ATI Capstone Mental Health Assessment
Exam (2026/2027) – ATI Comprehensive
Mental Health Capstone & Assessment
Exam with Complete Questions & Verified
Answers | Latest Version
ATI Capstone Mental Health Assessment
Exam 2026/2027
Questions (Original Practice)
1. A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling them to hurt
themselves. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Document the hallucination
B. Assess for suicidal intent
C. Encourage distraction techniques
D. Provide group therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Safety is the priority; assess for suicidal or homicidal intent immediately.
2. Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own unacceptable
thoughts to others?
,A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Displacement
D. Rationalization
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Projection involves attributing unacceptable feelings to someone else.
3. A patient with major depressive disorder is unable to get out of bed.
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group therapy
B. Focus on meeting basic needs first
C. Assign complex cognitive tasks
D. Discuss long-term goals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Maslow’s hierarchy: meet basic physiological needs before higher-level interventions.
4. A patient taking MAOIs should avoid which food?
A. Apples
B. Yogurt
C. Aged cheese
D. Rice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Tyramine-rich foods (e.g., aged cheese) can cause hypertensive crisis with MAOIs.
5. Which statement indicates understanding of CBT?
A. “I will ignore my negative thoughts.”
B. “I can challenge irrational beliefs.”
C. “Medication alone will solve my problems.”
D. “I should avoid all stressors completely.”
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
CBT teaches patients to identify and challenge cognitive distortions.
6. A patient with anxiety reports rapid heart rate, sweating, and fear of
losing control. Which type of anxiety is this?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. Panic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Symptoms indicate panic-level anxiety, which may require immediate intervention.
7. A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic episode. Priority nursing
intervention:
A. Encourage group activities
B. Provide a structured environment
C. Increase stimuli to redirect energy
D. Assign independent projects
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Structured, low-stimulation environments prevent escalation and ensure safety.
8. Which medication is first-line for acute mania?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Lorazepam
D. Haloperidol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Lithium is a mood stabilizer effective for acute mania.
Exam (2026/2027) – ATI Comprehensive
Mental Health Capstone & Assessment
Exam with Complete Questions & Verified
Answers | Latest Version
ATI Capstone Mental Health Assessment
Exam 2026/2027
Questions (Original Practice)
1. A patient with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling them to hurt
themselves. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Document the hallucination
B. Assess for suicidal intent
C. Encourage distraction techniques
D. Provide group therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Safety is the priority; assess for suicidal or homicidal intent immediately.
2. Which defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own unacceptable
thoughts to others?
,A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Displacement
D. Rationalization
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Projection involves attributing unacceptable feelings to someone else.
3. A patient with major depressive disorder is unable to get out of bed.
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage participation in group therapy
B. Focus on meeting basic needs first
C. Assign complex cognitive tasks
D. Discuss long-term goals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Maslow’s hierarchy: meet basic physiological needs before higher-level interventions.
4. A patient taking MAOIs should avoid which food?
A. Apples
B. Yogurt
C. Aged cheese
D. Rice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Tyramine-rich foods (e.g., aged cheese) can cause hypertensive crisis with MAOIs.
5. Which statement indicates understanding of CBT?
A. “I will ignore my negative thoughts.”
B. “I can challenge irrational beliefs.”
C. “Medication alone will solve my problems.”
D. “I should avoid all stressors completely.”
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
CBT teaches patients to identify and challenge cognitive distortions.
6. A patient with anxiety reports rapid heart rate, sweating, and fear of
losing control. Which type of anxiety is this?
A. Mild
B. Moderate
C. Severe
D. Panic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Symptoms indicate panic-level anxiety, which may require immediate intervention.
7. A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic episode. Priority nursing
intervention:
A. Encourage group activities
B. Provide a structured environment
C. Increase stimuli to redirect energy
D. Assign independent projects
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Structured, low-stimulation environments prevent escalation and ensure safety.
8. Which medication is first-line for acute mania?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Lorazepam
D. Haloperidol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Lithium is a mood stabilizer effective for acute mania.
