FOUNDATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH NURSING ATI
149 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2025/2026
D. "To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of objects." -
CORRECT ANSWER 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."
D. Monitor the client for adverse effects of medications. - CORRECT ANSWER 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.
,B. Identify the client's perception of her mental health status. - CORRECT ANSWER
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.
A. The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
. - CORRECT ANSWER 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.
A. The DSM-5 is used to identify mental health disorders.
B. The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria.
D. The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care.
E. The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment - CORRECT ANSWER 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.
C. A client with borderline personality disorder who assaulted a homeless man
with a metal rod - CORRECT ANSWER Which of the following is an example of a
client who requires emergency admission to a mental
health facility?
A. A client with schizophrenia who has frequent hallucinations
B. A client with symptoms of depression who attempted suicide a year ago
C. A client with borderline personality disorder who assaulted a homeless man
with a metal rod
D. A client with bipolar disorder who paces quickly down the sidewalk while
talking to himself
C. Tell the client that this must be reported to health care staff because it concerns
the health and
safety of the client and others. - CORRECT ANSWER A client tells a student nurse,
"Don't tell anyone, but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress in order
to protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and threatening
me." Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
, A. Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily, using
therapeutic
communication to convince him to admit to hiding the knife.
B. Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and his
roommate closely.
C. Tell the client that this must be reported to health care staff because it concerns
the health and
safety of the client and others.
D. Report the incident, but do not inform the client of the intention to do so.
B. a tort. - CORRECT ANSWER A nurse decides to put a client who has psychosis in
seclusion overnight because the unit is very
short-staffed, and the client frequently fights with other clients. This is an example
of
A. beneficence.
B. a tort.
C. a facility policy.
D. justice.
B. "Client was offered 8 oz of water every hr."
C. "Client shouted at assistive personnel."
D. "Client received chlorpromazine (Thorazine) 15 mg by mouth at 1000."
E. "Client acted out after lunch." - CORRECT ANSWER A nurse is caring for a client
in restraints. Which of the following statements are appropriate
documentation? (Select all that apply.)
149 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2025/2026
D. "To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of objects." -
CORRECT ANSWER 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."
D. Monitor the client for adverse effects of medications. - CORRECT ANSWER 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.
,B. Identify the client's perception of her mental health status. - CORRECT ANSWER
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.
A. The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
. - CORRECT ANSWER 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.
A. The DSM-5 is used to identify mental health disorders.
B. The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria.
D. The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care.
E. The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment - CORRECT ANSWER 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.
C. A client with borderline personality disorder who assaulted a homeless man
with a metal rod - CORRECT ANSWER Which of the following is an example of a
client who requires emergency admission to a mental
health facility?
A. A client with schizophrenia who has frequent hallucinations
B. A client with symptoms of depression who attempted suicide a year ago
C. A client with borderline personality disorder who assaulted a homeless man
with a metal rod
D. A client with bipolar disorder who paces quickly down the sidewalk while
talking to himself
C. Tell the client that this must be reported to health care staff because it concerns
the health and
safety of the client and others. - CORRECT ANSWER A client tells a student nurse,
"Don't tell anyone, but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress in order
to protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and threatening
me." Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
, A. Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily, using
therapeutic
communication to convince him to admit to hiding the knife.
B. Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and his
roommate closely.
C. Tell the client that this must be reported to health care staff because it concerns
the health and
safety of the client and others.
D. Report the incident, but do not inform the client of the intention to do so.
B. a tort. - CORRECT ANSWER A nurse decides to put a client who has psychosis in
seclusion overnight because the unit is very
short-staffed, and the client frequently fights with other clients. This is an example
of
A. beneficence.
B. a tort.
C. a facility policy.
D. justice.
B. "Client was offered 8 oz of water every hr."
C. "Client shouted at assistive personnel."
D. "Client received chlorpromazine (Thorazine) 15 mg by mouth at 1000."
E. "Client acted out after lunch." - CORRECT ANSWER A nurse is caring for a client
in restraints. Which of the following statements are appropriate
documentation? (Select all that apply.)
