2026 RN ATI Capstone
Mental Health | Actual Exam
Questions + Rationales | Level
3 Achievement
Part 1: Foundational Concepts & Legal/Ethical Issues (Q1-15)
Q1. A nurse in an acute care facility is assisting with the admission
of an older adult client who has late stage Alzheimer's disease. The
nurse notes that the client's partner appears exhausted. He states
that he is finding it more and more difficult to care for his partner.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Refer the partner to a local support group.
B. Ask the partner to talk about his difficulties.
C. Instruct the partner on how to access respite care.
D. Arrange for a home health aide to assist the partner.
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: According to the nursing process (Assessment -> Analysis ->
Planning), the nurse must assess the situation first before implementing
interventions. Asking the partner to talk is a therapeutic communication
technique to gather data regarding the specific stressors and resources
available to the family .
,Q2. A client in a mental health unit has been admitted involuntarily.
The client states they are ready to leave immediately. Which
response by the nurse is appropriate?
A. "You may leave when your provider writes the discharge order."
B. "You are being held by court order and cannot leave yet."
C. "If you leave now, we will have to call the police."
D. "I understand you want to leave, but you currently do not have the
legal right to discharge yourself."
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: D
Rationale: Involuntarily committed clients retain the right to refuse
treatment but usually do not have the right to leave the facility until a
legal review determines they are no longer a danger to themselves or
others (or they convert to voluntary status). The nurse should provide
factual, therapeutic education without threatening the client (which
would escalate anxiety) .
Part 2: Therapeutic Communication & Defense Mechanisms (Q16-
30)
Q3. A client who was recently laid off from work states, "I knew I
was going to be fired. I'm not smart enough for that job anyway."
The nurse recognizes this statement as an example of which defense
mechanism?
A. Rationalization
B. Denial
C. Intellectualization
D. Regression
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: Rationalization involves creating logical excuses or
, justifications for irrational or unacceptable behavior, thoughts, or
feelings. By claiming they "knew it was coming" and are "not smart
enough," the client is attempting to avoid the true emotional pain of
rejection and loss .
Q4. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack.
The client is hyperventilating and pacing the floor. What is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag.
B. Ask the client, "What triggered this anxiety?"
C. Walk the client to a quiet room and stay with them.
D. Administer PRN lorazepam immediately.
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client’s cognitive function is
impaired (they cannot process complex information). The priority is to
reduce environmental stimuli (quiet room) and provide a safe presence
to prevent injury and model calmness .
Part 3: Mood Disorders & Suicide Prevention (Q31-45)
Q5. (NGN - Select All That Apply) A nurse is caring for a client with
a history of suicide attempts. Which of the following findings place
the client at the highest risk for another suicide attempt? (Select all
that apply)
A. Hallucinations
B. Depression
C. Delusions
D. Tinnitus
E. Catatonia
Mental Health | Actual Exam
Questions + Rationales | Level
3 Achievement
Part 1: Foundational Concepts & Legal/Ethical Issues (Q1-15)
Q1. A nurse in an acute care facility is assisting with the admission
of an older adult client who has late stage Alzheimer's disease. The
nurse notes that the client's partner appears exhausted. He states
that he is finding it more and more difficult to care for his partner.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Refer the partner to a local support group.
B. Ask the partner to talk about his difficulties.
C. Instruct the partner on how to access respite care.
D. Arrange for a home health aide to assist the partner.
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: According to the nursing process (Assessment -> Analysis ->
Planning), the nurse must assess the situation first before implementing
interventions. Asking the partner to talk is a therapeutic communication
technique to gather data regarding the specific stressors and resources
available to the family .
,Q2. A client in a mental health unit has been admitted involuntarily.
The client states they are ready to leave immediately. Which
response by the nurse is appropriate?
A. "You may leave when your provider writes the discharge order."
B. "You are being held by court order and cannot leave yet."
C. "If you leave now, we will have to call the police."
D. "I understand you want to leave, but you currently do not have the
legal right to discharge yourself."
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: D
Rationale: Involuntarily committed clients retain the right to refuse
treatment but usually do not have the right to leave the facility until a
legal review determines they are no longer a danger to themselves or
others (or they convert to voluntary status). The nurse should provide
factual, therapeutic education without threatening the client (which
would escalate anxiety) .
Part 2: Therapeutic Communication & Defense Mechanisms (Q16-
30)
Q3. A client who was recently laid off from work states, "I knew I
was going to be fired. I'm not smart enough for that job anyway."
The nurse recognizes this statement as an example of which defense
mechanism?
A. Rationalization
B. Denial
C. Intellectualization
D. Regression
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: Rationalization involves creating logical excuses or
, justifications for irrational or unacceptable behavior, thoughts, or
feelings. By claiming they "knew it was coming" and are "not smart
enough," the client is attempting to avoid the true emotional pain of
rejection and loss .
Q4. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack.
The client is hyperventilating and pacing the floor. What is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag.
B. Ask the client, "What triggered this anxiety?"
C. Walk the client to a quiet room and stay with them.
D. Administer PRN lorazepam immediately.
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: During a panic attack, the client’s cognitive function is
impaired (they cannot process complex information). The priority is to
reduce environmental stimuli (quiet room) and provide a safe presence
to prevent injury and model calmness .
Part 3: Mood Disorders & Suicide Prevention (Q31-45)
Q5. (NGN - Select All That Apply) A nurse is caring for a client with
a history of suicide attempts. Which of the following findings place
the client at the highest risk for another suicide attempt? (Select all
that apply)
A. Hallucinations
B. Depression
C. Delusions
D. Tinnitus
E. Catatonia
