ATI Mental Health Cms

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Sample questions from ATI Mental Health Cms

This material has 60 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.During a home visit, a 4-year-old hides behind a caregiver and says, "I don't want to talk." Which response by the nurse is best?

   • A.Tell me what is making you feel unsure about talking.
   • B.Your caregiver says you usually enjoy meeting new people.
   • C.You can tell me anything because I am here to help.
   • D.Would you like to show me your favorite toy while we sit together?

   Rationale: Offering a familiar, low-pressure activity supports rapport with a young child and allows communication to develop at the child's pace. Asking the child to explain the feeling may be too demanding before trust is established. Promising help or invoking the caregiver's expectations can pressure the child rather than invite expression. The exam takeaway is to use developmentally appropriate, nonthreatening approaches before asking a young child to discuss difficult feelings.

2. 2.A client receiving outpatient counseling says, "My partner says I am impossible to live with, and maybe that is true." Which response best uses reflection?

   • A.You should not let another person define your worth.
   • B.Why does your partner say that about you?
   • C.It sounds as though you are questioning how you see yourself.
   • D.Have you considered couples counseling?

   Rationale: Reflecting the client's uncertainty invites further exploration without imposing an interpretation or solution. Asking why may sound accusatory and shifts attention to the partner's behavior before clarifying the client's experience. Reassurance and advice may close down discussion, even when well intended. The exam takeaway is to use reflection to return the client's expressed concern for deeper exploration.

3. 3.Refer to the client's chart. Which actions should the nurse take to support therapeutic communication with this adolescent? Select all that apply.

   • A.Offer a private conversation and explain the limits of confidentiality before asking sensitive questions.
   • B.Ask whether the client wants the caregiver to remain during the conversation.
   • C.Promise not to share any information with the caregiver or other members of the care team.
   • D.Use open-ended questions about what the client has been experiencing at school.
   • E.Tell the client that the caregiver will answer questions more accurately.
   • F.Allow pauses and give the client time to respond without filling the silence.

   Rationale: The chart notes that the client becomes quiet when the caregiver answers, so offering private time and asking the adolescent's preference can support autonomous communication. Explaining confidentiality limits and using open-ended questions are appropriate, and allowing pauses avoids pressuring the client. Promising absolute confidentiality is incorrect because safety concerns and legal requirements can require disclosure. Relying on the caregiver to answer instead of the adolescent dismisses the client's perspective.

4. 4.In a community mental health clinic, a client who has panic disorder says, "I am afraid another attack will happen on the bus." Which nurse response best demonstrates therapeutic communication?

   • A.You should avoid the bus until you feel more confident.
   • B.What has helped you manage the fear when it starts?
   • C.There is no reason to expect an attack if you are calm.
   • D.You need to ride the bus every day until the fear goes away.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A client states, "I know the staff are talking about me because they stop when I enter the room." Which response should the nurse make?

   • A.That sounds frightening. I have not heard staff discussing you, but I can stay with you while we talk about what you noticed.
   • B.The staff are not talking about you; you are misinterpreting what you see.
   • C.Why do you think the staff would choose to talk about you?
   • D.If you ignore the staff, the feeling will probably go away.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.