ATI Mental Health Proctored Exam 2025–2026 | 300+
Updated Questions with Verified Answers + Detailed
Rationales | Graded A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is
experiencing auditory hallucinations. What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying
B. Administer prescribed antipsychotic medication
C. Provide headphones with music
D. Validate the client’s feelings about the voices
✅ Correct Answer: A
💡 Rationale: Understanding the content of the hallucinations helps
assess risk (e.g., command hallucinations).
2. Which of the following findings indicates the client with major
depressive disorder is improving?
,A. Refuses meals
B. Sleeps 12 hours daily
C. Participates in group therapy
D. Requests PRN medications often
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Participation in therapy indicates engagement and
reduced depressive symptoms.
3. A nurse is assessing a client for suicidal ideation. Which is the priority
question?
A. "Do you feel hopeless?"
B. "Have you thought about hurting yourself?"
C. "What makes you feel this way?"
D. "Do you want to talk to a counselor?"
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: Direct assessment of suicide intent is essential for safety.
4. Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You should stop feeling so anxious."
B. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
,C. "Tell me more about what’s making you anxious."
D. "If I were you, I’d try to relax."
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Encourages client expression without judgment.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about buspirone. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "This will help me sleep tonight."
B. "I should take this only when I feel anxious."
C. "This medication won’t make me drowsy."
D. "This drug causes dependence."
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Buspirone is a non-sedating, non-addictive anxiolytic.
6. A client is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which is the
priority intervention?
A. Encourage group activities
B. Monitor sleep patterns
C. Provide high-calorie snacks
D. Discourage pacing
, ✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Manic clients often burn calories rapidly and have poor
nutrition.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which is the
priority assessment?
A. Skin turgor
B. Electrolyte levels
C. BMI
D. Menstrual history
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: Electrolyte imbalance can lead to cardiac
dysrhythmias—priority.
8. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. What is the
priority action?
A. Ask the client about the trigger
B. Teach relaxation techniques
C. Stay with the client
D. Administer benzodiazepine
✅ Correct Answer: C
Updated Questions with Verified Answers + Detailed
Rationales | Graded A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is
experiencing auditory hallucinations. What should the nurse do first?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying
B. Administer prescribed antipsychotic medication
C. Provide headphones with music
D. Validate the client’s feelings about the voices
✅ Correct Answer: A
💡 Rationale: Understanding the content of the hallucinations helps
assess risk (e.g., command hallucinations).
2. Which of the following findings indicates the client with major
depressive disorder is improving?
,A. Refuses meals
B. Sleeps 12 hours daily
C. Participates in group therapy
D. Requests PRN medications often
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Participation in therapy indicates engagement and
reduced depressive symptoms.
3. A nurse is assessing a client for suicidal ideation. Which is the priority
question?
A. "Do you feel hopeless?"
B. "Have you thought about hurting yourself?"
C. "What makes you feel this way?"
D. "Do you want to talk to a counselor?"
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: Direct assessment of suicide intent is essential for safety.
4. Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You should stop feeling so anxious."
B. "Everyone feels that way sometimes."
,C. "Tell me more about what’s making you anxious."
D. "If I were you, I’d try to relax."
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Encourages client expression without judgment.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about buspirone. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "This will help me sleep tonight."
B. "I should take this only when I feel anxious."
C. "This medication won’t make me drowsy."
D. "This drug causes dependence."
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Buspirone is a non-sedating, non-addictive anxiolytic.
6. A client is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which is the
priority intervention?
A. Encourage group activities
B. Monitor sleep patterns
C. Provide high-calorie snacks
D. Discourage pacing
, ✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Manic clients often burn calories rapidly and have poor
nutrition.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has anorexia nervosa. Which is the
priority assessment?
A. Skin turgor
B. Electrolyte levels
C. BMI
D. Menstrual history
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: Electrolyte imbalance can lead to cardiac
dysrhythmias—priority.
8. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a panic attack. What is the
priority action?
A. Ask the client about the trigger
B. Teach relaxation techniques
C. Stay with the client
D. Administer benzodiazepine
✅ Correct Answer: C
