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HESI CAT Exam 2025/2026: Comprehensive Nursing
Assessment Test Bank with 100 Verified Questions
and Correct Answers for an A+ Grade.
A nurse is counseling the spouse of a client who has a history of alcohol
abuse. What does the nurse explain is the main reason for drinking
alcohol in people with a long history of alcohol abuse?
1
They are dependent on it.
2
They lack the motivation to stop.
3
They use it for coping.
4
They enjoy the associated socialization. - ANSWER-1
Alcohol causes both physical and psychological dependence; the
individual needs the alcohol to function. Alcoholism is a disorder that
entails physical and psychological dependence. Because alcohol is so
physiologically addictive, the client's body craves the alcohol, so most
clients lack the motivation to stop because they will go into withdrawal.
Clients who abuse alcohol have numbed their ability to utilize other
coping mechanisms, so alcohol is used as an excuse for coping. People
with alcoholism usually drink alone or feel alone in a crowd;
socialization is not the prime reason for their drinking.
How do adolescents establish family identity during psychosocial
development? Select all that apply.
1
By acting independently to make his or her own decisions
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2
By evaluating his or her own health with a feeling of well-being
3
By fostering his or her own development within a balanced family
structure
4
By building close peer relationships to achieve acceptance in the society
5
By achieving marked physical changes - ANSWER-13
An adolescent establishes family identity by acting independently for
taking important decisions about self. They also need to foster their
development along with maintaining a balanced family structure. Health
identity is associated with the evaluation of one's own health with a
feeling of well-being. By building close peer relationships, an adolescent
develops a sense of belonging, approval, and the opportunity to learn
acceptable behavior. These actions establish an adolescent's group
identity. The sound and healthy growth of the adolescent, with marked
physical changes, helps to build an adolescent's sexual identity.
A clinic nurse observes a 2-year-old client sitting alone, rocking and
staring at a small, shiny top that she is spinning. Later the father relates
his concerns, stating, "She pushes me away. She doesn't speak, and she
only shows feelings when I take her top away. Is it something I've
done?" What is the most therapeutic initial response by the nurse?
1
Asking the father about his relationship with his wife
2
Asking the father how he held the child when she was an infant
3
Telling the father that it is nothing he has done and sharing the nurse's
observations of the child
4
Telling the father not to be concerned and stressing that the child will
outgrow this developmental phase - ANSWER-3
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The nurse provides support in a nonjudgmental way by sharing
information and observations about the child. This child exhibits
symptoms of autism, which is not attributable to the actions of the
parents. Asking the father about his relationship with his wife or how he
held the child when she was an infant indirectly indicates that the parent
may be at fault; it negates the father's need for support and increases his
sense of guilt. Telling the father not to be concerned and stressing that
the child will outgrow this developmental phase is false reassurance that
does not provide support; the father recognizes that something is wrong.
What is most appropriate for a nurse to say when interviewing a newly
admitted depressed client whose thoughts are focused on feelings of
worthlessness and failure?
1
"Tell me how you feel about yourself."
2
"Tell me what has been bothering you."
3
"Why do you feel so bad about yourself?"
4
"What can we do to help you while you're here?" - ANSWER-1
Because major depression is a result of the client's feelings of self-
rejection, it is important for the nurse to have the client initially identify
these feelings before developing a plan of care. Later discussion should
be focused on other topics to prevent reinforcement of negative thoughts
and feelings. "Tell me what has been bothering you" is asking the client
to draw a conclusion; the client may be unable to do so at this time.
Also, depression may be related not to external events but instead to a
client's psychobiology. Asking why does not let a client explore
feelings; it usually elicits an "I don't know" response. "What can we do
to help you while you're here?" is beyond the scope of the client's
abilities at this time.
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A client is admitted to the mental health unit with the diagnosis of major
depressive disorder. Which statement alerts the nurse to the possibility
of a suicide attempt?
1
"I don't feel too good today."
2
"I feel much better; today is a lovely day."
3
"I feel a little better, but it probably won't last."
4
"I'm really tired today, so I'll take things a little slower." - ANSWER-2
A rapid mood upswing and psychomotor change may signal that the
client has made a decision and has developed a plan for suicide. "I don't
feel too good today"; "I feel a little better, but it probably won't last";
and "I'm really tired today, so I'll take things a little slower" are all
typical of the depressed client; none of these statements signals a change
in mood.
During a group discussion it is learned that a group member hid suicidal
urges and committed suicide several days ago. What should the nurse
leading the group be prepared to manage?
1
Guilt of the co-leaders for failing to anticipate and prevent the suicide
2
Guilt of group members because they could not prevent another's suicide
3
Lack of concern over the suicide expressed by several of the members in
the group
4
Fear by some members that their own suicidal urges may go unnoticed
and that they may go unprotected - ANSWER-4
Ambivalence about life and death, plus the introspection commonly
found in clients with emotional problems, can lead to increased anxiety
and fear among the group members. These feelings must be handled
within the support and supervisory systems for the staff; the group
HESI CAT Exam 2025/2026: Comprehensive Nursing
Assessment Test Bank with 100 Verified Questions
and Correct Answers for an A+ Grade.
A nurse is counseling the spouse of a client who has a history of alcohol
abuse. What does the nurse explain is the main reason for drinking
alcohol in people with a long history of alcohol abuse?
1
They are dependent on it.
2
They lack the motivation to stop.
3
They use it for coping.
4
They enjoy the associated socialization. - ANSWER-1
Alcohol causes both physical and psychological dependence; the
individual needs the alcohol to function. Alcoholism is a disorder that
entails physical and psychological dependence. Because alcohol is so
physiologically addictive, the client's body craves the alcohol, so most
clients lack the motivation to stop because they will go into withdrawal.
Clients who abuse alcohol have numbed their ability to utilize other
coping mechanisms, so alcohol is used as an excuse for coping. People
with alcoholism usually drink alone or feel alone in a crowd;
socialization is not the prime reason for their drinking.
How do adolescents establish family identity during psychosocial
development? Select all that apply.
1
By acting independently to make his or her own decisions
,2|Page
2
By evaluating his or her own health with a feeling of well-being
3
By fostering his or her own development within a balanced family
structure
4
By building close peer relationships to achieve acceptance in the society
5
By achieving marked physical changes - ANSWER-13
An adolescent establishes family identity by acting independently for
taking important decisions about self. They also need to foster their
development along with maintaining a balanced family structure. Health
identity is associated with the evaluation of one's own health with a
feeling of well-being. By building close peer relationships, an adolescent
develops a sense of belonging, approval, and the opportunity to learn
acceptable behavior. These actions establish an adolescent's group
identity. The sound and healthy growth of the adolescent, with marked
physical changes, helps to build an adolescent's sexual identity.
A clinic nurse observes a 2-year-old client sitting alone, rocking and
staring at a small, shiny top that she is spinning. Later the father relates
his concerns, stating, "She pushes me away. She doesn't speak, and she
only shows feelings when I take her top away. Is it something I've
done?" What is the most therapeutic initial response by the nurse?
1
Asking the father about his relationship with his wife
2
Asking the father how he held the child when she was an infant
3
Telling the father that it is nothing he has done and sharing the nurse's
observations of the child
4
Telling the father not to be concerned and stressing that the child will
outgrow this developmental phase - ANSWER-3
,3|Page
The nurse provides support in a nonjudgmental way by sharing
information and observations about the child. This child exhibits
symptoms of autism, which is not attributable to the actions of the
parents. Asking the father about his relationship with his wife or how he
held the child when she was an infant indirectly indicates that the parent
may be at fault; it negates the father's need for support and increases his
sense of guilt. Telling the father not to be concerned and stressing that
the child will outgrow this developmental phase is false reassurance that
does not provide support; the father recognizes that something is wrong.
What is most appropriate for a nurse to say when interviewing a newly
admitted depressed client whose thoughts are focused on feelings of
worthlessness and failure?
1
"Tell me how you feel about yourself."
2
"Tell me what has been bothering you."
3
"Why do you feel so bad about yourself?"
4
"What can we do to help you while you're here?" - ANSWER-1
Because major depression is a result of the client's feelings of self-
rejection, it is important for the nurse to have the client initially identify
these feelings before developing a plan of care. Later discussion should
be focused on other topics to prevent reinforcement of negative thoughts
and feelings. "Tell me what has been bothering you" is asking the client
to draw a conclusion; the client may be unable to do so at this time.
Also, depression may be related not to external events but instead to a
client's psychobiology. Asking why does not let a client explore
feelings; it usually elicits an "I don't know" response. "What can we do
to help you while you're here?" is beyond the scope of the client's
abilities at this time.
, 4|Page
A client is admitted to the mental health unit with the diagnosis of major
depressive disorder. Which statement alerts the nurse to the possibility
of a suicide attempt?
1
"I don't feel too good today."
2
"I feel much better; today is a lovely day."
3
"I feel a little better, but it probably won't last."
4
"I'm really tired today, so I'll take things a little slower." - ANSWER-2
A rapid mood upswing and psychomotor change may signal that the
client has made a decision and has developed a plan for suicide. "I don't
feel too good today"; "I feel a little better, but it probably won't last";
and "I'm really tired today, so I'll take things a little slower" are all
typical of the depressed client; none of these statements signals a change
in mood.
During a group discussion it is learned that a group member hid suicidal
urges and committed suicide several days ago. What should the nurse
leading the group be prepared to manage?
1
Guilt of the co-leaders for failing to anticipate and prevent the suicide
2
Guilt of group members because they could not prevent another's suicide
3
Lack of concern over the suicide expressed by several of the members in
the group
4
Fear by some members that their own suicidal urges may go unnoticed
and that they may go unprotected - ANSWER-4
Ambivalence about life and death, plus the introspection commonly
found in clients with emotional problems, can lead to increased anxiety
and fear among the group members. These feelings must be handled
within the support and supervisory systems for the staff; the group
