ATI MENTAL HEALTH B PROCTORED FINAL
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who smokes and has lung cancer. The
client reports, "I'm coughing because I have that cold that everyone
has been getting." The nurse should identify that the client is using
which of the following defense mechanisms?
A. Reaction formation
B. Denial
C. Displacement
D. Sublimation Answer: B. Denial
◉ A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who was
just informed that she requires emergency surgery. The client has a
respiratory rate 30/min and says, "This is difficult to comprehend. I
feel shaky and nervous." The nurse should identify that the client is
experiencing which of the following levels of anxiety?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
,D. Panic Answer: B. Moderate
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing moderate
anxiety. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when
trying to give necessary information to the client? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Reassure the client that everything will be okay.
B. Discuss prior use of coping mechanisms with the client.
C. Ignore the client's anxiety so that she will not be embarrassed.
D. Demonstrate a calm manner while using simple and clear
directions.
E. Gather information from the client using closed-ended questions.
Answer: B. Discuss prior use of coping mechanisms with the client.
D. Demonstrate a calm manner while using simple and clear
directions.
◉ A nurse is talking with a client who is at risk for suicide following
the death of his spouse. Which of the following statements should
the nurse make?
A. "I feel very sorry for the loneliness you must be experiencing."
B. "Suicide is not the appropriate way to cope with loss."
C. "Losing someone close to you must be very upsetting."
,D. "I know how difficult it is to lose a loved one." Answer: C. "Losing
someone close to you must be very upsetting."
◉ A charge nurse is discussing the characteristics of a nurse-client
relationship with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
characteristics should the nurse include in the discussion? (Select all
that apply)
A. The needs of both participants are met.
B. An emotional commitment exists between the participants.
C. It is goal-directed.
D. Behavioral change is encouraged.
E. A termination date is established. Answer: C. It is goal-directed.
D. Behavioral change is encouraged.
E. A termination date is established.
◉ A nurse is in the working phase of a therapeutic relationship with
a client who has methamphetamine use disorder. Which of the
following actions indicates transference behavior?
A. The client asks the nurse whether she will go out to dinner with
him.
B. The client accuses the nurses of telling him what to do just like his
ex-girlfriend.
, C. The client reminds the nurse of a friend who died from a
substance overdose.
D. The client becomes angry and threatens to harm himself. Answer:
B. The client accuses the nurses of telling him what to do just like his
ex-girlfriend.
◉ A nurse is planning care for the termination phase of a nurse-
client relationship. Which of the following actions should the nurse
include in the plan of care?
A. Discussing ways to use new behaviors
B. Practicing new problem-solving skills
C. Developing goals
D. Establishing boundaries Answer: A. Discussing ways to use new
behaviors
◉ A nurse is orienting a new client to a mental health unit. When
explaining the unit's community meetings, which of the following
statements should the nurse make?
A. "You and a group of other clients will meet to discuss your
treatment plans.
B. "Community meetings have a specific agenda that is established
by staff.
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who smokes and has lung cancer. The
client reports, "I'm coughing because I have that cold that everyone
has been getting." The nurse should identify that the client is using
which of the following defense mechanisms?
A. Reaction formation
B. Denial
C. Displacement
D. Sublimation Answer: B. Denial
◉ A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who was
just informed that she requires emergency surgery. The client has a
respiratory rate 30/min and says, "This is difficult to comprehend. I
feel shaky and nervous." The nurse should identify that the client is
experiencing which of the following levels of anxiety?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
,D. Panic Answer: B. Moderate
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing moderate
anxiety. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when
trying to give necessary information to the client? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Reassure the client that everything will be okay.
B. Discuss prior use of coping mechanisms with the client.
C. Ignore the client's anxiety so that she will not be embarrassed.
D. Demonstrate a calm manner while using simple and clear
directions.
E. Gather information from the client using closed-ended questions.
Answer: B. Discuss prior use of coping mechanisms with the client.
D. Demonstrate a calm manner while using simple and clear
directions.
◉ A nurse is talking with a client who is at risk for suicide following
the death of his spouse. Which of the following statements should
the nurse make?
A. "I feel very sorry for the loneliness you must be experiencing."
B. "Suicide is not the appropriate way to cope with loss."
C. "Losing someone close to you must be very upsetting."
,D. "I know how difficult it is to lose a loved one." Answer: C. "Losing
someone close to you must be very upsetting."
◉ A charge nurse is discussing the characteristics of a nurse-client
relationship with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
characteristics should the nurse include in the discussion? (Select all
that apply)
A. The needs of both participants are met.
B. An emotional commitment exists between the participants.
C. It is goal-directed.
D. Behavioral change is encouraged.
E. A termination date is established. Answer: C. It is goal-directed.
D. Behavioral change is encouraged.
E. A termination date is established.
◉ A nurse is in the working phase of a therapeutic relationship with
a client who has methamphetamine use disorder. Which of the
following actions indicates transference behavior?
A. The client asks the nurse whether she will go out to dinner with
him.
B. The client accuses the nurses of telling him what to do just like his
ex-girlfriend.
, C. The client reminds the nurse of a friend who died from a
substance overdose.
D. The client becomes angry and threatens to harm himself. Answer:
B. The client accuses the nurses of telling him what to do just like his
ex-girlfriend.
◉ A nurse is planning care for the termination phase of a nurse-
client relationship. Which of the following actions should the nurse
include in the plan of care?
A. Discussing ways to use new behaviors
B. Practicing new problem-solving skills
C. Developing goals
D. Establishing boundaries Answer: A. Discussing ways to use new
behaviors
◉ A nurse is orienting a new client to a mental health unit. When
explaining the unit's community meetings, which of the following
statements should the nurse make?
A. "You and a group of other clients will meet to discuss your
treatment plans.
B. "Community meetings have a specific agenda that is established
by staff.
