HESI RN MENTAL HEALTH QUIZ BANK 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
DETAILED REVIEW
◉ An adolescent male receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug
because he is exhibiting a depressed affect. While the client is taking the
antidepressant, which comparison of the client's behavior before and
after taking the drug is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
D. The interactions he has with others. Answer: B
◉ A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a
female client who is a victim of intimate partner violence. Which
strategies should be included in the safety plan? Select all that apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children Answer:
BCD
◉ While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a male
adolescent avoids eye contact, looks at the floor, and talks softly when
,interacting verbally with the nurse. The two trade places, and the nurse
demonstrate the client's behavior. What is the main goal of this
therapeutic techniques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his interactions.) Answer: B
◉ A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines
activities. Which nursing problem has the greatest priority for this
client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
D. Low self-esteem. Answer: C
◉ The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder
and notices that the client discontinued antipsychotic medication for
several days. Which medication should also be discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia). Answer: B
,◉ A female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the
room during the admission assessment. When interviewing the client,
the RN notes a discrepancy between the client's verbal and nonverbal
communication. What action does the RN take?
A. Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the discrepancy.
C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and focus on the client's verbal
messages.
D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and interpret them as
one. Answer: A
◉ A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face
and raises his voice, saying "My roommate is the most selfish, self-
centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses his temper one more
time with me, I am going to punch him out!" The RN recognizes that the
client is using which defense mechanism?
A. Denial.
B. Projection.
C. Rationalization.
D. Splitting. Answer: B
◉ A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking lithium
carbonate five days ago is complaining of excessive thirst, and the RN
finds him attempting to drink water from the bathroom sink faucet.
Which intervention should the RN implement?
, A. Report the client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
B. Encourage the client to suck on hard candy to relieve the symptoms.
C. No action is needed since polydipsia is a common side effect.
D. Tell the client that drinking from the faucet is not allowed. Answer: A
◉ The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed
abstinence therapy using disulfiram (Antabuse). What information
should the client acknowledge understanding?
A. Completely abstain from heroin or cocaine use.
B. Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
C. Attend monthly meetings of alcoholics anonymous.
D. Admit to others that he is a substance user. Answer: B
◉ A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental health unit
after abruptly stopping his prescription for ziprasidone (Geodon) one
month ago. Which question is most important for the RN to ask the
client?
A. Have you lost interest in the things that you used to enjoy?
B. Is your ability to think or concentrate decreased?
C. How many continuous hours do you sleep at night?
D. Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear? Answer: D
◉ During an annual physical by the occupational RN working in a
corporate clinic, a male employee tells the RN that is high-stress job is
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
DETAILED REVIEW
◉ An adolescent male receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug
because he is exhibiting a depressed affect. While the client is taking the
antidepressant, which comparison of the client's behavior before and
after taking the drug is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
D. The interactions he has with others. Answer: B
◉ A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a
female client who is a victim of intimate partner violence. Which
strategies should be included in the safety plan? Select all that apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children Answer:
BCD
◉ While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a male
adolescent avoids eye contact, looks at the floor, and talks softly when
,interacting verbally with the nurse. The two trade places, and the nurse
demonstrate the client's behavior. What is the main goal of this
therapeutic techniques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his interactions.) Answer: B
◉ A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines
activities. Which nursing problem has the greatest priority for this
client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
D. Low self-esteem. Answer: C
◉ The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder
and notices that the client discontinued antipsychotic medication for
several days. Which medication should also be discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia). Answer: B
,◉ A female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the
room during the admission assessment. When interviewing the client,
the RN notes a discrepancy between the client's verbal and nonverbal
communication. What action does the RN take?
A. Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the discrepancy.
C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and focus on the client's verbal
messages.
D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and interpret them as
one. Answer: A
◉ A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face
and raises his voice, saying "My roommate is the most selfish, self-
centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses his temper one more
time with me, I am going to punch him out!" The RN recognizes that the
client is using which defense mechanism?
A. Denial.
B. Projection.
C. Rationalization.
D. Splitting. Answer: B
◉ A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking lithium
carbonate five days ago is complaining of excessive thirst, and the RN
finds him attempting to drink water from the bathroom sink faucet.
Which intervention should the RN implement?
, A. Report the client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
B. Encourage the client to suck on hard candy to relieve the symptoms.
C. No action is needed since polydipsia is a common side effect.
D. Tell the client that drinking from the faucet is not allowed. Answer: A
◉ The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed
abstinence therapy using disulfiram (Antabuse). What information
should the client acknowledge understanding?
A. Completely abstain from heroin or cocaine use.
B. Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
C. Attend monthly meetings of alcoholics anonymous.
D. Admit to others that he is a substance user. Answer: B
◉ A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental health unit
after abruptly stopping his prescription for ziprasidone (Geodon) one
month ago. Which question is most important for the RN to ask the
client?
A. Have you lost interest in the things that you used to enjoy?
B. Is your ability to think or concentrate decreased?
C. How many continuous hours do you sleep at night?
D. Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear? Answer: D
◉ During an annual physical by the occupational RN working in a
corporate clinic, a male employee tells the RN that is high-stress job is
