HESI Mental Health RN V1-V3 Test
Bank (8th Edition) by Sheila L. Videbeck
– Comprehensive Exam Prep & Verified
Answers
Questions 1–20: Therapeutic Communication & Ethics
1. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “I hear voices telling
me I’m evil.” Which response is most therapeutic?
A) “Those voices aren’t real.”
B) “That sounds frightening for you.”
C) “Ignore the voices when they speak.”
D) “Why do you think they say that?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings without arguing
about reality builds trust. “Why” questions are judgmental, and
telling the client to ignore voices dismisses their distress.
2. A client says, “I don’t want to take my medication anymore. It
makes me feel like a zombie.” Which is the best response?
A) “You must take it or you’ll relapse.”
B) “Tell me more about how it makes you feel.”
C) “That feeling will go away in time.”
D) “Let me call the doctor to change it.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring the client’s concerns validates their
,experience and opens dialogue. Giving false reassurance or
threatening relapse is nontherapeutic.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who states, “My life is pointless.”
Which response reflects therapeutic communication?
A) “You have so much to live for.”
B) “Are you thinking of harming yourself?”
C) “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
D) “Let’s focus on positive things.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Always assess for suicidal ideation directly when a
client expresses hopelessness. The other options minimize the
client’s feelings.
4. A client tells the nurse, “The nurse yesterday was mean to me.”
The nurse replies, “I’m sure she didn’t mean it.” This is an example
of:
A) Validation
B) Defensiveness
C) False reassurance
D) Reframing
Answer: C
Rationale: False reassurance dismisses the client’s perception. The
nurse should explore what happened rather than defending
another staff member.
5. Which nonverbal behavior best conveys active listening?
A) Sitting with arms crossed
B) Leaning slightly forward
,C) Avoiding eye contact
D) Taking notes continuously
Answer: B
Rationale: Leaning forward shows engagement and interest.
Crossed arms or avoiding eye contact can signal defensiveness or
disinterest.
6. A client with PTSD avoids talking about a traumatic event. The
nurse should:
A) Gently encourage discussion when the client is ready
B) Insist the client talk about it now
C) Change the subject entirely
D) Tell the client to forget the past
Answer: A
Rationale: Forcing disclosure retraumatizes; avoiding the topic
entirely prevents healing. Gentle, client-led pacing is therapeutic.
7. A nurse tells a client, “You’ll feel better tomorrow.” This is
problematic because it:
A) Sets unrealistic expectations
B) Shows empathy
C) Encourages dependence
D) Is a closed-ended statement
Answer: A
Rationale: False reassurance invalidates current distress and sets
unrealistic hope. The nurse cannot predict the future.
8. A client says, “Nobody cares if I live or die.” Which response is
most therapeutic?
A) “I care about you.”
, B) “That’s not true.”
C) “You’re just depressed right now.”
D) “Tell me who doesn’t care.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Offering personal caring in a professional boundary
respects the client’s feelings while providing support. Avoid
arguing or demanding specifics.
9. A client refuses to take oral medication. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A) Restrain the client
B) Notify the provider
C) Explore reasons for refusal
D) Crush the medication in applesauce
Answer: C
Rationale: Always assess the reason (e.g., fear of side effects,
dysphagia, paranoia) before intervening. Restraint is last resort.
10. A nurse says, “Tell me more about your family.” This is an
example of:
A) Clarifying
B) Exploring
C) Focusing
D) Reflecting
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring encourages the client to elaborate. Clarifying
seeks to understand, focusing narrows the topic, reflecting
redirects.
Bank (8th Edition) by Sheila L. Videbeck
– Comprehensive Exam Prep & Verified
Answers
Questions 1–20: Therapeutic Communication & Ethics
1. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, “I hear voices telling
me I’m evil.” Which response is most therapeutic?
A) “Those voices aren’t real.”
B) “That sounds frightening for you.”
C) “Ignore the voices when they speak.”
D) “Why do you think they say that?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings without arguing
about reality builds trust. “Why” questions are judgmental, and
telling the client to ignore voices dismisses their distress.
2. A client says, “I don’t want to take my medication anymore. It
makes me feel like a zombie.” Which is the best response?
A) “You must take it or you’ll relapse.”
B) “Tell me more about how it makes you feel.”
C) “That feeling will go away in time.”
D) “Let me call the doctor to change it.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring the client’s concerns validates their
,experience and opens dialogue. Giving false reassurance or
threatening relapse is nontherapeutic.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who states, “My life is pointless.”
Which response reflects therapeutic communication?
A) “You have so much to live for.”
B) “Are you thinking of harming yourself?”
C) “Everyone feels that way sometimes.”
D) “Let’s focus on positive things.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Always assess for suicidal ideation directly when a
client expresses hopelessness. The other options minimize the
client’s feelings.
4. A client tells the nurse, “The nurse yesterday was mean to me.”
The nurse replies, “I’m sure she didn’t mean it.” This is an example
of:
A) Validation
B) Defensiveness
C) False reassurance
D) Reframing
Answer: C
Rationale: False reassurance dismisses the client’s perception. The
nurse should explore what happened rather than defending
another staff member.
5. Which nonverbal behavior best conveys active listening?
A) Sitting with arms crossed
B) Leaning slightly forward
,C) Avoiding eye contact
D) Taking notes continuously
Answer: B
Rationale: Leaning forward shows engagement and interest.
Crossed arms or avoiding eye contact can signal defensiveness or
disinterest.
6. A client with PTSD avoids talking about a traumatic event. The
nurse should:
A) Gently encourage discussion when the client is ready
B) Insist the client talk about it now
C) Change the subject entirely
D) Tell the client to forget the past
Answer: A
Rationale: Forcing disclosure retraumatizes; avoiding the topic
entirely prevents healing. Gentle, client-led pacing is therapeutic.
7. A nurse tells a client, “You’ll feel better tomorrow.” This is
problematic because it:
A) Sets unrealistic expectations
B) Shows empathy
C) Encourages dependence
D) Is a closed-ended statement
Answer: A
Rationale: False reassurance invalidates current distress and sets
unrealistic hope. The nurse cannot predict the future.
8. A client says, “Nobody cares if I live or die.” Which response is
most therapeutic?
A) “I care about you.”
, B) “That’s not true.”
C) “You’re just depressed right now.”
D) “Tell me who doesn’t care.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Offering personal caring in a professional boundary
respects the client’s feelings while providing support. Avoid
arguing or demanding specifics.
9. A client refuses to take oral medication. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A) Restrain the client
B) Notify the provider
C) Explore reasons for refusal
D) Crush the medication in applesauce
Answer: C
Rationale: Always assess the reason (e.g., fear of side effects,
dysphagia, paranoia) before intervening. Restraint is last resort.
10. A nurse says, “Tell me more about your family.” This is an
example of:
A) Clarifying
B) Exploring
C) Focusing
D) Reflecting
Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring encourages the client to elaborate. Clarifying
seeks to understand, focusing narrows the topic, reflecting
redirects.
