ATI Mental Health Proctored
Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales
2026/2027 Q&A | Instant
1. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing anxiety. Which finding
indicates severe anxiety?
A. Mild restlessness
B. Slight tremor
C. Inability to focus on surroundings
D. Alert and attentive behavior
Answer: C
Severe anxiety results in a markedly reduced perceptual field,
making it difficult for the client to focus or concentrate on
surroundings.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is
experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the nurse’s priority
response?
A. Ignore the hallucinations
B. Encourage discussion about voices
C. Ask what the voices are saying
D. Tell the client hallucinations are not real
,Answer: C
Assessing the content of hallucinations helps determine risk for
harm, especially if voices are command hallucinations.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder.
Which symptom is expected?
A. Grandiosity
B. Rapid speech
C. Loss of interest in activities
D. Excessive energy
Answer: C
Anhedonia (loss of pleasure in usual activities) is a hallmark
symptom of depression.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about lithium therapy. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I should reduce salt intake."
B. "I should drink 2–3 liters of water daily."
C. "I should take lithium on an empty stomach."
D. "I will stop lithium if I feel better."
Answer: B
Lithium requires consistent fluid intake to prevent toxicity.
5. A nurse is assessing a client for suicide risk. Which statement
requires immediate action?
A. "Life feels meaningless."
B. "I wish I could sleep forever."
C. "I bought pills yesterday to end my life."
D. "I feel tired of everything."
,Answer: C
Having a plan and means indicates high suicide risk requiring
immediate intervention.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with panic disorder. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client
C. Encourage group therapy
D. Provide distractions
Answer: B
Staying with the client ensures safety and provides reassurance
during panic attacks.
7. A nurse is planning care for a client experiencing mania. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Offer high-calorie finger foods
B. Encourage group activities
C. Provide frequent rest periods
D. Offer high-calorie finger foods
Answer: D
Clients with mania often cannot sit still long enough to eat meals,
so finger foods support nutrition.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD). Which behavior is expected?
A. Delusions
B. Repetitive handwashing
, C. Hallucinations
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: B
Compulsions such as repetitive handwashing are common in OCD.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with PTSD. Which finding is
expected?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Flashbacks
C. Echolalia
D. Catatonia
Answer: B
Flashbacks are a hallmark symptom of PTSD.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder in manic
phase. Which behavior is expected?
A. Slow speech
B. Pressured speech
C. Social withdrawal
D. Low energy
Answer: B
Pressured speech is typical in mania.
11. A nurse is caring for a client receiving electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT). Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Withhold NPO status
B. Maintain NPO status prior to procedure
Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales
2026/2027 Q&A | Instant
1. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing anxiety. Which finding
indicates severe anxiety?
A. Mild restlessness
B. Slight tremor
C. Inability to focus on surroundings
D. Alert and attentive behavior
Answer: C
Severe anxiety results in a markedly reduced perceptual field,
making it difficult for the client to focus or concentrate on
surroundings.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is
experiencing auditory hallucinations. What is the nurse’s priority
response?
A. Ignore the hallucinations
B. Encourage discussion about voices
C. Ask what the voices are saying
D. Tell the client hallucinations are not real
,Answer: C
Assessing the content of hallucinations helps determine risk for
harm, especially if voices are command hallucinations.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder.
Which symptom is expected?
A. Grandiosity
B. Rapid speech
C. Loss of interest in activities
D. Excessive energy
Answer: C
Anhedonia (loss of pleasure in usual activities) is a hallmark
symptom of depression.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about lithium therapy. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I should reduce salt intake."
B. "I should drink 2–3 liters of water daily."
C. "I should take lithium on an empty stomach."
D. "I will stop lithium if I feel better."
Answer: B
Lithium requires consistent fluid intake to prevent toxicity.
5. A nurse is assessing a client for suicide risk. Which statement
requires immediate action?
A. "Life feels meaningless."
B. "I wish I could sleep forever."
C. "I bought pills yesterday to end my life."
D. "I feel tired of everything."
,Answer: C
Having a plan and means indicates high suicide risk requiring
immediate intervention.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with panic disorder. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
B. Stay with the client
C. Encourage group therapy
D. Provide distractions
Answer: B
Staying with the client ensures safety and provides reassurance
during panic attacks.
7. A nurse is planning care for a client experiencing mania. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Offer high-calorie finger foods
B. Encourage group activities
C. Provide frequent rest periods
D. Offer high-calorie finger foods
Answer: D
Clients with mania often cannot sit still long enough to eat meals,
so finger foods support nutrition.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD). Which behavior is expected?
A. Delusions
B. Repetitive handwashing
, C. Hallucinations
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: B
Compulsions such as repetitive handwashing are common in OCD.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with PTSD. Which finding is
expected?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Flashbacks
C. Echolalia
D. Catatonia
Answer: B
Flashbacks are a hallmark symptom of PTSD.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder in manic
phase. Which behavior is expected?
A. Slow speech
B. Pressured speech
C. Social withdrawal
D. Low energy
Answer: B
Pressured speech is typical in mania.
11. A nurse is caring for a client receiving electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT). Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Withhold NPO status
B. Maintain NPO status prior to procedure
