ATI Mental Health Assessment B – Nursing
Education (ATI) | 2026/2027 Complete
Questions with Verified Answers |A+Guide|
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1-12)
Q1. A nurse is caring for a patient who states, "I'm a failure. Nothing I do ever turns out right."
Which of the following responses by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "I'm sure things aren't as bad as you think."
B. "Why do you feel like a failure?"
C. "You're feeling like nothing you do turns out right." [CORRECT]
D. "You should focus on the positive things in your life."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Restating is a therapeutic communication technique that repeats the main idea
expressed by the patient, encouraging further discussion and validating the patient's feelings.
Options A and D are nontherapeutic (false reassurance and giving advice). Option B asks
"why," which can be confrontational and put the patient on the defensive.
Q2. A patient tells the nurse, "I'm really scared about the procedure tomorrow." Which
response by the nurse demonstrates the technique of offering self?
A. "It's normal to be scared. Everyone gets nervous."
B. "I will be thinking of you during the procedure."
C. "I can sit with you for a while if you would like." [CORRECT]
D. "What specifically about the procedure scares you?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Offering self involves making oneself available to the patient without making
demands, providing support through presence. Option A minimizes feelings. Option B does
,not provide immediate support. Option D explores feelings (good technique) but is not
"offering self."
Q3. A nurse is conducting an admission interview. The patient states, "I don't want to be here.
I don't need any help." Which of the following is a nontherapeutic response?
A. "You sound frustrated about being here."
B. "You must stay because the doctor admitted you."
C. "Tell me more about why you feel you don't need help."
D. "I can see this is difficult for you." [CORRECT] (Wait, looking for NONtherapeutic).
Revised Q3 Options:
A. "You sound frustrated about being here."
B. "Tell me more about why you feel you don't need help."
C. "I can see this is difficult for you."
D. "Why do you think you know more than the doctors?" [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Asking "why" is generally nontherapeutic as it demands a rationale and can sound
accusatory. Option D is particularly nontherapeutic because it challenges the patient and uses
sarcasm. Options A, B, and C are therapeutic techniques (restating, exploring, validating).
Sub-Topic: Nurse-patient relationship phases (2 questions)
Q4. A nurse is working with a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The patient
states, "I've started going to the group therapy sessions you suggested. I think they might
help." This statement indicates the nurse-patient relationship is in which phase?
A. Orientation phase
B. Working phase [CORRECT]
C. Pre-orientation phase
,D. Termination phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The working phase is characterized by the patient actively participating in problem-
solving and achieving goals. The patient's engagement in therapy indicates progress toward
goals, a hallmark of the working phase. The orientation phase involves establishing trust and
contracts. Termination involves summarizing progress.
Q5. During the termination phase of the nurse-patient relationship, a patient suddenly
becomes angry and states, "You don't care about me anymore. You're just leaving like
everyone else." Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
A. Extend the relationship until the patient feels ready to end it
B. Remind the patient that the relationship was always time-limited [CORRECT]
C. Refer the patient to another nurse for continued care
D. Ignore the behavior as it is manipulative
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The termination phase often elicits feelings of loss and abandonment. The nurse
should validate the patient's feelings while maintaining the boundaries of the time-limited
relationship. Extending the relationship hinders the patient's growth and independence.
Ignoring the behavior is nontherapeutic.
Sub-Topic: Defense mechanisms identification (2 questions)
Q6. A patient who was recently fired from their job tells the nurse, "That job was terrible
anyway. The boss was incompetent, and I'm glad I don't have to deal with him anymore." The
nurse identifies this behavior as which defense mechanism?
A. Denial
B. Projection
, C. Rationalization [CORRECT]
D. Sublimation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationalization involves creating logical but false explanations for illogical or
unacceptable behavior or situations to decrease anxiety. The patient is justifying the job loss
by devaluing the job and boss. Projection involves attributing one's own feelings to others.
Denial is refusing to accept reality.
Q7. A patient with a history of aggressive outbursts is admitted to the unit. During group
therapy, the patient paints a picture of a violent battle scene. The nurse recognizes this
behavior as an example of which defense mechanism?
A. Displacement
B. Sublimation [CORRECT]
C. Suppression
D. Undoing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sublimation is a mature defense mechanism where socially unacceptable impulses
are channeled into socially acceptable activities (e.g., channeling aggression into art or
sports). Displacement redirects feelings to a less threatening object.
Sub-Topic: Ethical principles in mental health (1 question)
Q8. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses to take prescribed antipsychotic medication.
The patient is not demonstrating immediate danger to self or others. Which ethical principle
supports the nurse's action to respect the patient's refusal?
A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy [CORRECT]
Education (ATI) | 2026/2027 Complete
Questions with Verified Answers |A+Guide|
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING (Questions 1-12)
Q1. A nurse is caring for a patient who states, "I'm a failure. Nothing I do ever turns out right."
Which of the following responses by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "I'm sure things aren't as bad as you think."
B. "Why do you feel like a failure?"
C. "You're feeling like nothing you do turns out right." [CORRECT]
D. "You should focus on the positive things in your life."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Restating is a therapeutic communication technique that repeats the main idea
expressed by the patient, encouraging further discussion and validating the patient's feelings.
Options A and D are nontherapeutic (false reassurance and giving advice). Option B asks
"why," which can be confrontational and put the patient on the defensive.
Q2. A patient tells the nurse, "I'm really scared about the procedure tomorrow." Which
response by the nurse demonstrates the technique of offering self?
A. "It's normal to be scared. Everyone gets nervous."
B. "I will be thinking of you during the procedure."
C. "I can sit with you for a while if you would like." [CORRECT]
D. "What specifically about the procedure scares you?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Offering self involves making oneself available to the patient without making
demands, providing support through presence. Option A minimizes feelings. Option B does
,not provide immediate support. Option D explores feelings (good technique) but is not
"offering self."
Q3. A nurse is conducting an admission interview. The patient states, "I don't want to be here.
I don't need any help." Which of the following is a nontherapeutic response?
A. "You sound frustrated about being here."
B. "You must stay because the doctor admitted you."
C. "Tell me more about why you feel you don't need help."
D. "I can see this is difficult for you." [CORRECT] (Wait, looking for NONtherapeutic).
Revised Q3 Options:
A. "You sound frustrated about being here."
B. "Tell me more about why you feel you don't need help."
C. "I can see this is difficult for you."
D. "Why do you think you know more than the doctors?" [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Asking "why" is generally nontherapeutic as it demands a rationale and can sound
accusatory. Option D is particularly nontherapeutic because it challenges the patient and uses
sarcasm. Options A, B, and C are therapeutic techniques (restating, exploring, validating).
Sub-Topic: Nurse-patient relationship phases (2 questions)
Q4. A nurse is working with a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The patient
states, "I've started going to the group therapy sessions you suggested. I think they might
help." This statement indicates the nurse-patient relationship is in which phase?
A. Orientation phase
B. Working phase [CORRECT]
C. Pre-orientation phase
,D. Termination phase
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The working phase is characterized by the patient actively participating in problem-
solving and achieving goals. The patient's engagement in therapy indicates progress toward
goals, a hallmark of the working phase. The orientation phase involves establishing trust and
contracts. Termination involves summarizing progress.
Q5. During the termination phase of the nurse-patient relationship, a patient suddenly
becomes angry and states, "You don't care about me anymore. You're just leaving like
everyone else." Which nursing intervention is appropriate?
A. Extend the relationship until the patient feels ready to end it
B. Remind the patient that the relationship was always time-limited [CORRECT]
C. Refer the patient to another nurse for continued care
D. Ignore the behavior as it is manipulative
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The termination phase often elicits feelings of loss and abandonment. The nurse
should validate the patient's feelings while maintaining the boundaries of the time-limited
relationship. Extending the relationship hinders the patient's growth and independence.
Ignoring the behavior is nontherapeutic.
Sub-Topic: Defense mechanisms identification (2 questions)
Q6. A patient who was recently fired from their job tells the nurse, "That job was terrible
anyway. The boss was incompetent, and I'm glad I don't have to deal with him anymore." The
nurse identifies this behavior as which defense mechanism?
A. Denial
B. Projection
, C. Rationalization [CORRECT]
D. Sublimation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationalization involves creating logical but false explanations for illogical or
unacceptable behavior or situations to decrease anxiety. The patient is justifying the job loss
by devaluing the job and boss. Projection involves attributing one's own feelings to others.
Denial is refusing to accept reality.
Q7. A patient with a history of aggressive outbursts is admitted to the unit. During group
therapy, the patient paints a picture of a violent battle scene. The nurse recognizes this
behavior as an example of which defense mechanism?
A. Displacement
B. Sublimation [CORRECT]
C. Suppression
D. Undoing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sublimation is a mature defense mechanism where socially unacceptable impulses
are channeled into socially acceptable activities (e.g., channeling aggression into art or
sports). Displacement redirects feelings to a less threatening object.
Sub-Topic: Ethical principles in mental health (1 question)
Q8. A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses to take prescribed antipsychotic medication.
The patient is not demonstrating immediate danger to self or others. Which ethical principle
supports the nurse's action to respect the patient's refusal?
A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy [CORRECT]
