HESI CAT Exam Practice Questions (420 Questions) –
Updated Nursing Study Guide & Exam Prep Resource
2026
A nurse is counseling the spouse of a client who has a history of alcohol
abuse. What does the nurse explain is the main reason for drinking alcohol
in people with a long history of alcohol abuse?
1
They are dependent on it.
2
They lack the motivation to stop.
3
They use it for coping.
4
They enjoy the associated socialization. - Correct Answers ✅1
Alcohol causes both physical and psychological dependence; the individual
needs the alcohol to function. Alcoholism is a disorder that entails physical
and psychological dependence. Because alcohol is so physiologically
addictive, the client's body craves the alcohol, so most clients lack the
motivation to stop because they will go into withdrawal. Clients who abuse
alcohol have numbed their ability to utilize other coping mechanisms, so
alcohol is used as an excuse for coping. People with alcoholism usually drink
,HESI CAT Exam Practice Questions (420 Questions) –
Updated Nursing Study Guide & Exam Prep Resource
2026
alone or feel alone in a crowd; socialization is not the prime reason for their
drinking.
How do adolescents establish family identity during psychosocial
development? Select all that apply.
1
By acting independently to make his or her own decisions
2
By evaluating his or her own health with a feeling of well-being
3
By fostering his or her own development within a balanced family structure
4
By building close peer relationships to achieve acceptance in the society
5
By achieving marked physical changes - Correct Answers ✅13
An adolescent establishes family identity by acting independently for taking
important decisions about self. They also need to foster their development
along with maintaining a balanced family structure. Health identity is
associated with the evaluation of one's own health with a feeling of
,HESI CAT Exam Practice Questions (420 Questions) –
Updated Nursing Study Guide & Exam Prep Resource
2026
wellbeing. By building close peer relationships, an adolescent develops a
sense of belonging, approval, and the opportunity to learn acceptable
behavior.
These actions establish an adolescent's group identity. The sound and
healthy growth of the adolescent, with marked physical changes, helps to
build an adolescent's sexual identity.
A clinic nurse observes a 2-year-old client sitting alone, rocking and staring
at a small, shiny top that she is spinning. Later the father relates his
concerns, stating, "She pushes me away. She doesn't speak, and she only
shows feelings when I take her top away. Is it something I've done?" What is
the most therapeutic initial response by the nurse?
1
Asking the father about his relationship with his wife
2
Asking the father how he held the child when she was an infant
3
Telling the father that it is nothing he has done and sharing the nurse's
observations of the child
, HESI CAT Exam Practice Questions (420 Questions) –
Updated Nursing Study Guide & Exam Prep Resource
2026
4
Telling the father not to be concerned and stressing that the child will
outgrow this developmental phase - Correct Answers ✅3
The nurse provides support in a nonjudgmental way by sharing information
and observations about the child. This child exhibits symptoms of autism,
which is not attributable to the actions of the parents. Asking the father
about his relationship with his wife or how he held the child when she was
an infant indirectly indicates that the parent may be at fault; it negates the
father's need for support and increases his sense of guilt. Telling the father
not to be concerned and stressing that the child will outgrow this
developmental phase is false reassurance that does not provide support; the
father recognizes that something is wrong.
What is most appropriate for a nurse to say when interviewing a newly
admitted depressed client whose thoughts are focused on feelings of
worthlessness and failure?
1
"Tell me how you feel about yourself."
2
Updated Nursing Study Guide & Exam Prep Resource
2026
A nurse is counseling the spouse of a client who has a history of alcohol
abuse. What does the nurse explain is the main reason for drinking alcohol
in people with a long history of alcohol abuse?
1
They are dependent on it.
2
They lack the motivation to stop.
3
They use it for coping.
4
They enjoy the associated socialization. - Correct Answers ✅1
Alcohol causes both physical and psychological dependence; the individual
needs the alcohol to function. Alcoholism is a disorder that entails physical
and psychological dependence. Because alcohol is so physiologically
addictive, the client's body craves the alcohol, so most clients lack the
motivation to stop because they will go into withdrawal. Clients who abuse
alcohol have numbed their ability to utilize other coping mechanisms, so
alcohol is used as an excuse for coping. People with alcoholism usually drink
,HESI CAT Exam Practice Questions (420 Questions) –
Updated Nursing Study Guide & Exam Prep Resource
2026
alone or feel alone in a crowd; socialization is not the prime reason for their
drinking.
How do adolescents establish family identity during psychosocial
development? Select all that apply.
1
By acting independently to make his or her own decisions
2
By evaluating his or her own health with a feeling of well-being
3
By fostering his or her own development within a balanced family structure
4
By building close peer relationships to achieve acceptance in the society
5
By achieving marked physical changes - Correct Answers ✅13
An adolescent establishes family identity by acting independently for taking
important decisions about self. They also need to foster their development
along with maintaining a balanced family structure. Health identity is
associated with the evaluation of one's own health with a feeling of
,HESI CAT Exam Practice Questions (420 Questions) –
Updated Nursing Study Guide & Exam Prep Resource
2026
wellbeing. By building close peer relationships, an adolescent develops a
sense of belonging, approval, and the opportunity to learn acceptable
behavior.
These actions establish an adolescent's group identity. The sound and
healthy growth of the adolescent, with marked physical changes, helps to
build an adolescent's sexual identity.
A clinic nurse observes a 2-year-old client sitting alone, rocking and staring
at a small, shiny top that she is spinning. Later the father relates his
concerns, stating, "She pushes me away. She doesn't speak, and she only
shows feelings when I take her top away. Is it something I've done?" What is
the most therapeutic initial response by the nurse?
1
Asking the father about his relationship with his wife
2
Asking the father how he held the child when she was an infant
3
Telling the father that it is nothing he has done and sharing the nurse's
observations of the child
, HESI CAT Exam Practice Questions (420 Questions) –
Updated Nursing Study Guide & Exam Prep Resource
2026
4
Telling the father not to be concerned and stressing that the child will
outgrow this developmental phase - Correct Answers ✅3
The nurse provides support in a nonjudgmental way by sharing information
and observations about the child. This child exhibits symptoms of autism,
which is not attributable to the actions of the parents. Asking the father
about his relationship with his wife or how he held the child when she was
an infant indirectly indicates that the parent may be at fault; it negates the
father's need for support and increases his sense of guilt. Telling the father
not to be concerned and stressing that the child will outgrow this
developmental phase is false reassurance that does not provide support; the
father recognizes that something is wrong.
What is most appropriate for a nurse to say when interviewing a newly
admitted depressed client whose thoughts are focused on feelings of
worthlessness and failure?
1
"Tell me how you feel about yourself."
2
