ATI PN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM| Actual
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed nurse.
Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an
understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply)
A) To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens.
B) To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression
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.
The correct answers are A, B, C.
Explanation: Counting backward assesses concentration (cognitive); facial
expression shows affect; writing a sentence tests language. D assesses immediate
memory, not remote; E assesses knowledge, not abstract thinking.
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder. Which of
the following actions should the nurse include as a psychobiological intervention?
A) Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
B) Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
C) Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
The correct answer is D.
,Explanation: Psychobiological interventions focus on biological aspects like
monitoring medication effects; others are behavioral or psychosocial.
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an initial
client interview. When conducting the 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.
The correct answer is B.
Explanation: Priority is understanding the client's view to build rapport and
guide care; others follow assessment.
A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is stuporous. When
assessing the client, which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
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.
The correct answer is A.
Explanation: Stupor means arousal only to painful stimuli like sternal rub; coma
is GCS <8, no arousal.
,A nurse is planning a peer group about the DSM-5. Which of the following
information is appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that apply).
A) The DSM-5 includes client education handouts for mental health disorders.
B) The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental health
disorders.
C) The DSM-5 indicates recommended pharmacological treatment for mental
health disorders.
D) The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who have mental health
disorders.
E) The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings of mental health disorders.
The correct answers are B, D, E.
Explanation: DSM-5 provides criteria, findings, and aids care planning; no
handouts or pharmacology.
A nurse in an emergency mental health facility is caring for a group of clients. The
nurse should identify that which of the following clients requires a temporary
emergency admission?
A) A client who has schizophrenia with delusions of grandeur
B) A client who has manifestations of depression and attempted suicide a year ago.
C) A client who has borderline personality disorder and assaulted a homeless man
with a metal rod.
D) A client who has bipolar disorder and paces quickly around the room while
talking to himself.
The correct answer is C.
Explanation: Assault indicates imminent danger to others, warranting
involuntary admission.
, A nurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in seclusion overnight
because the unit is very short-staffed, and the client frequently fights with other
clients. The nurse's actions are an example of which of the following torts?
A) Invasion of privacy
B) False imprisonment
C) Assault
D) Battery
The correct answer is B.
Explanation: Unjustified seclusion is false imprisonment, restricting freedom
without cause.
A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress
in order to protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and
threatening me." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily, using
therapeutic communication to convince him to admit to hiding the knife.
B) Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and his
roommate closely.
C) Tell the client that this must be reported to the healthcare team because it
concerns the health and safety of the client and others.
D) Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the
intention to do so.
The correct answer is D.
Explanation: Safety threat breaks confidentiality; report without informing
client to prevent hiding the knife.
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly licensed nurse.
Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an
understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply)
A) To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count backward by sevens.
B) To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression
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.
The correct answers are A, B, C.
Explanation: Counting backward assesses concentration (cognitive); facial
expression shows affect; writing a sentence tests language. D assesses immediate
memory, not remote; E assesses knowledge, not abstract thinking.
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health disorder. Which of
the following actions should the nurse include as a psychobiological intervention?
A) Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
B) Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
C) Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
D) Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
The correct answer is D.
,Explanation: Psychobiological interventions focus on biological aspects like
monitoring medication effects; others are behavioral or psychosocial.
A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to conduct an initial
client interview. When conducting the 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.
The correct answer is B.
Explanation: Priority is understanding the client's view to build rapport and
guide care; others follow assessment.
A nurse is told during change of shift report that a client is stuporous. When
assessing the client, which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
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.
The correct answer is A.
Explanation: Stupor means arousal only to painful stimuli like sternal rub; coma
is GCS <8, no arousal.
,A nurse is planning a peer group about the DSM-5. Which of the following
information is appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all that apply).
A) The DSM-5 includes client education handouts for mental health disorders.
B) The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental health
disorders.
C) The DSM-5 indicates recommended pharmacological treatment for mental
health disorders.
D) The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who have mental health
disorders.
E) The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment findings of mental health disorders.
The correct answers are B, D, E.
Explanation: DSM-5 provides criteria, findings, and aids care planning; no
handouts or pharmacology.
A nurse in an emergency mental health facility is caring for a group of clients. The
nurse should identify that which of the following clients requires a temporary
emergency admission?
A) A client who has schizophrenia with delusions of grandeur
B) A client who has manifestations of depression and attempted suicide a year ago.
C) A client who has borderline personality disorder and assaulted a homeless man
with a metal rod.
D) A client who has bipolar disorder and paces quickly around the room while
talking to himself.
The correct answer is C.
Explanation: Assault indicates imminent danger to others, warranting
involuntary admission.
, A nurse decides to put a client who has a psychotic disorder in seclusion overnight
because the unit is very short-staffed, and the client frequently fights with other
clients. The nurse's actions are an example of which of the following torts?
A) Invasion of privacy
B) False imprisonment
C) Assault
D) Battery
The correct answer is B.
Explanation: Unjustified seclusion is false imprisonment, restricting freedom
without cause.
A client tells a nurse, "Don't tell anyone but I hid a sharp knife under my mattress
in order to protect myself from my roommate, who is always yelling at me and
threatening me." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client's communication confidential, but talk to the client daily, using
therapeutic communication to convince him to admit to hiding the knife.
B) Keep the client's communication confidential, but watch the client and his
roommate closely.
C) Tell the client that this must be reported to the healthcare team because it
concerns the health and safety of the client and others.
D) Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the client of the
intention to do so.
The correct answer is D.
Explanation: Safety threat breaks confidentiality; report without informing
client to prevent hiding the knife.
