ATI RN MENTAL HEALTH PROCTORED
EXAM 2026 NGN-Style Questions and
Answers Plus Rationales | Instant Pdf
Download
Therapeutic Communication & Legal/Ethical Issues
1. A nurse is performing a cognitive assessment to distinguish
delirium from dementia in a client whose family reports episodes of
confusion. Which assessment finding supports the suspicion of
delirium?
• A) Slow onset of memory loss
• B) Easily distracted
• C) Stable orientation over 24 hours
• D) Aphasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Extreme distractibility is a hallmark manifestation of delirium,
which has acute onset and fluctuating course. Dementia typically involves
, stable, progressive decline without the acute attention deficits seen in
delirium .
2. A nurse is caring for a client who gave birth to a stillborn baby.
Which statement should the nurse make?
• A) "You can always try again later."
• B) "Everything happens for a reason."
• C) "I'll stay with you just in case you want to talk."
• D) "At least you know you can get pregnant."
Answer: C
Rationale: This demonstrates the therapeutic communication technique of
"offering self," indicating the nurse's presence and willingness to listen
without imposing expectations. The other options offer false reassurance or
platitudes .
3. A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's
hallucinations in the hallway. Which action should the nurse take
FIRST?
• A) Notify the nurse manager
• B) Tell the nurse to stop discussing the behavior immediately
• C) Provide an in-service program about confidentiality
• D) Complete an incident report
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should first stop the breach of confidentiality
, immediately to protect client privacy. Notifying the manager and filing
reports occur after the immediate threat is stopped .
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has made repeated
physical threats toward others on the unit. The client does not want
to leave, but the nurse requests transfer to a unit equipped to
manage violent behavior. Which ethical principle is the nurse
applying?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Beneficence
• C) Nonmaleficence
• D) Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "do no harm." The nurse is applying this
principle by requesting transfer to prevent injury to others on the unit. This
prioritizes safety for all clients .
5. A nurse is creating a plan of care for a client placed in seclusion
after threatening to harm others. Which intervention should the
nurse include?
• A) Renew the prescription for seclusion every 4 hours
• B) Document behavior every 8 hours
• C) Keep the client in seclusion for 24 hours
• D) Assess the client once per shift
, Answer: A
*Rationale: For an adult client, the prescription for seclusion must be
renewed every 4 hours, with a maximum of 24 hours. The provider must
conduct a face-to-face evaluation within 1 hour of initiation .*
6. A nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client who
appears withdrawn and fearful. To establish a trusting nurse-client
relationship, which action should the nurse take FIRST?
• A) Ask about the client's support system
• B) Inform the client that this admission is confidential
• C) Review the client's past medical history
• D) Set goals for the client's treatment
Answer: B
Rationale: According to evidence-based practice, the nurse should first
inform the client about confidentiality during the orientation phase of the
nurse-client relationship. This establishes trust and safety before further
assessment .
7. A nurse is caring for a client in restraints. Which statements are
appropriate for documentation? (Select All That Apply)
• A) "Client ate most of his breakfast."
• B) "Client was offered 8 oz of water every hour."
• C) "Client shouted at assistive personnel."
• D) "Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg PO at 1000."
• E) "Client acted out after lunch."
EXAM 2026 NGN-Style Questions and
Answers Plus Rationales | Instant Pdf
Download
Therapeutic Communication & Legal/Ethical Issues
1. A nurse is performing a cognitive assessment to distinguish
delirium from dementia in a client whose family reports episodes of
confusion. Which assessment finding supports the suspicion of
delirium?
• A) Slow onset of memory loss
• B) Easily distracted
• C) Stable orientation over 24 hours
• D) Aphasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Extreme distractibility is a hallmark manifestation of delirium,
which has acute onset and fluctuating course. Dementia typically involves
, stable, progressive decline without the acute attention deficits seen in
delirium .
2. A nurse is caring for a client who gave birth to a stillborn baby.
Which statement should the nurse make?
• A) "You can always try again later."
• B) "Everything happens for a reason."
• C) "I'll stay with you just in case you want to talk."
• D) "At least you know you can get pregnant."
Answer: C
Rationale: This demonstrates the therapeutic communication technique of
"offering self," indicating the nurse's presence and willingness to listen
without imposing expectations. The other options offer false reassurance or
platitudes .
3. A nurse hears a newly licensed nurse discussing a client's
hallucinations in the hallway. Which action should the nurse take
FIRST?
• A) Notify the nurse manager
• B) Tell the nurse to stop discussing the behavior immediately
• C) Provide an in-service program about confidentiality
• D) Complete an incident report
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should first stop the breach of confidentiality
, immediately to protect client privacy. Notifying the manager and filing
reports occur after the immediate threat is stopped .
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has made repeated
physical threats toward others on the unit. The client does not want
to leave, but the nurse requests transfer to a unit equipped to
manage violent behavior. Which ethical principle is the nurse
applying?
• A) Autonomy
• B) Beneficence
• C) Nonmaleficence
• D) Justice
Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence means "do no harm." The nurse is applying this
principle by requesting transfer to prevent injury to others on the unit. This
prioritizes safety for all clients .
5. A nurse is creating a plan of care for a client placed in seclusion
after threatening to harm others. Which intervention should the
nurse include?
• A) Renew the prescription for seclusion every 4 hours
• B) Document behavior every 8 hours
• C) Keep the client in seclusion for 24 hours
• D) Assess the client once per shift
, Answer: A
*Rationale: For an adult client, the prescription for seclusion must be
renewed every 4 hours, with a maximum of 24 hours. The provider must
conduct a face-to-face evaluation within 1 hour of initiation .*
6. A nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client who
appears withdrawn and fearful. To establish a trusting nurse-client
relationship, which action should the nurse take FIRST?
• A) Ask about the client's support system
• B) Inform the client that this admission is confidential
• C) Review the client's past medical history
• D) Set goals for the client's treatment
Answer: B
Rationale: According to evidence-based practice, the nurse should first
inform the client about confidentiality during the orientation phase of the
nurse-client relationship. This establishes trust and safety before further
assessment .
7. A nurse is caring for a client in restraints. Which statements are
appropriate for documentation? (Select All That Apply)
• A) "Client ate most of his breakfast."
• B) "Client was offered 8 oz of water every hour."
• C) "Client shouted at assistive personnel."
• D) "Client received chlorpromazine 15 mg PO at 1000."
• E) "Client acted out after lunch."
