ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client admitted with major depressive disorder. Which
statement by the client requires immediate intervention?
A. "Everyone would be better off without me."
B. "I haven't been sleeping well."
C. "I don't feel like eating today."
D. "I don't enjoy watching television anymore."
CORRECT ANSWER: A — "Everyone would be better off without me."
RATIONALE: This statement suggests suicidal ideation. The nurse should immediately assess
the client's suicide risk and ensure safety.
2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The voices are telling me to hurt
myself." What is the nurse's priority response?
A. "What are the voices telling you to do?"
B. "The voices are not real."
C. "Try to ignore the voices."
D. "You should not listen to them."
CORRECT ANSWER: A — "What are the voices telling you to do?"
RATIONALE: The nurse should assess the content of command hallucinations to determine the
client's immediate risk.
3. Which action is most appropriate when caring for a client experiencing a panic
attack?
,A. Stay with the client and speak calmly.
B. Encourage the client to discuss past experiences.
C. Ask the client to complete deep-breathing exercises independently.
D. Leave the client alone to regain control.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Stay with the client and speak calmly.
RATIONALE: Remaining with the client and providing calm reassurance helps reduce anxiety
and promotes safety.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder experiencing acute mania.
Which intervention is the priority?
A. Provide a low-stimulation environment.
B. Encourage participation in group activities.
C. Teach relaxation techniques.
D. Discuss long-term treatment goals.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Provide a low-stimulation environment.
RATIONALE: Reducing environmental stimulation helps decrease agitation during acute mania.
5. Which finding is most characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
A. Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
B. Alternating episodes of mania and depression
C. Multiple personalities
D. Persistent memory loss
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
RATIONALE: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to relieve anxiety caused by
obsessions.
6. A client states, "The FBI has implanted a chip in my brain." Which type of
delusion is this?
A. Persecutory delusion
B. Somatic delusion
, C. Grandeur delusion
D. Nihilistic delusion
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Persecutory delusion
RATIONALE: Persecutory delusions involve the false belief that one is being harmed or
conspired against.
7. Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
A. Present reality without arguing about the hallucination.
B. Agree that the voices are real.
C. Tell the client to ignore the voices.
D. Leave the client alone.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Present reality without arguing about the hallucination.
RATIONALE: Acknowledging the client's experience while gently presenting reality is
therapeutic.
8. A client with generalized anxiety disorder asks why the nurse encourages
relaxation exercises. Which response is appropriate?
A. "Relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety symptoms."
B. "They will cure your anxiety permanently."
C. "You will no longer need medication."
D. "Everyone should practice them."
CORRECT ANSWER: A — "Relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety symptoms."
RATIONALE: Relaxation techniques are effective coping strategies for managing anxiety.
9. Which client is at the highest risk for suicide?
A. A client with depression who suddenly appears calm after weeks of hopelessness
B. A client with mild anxiety
C. A client recovering from pneumonia
D. A client with insomnia only
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client admitted with major depressive disorder. Which
statement by the client requires immediate intervention?
A. "Everyone would be better off without me."
B. "I haven't been sleeping well."
C. "I don't feel like eating today."
D. "I don't enjoy watching television anymore."
CORRECT ANSWER: A — "Everyone would be better off without me."
RATIONALE: This statement suggests suicidal ideation. The nurse should immediately assess
the client's suicide risk and ensure safety.
2. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The voices are telling me to hurt
myself." What is the nurse's priority response?
A. "What are the voices telling you to do?"
B. "The voices are not real."
C. "Try to ignore the voices."
D. "You should not listen to them."
CORRECT ANSWER: A — "What are the voices telling you to do?"
RATIONALE: The nurse should assess the content of command hallucinations to determine the
client's immediate risk.
3. Which action is most appropriate when caring for a client experiencing a panic
attack?
,A. Stay with the client and speak calmly.
B. Encourage the client to discuss past experiences.
C. Ask the client to complete deep-breathing exercises independently.
D. Leave the client alone to regain control.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Stay with the client and speak calmly.
RATIONALE: Remaining with the client and providing calm reassurance helps reduce anxiety
and promotes safety.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder experiencing acute mania.
Which intervention is the priority?
A. Provide a low-stimulation environment.
B. Encourage participation in group activities.
C. Teach relaxation techniques.
D. Discuss long-term treatment goals.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Provide a low-stimulation environment.
RATIONALE: Reducing environmental stimulation helps decrease agitation during acute mania.
5. Which finding is most characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
A. Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
B. Alternating episodes of mania and depression
C. Multiple personalities
D. Persistent memory loss
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
RATIONALE: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed to relieve anxiety caused by
obsessions.
6. A client states, "The FBI has implanted a chip in my brain." Which type of
delusion is this?
A. Persecutory delusion
B. Somatic delusion
, C. Grandeur delusion
D. Nihilistic delusion
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Persecutory delusion
RATIONALE: Persecutory delusions involve the false belief that one is being harmed or
conspired against.
7. Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
A. Present reality without arguing about the hallucination.
B. Agree that the voices are real.
C. Tell the client to ignore the voices.
D. Leave the client alone.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Present reality without arguing about the hallucination.
RATIONALE: Acknowledging the client's experience while gently presenting reality is
therapeutic.
8. A client with generalized anxiety disorder asks why the nurse encourages
relaxation exercises. Which response is appropriate?
A. "Relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety symptoms."
B. "They will cure your anxiety permanently."
C. "You will no longer need medication."
D. "Everyone should practice them."
CORRECT ANSWER: A — "Relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety symptoms."
RATIONALE: Relaxation techniques are effective coping strategies for managing anxiety.
9. Which client is at the highest risk for suicide?
A. A client with depression who suddenly appears calm after weeks of hopelessness
B. A client with mild anxiety
C. A client recovering from pneumonia
D. A client with insomnia only
