ATI CAPSTONE MENTAL HEALTH FINAL
EXAM LATEST UPDATE
2026(VARCAROLIS) QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED A+
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & DEFENSE MECHANISMS (1-10)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who escapes anxiety-causing thoughts by ignoring
their existence. The nurse should recognize this behavior as which defense
mechanism?
A) Undoing
B) Suppression
C) Denial
D) Projection
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C) Denial
Rationale: Denial is the unconscious refusal to accept reality or facts, allowing the
client to escape unpleasant or anxiety-causing thoughts by ignoring their existence.
,Undoing involves "making up for" past behavior. Suppression is conscious
exclusion of thoughts. Projection involves blaming others for one's own feelings.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is scheduled for surgery. The client
becomes upset when asked to remove her dentures. Which response is therapeutic?
A) "You must remove your dentures for safety reasons."
B) "Don't worry, you can put them back after surgery."
C) "You seem worried. Are you concerned someone may see you without your
teeth?"
D) "Everyone has to remove their dentures before surgery."
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C) "You seem worried. Are you concerned someone may
see you without your teeth?"
Rationale: This response uses empathy (acknowledging the client's feelings) and
validation/clarification (seeking to understand the reason for the distress). These
are therapeutic communication techniques that respect the client's dignity.
QUESTION 3
A client tells the nurse, "I felt angry when you said I could not have a second
helping at lunch." This is an example of:
A) Aggression
B) Assertiveness
,C) Passive behavior
D) Projection
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) Assertiveness
Rationale: Assertiveness involves expressing one's feelings, needs, and concerns
in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner without violating the rights of others.
The client is clearly communicating their emotion without acting out.
QUESTION 4
Which behavior best demonstrates aggression?
A) Stomping away from the nurses' station, going to the hallway, and grabbing a
tray from the meal cart
B) Bursting into tears, leaving the community meeting, and sitting on a bed
hugging a pillow
C) Telling the nurse, "I felt angry when you said I could not have a second
helping"
D) Telling the medication nurse, "I am not going to take that medication"
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A) Stomping away from the nurses' station, going to the
hallway, and grabbing a tray from the meal cart
Rationale: Aggression is harsh physical or verbal action reflecting rage, hostility,
and potential for destructiveness. Aggressive behavior violates the rights of others.
Refusing medication is a client's right and may be appropriate.
, QUESTION 5
A client who witnessed her brother's homicide is diagnosed with PTSD. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A) The client reports feeling no emotions about the event
B) The client is easily startled by loud voices
C) The client sleeps 12 hours per day
D) The client has gained 15 pounds since the event
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) The client is easily startled by loud voices
Rationale: A hyperactive startle reflex (hypervigilance) due to constant anxiety is
a common finding in clients who have PTSD. This reflects the persistent state of
heightened arousal characteristic of the disorder.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is talking with a client who has schizophrenia. Suddenly the client states,
"I'm tightened. Do you hear that? The voices are telling me to do terrible things."
Which response is appropriate?
A) "There are no voices. You are imagining things."
B) "What are the voices telling you to do?"
C) "Try to ignore the voices when they speak to you."
D) "I will increase your medication right away."
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) "What are the voices telling you to do?"
EXAM LATEST UPDATE
2026(VARCAROLIS) QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED A+
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION & DEFENSE MECHANISMS (1-10)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who escapes anxiety-causing thoughts by ignoring
their existence. The nurse should recognize this behavior as which defense
mechanism?
A) Undoing
B) Suppression
C) Denial
D) Projection
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C) Denial
Rationale: Denial is the unconscious refusal to accept reality or facts, allowing the
client to escape unpleasant or anxiety-causing thoughts by ignoring their existence.
,Undoing involves "making up for" past behavior. Suppression is conscious
exclusion of thoughts. Projection involves blaming others for one's own feelings.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is scheduled for surgery. The client
becomes upset when asked to remove her dentures. Which response is therapeutic?
A) "You must remove your dentures for safety reasons."
B) "Don't worry, you can put them back after surgery."
C) "You seem worried. Are you concerned someone may see you without your
teeth?"
D) "Everyone has to remove their dentures before surgery."
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C) "You seem worried. Are you concerned someone may
see you without your teeth?"
Rationale: This response uses empathy (acknowledging the client's feelings) and
validation/clarification (seeking to understand the reason for the distress). These
are therapeutic communication techniques that respect the client's dignity.
QUESTION 3
A client tells the nurse, "I felt angry when you said I could not have a second
helping at lunch." This is an example of:
A) Aggression
B) Assertiveness
,C) Passive behavior
D) Projection
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) Assertiveness
Rationale: Assertiveness involves expressing one's feelings, needs, and concerns
in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner without violating the rights of others.
The client is clearly communicating their emotion without acting out.
QUESTION 4
Which behavior best demonstrates aggression?
A) Stomping away from the nurses' station, going to the hallway, and grabbing a
tray from the meal cart
B) Bursting into tears, leaving the community meeting, and sitting on a bed
hugging a pillow
C) Telling the nurse, "I felt angry when you said I could not have a second
helping"
D) Telling the medication nurse, "I am not going to take that medication"
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A) Stomping away from the nurses' station, going to the
hallway, and grabbing a tray from the meal cart
Rationale: Aggression is harsh physical or verbal action reflecting rage, hostility,
and potential for destructiveness. Aggressive behavior violates the rights of others.
Refusing medication is a client's right and may be appropriate.
, QUESTION 5
A client who witnessed her brother's homicide is diagnosed with PTSD. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A) The client reports feeling no emotions about the event
B) The client is easily startled by loud voices
C) The client sleeps 12 hours per day
D) The client has gained 15 pounds since the event
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) The client is easily startled by loud voices
Rationale: A hyperactive startle reflex (hypervigilance) due to constant anxiety is
a common finding in clients who have PTSD. This reflects the persistent state of
heightened arousal characteristic of the disorder.
QUESTION 6
A nurse is talking with a client who has schizophrenia. Suddenly the client states,
"I'm tightened. Do you hear that? The voices are telling me to do terrible things."
Which response is appropriate?
A) "There are no voices. You are imagining things."
B) "What are the voices telling you to do?"
C) "Try to ignore the voices when they speak to you."
D) "I will increase your medication right away."
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B) "What are the voices telling you to do?"
