3/25/26, 3:41 PM
ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
The client is responsive and able to fully respond by opening Alert
their eyes and attending to a normal tone of voice and speech.
What is the level of consciousness?
The client is able to open their eyes and respond but is drowsy Lethargic
and falls asleep readily. What is the level of consciousness?
The client requires vigorous or painful stimuli (pinching a Stuporous
tendon or rubbing the sternum) to elicit a brief response. They
might not be able to respond verbally. What is the level of
consciousness?
The client is unconscious and does not respond to painful Comatose
stimuli. What is the level of consciousness?
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,3/25/26, 3:41 PM
How to test a client's immediate memory Ask the client to repeat a series of numbers or a list of objects
How to test a client's recent memory Ask the client to recall recent events, such as visitors from the current day, or the purpose
of the current mental health appointment or admission
How to test a client's remote memory Ask the client to state a fact from his past that is verifiable, such as his birth date or his
mother's maiden name
How to assess a client's ability to calculate Ask the client to count backward from 100 in sevens
How to assess a client's ability to think abstractly Ask the client to interpret something complex such as, "A bird in the hand is worth two in
the bush."
Glasgow coma scale Used to obtain a baseline assessment of a client's level of consciousness; highest score is
15 and indicates that the client is awake and responding appropriately; a score of 7 or less
indicates that the client is in a coma
Serious mental illness Includes disorders classified as severe and persistent mental illnesses; clients often have
difficulty with ADLs; can be chronic or recurrent
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly A. Counting backward by sevens is an appropriate technique to assess a client's cognitive
licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the ability.
newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the B. Observing a client's facial expression is appropriate when assessing affect.
teaching? (Select all that apply) C. Writing a sentence is an indication of language ability.
A. "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens." Remote language is tested by asking the client to state a fact from his past that his
B. "To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial verifiable (date of birth). Abstract thinking is tested by asking the client to interpret
expression." something.
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."
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, 3/25/26, 3:41 PM
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health D. Monitoring for adverse effects of medications is an example of a psychobiological
disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse intervention.
include as a psychobiological intervention?
A. Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy. Systematic desensitization is cognitive and behavioral. Teaching coping mechanisms is a
B. Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms. counseling or health teaching. Assessing for comorbid conditions is health promotion and
C. Assess the client for comorbid health conditions. maintenance.
D. Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to B. Assessment is the priority action. Identifying the client's perception of her mental health
conduct an initial client interview. When conducting the status provides important information about the client's psychosocial history.
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.
A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is A. A client who is stuporous requires vigorous or painful stimuli to elicit a response.
stuporous. When assessing the client, which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? B & C occur with comatose patients.
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.
3/18
ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
The client is responsive and able to fully respond by opening Alert
their eyes and attending to a normal tone of voice and speech.
What is the level of consciousness?
The client is able to open their eyes and respond but is drowsy Lethargic
and falls asleep readily. What is the level of consciousness?
The client requires vigorous or painful stimuli (pinching a Stuporous
tendon or rubbing the sternum) to elicit a brief response. They
might not be able to respond verbally. What is the level of
consciousness?
The client is unconscious and does not respond to painful Comatose
stimuli. What is the level of consciousness?
1/18
,3/25/26, 3:41 PM
How to test a client's immediate memory Ask the client to repeat a series of numbers or a list of objects
How to test a client's recent memory Ask the client to recall recent events, such as visitors from the current day, or the purpose
of the current mental health appointment or admission
How to test a client's remote memory Ask the client to state a fact from his past that is verifiable, such as his birth date or his
mother's maiden name
How to assess a client's ability to calculate Ask the client to count backward from 100 in sevens
How to assess a client's ability to think abstractly Ask the client to interpret something complex such as, "A bird in the hand is worth two in
the bush."
Glasgow coma scale Used to obtain a baseline assessment of a client's level of consciousness; highest score is
15 and indicates that the client is awake and responding appropriately; a score of 7 or less
indicates that the client is in a coma
Serious mental illness Includes disorders classified as severe and persistent mental illnesses; clients often have
difficulty with ADLs; can be chronic or recurrent
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly A. Counting backward by sevens is an appropriate technique to assess a client's cognitive
licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the ability.
newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the B. Observing a client's facial expression is appropriate when assessing affect.
teaching? (Select all that apply) C. Writing a sentence is an indication of language ability.
A. "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens." Remote language is tested by asking the client to state a fact from his past that his
B. "To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial verifiable (date of birth). Abstract thinking is tested by asking the client to interpret
expression." something.
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."
2/18
, 3/25/26, 3:41 PM
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health D. Monitoring for adverse effects of medications is an example of a psychobiological
disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse intervention.
include as a psychobiological intervention?
A. Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy. Systematic desensitization is cognitive and behavioral. Teaching coping mechanisms is a
B. Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms. counseling or health teaching. Assessing for comorbid conditions is health promotion and
C. Assess the client for comorbid health conditions. maintenance.
D. Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to B. Assessment is the priority action. Identifying the client's perception of her mental health
conduct an initial client interview. When conducting the status provides important information about the client's psychosocial history.
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.
A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is A. A client who is stuporous requires vigorous or painful stimuli to elicit a response.
stuporous. When assessing the client, which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? B & C occur with comatose patients.
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.
3/18
