HESI MENTAL HEALTH LATEST 2026-
2027 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 300
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED 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?
Projection.
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?
Report the client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed abstinence
therapy using disulfiram (Antabuse). What information should the client
acknowledge understanding?
Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
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?
Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear?
,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 causing trouble in his
personal life. He further explains that he often gets so angry while driving to and
from work that he has considered "getting even" with other drivers. How should
the RN respond?
"It sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry."
A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is beginning desensitization with
the therapist, and the RN is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the
highest priority for this client's plan of care?
Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self-esteem of a male client
with modern depression?
- Ask the client what his long term goals are.
- Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
- Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns.
A male client is admitted to the psychiatric unit for recurrent negative symptoms
of chronic schizophrenia and medication adjustment of Risperidone (Risperdal).
When the client walks to the nurse's station in a laterally contracted position, he
states that something has made his body contort into a monster. What action
should the RN take?
Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine (Cogentin) for dystonia.
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior.
Which action by the MHW warrant immediate intervention by the RN?
Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
A client on the mental health unit is becoming more agitated, shouting at the
staff, and pacing in the hallway. When the PRN medication is offered, the client
refuses the medication and defiantly sits on the floor in the middle of the unit
hallway. What nursing intervention should the RN implement first?
Take other clients in the area to the client lounge.
,A client is admitted to the mental health unit and reports taking extra antianxiety
medication because, "I'm so stressed out. I just want to go to sleep." The RN
should plan one-on-one observation of the client based on which statement?
"I don't want to walk. Nothing matters anymore."
A male hospital employee is pushed out the way by a female employee because
of an oncoming gurney. The pushed employee becomes very angry and swings at
the female employee. Both employees are referred for counseling with the staff
psychiatric RN. Which factor in the pushed employee's history is most related to
the reaction that occurred?
Was physically abused by his mother.
The RN documents the mental status of a female client who has been hospitalized
for several days by court order. The client states, "I don't need to be here" and
tells the RN that she believes the television talks to her. The RN should document
these assessment findings in which section of the mental status exam/
insight and judgement
The Rn is planning client teaching for a 35-year-old client with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Which self-care measure should the RN emphasize for the client's recovery?
Alcohol abstinence.
A teenager has lost 20 pounds in the last three months is admitted to the hospital
with hypotension and tachycardia. The client reports irregular menses and hair
loss. Which intervention is most important for the RN to include in the clients plan
of care?
Initiate caloric and nutritional therapy.
While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate
documentation later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking
during an interview?
The RN's ability to directly observe the client's non-verbal communication is
limited
with note taking.
, A client is receiving substitution therapy during withdrawal from benzodiazepines.
Which expected outcome statement has the highest priority when planning
nursing care?
CNS stimulation will be reduced.
A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for manic depression begins
to develop diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action should the nurse
take?
Prior to giving the next dose, notify the physician of the symptoms.
While caring for an older client, the RN observes multiple bruises in Over the
client's legs, arms, back, and gluteal areas. When the client Contact, the RN
suspects elder abuse. What action should the RN take?
Measure and document size, shape and color of the bruised areas.
The RN is performing intake interviews at a psychiatric clinic. A female client with
a known history of drug abuse reports that she had a heart attack four years ago.
Use of which substance places the client at highest risk for myocardial infarction?
Methamphetamine
After receiving treatment for anorexia, a student asks the school RN for
permission to work in the school cafeteria as part of the school's work study
program. What action should the RN take?
Recommend assignment to the receptionist's office.
A client who is homeless is diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted on an
involuntary basis to a mental health hospital 4 days ago. The client stopped taking
prescribed antipsychotic drugs approximately one month ago. Since
hospitalization the client continues to have poor judgment and refuses all
medications. What action should the RN take?
Provide the client with medication if the client presents an imminent risk to self
and
others.
2027 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 300
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES|ALREADY GRADED 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?
Projection.
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?
Report the client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed abstinence
therapy using disulfiram (Antabuse). What information should the client
acknowledge understanding?
Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
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?
Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear?
,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 causing trouble in his
personal life. He further explains that he often gets so angry while driving to and
from work that he has considered "getting even" with other drivers. How should
the RN respond?
"It sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry."
A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is beginning desensitization with
the therapist, and the RN is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the
highest priority for this client's plan of care?
Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self-esteem of a male client
with modern depression?
- Ask the client what his long term goals are.
- Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
- Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns.
A male client is admitted to the psychiatric unit for recurrent negative symptoms
of chronic schizophrenia and medication adjustment of Risperidone (Risperdal).
When the client walks to the nurse's station in a laterally contracted position, he
states that something has made his body contort into a monster. What action
should the RN take?
Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine (Cogentin) for dystonia.
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior.
Which action by the MHW warrant immediate intervention by the RN?
Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
A client on the mental health unit is becoming more agitated, shouting at the
staff, and pacing in the hallway. When the PRN medication is offered, the client
refuses the medication and defiantly sits on the floor in the middle of the unit
hallway. What nursing intervention should the RN implement first?
Take other clients in the area to the client lounge.
,A client is admitted to the mental health unit and reports taking extra antianxiety
medication because, "I'm so stressed out. I just want to go to sleep." The RN
should plan one-on-one observation of the client based on which statement?
"I don't want to walk. Nothing matters anymore."
A male hospital employee is pushed out the way by a female employee because
of an oncoming gurney. The pushed employee becomes very angry and swings at
the female employee. Both employees are referred for counseling with the staff
psychiatric RN. Which factor in the pushed employee's history is most related to
the reaction that occurred?
Was physically abused by his mother.
The RN documents the mental status of a female client who has been hospitalized
for several days by court order. The client states, "I don't need to be here" and
tells the RN that she believes the television talks to her. The RN should document
these assessment findings in which section of the mental status exam/
insight and judgement
The Rn is planning client teaching for a 35-year-old client with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Which self-care measure should the RN emphasize for the client's recovery?
Alcohol abstinence.
A teenager has lost 20 pounds in the last three months is admitted to the hospital
with hypotension and tachycardia. The client reports irregular menses and hair
loss. Which intervention is most important for the RN to include in the clients plan
of care?
Initiate caloric and nutritional therapy.
While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate
documentation later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking
during an interview?
The RN's ability to directly observe the client's non-verbal communication is
limited
with note taking.
, A client is receiving substitution therapy during withdrawal from benzodiazepines.
Which expected outcome statement has the highest priority when planning
nursing care?
CNS stimulation will be reduced.
A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for manic depression begins
to develop diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action should the nurse
take?
Prior to giving the next dose, notify the physician of the symptoms.
While caring for an older client, the RN observes multiple bruises in Over the
client's legs, arms, back, and gluteal areas. When the client Contact, the RN
suspects elder abuse. What action should the RN take?
Measure and document size, shape and color of the bruised areas.
The RN is performing intake interviews at a psychiatric clinic. A female client with
a known history of drug abuse reports that she had a heart attack four years ago.
Use of which substance places the client at highest risk for myocardial infarction?
Methamphetamine
After receiving treatment for anorexia, a student asks the school RN for
permission to work in the school cafeteria as part of the school's work study
program. What action should the RN take?
Recommend assignment to the receptionist's office.
A client who is homeless is diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted on an
involuntary basis to a mental health hospital 4 days ago. The client stopped taking
prescribed antipsychotic drugs approximately one month ago. Since
hospitalization the client continues to have poor judgment and refuses all
medications. What action should the RN take?
Provide the client with medication if the client presents an imminent risk to self
and
others.
