Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice Exam
HESI EXAM 2026/22027 LATEST
UPDATED 580 ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% RATED
CORRECT ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED
GET A+
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
8.
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
9.
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.
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
10.
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
11.
At the first meeting of a group of older adults at a daycare center for the elderly,
the nurse asks one of the members what kinds of things she would like to do with
the group. The older woman shrugs her shoulders and says, "You tell me, you're
the leader." What is the best response for the nurse to make?
A) Yes, I am the leader today. Would you like to be the leader tomorrow?
B) Yes, I will be leading this group. What would you like to accomplish during this
time?
C) Yes, I have been assigned to be the leader of this group. I will be here for the
next six weeks.
D) Yes, I am the leader. You seem angry about not being the leader yourself.
Anxiety over participation in a group and testing of the leader characteristically
occur in the initial phase of group dynamics. (B) provides information and focuses
the group back to defining its function. (A) is manipulative bargaining. Although
(C) provides information, it does not focus the group on its purpose or task. (D) is
interpreting the client's feelings and is almost challenging.
Correct Answer(s): B
12.
The nurse is planning discharge for a male client with schizophrenia. The client
insists that he is returning to his apartment, although the healthcare provider
informed him that he will be moving to a boarding home. What is the most
important nursing diagnosis for discharge planning?
A) Ineffective denial related to situational anxiety.
B) Ineffective coping related to inadequate support.
C) Social isolation related to difficult interactions.
D) Self-care deficit related to cognitive impairment.
The best nursing diagnosis is (A) because the client is unable to acknowledge the
move to a boarding home. (B, C, and D) are potential nursing diagnoses, but
denial is most important because it is a defense mechanism that keeps the client
from dealing with his feelings about living arrangements.
, Correct Answer(s): A
13.
Which diet selection by a client who is depressed and taking the MAO inhibitor
tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate) indicates to the nurse that the client
understands the dietary restrictions imposed by this medication regimen?
A) Hamburger, French fries, and chocolate milkshake.
B) Liver and onions, broccoli, and decaffeinated coffee.
C) Pepperoni and cheese pizza, tossed salad, and a soft drink.
D) Roast beef, baked potato with butter, and iced tea.
Only (D) contains no tyramine. Tyramine in foods interacts with MAOI in the body
causing a hypertensive crisis which is life-threatening, and Parnate is classified as
an MAOI antidepressant. Some items in (A, B, and C) contain tyramine and would
not be permitted for a client taking Parnate.
Correct Answer(s): D
14.
An elderly female client with advanced dementia is admitted to the hospital with
a fractured hip. The client repeatedly tells the staff, "Take me home. I want my
Mommy." Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
A) Orient the client to the time, place, and person.
B) Tell the client that the nurse is there and will help her.
C) Remind the client that her mother is no longer living.
D) Explain the seriousness of her injury and need for hospitalization.
Those with dementia often refer to home or parents when seeking security and
comfort. The nurse should use the techniques of "offering self" and "talking to the
feelings" to provide reassurance (B). Clients with advanced dementia have
permanent physiological changes in the brain (plaques and tangles) that prevent
them from comprehending and retaining new information, so (A, C, and D) are
likely to be of little use to this client and do not help the client's emotional needs.
Correct Answer(s): B
HESI EXAM 2026/22027 LATEST
UPDATED 580 ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% RATED
CORRECT ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED
GET A+
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
8.
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
9.
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.
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
10.
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
11.
At the first meeting of a group of older adults at a daycare center for the elderly,
the nurse asks one of the members what kinds of things she would like to do with
the group. The older woman shrugs her shoulders and says, "You tell me, you're
the leader." What is the best response for the nurse to make?
A) Yes, I am the leader today. Would you like to be the leader tomorrow?
B) Yes, I will be leading this group. What would you like to accomplish during this
time?
C) Yes, I have been assigned to be the leader of this group. I will be here for the
next six weeks.
D) Yes, I am the leader. You seem angry about not being the leader yourself.
Anxiety over participation in a group and testing of the leader characteristically
occur in the initial phase of group dynamics. (B) provides information and focuses
the group back to defining its function. (A) is manipulative bargaining. Although
(C) provides information, it does not focus the group on its purpose or task. (D) is
interpreting the client's feelings and is almost challenging.
Correct Answer(s): B
12.
The nurse is planning discharge for a male client with schizophrenia. The client
insists that he is returning to his apartment, although the healthcare provider
informed him that he will be moving to a boarding home. What is the most
important nursing diagnosis for discharge planning?
A) Ineffective denial related to situational anxiety.
B) Ineffective coping related to inadequate support.
C) Social isolation related to difficult interactions.
D) Self-care deficit related to cognitive impairment.
The best nursing diagnosis is (A) because the client is unable to acknowledge the
move to a boarding home. (B, C, and D) are potential nursing diagnoses, but
denial is most important because it is a defense mechanism that keeps the client
from dealing with his feelings about living arrangements.
, Correct Answer(s): A
13.
Which diet selection by a client who is depressed and taking the MAO inhibitor
tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate) indicates to the nurse that the client
understands the dietary restrictions imposed by this medication regimen?
A) Hamburger, French fries, and chocolate milkshake.
B) Liver and onions, broccoli, and decaffeinated coffee.
C) Pepperoni and cheese pizza, tossed salad, and a soft drink.
D) Roast beef, baked potato with butter, and iced tea.
Only (D) contains no tyramine. Tyramine in foods interacts with MAOI in the body
causing a hypertensive crisis which is life-threatening, and Parnate is classified as
an MAOI antidepressant. Some items in (A, B, and C) contain tyramine and would
not be permitted for a client taking Parnate.
Correct Answer(s): D
14.
An elderly female client with advanced dementia is admitted to the hospital with
a fractured hip. The client repeatedly tells the staff, "Take me home. I want my
Mommy." Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
A) Orient the client to the time, place, and person.
B) Tell the client that the nurse is there and will help her.
C) Remind the client that her mother is no longer living.
D) Explain the seriousness of her injury and need for hospitalization.
Those with dementia often refer to home or parents when seeking security and
comfort. The nurse should use the techniques of "offering self" and "talking to the
feelings" to provide reassurance (B). Clients with advanced dementia have
permanent physiological changes in the brain (plaques and tangles) that prevent
them from comprehending and retaining new information, so (A, C, and D) are
likely to be of little use to this client and do not help the client's emotional needs.
Correct Answer(s): B
