ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM 2023 WITH QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS RETAKE
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to a mental health facility after
attempting suicide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Establish a rapport to foster trust
B) Implement continuous one-to-one observation
C) Ask the client to sign a no-suicide contract
D) Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: The greatest risk to this client is self-harm. According to the nursing
process and safety priorities, the nurse's first action should be to implement
continuous one-to-one observation to ensure client safety. A no-suicide contract
is not a substitute for direct observation and is not the priority action .
,Question 2
A charge nurse is discussing the care of a client who has a substance use disorder
with a staff nurse. Which of the following statements by the staff nurse should
the charge nurse identify as countertransference?
A) "The client is just like my brother who finally overcame his habit."
B) "The client needs to accept responsibility for his substance use."
C) "The client generally shares his feelings during group therapy session."
D) "The client asked me to go on a date with him, but I refused."
Answer: A
Rationale: Countertransference occurs when a healthcare provider projects their
own past feelings or experiences onto the client. Comparing the client to a family
member is a classic example of countertransference .
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching for a newly licensed nurse about the constructive
use of defense mechanisms. Which of the following examples should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A) A student who is upset with a teacher writes a story about an excellent
student.
,B) A school-age child whose mother died 2 years ago talks about her in present
tense.
C) A woman who has a health concern postpones a medical appointment until
after a vacation.
D) An adult who was sexually abused as a child is unable to remember the
incident.
Answer: A
Rationale: Writing a story is an example of sublimation, a constructive defense
mechanism where unacceptable impulses are channeled into acceptable or
productive activities. The other options describe denial or repression .
Question 4
A nurse is planning care for a client who has bipolar disorder and is experiencing
acute mania. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
A) Encourage the client to join a group volleyball game.
B) Limit loud noises in the client's environment.
C) Provide the client with detailed written instructions.
D) Allow the client to stay in the day room as long as they wish.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Clients with acute mania are highly sensitive to sensory overload.
Limiting loud noises and providing a low-stimulation environment helps decrease
agitation and anxiety .
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who exhibits excessive compliance, passivity, and
self-denial. The nurse should recognize that these findings are associated with
which of the following personality disorders?
A) Dependent
B) Paranoid
C) Borderline
D) Histrionic
Answer: A
Rationale: Individuals with dependent personality disorder have an excessive
need to be taken care of, leading to submissive, clinging behavior, fear of
separation, and self-denial .
Question 6
A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The FBI is poisoning my food." Which
response is most therapeutic?
ANSWERS RETAKE
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to a mental health facility after
attempting suicide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Establish a rapport to foster trust
B) Implement continuous one-to-one observation
C) Ask the client to sign a no-suicide contract
D) Encourage the client to participate in group therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: The greatest risk to this client is self-harm. According to the nursing
process and safety priorities, the nurse's first action should be to implement
continuous one-to-one observation to ensure client safety. A no-suicide contract
is not a substitute for direct observation and is not the priority action .
,Question 2
A charge nurse is discussing the care of a client who has a substance use disorder
with a staff nurse. Which of the following statements by the staff nurse should
the charge nurse identify as countertransference?
A) "The client is just like my brother who finally overcame his habit."
B) "The client needs to accept responsibility for his substance use."
C) "The client generally shares his feelings during group therapy session."
D) "The client asked me to go on a date with him, but I refused."
Answer: A
Rationale: Countertransference occurs when a healthcare provider projects their
own past feelings or experiences onto the client. Comparing the client to a family
member is a classic example of countertransference .
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching for a newly licensed nurse about the constructive
use of defense mechanisms. Which of the following examples should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A) A student who is upset with a teacher writes a story about an excellent
student.
,B) A school-age child whose mother died 2 years ago talks about her in present
tense.
C) A woman who has a health concern postpones a medical appointment until
after a vacation.
D) An adult who was sexually abused as a child is unable to remember the
incident.
Answer: A
Rationale: Writing a story is an example of sublimation, a constructive defense
mechanism where unacceptable impulses are channeled into acceptable or
productive activities. The other options describe denial or repression .
Question 4
A nurse is planning care for a client who has bipolar disorder and is experiencing
acute mania. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
A) Encourage the client to join a group volleyball game.
B) Limit loud noises in the client's environment.
C) Provide the client with detailed written instructions.
D) Allow the client to stay in the day room as long as they wish.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Clients with acute mania are highly sensitive to sensory overload.
Limiting loud noises and providing a low-stimulation environment helps decrease
agitation and anxiety .
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who exhibits excessive compliance, passivity, and
self-denial. The nurse should recognize that these findings are associated with
which of the following personality disorders?
A) Dependent
B) Paranoid
C) Borderline
D) Histrionic
Answer: A
Rationale: Individuals with dependent personality disorder have an excessive
need to be taken care of, leading to submissive, clinging behavior, fear of
separation, and self-denial .
Question 6
A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The FBI is poisoning my food." Which
response is most therapeutic?
