ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam – Best Revision Questions and Answers

ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam –
Best Revision Questions and Answers
Question 1
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed nurse.
Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an
understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply)
A. "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by
sevens."
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."
E. "To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to identify our
most recent presidents."
Correct Answers: A, B, C
(D assesses immediate memory, not remote; E assesses recent memory or general
knowledge, not abstract thinking)


Question 2
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder. Which of
the following actions should the nurse 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 the medications.
Correct Answer: D
(Psychobiological interventions include medication management and monitoring
for adverse effects)


Question 3

,A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an initial
client interview. When conducting the interview, which of the following actions
should the nurse identify as the priority?
A. Coordinate holistic care with social services.
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.
Correct Answer: B
(First priority is to assess the client's perception of their own mental health status)


Question 4
A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is stuporous. When
assessing the client, which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
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.
Correct Answer: A
(Stuporous clients only arouse briefly with vigorous stimulation)


Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has major depressive disorder. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)
A. Feelings of hopelessness
B. Pressured speech
C. Grandiose delusions
D. Anhedonia
E. Psychomotor retardation
Correct Answers: A, D, E
(Pressured speech and grandiose delusions are more consistent with bipolar
mania)

,Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar I disorder who is experiencing acute
mania. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Place the client in seclusion when he becomes hyperactive.
B. Provide foods that can be eaten with the fingers.
C. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy sessions.
D. Provide a structured environment with detailed rules.
Correct Answer: B
(Finger foods accommodate the client's inability to sit for meals; seclusion
requires specific criteria)


Question 7
A nurse is assessing a client with schizophrenia who has auditory hallucinations.
Which of the following questions should the nurse ask first?
A. "Are the voices telling you to hurt yourself?"
B. "How long have you been hearing the voices?"
C. "Do the voices bother you?"
D. "What are the voices saying?"
Correct Answer: A
(Safety is priority – determine if the voices are commanding self-harm)


Question 8
A nurse is administering lithium to a client with bipolar disorder. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to prevent toxicity?
A. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
B. Serum sodium level
C. Serum calcium level
D. White blood cell count

, Correct Answer: B
(Low sodium increases lithium reabsorption and risk of toxicity)


Question 9
A client with borderline personality disorder has been engaging in self-mutilation.
Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Place the client on suicide precautions.
B. Administer PRN benzodiazepine as prescribed.
C. Establish a no-harm contract with the client.
D. Assess the client for command hallucinations.
Correct Answer: D
(Assess for command hallucinations that may be driving the behavior – safety
priority)


Question 10
A nurse is teaching the family of a client with Alzheimer's disease about the
expected progression of the illness. Which of the following statements should the
nurse make?
A. "Memory loss is often the last major change that occurs."
B. "Your father may experience incontinence in the later stages."
C. "Personality changes are uncommon in Alzheimer's disease."
D. "Confusion is usually constant and does not vary throughout the day."
Correct Answer: B
(Incontinence, loss of motor skills, and complete dependence occur in late stages)


Question 11
A nurse is caring for a client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)
A. Hypervigilance
B. Recurrent nightmares