NGN MENTAL HEALTH HESI EXAMS 2024 (VERSION A & B)
WITH ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+ / HESI MENTAL HEALTH NGN
REAL LATEST EXAMS
1. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD). Which of the following interventions would be most
appropriate to help manage the client's anxiety?
a) Encourage the client to avoid social interactions.
b) Provide structured, predictable activities for the client.
c) Restrict the client’s access to coping mechanisms.
d) Encourage the client to focus on their most distressing
thoughts.
Answer:
b) Provide structured, predictable activities for the client.
Rationale:
Clients with GAD often benefit from structured and predictable
routines to decrease feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.
Encouraging social interaction and focusing on anxiety-
provoking thoughts can exacerbate symptoms. Offering calming
activities helps manage anxiety.
2. Question:
,A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with depression. Which
of the following symptoms would the nurse expect to find?
a) Excessive energy and racing thoughts.
b) Hyperactivity and decreased need for sleep.
c) Feelings of worthlessness and low energy.
d) Rapid speech and impulsive behaviors.
Answer:
c) Feelings of worthlessness and low energy.
Rationale:
Depression typically presents with feelings of worthlessness,
low energy, and persistent sadness. Hyperactivity, excessive
energy, and impulsivity are more common in manic episodes
(e.g., bipolar disorder).
3. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is
experiencing auditory hallucinations. The nurse should:
a) Tell the client to ignore the voices.
b) Speak loudly to the client to drown out the voices.
c) Acknowledge the hallucinations and focus on reality.
d) Tell the client that the voices are not real.
Answer:
c) Acknowledge the hallucinations and focus on reality.
,Rationale:
It is important to acknowledge the client's experiences without
reinforcing the hallucinations. Focusing on reality helps the
client feel understood and supported. Telling the client to
ignore the voices or denying their reality may lead to frustration
and distrust.
4. Question:
A client with borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently
engages in self-harming behavior to cope with emotional
distress. Which of the following is the best nursing
intervention?
a) Punish the client to prevent further self-harm.
b) Encourage the client to express emotions verbally rather
than through self-harm.
c) Ignore the behavior and avoid discussing it with the client.
d) Use physical restraints to prevent self-harming actions.
Answer:
b) Encourage the client to express emotions verbally rather
than through self-harm.
Rationale:
Encouraging clients to express their emotions verbally or use
healthier coping mechanisms is key in managing BPD.
Punishing, ignoring, or using restraints does not address the
underlying emotional distress or teach adaptive coping skills.
, 5. Question:
A nurse is working with a client diagnosed with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). Which of the following interventions is
most important to promote the client’s well-being?
a) Encourage the client to repeatedly discuss the trauma.
b) Help the client establish a safe, supportive environment.
c) Push the client to face the traumatic memories immediately.
d) Ignore signs of hyperarousal to avoid upsetting the client.
Answer:
b) Help the client establish a safe, supportive environment.
Rationale:
Creating a safe, supportive environment is crucial for clients
with PTSD. It allows them to feel secure and may reduce
symptoms like hyperarousal and avoidance. Repeatedly
discussing trauma too soon or pushing the client too quickly can
worsen symptoms.
6. Question:
A client with major depressive disorder (MDD) expresses
feelings of hopelessness and mentions thoughts of suicide. The
nurse should first:
a) Ask the client if they have a specific plan for suicide.
b) Provide reassurance that things will improve soon.
WITH ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES GRADED A+ / HESI MENTAL HEALTH NGN
REAL LATEST EXAMS
1. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD). Which of the following interventions would be most
appropriate to help manage the client's anxiety?
a) Encourage the client to avoid social interactions.
b) Provide structured, predictable activities for the client.
c) Restrict the client’s access to coping mechanisms.
d) Encourage the client to focus on their most distressing
thoughts.
Answer:
b) Provide structured, predictable activities for the client.
Rationale:
Clients with GAD often benefit from structured and predictable
routines to decrease feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.
Encouraging social interaction and focusing on anxiety-
provoking thoughts can exacerbate symptoms. Offering calming
activities helps manage anxiety.
2. Question:
,A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with depression. Which
of the following symptoms would the nurse expect to find?
a) Excessive energy and racing thoughts.
b) Hyperactivity and decreased need for sleep.
c) Feelings of worthlessness and low energy.
d) Rapid speech and impulsive behaviors.
Answer:
c) Feelings of worthlessness and low energy.
Rationale:
Depression typically presents with feelings of worthlessness,
low energy, and persistent sadness. Hyperactivity, excessive
energy, and impulsivity are more common in manic episodes
(e.g., bipolar disorder).
3. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is
experiencing auditory hallucinations. The nurse should:
a) Tell the client to ignore the voices.
b) Speak loudly to the client to drown out the voices.
c) Acknowledge the hallucinations and focus on reality.
d) Tell the client that the voices are not real.
Answer:
c) Acknowledge the hallucinations and focus on reality.
,Rationale:
It is important to acknowledge the client's experiences without
reinforcing the hallucinations. Focusing on reality helps the
client feel understood and supported. Telling the client to
ignore the voices or denying their reality may lead to frustration
and distrust.
4. Question:
A client with borderline personality disorder (BPD) frequently
engages in self-harming behavior to cope with emotional
distress. Which of the following is the best nursing
intervention?
a) Punish the client to prevent further self-harm.
b) Encourage the client to express emotions verbally rather
than through self-harm.
c) Ignore the behavior and avoid discussing it with the client.
d) Use physical restraints to prevent self-harming actions.
Answer:
b) Encourage the client to express emotions verbally rather
than through self-harm.
Rationale:
Encouraging clients to express their emotions verbally or use
healthier coping mechanisms is key in managing BPD.
Punishing, ignoring, or using restraints does not address the
underlying emotional distress or teach adaptive coping skills.
, 5. Question:
A nurse is working with a client diagnosed with post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). Which of the following interventions is
most important to promote the client’s well-being?
a) Encourage the client to repeatedly discuss the trauma.
b) Help the client establish a safe, supportive environment.
c) Push the client to face the traumatic memories immediately.
d) Ignore signs of hyperarousal to avoid upsetting the client.
Answer:
b) Help the client establish a safe, supportive environment.
Rationale:
Creating a safe, supportive environment is crucial for clients
with PTSD. It allows them to feel secure and may reduce
symptoms like hyperarousal and avoidance. Repeatedly
discussing trauma too soon or pushing the client too quickly can
worsen symptoms.
6. Question:
A client with major depressive disorder (MDD) expresses
feelings of hopelessness and mentions thoughts of suicide. The
nurse should first:
a) Ask the client if they have a specific plan for suicide.
b) Provide reassurance that things will improve soon.
