Mental Health Nursing School Examen ATI

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Sample questions from Mental Health Nursing School Examen ATI

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A client states, "I feel like everyone would be better off without me." Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?

   • A.Try to focus on the positive things in your life.
   • B.You should talk with your family before making any decisions.
   • C.You sound overwhelmed. Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
   • D.Your family would be devastated if you did anything to yourself.

   Rationale: Acknowledging the client's distress and directly asking about self-harm invites disclosure and supports an immediate safety assessment. Appealing to family may increase guilt, while urging positive thinking minimizes the client's distress. Advising the client to talk with family postpones assessment of a potentially urgent safety concern. Take statements suggesting hopelessness seriously and ask directly about suicide.

2. 2.During a home visit, a client with schizophrenia says, "The neighbors put a transmitter in my teeth so they can control my thoughts." Which response should the nurse make?

   • A.I do not see a transmitter, but I understand that this feels frightening to you.
   • B.Why do you think the neighbors would want to control your thoughts?
   • C.You need to stop thinking about the neighbors and focus on your treatment.
   • D.That cannot be true because transmitters cannot control thoughts.

   Rationale: The response acknowledges the client's fear without agreeing with the delusion or arguing about its validity. Telling the client the belief is impossible can feel dismissive, while asking why the neighbors would do this may reinforce the delusional idea. Telling the client to stop thinking about it is nontherapeutic and does not address the distress. Present reality briefly and focus on the client's feelings and safety.

3. 3.A 16-year-old client being treated for depression says, "I have been giving away my favorite things, and I know how I would do it." Which nursing responses are appropriate? Select all that apply.

   • A.Stay with the client and arrange for immediate observation according to safety policy.
   • B.Ask the client directly whether there is a specific suicide plan and access to the means.
   • C.Use a calm, direct approach and explain that the information will be shared with the treatment team to maintain safety.
   • D.Tell the client that discussing suicide could make the thoughts stronger.
   • E.Ask the client to promise not to harm themself before leaving the room.

   Rationale: Asking about the plan and access to means clarifies immediate risk, and staying with the client supports safety while observation is arranged. Calmly explaining the need to share safety information is honest and therapeutic. Avoiding discussion of suicide can block essential assessment, and a promise not to self-harm is not a reliable substitute for a safety plan or observation. Treat giving away belongings and identifying a method as urgent warning signs.

4. 4.In a long-term care facility, an older adult with mild cognitive impairment repeatedly asks when a family member will visit. Which response best supports the client's emotional needs?

   • A.You have already asked me that several times; try to remember what I told you.
   • B.Let's talk about something else so you will stop asking.
   • C.Your family will come when they are able, so there is no reason to worry.
   • D.You seem worried about the visit. Tell me what you are looking forward to.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A client tells the nurse, "My partner says I am too sensitive, but I am scared when they get angry." Which response is the best first step?

   • A.You need to leave the relationship immediately.
   • B.Can you tell me more about what happens when your partner gets angry?
   • C.If you were truly afraid, you would have left already.
   • D.What did you do just before your partner became angry?

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.