ATI Capstone Mental Health Exam Questions &
Answers Latest Update 2026 | Psych ATI | Exam
Prep
1. An 18-year-old referred to the mental health center often cooks gourmet meals but eats only tiny
portions. The patient wears layers of loose clothing saying, “I like the style.” The patient’s weight
dropped from 130 to 95 pounds. She has amenorrhea. Which diagnosis is most likely?
• A. Eating disorder not otherwise specified
• B. Anorexia nervosa
• C. Bulimia nervosa
• D. Binge eating
2. Disturbed body image is the nursing diagnosis for a patient with an eating disorder. Which outcome
indicator is most applicable to this diagnosis?
• A. Weight, muscle, and fat congruence with height, frame, age, and sex
• B. Calorie intake within required parameters of treatment plan
• C. Weight at established normal range for the patient
• D. Patient satisfaction with body appearance
3. A patient referred to the eating disorders clinic lost 35 pounds over 3 months. To assess eating
patterns, the nurse should ask:
• A. “Do you often feel fat?”
• B. “Who plans the family meals?”
• C. “What do you eat in a typical day?”
• D. “What do you think about your present weight?
4. A history reveals that a patient virtually stopped eating 5 months ago and lost 25% of body weight.
The nurse says, “Describe what you think about your present weight and how you look.” Which
response would be most consistent with anorexia nervosa?
• A. I’m fat and ugly.”
• B. “What I think about myself is my business.”
• C. “I’m grossly underweight, but I cover it well.”
• D. “I’m a few pounds overweight, but I can live with it.”
5. A patient has anorexia nervosa. The history shows the patient virtually stopped eating 5 months ago
and lost 25% of body weight. The serum potassium is 2.7 mg/dL. Which nursing diagnosis applies?
• A. Adult failure to thrive related to abuse of laxatives, as evidenced by electrolyte
imbalances and
• B. Ineffective health maintenance related to self-induced vomiting, as evidenced by
swollen parotid glands and hyperkalemia
• C. Disturbed energy field related to physical exertion in excess of energy produced
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, through caloric intake, as evidenced by weight loss and hyperkalemia
• D. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to refusal to eat, as
evidenced by loss of 25% of body weight and hypokalemia
6. A patient with anorexia nervosa is treated as an outpatient. Select the desired outcome related to the
nursing diagnosis Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements. Within 1 week, the patient will:
• A. Gain 1 to 2 pounds.
• B. Exercise 1 hour daily.
• C. Take a laxative every 3 days.
• D. Weigh self accurately using balanced scales.
7.
Therapeutic nutrition begins for a patient with anorexia nervosa who is 70% of ideal body
weight. Which nursing intervention is most important to add to the plan of care?
• A. Communicate empathy for the patient’s feelings.
• B. Observe for adverse effects associated with refeeding.
• C. Teach patient about psychological origins of the disorder.
• D. Direct the patient to balance energy expenditure and caloric intake.
8. A patient with anorexia nervosa is resistant to weight gain. What is the rationale for establishing a
contract with the patient to participate in measures to produce a specified weekly weight gain
• A. Severe anxiety concerning eating is expected, so objective and subjective data
must be routinely collected.
• B. Patient involvement in decision making increases sense of control and promotes
adherence.
• C. Because of risks of physical problems from refeeding, the patient’s consent is
essential.
• D. A team approach to treatment planning ensures that physical and emotional
needs are met.
9. A nurse monitors a patient with anorexia nervosa for complications of refeeding. Which assessment
is most important?
• A. Pupillary reaction to light
• B. Temperature measurements
• C. Reports of serum electrolytes
• D. Complaints of sleep disturbances
10. A psychiatric clinical nurse specialist uses cognitive therapy with a patient with anorexia nervosa.
Which statement by the nurse supports this type of therapy?
• A. “What are your feelings about not eating foods you prepare?”
• B. “You seem to feel much better about yourself when you eat something.”
• C. “It must be difficult to talk about private matters to someone you just met.”
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, • D. “Being thin doesn’t seem to solve problems. You’re thin now but still unhappy
11. A student transfers from a hometown college to a university 200 miles away after breaking up with
her boyfriend of 2 years. She was slow to make friends at the university. The history shows a close
relationship with her mother and sister. She began eating large quantities when she felt sad, and then
she induced vomiting. When the student’s schoolwork declined, she sought help from the university
health clinic. During the initial interview, what priority issue should the nurse address?
• A. Losses
• B. Sleep patterns
• C. School activities
• D. Menstrual flow
12. What behavior signals that a nurse caring for a patient with bulimia nervosa is experiencing rescue
feelings? The nurse:
• A. Makes nonjudgmental comments.
• B. Refers the patient to a self-help group for persons with eating disorders.
• C. Teaches the patient about signs of increased anxiety and ways to intervene.
• D. Determines the patient has poor eating habits and provides a diet to follow.
13. A nursing diagnosis for a patient with bulimia nervosa is Ineffective coping related to feelings of
loneliness and isolation, as evidenced by use of overeating and self-induced vomiting to comfort self.
Select the best outcome related to this diagnosis. Within 2 weeks, the patient will:
• A. Appropriately express angry feelings.
• B. Verbalize two positive things about self.
• C. Verbalize the importance of eating a balanced diet.
• D. Identify two alternative methods of coping with loneliness and isolation.
14. Which nursing intervention has highest priority for a patient with bulimia nervosa?
• A. Assist the patient to identify triggers to binge eating.
• B. Provide remedial consequences for weight loss.
• C. Assess for signs of impulsive eating.
• D. Explore needs for health teaching.
15. One bed is available on the eating disorders unit. Which patient should be admitted? The patient
whose assessment findings show the weight dropped from:
• A. 150 to 102 pounds over a 4-month period. Vital signs: temperature, 96.1° F;
pulse, 38 beats/min; blood pressure 64/42 mm Hg.
• B. 120 to 90 pounds over a 3-month period. Vital signs: temperature, 97.2° F; pulse,
50 beats/min; blood pressure 70/50 mm Hg.
• C. 110 to 70 pounds over a 4-month period. Vital signs: temperature 97.6° F; pulse,
60 beats/min; blood pressure 80/66 mm Hg.
• D. 90 to 78 pounds over a 5-month period. Vital signs: temperature, 98.6° F; pulse,
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Answers Latest Update 2026 | Psych ATI | Exam
Prep
1. An 18-year-old referred to the mental health center often cooks gourmet meals but eats only tiny
portions. The patient wears layers of loose clothing saying, “I like the style.” The patient’s weight
dropped from 130 to 95 pounds. She has amenorrhea. Which diagnosis is most likely?
• A. Eating disorder not otherwise specified
• B. Anorexia nervosa
• C. Bulimia nervosa
• D. Binge eating
2. Disturbed body image is the nursing diagnosis for a patient with an eating disorder. Which outcome
indicator is most applicable to this diagnosis?
• A. Weight, muscle, and fat congruence with height, frame, age, and sex
• B. Calorie intake within required parameters of treatment plan
• C. Weight at established normal range for the patient
• D. Patient satisfaction with body appearance
3. A patient referred to the eating disorders clinic lost 35 pounds over 3 months. To assess eating
patterns, the nurse should ask:
• A. “Do you often feel fat?”
• B. “Who plans the family meals?”
• C. “What do you eat in a typical day?”
• D. “What do you think about your present weight?
4. A history reveals that a patient virtually stopped eating 5 months ago and lost 25% of body weight.
The nurse says, “Describe what you think about your present weight and how you look.” Which
response would be most consistent with anorexia nervosa?
• A. I’m fat and ugly.”
• B. “What I think about myself is my business.”
• C. “I’m grossly underweight, but I cover it well.”
• D. “I’m a few pounds overweight, but I can live with it.”
5. A patient has anorexia nervosa. The history shows the patient virtually stopped eating 5 months ago
and lost 25% of body weight. The serum potassium is 2.7 mg/dL. Which nursing diagnosis applies?
• A. Adult failure to thrive related to abuse of laxatives, as evidenced by electrolyte
imbalances and
• B. Ineffective health maintenance related to self-induced vomiting, as evidenced by
swollen parotid glands and hyperkalemia
• C. Disturbed energy field related to physical exertion in excess of energy produced
messages.downloaded_by
, through caloric intake, as evidenced by weight loss and hyperkalemia
• D. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to refusal to eat, as
evidenced by loss of 25% of body weight and hypokalemia
6. A patient with anorexia nervosa is treated as an outpatient. Select the desired outcome related to the
nursing diagnosis Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements. Within 1 week, the patient will:
• A. Gain 1 to 2 pounds.
• B. Exercise 1 hour daily.
• C. Take a laxative every 3 days.
• D. Weigh self accurately using balanced scales.
7.
Therapeutic nutrition begins for a patient with anorexia nervosa who is 70% of ideal body
weight. Which nursing intervention is most important to add to the plan of care?
• A. Communicate empathy for the patient’s feelings.
• B. Observe for adverse effects associated with refeeding.
• C. Teach patient about psychological origins of the disorder.
• D. Direct the patient to balance energy expenditure and caloric intake.
8. A patient with anorexia nervosa is resistant to weight gain. What is the rationale for establishing a
contract with the patient to participate in measures to produce a specified weekly weight gain
• A. Severe anxiety concerning eating is expected, so objective and subjective data
must be routinely collected.
• B. Patient involvement in decision making increases sense of control and promotes
adherence.
• C. Because of risks of physical problems from refeeding, the patient’s consent is
essential.
• D. A team approach to treatment planning ensures that physical and emotional
needs are met.
9. A nurse monitors a patient with anorexia nervosa for complications of refeeding. Which assessment
is most important?
• A. Pupillary reaction to light
• B. Temperature measurements
• C. Reports of serum electrolytes
• D. Complaints of sleep disturbances
10. A psychiatric clinical nurse specialist uses cognitive therapy with a patient with anorexia nervosa.
Which statement by the nurse supports this type of therapy?
• A. “What are your feelings about not eating foods you prepare?”
• B. “You seem to feel much better about yourself when you eat something.”
• C. “It must be difficult to talk about private matters to someone you just met.”
messages.downloaded_by
, • D. “Being thin doesn’t seem to solve problems. You’re thin now but still unhappy
11. A student transfers from a hometown college to a university 200 miles away after breaking up with
her boyfriend of 2 years. She was slow to make friends at the university. The history shows a close
relationship with her mother and sister. She began eating large quantities when she felt sad, and then
she induced vomiting. When the student’s schoolwork declined, she sought help from the university
health clinic. During the initial interview, what priority issue should the nurse address?
• A. Losses
• B. Sleep patterns
• C. School activities
• D. Menstrual flow
12. What behavior signals that a nurse caring for a patient with bulimia nervosa is experiencing rescue
feelings? The nurse:
• A. Makes nonjudgmental comments.
• B. Refers the patient to a self-help group for persons with eating disorders.
• C. Teaches the patient about signs of increased anxiety and ways to intervene.
• D. Determines the patient has poor eating habits and provides a diet to follow.
13. A nursing diagnosis for a patient with bulimia nervosa is Ineffective coping related to feelings of
loneliness and isolation, as evidenced by use of overeating and self-induced vomiting to comfort self.
Select the best outcome related to this diagnosis. Within 2 weeks, the patient will:
• A. Appropriately express angry feelings.
• B. Verbalize two positive things about self.
• C. Verbalize the importance of eating a balanced diet.
• D. Identify two alternative methods of coping with loneliness and isolation.
14. Which nursing intervention has highest priority for a patient with bulimia nervosa?
• A. Assist the patient to identify triggers to binge eating.
• B. Provide remedial consequences for weight loss.
• C. Assess for signs of impulsive eating.
• D. Explore needs for health teaching.
15. One bed is available on the eating disorders unit. Which patient should be admitted? The patient
whose assessment findings show the weight dropped from:
• A. 150 to 102 pounds over a 4-month period. Vital signs: temperature, 96.1° F;
pulse, 38 beats/min; blood pressure 64/42 mm Hg.
• B. 120 to 90 pounds over a 3-month period. Vital signs: temperature, 97.2° F; pulse,
50 beats/min; blood pressure 70/50 mm Hg.
• C. 110 to 70 pounds over a 4-month period. Vital signs: temperature 97.6° F; pulse,
60 beats/min; blood pressure 80/66 mm Hg.
• D. 90 to 78 pounds over a 5-month period. Vital signs: temperature, 98.6° F; pulse,
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