HESI Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice Exam PREPARATION
HESI PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE EXAM
PREPARATION FOR 2025/2026 TEST BANK COMPLETE 400
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW!!
1.
The parents of a 14-year-old boy bring their son to the hospital. He is lethargic,
but responsive. The mother states, "I think he took some of my pain pills." During
initial assessment of the teenager, what information is most important for the
nurse to obtain from the parents?
A) If he has seemed depressed recently.
B) If a drug overdose has ever occurred before.
C) If he might have taken any other drugs.
D) If he has a desire to quit taking drugs.
Knowledge of all substances taken (C) will guide further treatment, such as
administration of antagonists, so obtaining this information has the highest
priority. (A and B) are also valuable in planning treatment. (D) is not appropriate
during the acute management of a drug overdose.
Correct Answer(s): C
2.
The wife of a male client recently diagnosed with schizophrenia asks the nurse,
"What exactly is schizophrenia? Is my husband all right?" Which response is best
for the nurse to provide to this family member?
A) It sounds like you're worried about your husband. Let's sit down and talk.
B) It is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes disorganized thinking.
C) Your husband will be just fine if he takes his medications regularly.
D) I think you should talk to your husband's psychologist about this question.
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, HESI Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice Exam PREPARATION
The nurse should answer the client's question with factual information and
explain that schizophrenia is a chemical imbalance in the brain (B). (A) is a
therapeutic response but does not answer the question, and may be an
appropriate response after the nurse answers the question asked. Although (C)
is likely true to some degree, it is also true that some clients continue to have
disorganized thinking even with antipsychotic medications. Referring the spouse
to the psychologist (D) is avoiding the issue; the nurse can and should answer
the question.
Correct Answer(s): B
3.
The community health nurse talks to a male client who has bipolar disorder. The
client explains that he sleeps 4 to 5 hours a night and is working with his partner
to start two new businesses and build an empire. The client stopped taking his
medications several days ago. What nursing problem has the highest priority?
A) Excessive work activity.
B) Decreased need for sleep.
C) Medication management.
D) Inflated self-esteem.
The most important nursing problem is medication management (C) because
compliance with the medication regimen will help prevent hospitalization. The
client is also exhibiting signs of (A, B, and C); however, these problems do not
have the priority of medication management.
Correct Answer(s): C
4.
At a support meeting of parents of a teenager with polysubstance dependency, a
parent states, "Each time my son tries to quit taking drugs, he gets so depressed
that I'm afraid he will commit suicide." The nurse's response should be based on
which information?
A) Addiction is a chronic, incurable disease.
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, HESI Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice Exam PREPARATION
B) Tolerance to the effects of drugs causes feelings of depression.
C) Feelings of depression frequently lead to drug abuse and addiction.
D) Careful monitoring should be provided during withdrawal from the drugs.
The priority is to teach the parents that their son will need monitoring and
support during withdrawal (D) to ensure that he does not attempt suicide.
Although (A and C) are true, they are not as relevant to the parent's expressed
concern. There is no information to support (B).
Correct Answer(s): D
5.
The nurse observes a female client with schizophrenia watching the news on TV.
She begins to laugh softly and says, "Yes, my love, I'll do it." When the nurse
questions the client about her comment she states, "The news commentator is my
lover and he speaks to me each evening. Only I can understand what he says."
What is the best response for the nurse to make?
A) What do you believe the news commentator said to you?
B) Let's watch news on a different television channel.
C) Does the news commentator have plans to harm you or others?
D) The news commentator is not talking to you.
It is imperative that the nurse determine what the client believes she heard (A).
The idea of reference may be to hurt herself or someone else, and the main
function of a psychiatric nurse is to maintain safety. (B) is acceptable, but it is
best to determine the client's beliefs. (C) is validating the idea of reference,
while (D) is challenging the client.
Correct Answer(s): A
6.
A male client with schizophrenia who is taking fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin
decanoate) is being discharged in the morning. A repeat dose of medication is
scheduled for 20 days after discharge. The client tells the nurse that he is going on
vacation in the Bahamas and will return in 18 days. Which statement by the client
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, HESI Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice Exam PREPARATION
indicates a need for health teaching?
A) When I return from my tropical island vacation, I will go to the clinic to get my
Prolixin injection.
B) While I am on vacation and when I return, I will not eat or drink anything that
contains alcohol.
C) I will notify the healthcare provider if I have a sore throat or flu-like symptoms.
D) I will continue to take my benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) every day.
Photosensitivity is a side effect of Prolixin and a vacation in the Bahamas (with
its tropical island climate) increases the client's chance of experiencing this side
effect. He should be instructed to avoid direct sun (A) and wear sunscreen. (B, C,
and D) indicate accurate knowledge. Alcohol acts synergistically with Prolixin
(B). (C) lists signs of agranulocytosis, which is also a side effect of Prolixin. In
order to avoid extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), anticholinergic drugs, such as
Cogentin, are often prescribed prophylactically with Prolixin.
Correct Answer(s): A
7.
A male client is admitted to the mental health unit because he was feeling
depressed about the loss of his wife and job. The client has a history of alcohol
dependency and admits that he was drinking alcohol 12 hours ago. Vital signs are:
temperature, 100° F, pulse 100, and BP 142/100. The nurse plans to give the client
lorazepam (Ativan) based on which priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Risk for injury related to suicidal ideation.
B) Risk for injury related to alcohol detoxification.
C) Knowledge deficit related to ineffective coping.
D) Health seeking behaviors related to personal crisis.
The most important nursing diagnosis is related to alcohol detoxification (B)
because the client has elevated vital signs, a sign of alcohol detoxification.
Maintaining client safety related to (A) should be addressed after giving the
client Ativan for elevated vital signs secondary to alcohol withdrawal. (C and D)
can be addressed when immediate needs for safety are met.
4|Page
HESI PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE EXAM
PREPARATION FOR 2025/2026 TEST BANK COMPLETE 400
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW!!
1.
The parents of a 14-year-old boy bring their son to the hospital. He is lethargic,
but responsive. The mother states, "I think he took some of my pain pills." During
initial assessment of the teenager, what information is most important for the
nurse to obtain from the parents?
A) If he has seemed depressed recently.
B) If a drug overdose has ever occurred before.
C) If he might have taken any other drugs.
D) If he has a desire to quit taking drugs.
Knowledge of all substances taken (C) will guide further treatment, such as
administration of antagonists, so obtaining this information has the highest
priority. (A and B) are also valuable in planning treatment. (D) is not appropriate
during the acute management of a drug overdose.
Correct Answer(s): C
2.
The wife of a male client recently diagnosed with schizophrenia asks the nurse,
"What exactly is schizophrenia? Is my husband all right?" Which response is best
for the nurse to provide to this family member?
A) It sounds like you're worried about your husband. Let's sit down and talk.
B) It is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes disorganized thinking.
C) Your husband will be just fine if he takes his medications regularly.
D) I think you should talk to your husband's psychologist about this question.
1|Page
, HESI Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice Exam PREPARATION
The nurse should answer the client's question with factual information and
explain that schizophrenia is a chemical imbalance in the brain (B). (A) is a
therapeutic response but does not answer the question, and may be an
appropriate response after the nurse answers the question asked. Although (C)
is likely true to some degree, it is also true that some clients continue to have
disorganized thinking even with antipsychotic medications. Referring the spouse
to the psychologist (D) is avoiding the issue; the nurse can and should answer
the question.
Correct Answer(s): B
3.
The community health nurse talks to a male client who has bipolar disorder. The
client explains that he sleeps 4 to 5 hours a night and is working with his partner
to start two new businesses and build an empire. The client stopped taking his
medications several days ago. What nursing problem has the highest priority?
A) Excessive work activity.
B) Decreased need for sleep.
C) Medication management.
D) Inflated self-esteem.
The most important nursing problem is medication management (C) because
compliance with the medication regimen will help prevent hospitalization. The
client is also exhibiting signs of (A, B, and C); however, these problems do not
have the priority of medication management.
Correct Answer(s): C
4.
At a support meeting of parents of a teenager with polysubstance dependency, a
parent states, "Each time my son tries to quit taking drugs, he gets so depressed
that I'm afraid he will commit suicide." The nurse's response should be based on
which information?
A) Addiction is a chronic, incurable disease.
2|Page
, HESI Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice Exam PREPARATION
B) Tolerance to the effects of drugs causes feelings of depression.
C) Feelings of depression frequently lead to drug abuse and addiction.
D) Careful monitoring should be provided during withdrawal from the drugs.
The priority is to teach the parents that their son will need monitoring and
support during withdrawal (D) to ensure that he does not attempt suicide.
Although (A and C) are true, they are not as relevant to the parent's expressed
concern. There is no information to support (B).
Correct Answer(s): D
5.
The nurse observes a female client with schizophrenia watching the news on TV.
She begins to laugh softly and says, "Yes, my love, I'll do it." When the nurse
questions the client about her comment she states, "The news commentator is my
lover and he speaks to me each evening. Only I can understand what he says."
What is the best response for the nurse to make?
A) What do you believe the news commentator said to you?
B) Let's watch news on a different television channel.
C) Does the news commentator have plans to harm you or others?
D) The news commentator is not talking to you.
It is imperative that the nurse determine what the client believes she heard (A).
The idea of reference may be to hurt herself or someone else, and the main
function of a psychiatric nurse is to maintain safety. (B) is acceptable, but it is
best to determine the client's beliefs. (C) is validating the idea of reference,
while (D) is challenging the client.
Correct Answer(s): A
6.
A male client with schizophrenia who is taking fluphenazine decanoate (Prolixin
decanoate) is being discharged in the morning. A repeat dose of medication is
scheduled for 20 days after discharge. The client tells the nurse that he is going on
vacation in the Bahamas and will return in 18 days. Which statement by the client
3|Page
, HESI Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice Exam PREPARATION
indicates a need for health teaching?
A) When I return from my tropical island vacation, I will go to the clinic to get my
Prolixin injection.
B) While I am on vacation and when I return, I will not eat or drink anything that
contains alcohol.
C) I will notify the healthcare provider if I have a sore throat or flu-like symptoms.
D) I will continue to take my benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) every day.
Photosensitivity is a side effect of Prolixin and a vacation in the Bahamas (with
its tropical island climate) increases the client's chance of experiencing this side
effect. He should be instructed to avoid direct sun (A) and wear sunscreen. (B, C,
and D) indicate accurate knowledge. Alcohol acts synergistically with Prolixin
(B). (C) lists signs of agranulocytosis, which is also a side effect of Prolixin. In
order to avoid extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), anticholinergic drugs, such as
Cogentin, are often prescribed prophylactically with Prolixin.
Correct Answer(s): A
7.
A male client is admitted to the mental health unit because he was feeling
depressed about the loss of his wife and job. The client has a history of alcohol
dependency and admits that he was drinking alcohol 12 hours ago. Vital signs are:
temperature, 100° F, pulse 100, and BP 142/100. The nurse plans to give the client
lorazepam (Ativan) based on which priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Risk for injury related to suicidal ideation.
B) Risk for injury related to alcohol detoxification.
C) Knowledge deficit related to ineffective coping.
D) Health seeking behaviors related to personal crisis.
The most important nursing diagnosis is related to alcohol detoxification (B)
because the client has elevated vital signs, a sign of alcohol detoxification.
Maintaining client safety related to (A) should be addressed after giving the
client Ativan for elevated vital signs secondary to alcohol withdrawal. (C and D)
can be addressed when immediate needs for safety are met.
4|Page
