LATEST HESI MENTAL HEALTH RN EXAM VERSION 3 (V3) 2026/2027
ACCURATE TEST COMPLETE ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH WELL
ELABORATED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES (100%
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) NEWEST UPDATED VERSION 2026
EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS A+ |RN HESI MENTAL HEALTH
APPROVED EXAM VERSION 3
1. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "I am Jesus Christ reborn." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "No, you are not Jesus. Your name is John."
B. "You believe you are Jesus. That must be a powerful feeling. Tell me more
about what that is like for you."
C. "Why do you think you are Jesus?"
D. "Let's pray together."
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Validate the client's experience without reinforcing
the delusion. Exploring the feeling behind the belief is therapeutic; arguing or
directly contradicting increases distress and damages rapport.
2. A client with bipolar I disorder in a manic episode has not slept for 4 days, is not
eating, and is losing weight. The nurse's priority intervention is:
A. Restrict all visitors.
B. Provide frequent high-calorie fluids and finger foods while the client paces.
C. Place the client in seclusion until weight stabilizes.
D. Administer a long-acting benzodiazepine.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Hypermetabolism from constant activity leads to
nutritional deficits. Portable, calorie-dense foods and fluids accommodate the
inability to sit for meals. Seclusion is not indicated for mania alone.
3. A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed tranylcypromine (Parnate),
an MAOI. Which dietary instruction is most important?
,A. Increase intake of leafy green vegetables.
B. Avoid aged cheeses, smoked fish, and red wine.
C. Eat small, frequent meals.
D. Restrict fluids to 1 liter per day.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats,
fermented products, red wine) can cause hypertensive crisis when combined with
MAOIs.
4. A client with borderline personality disorder has a pattern of splitting behaviors.
The nurse observes the client praising one staff member while berating another.
The best nursing action is:
A. Agree with the client's praise of the first staff member.
B. Hold a team meeting to ensure consistent responses and avoid staff division.
C. Ignore the client's comments to avoid reinforcement.
D. Assign the same nurse each shift.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Splitting divides staff. Consistent team approach
with clear communication and unified responses reduces manipulation and
provides a therapeutic milieu.
5. A client with PTSD tells the nurse, "I can't go near parks because the smell of
barbecue reminds me of the fire that burned my house." This is an example of:
A. Hyperarousal
B. Cued distress and avoidance of reminders
C. Dissociative amnesia
D. Anhedonia
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Avoidance of external reminders (places, smells)
associated with the traumatic event is a core PTSD symptom. The smell acts as a
cue triggering distress.
, 6. A client is admitted with alcohol withdrawal. The client's last drink was 8 hours
ago. Which symptom would the nurse expect to find at this time?
A. Seizures
B. Delirium tremens
C. Fine tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis
D. Hypotension and bradycardia
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Early withdrawal (6–12 hours after last drink)
includes tremors ("shakes"), anxiety, insomnia, diaphoresis, and tachycardia.
Seizures occur 12–48 hours; DTs 48–72 hours.
7. A client taking clozapine (Clozaril) reports persistent drooling, especially at
night. The nurse's best response is:
A. "Drooling is not a side effect of clozapine."
B. "This is a common side effect. We can discuss using a towel on your pillow and
speak to your provider about medication to reduce salivation."
C. "You need to stop clozapine immediately."
D. "Drink less water before bedtime."
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Sialorrhea (drooling) is a common, distressing side
effect of clozapine due to alpha-2 antagonism. Interventions include protective
pillow covers, and anticholinergic agents or alpha-2 agonists may be prescribed.
8. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a fear of contamination
and washes hands for 45 minutes after touching any surface. The nurse understands
that the primary purpose of this behavior is to:
A. Manipulate staff into providing attention.
B. Temporarily reduce anxiety associated with obsessive fears of germs.
C. Avoid group therapy sessions.
ACCURATE TEST COMPLETE ACTUAL QUESTIONS WITH WELL
ELABORATED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES (100%
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) NEWEST UPDATED VERSION 2026
EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS A+ |RN HESI MENTAL HEALTH
APPROVED EXAM VERSION 3
1. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "I am Jesus Christ reborn." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. "No, you are not Jesus. Your name is John."
B. "You believe you are Jesus. That must be a powerful feeling. Tell me more
about what that is like for you."
C. "Why do you think you are Jesus?"
D. "Let's pray together."
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Validate the client's experience without reinforcing
the delusion. Exploring the feeling behind the belief is therapeutic; arguing or
directly contradicting increases distress and damages rapport.
2. A client with bipolar I disorder in a manic episode has not slept for 4 days, is not
eating, and is losing weight. The nurse's priority intervention is:
A. Restrict all visitors.
B. Provide frequent high-calorie fluids and finger foods while the client paces.
C. Place the client in seclusion until weight stabilizes.
D. Administer a long-acting benzodiazepine.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Hypermetabolism from constant activity leads to
nutritional deficits. Portable, calorie-dense foods and fluids accommodate the
inability to sit for meals. Seclusion is not indicated for mania alone.
3. A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed tranylcypromine (Parnate),
an MAOI. Which dietary instruction is most important?
,A. Increase intake of leafy green vegetables.
B. Avoid aged cheeses, smoked fish, and red wine.
C. Eat small, frequent meals.
D. Restrict fluids to 1 liter per day.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats,
fermented products, red wine) can cause hypertensive crisis when combined with
MAOIs.
4. A client with borderline personality disorder has a pattern of splitting behaviors.
The nurse observes the client praising one staff member while berating another.
The best nursing action is:
A. Agree with the client's praise of the first staff member.
B. Hold a team meeting to ensure consistent responses and avoid staff division.
C. Ignore the client's comments to avoid reinforcement.
D. Assign the same nurse each shift.
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Splitting divides staff. Consistent team approach
with clear communication and unified responses reduces manipulation and
provides a therapeutic milieu.
5. A client with PTSD tells the nurse, "I can't go near parks because the smell of
barbecue reminds me of the fire that burned my house." This is an example of:
A. Hyperarousal
B. Cued distress and avoidance of reminders
C. Dissociative amnesia
D. Anhedonia
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Avoidance of external reminders (places, smells)
associated with the traumatic event is a core PTSD symptom. The smell acts as a
cue triggering distress.
, 6. A client is admitted with alcohol withdrawal. The client's last drink was 8 hours
ago. Which symptom would the nurse expect to find at this time?
A. Seizures
B. Delirium tremens
C. Fine tremors, anxiety, and diaphoresis
D. Hypotension and bradycardia
Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Early withdrawal (6–12 hours after last drink)
includes tremors ("shakes"), anxiety, insomnia, diaphoresis, and tachycardia.
Seizures occur 12–48 hours; DTs 48–72 hours.
7. A client taking clozapine (Clozaril) reports persistent drooling, especially at
night. The nurse's best response is:
A. "Drooling is not a side effect of clozapine."
B. "This is a common side effect. We can discuss using a towel on your pillow and
speak to your provider about medication to reduce salivation."
C. "You need to stop clozapine immediately."
D. "Drink less water before bedtime."
Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Sialorrhea (drooling) is a common, distressing side
effect of clozapine due to alpha-2 antagonism. Interventions include protective
pillow covers, and anticholinergic agents or alpha-2 agonists may be prescribed.
8. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a fear of contamination
and washes hands for 45 minutes after touching any surface. The nurse understands
that the primary purpose of this behavior is to:
A. Manipulate staff into providing attention.
B. Temporarily reduce anxiety associated with obsessive fears of germs.
C. Avoid group therapy sessions.
