ATI MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ 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)..
Answer: -To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens."-To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial
expression.-To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence."
◍ 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?.
Answer: Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
◍ What is the highest score on the Glasgow Coma Scale?.
Answer: 15
◍ Which term describes a client who requires vigorous and painful stimuli to
elicit a brief response?.
Answer: Stuporous
◍ 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?.
Answer: Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
◍ What is the primary purpose of the DSM-5?.
, Answer: Identify mental health diagnoses
◍ Which ethical principle refers to a client's right to make their own
decisions?.
Answer: Autonomy
◍ 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?.
Answer: The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
◍ A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the DSM-5. Which of the
following information is appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all
that apply).
Answer: The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental
health disorders.-The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who
have mental health disorders.-The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment
findings of mental health disorders.
◍ How often must a provider rewrite an order for restraints for a client aged 18
or older?.
Answer: Every 4 hours
◍ 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?.
Answer: A client who has borderline personality disorder and assaulted a
homeless man with a metal rod
◍ Which of the following is an example of false imprisonment?.
Answer: Confining client ot seclusion for staff convenience
◍ Which communication technique involves repeating the client's exact
words?.
Answer: Restating
◍ 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?.
Answer: False imprisonment
◍ What is the primary goal during the acute phase of major depressive
disorder?.
Answer: Reduction of depressive manifestations
◍ Which level of anxiety is associated with increased perception of reality?.
Answer: Mild
◍ 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?.
Answer: Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the
client of the intention to do so.
◍ What is the standard frequency for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?.
Answer: Three times weekly for 6-12 treatments
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who is in mechanical restraints. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include in the documentation? (Select
all that apply).
Answer: -Client was offered 8 oz of water every hr."-Client shouted
obscenities at assistive personnel."-Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg
by mouth at 1000.
◍ Which defense mechanism involves repressing unacceptable thoughts
unconsciously?.
Answer: Repression
◍ What is the required duration of symptoms to diagnose Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)?.
Answer: 6 or more months
, ◍ What medication is used to reverse benzodiazepine toxicity?.
Answer: Flumazenil
◍ Which neurocognitive disorder is reversible and often tied to medical
conditions?.
Answer: Delirium
◍ A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's hallucinations in
the hallway with another nurse. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?.
Answer: Tell the nurse to stop discussing the behavior
◍ What neurotransmitter do cholinesterase inhibitors increase?.
Answer: Acetylcholine
◍ A nurse is caring for the parents of a child who has demonstrated changes in
behavior and mood. When the mother of the child asks the nurse for
reassurance about her son's condition, which of the following responses
should the nurse make?.
Answer: I understand you're concerned. Let's discuss what concerns you
specifically."
◍ Which ethical principle emphasizes honesty in communication?.
Answer: Veracity
◍ What is the time limit for restraints for children aged 9-17 years?.
Answer: 2 hours
◍ Which communication technique redirects focus back to the client to
explore feelings?.
Answer: Reflecting
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who smokes and has lung cancer. The client
reports, "I'm coughing because I have that cold that everyone has been
getting." The nurse should identify that the client is using which of the
following defense mechanisms?.
Answer: Denial
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ 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)..
Answer: -To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens."-To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial
expression.-To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence."
◍ 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?.
Answer: Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications.
◍ What is the highest score on the Glasgow Coma Scale?.
Answer: 15
◍ Which term describes a client who requires vigorous and painful stimuli to
elicit a brief response?.
Answer: Stuporous
◍ 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?.
Answer: Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
◍ What is the primary purpose of the DSM-5?.
, Answer: Identify mental health diagnoses
◍ Which ethical principle refers to a client's right to make their own
decisions?.
Answer: Autonomy
◍ 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?.
Answer: The client arouses briefly in response to a sternal rub.
◍ A nurse is planning a peer group discussion about the DSM-5. Which of the
following information is appropriate to include in the discussion? (Select all
that apply).
Answer: The DSM-5 establishes diagnostic criteria for individual mental
health disorders.-The DSM-5 assists nurses in planning care for client's who
have mental health disorders.-The DSM-5 indicates expected assessment
findings of mental health disorders.
◍ How often must a provider rewrite an order for restraints for a client aged 18
or older?.
Answer: Every 4 hours
◍ 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?.
Answer: A client who has borderline personality disorder and assaulted a
homeless man with a metal rod
◍ Which of the following is an example of false imprisonment?.
Answer: Confining client ot seclusion for staff convenience
◍ Which communication technique involves repeating the client's exact
words?.
Answer: Restating
◍ 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?.
Answer: False imprisonment
◍ What is the primary goal during the acute phase of major depressive
disorder?.
Answer: Reduction of depressive manifestations
◍ Which level of anxiety is associated with increased perception of reality?.
Answer: Mild
◍ 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?.
Answer: Report the incident to the health care team, but do not inform the
client of the intention to do so.
◍ What is the standard frequency for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?.
Answer: Three times weekly for 6-12 treatments
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who is in mechanical restraints. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include in the documentation? (Select
all that apply).
Answer: -Client was offered 8 oz of water every hr."-Client shouted
obscenities at assistive personnel."-Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg
by mouth at 1000.
◍ Which defense mechanism involves repressing unacceptable thoughts
unconsciously?.
Answer: Repression
◍ What is the required duration of symptoms to diagnose Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)?.
Answer: 6 or more months
, ◍ What medication is used to reverse benzodiazepine toxicity?.
Answer: Flumazenil
◍ Which neurocognitive disorder is reversible and often tied to medical
conditions?.
Answer: Delirium
◍ A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's hallucinations in
the hallway with another nurse. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?.
Answer: Tell the nurse to stop discussing the behavior
◍ What neurotransmitter do cholinesterase inhibitors increase?.
Answer: Acetylcholine
◍ A nurse is caring for the parents of a child who has demonstrated changes in
behavior and mood. When the mother of the child asks the nurse for
reassurance about her son's condition, which of the following responses
should the nurse make?.
Answer: I understand you're concerned. Let's discuss what concerns you
specifically."
◍ Which ethical principle emphasizes honesty in communication?.
Answer: Veracity
◍ What is the time limit for restraints for children aged 9-17 years?.
Answer: 2 hours
◍ Which communication technique redirects focus back to the client to
explore feelings?.
Answer: Reflecting
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who smokes and has lung cancer. The client
reports, "I'm coughing because I have that cold that everyone has been
getting." The nurse should identify that the client is using which of the
following defense mechanisms?.
Answer: Denial
