the locks.”
Downloaded by ruth marchessini
()
, lOMoARcPSD|9700590
Thought stopping: teach pt to say “stop” when negative
thoughts/compulsive behaviors arise & substitute positive thought - goal for pt use command
silently over time
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a cocaine use disorder. Which of the
following manifestations should the nurse expect the client to have during
withdrawal?
a. Hand tremors (Intoxication)
b. Fatigue
c. Seizures (Intoxication)
d. Rapid speech
Rationale: Pg: 97 WITHDRAWAL MANIFESTATIONS● Depression, fatigue, craving, excess sleeping or insomnia, dramatic
unpleasant dreams, psychomotor retardation, agitation● Not life-threatening, but possible occurrence of suicidal ideation
Cocaine = STIMULANT → OPPOSITE of HEROIN
● Withdrawal = opposite effects
8. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is taking clozapine. For which of
the following findings should the nurse withhold the medication and notify the provider?
a. WBC count
b. Heart rate
c. Report of photosensitivity
d. Blood glucose level
9./59. A nurse is creating a plan of care for a client who has major depressive disorder.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
a. Keep the ring light on in the client’s room at night
b. Encourage physical activity for the client during the day
c. Identity and schedule alternative group activities for the client
d. Discourage the client from expressing feeling of anger
10. A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
a. Diminished reflexes
b. Hypotension - increased BP
c. Insomnia
Downloaded by ruth marchessini
()
