BSN 346 HESI PRACTICE /MENTAL HEALTH | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE |
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION.
The nurse completes an emergency admission of a male client with schizophrenia who has not been
taking his antipsychotic medications. The client is pacing, is extremely irritable, and has a blood pressure
of 146/96. What is the priority nursing action? - (ANSWER)Reevaluate the client's blood pressure in an
hour.
A young adult female client with panic disorder arrives in the Emergency Center with a 4-day history of
chest pain that began when her boyfriend left her. Initial assessment reveals normal cardiopulmonary
findings. Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain? - (ANSWER)Drugs taken in last 7
days.
A female client comes to an outpatient therapy appointment intoxicated. The spouse tells the nurse,
"There wasn't anything I could do to stop her drinking this morning." What intervention should the
nurse take at this time? - (ANSWER)Tell the client that therapy cannot take place while she is
intoxicated.
The nurse is planning care for a client with major depression who is admitted to the unit after a recent
suicide attempt. Which intervention has the highest priority for inclusion in this client's plan of care? -
(ANSWER)Search the client's personal belongings.
A male client is brought to the emergency department by a police officer, who reports the client was
"disturbing the peace" by running naked in the street, striking out at others, and smashing car windows.
Which behaviors should the client demonstrate to determine if he should be evaluated for involuntary
commitment? (Choose all that apply.) - (ANSWER)Threats to kill his friend, hears voices telling him to kill
himself, reports he has not needed a bath in 4 months and says he has not eaten in 3 days.
The nurse is caring for an adult male client with catatonic schizophrenia who is mute and motionless.
What is the priority nursing problem? - (ANSWER)High risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
At the end of a group therapy session, a client who is hospitalized for psychosis falls to the floor when
attempting to stand. What intervention should the nurse implement first? - (ANSWER)Ask a group
member to seek help.
Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement with parents who experience a fetal demise
and express the wish not to see the baby? - (ANSWER)Keep the body available for a few hours in case
they change their minds.
, BSN 346 HESI PRACTICE /MENTAL HEALTH | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE |
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION.
An adult female who is married and works full-time in a factory has been absent from work for three
days at a time on several occasions. Each time she returns to work, she wears dark glasses to cover facial
bruising. Her supervisor refers her to the occupational health nurse. What assessment question should
the nurse use? - (ANSWER)How did this happen to you?
A client on the mental health unit reports concerns about weight gain as a result of taking divalproex
(Depakote) and requests assistance to fill out a menu. The nurse should initiate a referral to which
healthcare team member? - (ANSWER)Dietician.
The nurse is planning the care for a client based on the psychoanalytical model. Which intervention
should the nurse include in the plan of care? - (ANSWER)Focus on the client's positive or negative
feelings toward the nurse.
A woman admitted to the Emergency Department is bleeding profusely from a patch where hair was
lost from her scalp. She is accompanied by her husband who tells the nurse that his wife caught her hair
on the railing and pulled it out when she fell down the stairs. The husband is solicitous of his wife and
quickly answers questions on her behalf. He attempts to comfort his wife by saying to her, "I am right
here with you, dear. Nothing can keep us apart." What is the priority nursing intervention? -
(ANSWER)Require the husband to leave the cubicle while the client is being treated.
A female client with severe depression is given information about the risks, benefits, alternatives, and
expected outcomes of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and signs the informed consent for treatment.
After the client's family leaves, the client tells the nurse, "I signed the papers because my husband told
me I will be deported if my depression is not cured." What information should the nurse report to the
healthcare provider? - (ANSWER)The client's consent may have been coerced.
A male client with severe orthopedic injuries following a motor vehicle collision is irritable, angry, and
belittles the nurses. While a nurse is changing the dressing over a laceration, the client screams, "Don't
touch me! You're so stupid that you'll make it worse!" Which intervention is best for the nurse to
implement? - (ANSWER)Provide information about infection prevention.
The nurse is assessing a client with a history of borderline personality disorder. Which question should
the nurse include in the assessment? - (ANSWER)Do you frequently have temper tantrums?
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION.
The nurse completes an emergency admission of a male client with schizophrenia who has not been
taking his antipsychotic medications. The client is pacing, is extremely irritable, and has a blood pressure
of 146/96. What is the priority nursing action? - (ANSWER)Reevaluate the client's blood pressure in an
hour.
A young adult female client with panic disorder arrives in the Emergency Center with a 4-day history of
chest pain that began when her boyfriend left her. Initial assessment reveals normal cardiopulmonary
findings. Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain? - (ANSWER)Drugs taken in last 7
days.
A female client comes to an outpatient therapy appointment intoxicated. The spouse tells the nurse,
"There wasn't anything I could do to stop her drinking this morning." What intervention should the
nurse take at this time? - (ANSWER)Tell the client that therapy cannot take place while she is
intoxicated.
The nurse is planning care for a client with major depression who is admitted to the unit after a recent
suicide attempt. Which intervention has the highest priority for inclusion in this client's plan of care? -
(ANSWER)Search the client's personal belongings.
A male client is brought to the emergency department by a police officer, who reports the client was
"disturbing the peace" by running naked in the street, striking out at others, and smashing car windows.
Which behaviors should the client demonstrate to determine if he should be evaluated for involuntary
commitment? (Choose all that apply.) - (ANSWER)Threats to kill his friend, hears voices telling him to kill
himself, reports he has not needed a bath in 4 months and says he has not eaten in 3 days.
The nurse is caring for an adult male client with catatonic schizophrenia who is mute and motionless.
What is the priority nursing problem? - (ANSWER)High risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
At the end of a group therapy session, a client who is hospitalized for psychosis falls to the floor when
attempting to stand. What intervention should the nurse implement first? - (ANSWER)Ask a group
member to seek help.
Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement with parents who experience a fetal demise
and express the wish not to see the baby? - (ANSWER)Keep the body available for a few hours in case
they change their minds.
, BSN 346 HESI PRACTICE /MENTAL HEALTH | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE |
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION.
An adult female who is married and works full-time in a factory has been absent from work for three
days at a time on several occasions. Each time she returns to work, she wears dark glasses to cover facial
bruising. Her supervisor refers her to the occupational health nurse. What assessment question should
the nurse use? - (ANSWER)How did this happen to you?
A client on the mental health unit reports concerns about weight gain as a result of taking divalproex
(Depakote) and requests assistance to fill out a menu. The nurse should initiate a referral to which
healthcare team member? - (ANSWER)Dietician.
The nurse is planning the care for a client based on the psychoanalytical model. Which intervention
should the nurse include in the plan of care? - (ANSWER)Focus on the client's positive or negative
feelings toward the nurse.
A woman admitted to the Emergency Department is bleeding profusely from a patch where hair was
lost from her scalp. She is accompanied by her husband who tells the nurse that his wife caught her hair
on the railing and pulled it out when she fell down the stairs. The husband is solicitous of his wife and
quickly answers questions on her behalf. He attempts to comfort his wife by saying to her, "I am right
here with you, dear. Nothing can keep us apart." What is the priority nursing intervention? -
(ANSWER)Require the husband to leave the cubicle while the client is being treated.
A female client with severe depression is given information about the risks, benefits, alternatives, and
expected outcomes of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and signs the informed consent for treatment.
After the client's family leaves, the client tells the nurse, "I signed the papers because my husband told
me I will be deported if my depression is not cured." What information should the nurse report to the
healthcare provider? - (ANSWER)The client's consent may have been coerced.
A male client with severe orthopedic injuries following a motor vehicle collision is irritable, angry, and
belittles the nurses. While a nurse is changing the dressing over a laceration, the client screams, "Don't
touch me! You're so stupid that you'll make it worse!" Which intervention is best for the nurse to
implement? - (ANSWER)Provide information about infection prevention.
The nurse is assessing a client with a history of borderline personality disorder. Which question should
the nurse include in the assessment? - (ANSWER)Do you frequently have temper tantrums?
