1
2023 RN ATI CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
PROCTURED COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT 2026
REVISED VERSION JUST RELEASED
A nurse in a mental health clinic is assessing a client who was brought in by her adult daughter
stating that her mother has not been able to leave her home for weeks because she is afraid to
be outdoors alone. the nurse should anticipate planning care for managing which of the
following phobias?
a. Xenophobia
b. Acrophobia
c. Mysophobia
d. Agoraphobia
- ANSWER-d. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an irrational fear about being in places or circumstances where the client would not
have help in the event of panic or other forms of anxiety. Fear of being alone outdoor is a
common example.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has multiple medication prescriptions and
must take the medications at specific intervals when at home. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. "You really shouldn't change the schedule we established here in the facility."
b. "Let's work together to devise a time schedule that is convenient for you on a daily basis."
c. "We'll have to talk to your provider about switching to an alternative schedule."
d. "It doesn't really matter what time you take your medications as long as you don't skip
any doses." - ANSWER-b. "Let's work together to devise a time schedule that is convenient
for you on a daily basis." This response illustrates the therapeutic communication technique
of formulating a plan of action. It demonstrates the nurse's willingness to work with the
client to modify the schedule so that it meets the client's needs at this time.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to. client who has bipolar disorder and will be discharged
with a prescription for lithium. The nurse should teach the client that which of the following
factors puts her at risk for lithium toxicity?
a. The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon.
b. The client drinks 2 liters of liquids daily.
c. The client eats 2 to 3 grams of sodium-containing foods daily.
,2
d. The client eats foods high in tyramine.
- ANSWER-a. The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon.
Strenuous exercise in outdoor heat, which can lead to dehydration, puts the client at risk for
lithium toxicity. Mild to moderate exercise will not lead to lithium toxicity, but if the client engages
in strenuous exercise during hot weather, she should take care to replace any water that may
have been lost through profuse sweating. this also applies to other factors that can cause the
client to become dehydrated, such as having diarrhea or taking diuretics.
A nurse in a emergency department is assessing a client for suspected cocaine intoxication. Which
of the following findings should the nurse expect?
a. Nystagmus
b. Dilated pupils
c. Hypersomnia
d. Depression
- ANSWER-b. Dilated pupils
Dilated pupils are a finding of cocaine intoxication due to the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous
system.
A nurse enters the room of a client who becomes verbally abusive. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
, 3
a. Inform the client of consequences.
b. Speak slowly in a low, calm voice.
c. Forbid the client from speaking in an abusive manner.
d. Remain a distance of 1 ft away from the client.
- ANSWER-b. Speak slowly in a low, calm voice.
Speaking in this manner conveys to the client that the nurse is controlled, nonthreatening, and
caring.
A nurse is caring for a client who lost all his possessions in a house fire and states, "I have no idea
what I am going to do. I cannot think right now." Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
a. Identify other housing options and sources of transportation.
b. Notify the facility chaplain to request scheduling an appointment.
c. Confirm that everything will be alright because belongings can be replaced.
d. Maintain eye contact with client and summarize the client's feeings.
- ANSWER-d. Maintain eye contact with the client and summarize the client's feelings.
This demonstrates therapeutic communication. During the initial interview, it is important for the
nurse to provide an atmosphere of support and safety. If a person believes that the someone is
genuinely concerned, then he may believe that help is available. Maintaining eye contact
demonstrates support, empathy, and advocacy.
A nurse in a psychiatric unit is caring for several clients. Which of the following clients should
the nurse recommend for group therapy?
a. A client who has been taking amitriptyline for 3 months for depression.
b. A client exhibiting psychotic behavior.
c. A client admitted 12 hr ago for acute mania.
d. A client who is experiencing alcohol intoxication.
- ANSWER-a. A client who has been taking amitriptyline for 3 months for depression.
Psychotherapy groups provide clients with the opportunity to enhance their personal
relationships, increase self-awareness and try new behaviors in a safe social setting. Amitriptyline
can take 4 to 8 weeks to become effective; therefore, this client should be experiencing
improvement in depressive manifestations and be ready to interact in a group setting.
A nurse is conducting a group therapy meeting and is sharing a humorous story. When the group
laughs at the story, a client who has schizophrenia jumps up and runs out while yelling, "You are
all making fun of me." Which of the following behaviors is this client displaying?
a. Grandeur
b. Flight of ideas
c. Erotomania
d. Ideas of reference
- ANSWER-d. Ideas of reference
Ideas of reference occur when a client believes that conversation of others always concern
him and that others are ridiculing him.
2023 RN ATI CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
PROCTURED COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT 2026
REVISED VERSION JUST RELEASED
A nurse in a mental health clinic is assessing a client who was brought in by her adult daughter
stating that her mother has not been able to leave her home for weeks because she is afraid to
be outdoors alone. the nurse should anticipate planning care for managing which of the
following phobias?
a. Xenophobia
b. Acrophobia
c. Mysophobia
d. Agoraphobia
- ANSWER-d. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an irrational fear about being in places or circumstances where the client would not
have help in the event of panic or other forms of anxiety. Fear of being alone outdoor is a
common example.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has multiple medication prescriptions and
must take the medications at specific intervals when at home. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. "You really shouldn't change the schedule we established here in the facility."
b. "Let's work together to devise a time schedule that is convenient for you on a daily basis."
c. "We'll have to talk to your provider about switching to an alternative schedule."
d. "It doesn't really matter what time you take your medications as long as you don't skip
any doses." - ANSWER-b. "Let's work together to devise a time schedule that is convenient
for you on a daily basis." This response illustrates the therapeutic communication technique
of formulating a plan of action. It demonstrates the nurse's willingness to work with the
client to modify the schedule so that it meets the client's needs at this time.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to. client who has bipolar disorder and will be discharged
with a prescription for lithium. The nurse should teach the client that which of the following
factors puts her at risk for lithium toxicity?
a. The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon.
b. The client drinks 2 liters of liquids daily.
c. The client eats 2 to 3 grams of sodium-containing foods daily.
,2
d. The client eats foods high in tyramine.
- ANSWER-a. The client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon.
Strenuous exercise in outdoor heat, which can lead to dehydration, puts the client at risk for
lithium toxicity. Mild to moderate exercise will not lead to lithium toxicity, but if the client engages
in strenuous exercise during hot weather, she should take care to replace any water that may
have been lost through profuse sweating. this also applies to other factors that can cause the
client to become dehydrated, such as having diarrhea or taking diuretics.
A nurse in a emergency department is assessing a client for suspected cocaine intoxication. Which
of the following findings should the nurse expect?
a. Nystagmus
b. Dilated pupils
c. Hypersomnia
d. Depression
- ANSWER-b. Dilated pupils
Dilated pupils are a finding of cocaine intoxication due to the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous
system.
A nurse enters the room of a client who becomes verbally abusive. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
, 3
a. Inform the client of consequences.
b. Speak slowly in a low, calm voice.
c. Forbid the client from speaking in an abusive manner.
d. Remain a distance of 1 ft away from the client.
- ANSWER-b. Speak slowly in a low, calm voice.
Speaking in this manner conveys to the client that the nurse is controlled, nonthreatening, and
caring.
A nurse is caring for a client who lost all his possessions in a house fire and states, "I have no idea
what I am going to do. I cannot think right now." Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
a. Identify other housing options and sources of transportation.
b. Notify the facility chaplain to request scheduling an appointment.
c. Confirm that everything will be alright because belongings can be replaced.
d. Maintain eye contact with client and summarize the client's feeings.
- ANSWER-d. Maintain eye contact with the client and summarize the client's feelings.
This demonstrates therapeutic communication. During the initial interview, it is important for the
nurse to provide an atmosphere of support and safety. If a person believes that the someone is
genuinely concerned, then he may believe that help is available. Maintaining eye contact
demonstrates support, empathy, and advocacy.
A nurse in a psychiatric unit is caring for several clients. Which of the following clients should
the nurse recommend for group therapy?
a. A client who has been taking amitriptyline for 3 months for depression.
b. A client exhibiting psychotic behavior.
c. A client admitted 12 hr ago for acute mania.
d. A client who is experiencing alcohol intoxication.
- ANSWER-a. A client who has been taking amitriptyline for 3 months for depression.
Psychotherapy groups provide clients with the opportunity to enhance their personal
relationships, increase self-awareness and try new behaviors in a safe social setting. Amitriptyline
can take 4 to 8 weeks to become effective; therefore, this client should be experiencing
improvement in depressive manifestations and be ready to interact in a group setting.
A nurse is conducting a group therapy meeting and is sharing a humorous story. When the group
laughs at the story, a client who has schizophrenia jumps up and runs out while yelling, "You are
all making fun of me." Which of the following behaviors is this client displaying?
a. Grandeur
b. Flight of ideas
c. Erotomania
d. Ideas of reference
- ANSWER-d. Ideas of reference
Ideas of reference occur when a client believes that conversation of others always concern
him and that others are ridiculing him.
