ASSESSMENT TECHNOLOGIES INSTITUTE
ATI MENTAL HEALTH
PROCTORED EXAM
Official Practice Exam -- 2026/2027 Edition
RETAKE GUIDE
70 Questions 90 Minutes 80% Passing Recertification
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Mental Health Concepts and Nursing Process Questions 1-12
Section 2: Anxiety and Mood Disorders Questions 13-25
Section 3: Psychotic Disorders and Personality Disorders Questions 26-37
Section 4: Substance Use Disorders and Eating Disorders Questions 38-48
Section 5: Crisis, Trauma, and Special Populations Questions 49-60
Section 6: Psychopharmacology and Treatment Modalities Questions 61-70
Answer Key Last Page
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
1. This practice exam contains 70 multiple-choice questions divided across 6 content sections.
2. You have 90 minutes to complete the entire exam. Pace yourself accordingly.
3. Each question has four answer choices. Select the single best answer for each question.
4. A passing score of 80% (56 out of 70 correct) is required for successful completion.
5. Read each scenario carefully before selecting your answer. All questions include a clinical scenario.
6. The correct answer and rationale are provided after each question for immediate self-assessment.
7. Use this retake guide to identify content areas requiring further review before your actual exam.
ATI Mental Health Retake -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 37
,Section 1: Mental Health Concepts and Nursing Process -- 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 70
A 34-year-old patient is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit after expressing suicidal ideation. The nurse is
developing the initial plan of care. The patient states, "I just want to go home. I do not belong here." Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of reflection?
A. You seem to feel that being here is not the right place for you right now.
B. Why do you think you do not belong here on the unit?
C. I understand how you feel because being in the hospital can be difficult.
D. You should give the treatment team a chance to help you before leaving.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Reflection mirrors the patient's feelings back without adding interpretation or judgment. Option A restates the patient's
perception, allowing them to feel heard and explore their emotions further. Option B uses a 'why' question, which can
make patients feel defensive. Option C shifts focus to the nurse's understanding rather than the patient's experience,
and Option D is directive and dismissive of the patient's expressed feelings.
Q2 Question 2 of 70
A mental health nurse is caring for a patient who becomes increasingly agitated and begins pacing the hallway,
clenching fists, and shouting at other patients. The nurse's initial action should be to approach the patient using
which technique?
A. Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication immediately to calm the patient.
B. Approach the patient at eye level in a calm, nonthreatening manner and use therapeutic touch
only if safe.
C. Call a code and request security to restrain the patient for safety.
D. Ignore the behavior and document it as attention-seeking in the nursing notes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The least restrictive intervention should always be attempted first. Approaching the patient calmly at eye level
communicates respect and helps de-escalate the situation without force. Option A jumps to medication before verbal
de-escalation. Option C is premature and escalates the situation. Option D ignores safety concerns and mislabels the
behavior.
ATI Mental Health Retake -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 37
,Q3 Question 3 of 70
A nurse is performing a mental status examination on a 52-year-old patient diagnosed with major depressive
disorder. The patient responds to each question with only one or two words and speaks in a monotone voice.
Which term best describes this finding?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Neologism
C. Poverty of speech
D. Word salad
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Poverty of speech refers to reduced speech output where the patient gives brief, minimal responses, commonly seen
in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Flight of ideas involves rapid shifting from one topic to another, typical
of mania. Neologism refers to invented words, and word salad is incoherent, jumbled speech associated with psychotic
disorders, not depression.
Q4 Question 4 of 70
A nursing student is learning about the stages of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. During the
orientation phase, the nurse should prioritize which of the following actions?
A. Exploring the patient's past trauma in depth to understand current behaviors.
B. Summarizing progress and discussing the patient's plans for continued recovery.
C. Confronting the patient about discrepancies between stated goals and actual behaviors.
D. Establishing trust, setting boundaries, and clarifying expectations for the relationship.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The orientation phase focuses on building trust, establishing the contract for the relationship, and clarifying roles and
expectations. Option A describes work that occurs during the working phase. Option B describes the termination
phase. Option C is a working-phase intervention that requires an established therapeutic relationship before
confrontation is appropriate.
ATI Mental Health Retake -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 37
, Q5 Question 5 of 70
A patient on a psychiatric unit tells the nurse, "I am the prophet sent to save humanity. The voices told me my
mission begins today." The nurse recognizes this statement as an example of which type of altered thought
content?
A. Delusion of grandeur
B. Illusion
C. Ideas of reference
D. Loose association
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A delusion of grandeur is a fixed, false belief of having exceptional powers, identity, or a special mission, which
matches the patient's claim of being a prophet. An illusion is a misinterpretation of a real external stimulus. Ideas of
reference involve believing neutral events are personally significant. Loose association refers to disorganized thinking
where ideas are not logically connected.
Q6 Question 6 of 70
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is conducting a psychosocial assessment on a newly admitted patient. Which
assessment finding would be most important for the nurse to report to the treatment team immediately?
A. The patient reports difficulty sleeping for the past three nights.
B. The patient describes a specific plan to harm a family member after discharge.
C. The patient expresses feelings of hopelessness about the future.
D. The patient states they have stopped attending church services recently.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A specific, articulated plan to harm another person represents an imminent risk of violence that requires immediate
intervention and duty-to-warn action. While options A and C are clinically significant and should be addressed, they do
not carry the same immediacy of danger. Option D reflects a change in social support but is not an emergency.
ATI Mental Health Retake -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 37
ATI MENTAL HEALTH
PROCTORED EXAM
Official Practice Exam -- 2026/2027 Edition
RETAKE GUIDE
70 Questions 90 Minutes 80% Passing Recertification
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Mental Health Concepts and Nursing Process Questions 1-12
Section 2: Anxiety and Mood Disorders Questions 13-25
Section 3: Psychotic Disorders and Personality Disorders Questions 26-37
Section 4: Substance Use Disorders and Eating Disorders Questions 38-48
Section 5: Crisis, Trauma, and Special Populations Questions 49-60
Section 6: Psychopharmacology and Treatment Modalities Questions 61-70
Answer Key Last Page
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
1. This practice exam contains 70 multiple-choice questions divided across 6 content sections.
2. You have 90 minutes to complete the entire exam. Pace yourself accordingly.
3. Each question has four answer choices. Select the single best answer for each question.
4. A passing score of 80% (56 out of 70 correct) is required for successful completion.
5. Read each scenario carefully before selecting your answer. All questions include a clinical scenario.
6. The correct answer and rationale are provided after each question for immediate self-assessment.
7. Use this retake guide to identify content areas requiring further review before your actual exam.
ATI Mental Health Retake -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1 of 37
,Section 1: Mental Health Concepts and Nursing Process -- 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 70
A 34-year-old patient is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit after expressing suicidal ideation. The nurse is
developing the initial plan of care. The patient states, "I just want to go home. I do not belong here." Which
response by the nurse best demonstrates the therapeutic technique of reflection?
A. You seem to feel that being here is not the right place for you right now.
B. Why do you think you do not belong here on the unit?
C. I understand how you feel because being in the hospital can be difficult.
D. You should give the treatment team a chance to help you before leaving.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Reflection mirrors the patient's feelings back without adding interpretation or judgment. Option A restates the patient's
perception, allowing them to feel heard and explore their emotions further. Option B uses a 'why' question, which can
make patients feel defensive. Option C shifts focus to the nurse's understanding rather than the patient's experience,
and Option D is directive and dismissive of the patient's expressed feelings.
Q2 Question 2 of 70
A mental health nurse is caring for a patient who becomes increasingly agitated and begins pacing the hallway,
clenching fists, and shouting at other patients. The nurse's initial action should be to approach the patient using
which technique?
A. Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication immediately to calm the patient.
B. Approach the patient at eye level in a calm, nonthreatening manner and use therapeutic touch
only if safe.
C. Call a code and request security to restrain the patient for safety.
D. Ignore the behavior and document it as attention-seeking in the nursing notes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The least restrictive intervention should always be attempted first. Approaching the patient calmly at eye level
communicates respect and helps de-escalate the situation without force. Option A jumps to medication before verbal
de-escalation. Option C is premature and escalates the situation. Option D ignores safety concerns and mislabels the
behavior.
ATI Mental Health Retake -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2 of 37
,Q3 Question 3 of 70
A nurse is performing a mental status examination on a 52-year-old patient diagnosed with major depressive
disorder. The patient responds to each question with only one or two words and speaks in a monotone voice.
Which term best describes this finding?
A. Flight of ideas
B. Neologism
C. Poverty of speech
D. Word salad
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Poverty of speech refers to reduced speech output where the patient gives brief, minimal responses, commonly seen
in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Flight of ideas involves rapid shifting from one topic to another, typical
of mania. Neologism refers to invented words, and word salad is incoherent, jumbled speech associated with psychotic
disorders, not depression.
Q4 Question 4 of 70
A nursing student is learning about the stages of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. During the
orientation phase, the nurse should prioritize which of the following actions?
A. Exploring the patient's past trauma in depth to understand current behaviors.
B. Summarizing progress and discussing the patient's plans for continued recovery.
C. Confronting the patient about discrepancies between stated goals and actual behaviors.
D. Establishing trust, setting boundaries, and clarifying expectations for the relationship.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The orientation phase focuses on building trust, establishing the contract for the relationship, and clarifying roles and
expectations. Option A describes work that occurs during the working phase. Option B describes the termination
phase. Option C is a working-phase intervention that requires an established therapeutic relationship before
confrontation is appropriate.
ATI Mental Health Retake -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3 of 37
, Q5 Question 5 of 70
A patient on a psychiatric unit tells the nurse, "I am the prophet sent to save humanity. The voices told me my
mission begins today." The nurse recognizes this statement as an example of which type of altered thought
content?
A. Delusion of grandeur
B. Illusion
C. Ideas of reference
D. Loose association
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
A delusion of grandeur is a fixed, false belief of having exceptional powers, identity, or a special mission, which
matches the patient's claim of being a prophet. An illusion is a misinterpretation of a real external stimulus. Ideas of
reference involve believing neutral events are personally significant. Loose association refers to disorganized thinking
where ideas are not logically connected.
Q6 Question 6 of 70
A psychiatric-mental health nurse is conducting a psychosocial assessment on a newly admitted patient. Which
assessment finding would be most important for the nurse to report to the treatment team immediately?
A. The patient reports difficulty sleeping for the past three nights.
B. The patient describes a specific plan to harm a family member after discharge.
C. The patient expresses feelings of hopelessness about the future.
D. The patient states they have stopped attending church services recently.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A specific, articulated plan to harm another person represents an imminent risk of violence that requires immediate
intervention and duty-to-warn action. While options A and C are clinically significant and should be addressed, they do
not carry the same immediacy of danger. Option D reflects a change in social support but is not an emergency.
ATI Mental Health Retake -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4 of 37
