3/11/25, 2:03 PM
HESI MENTAL HEALTH/PSYCH EXAM 2025|170 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
1. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client to a schedule to have
electric convulsive therapy (ECT). Which factor is a priority for this client?
The family's anxiety
The clients' fear
The possibility of incontinence during the procedure
The risk for aspiration
2. Why is it important for the nurse to ask the client how she has previously
managed the voices she hears?
It promotes symptom management and helps understand the
client's coping strategies.
It provides a way to educate the client about medication side effects.
It focuses on the client's delusions rather than their hallucinations.
It allows the nurse to dismiss the client's feelings as irrelevant.
3. In the context of the mother's reaction to her child's treatment, explain how
projection manifests in her behavior.
The mother is hiding her true feelings of fear by showing anger.
The mother is expressing her anger in a socially acceptable manner.
The mother is likely projecting her own feelings of guilt or fear onto
the nurse by accusing her of intending to harm the child.
The mother is reverting to childhood behaviors due to stress.
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4. Why is it crucial for the nurse to report suspected child abuse in the case of a
child presenting with a green vaginal discharge?
The child may have a dietary issue that needs addressing.
The discharge is a normal symptom of puberty.
The presence of a green vaginal discharge in an 8-year-old
suggests potential sexual abuse, necessitating reporting.
The discharge indicates a common infection that can be treated easily.
5. Why is it crucial for the nurse to assess the client's alcohol consumption
before addressing other symptoms of mental health issues?
Because ongoing alcohol use can hinder the effectiveness of
treatment for depression.
Because it allows the nurse to prescribe more medications.
Because alcohol consumption is unrelated to mental health
symptoms.
Because it helps to establish a routine for the client.
6. On admission, a highly anxious client is described as delusional. Delusions
are most likely to occur with which disorders?
Personality disorders
Dissociative disorders
Anxiety disorders
Psychotic disorders
7. In a scenario where a client begins to show signs of restlessness and
confusion post-surgery, what should the nurse's immediate action be
regarding the client's alcohol withdrawal status?
Administer pain medication immediately.
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,3/11/25, 2:03 PM
Ignore the symptoms as they are common post-surgery.
Encourage the client to sleep to reduce confusion.
Monitor the client closely for progression of symptoms and
implement safety measures.
8. What is the best initial response a nurse can give to a client expressing
feelings of hopelessness?
How can I help you? Tell me more about your problems.
Let's talk about what is right with your life.
I hear your misery, but things will get better soon.
Things probably aren't as bad as they seem right now.
9. A client taking oxazepam reports feeling excessively drowsy during the day.
What should the nurse recommend based on the medication's
characteristics?
Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
Stop taking the medication immediately.
Increase the dosage of oxazepam.
Take the medication in the morning instead of the evening.
10. If a nurse is developing a support group for families of clients with
schizophrenia, which topic should be prioritized to help them cope with the
long-term effects of the illness?
Behavior modification for aggression
Current treatment measures for substance abuse
Chronic grief associated with long-term illness
3/53
, 3/11/25, 2:03 PM
Prevention of criminal activity
11. The nurse is caring for a client who has a history of heavy alcohol use. Which
findings would indicate that the client is probably experiencing delirium
tremens (DTs)?
Nausea, vomiting, bloody stools and hypotension
Headache, blurred vision, garbled speech and hypertension
Excitability, disorientation, tremors and tachycardia
Chest pain, nausea, diaphoresis and tachycardia
12. What is the condition characterized by fever, rigidity, and autonomic
instability that can occur as a reaction to antipsychotic medications?
Tardive dyskinesia
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Akathisia
Serotonin syndrome
13. Why is it important for the nurse to divert a client's attention from paranoid
ideation rather than reinforcing it?
Reinforcing the client's beliefs can help them feel validated.
Diverting the client's attention helps to develop a positive self-
image and reduces the focus on delusions.
Arguing with the client about their delusions can help them see the
truth.
Ignoring the client’s concerns can lead to improved trust in the
nursing staff.
4/53
HESI MENTAL HEALTH/PSYCH EXAM 2025|170 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
1. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client to a schedule to have
electric convulsive therapy (ECT). Which factor is a priority for this client?
The family's anxiety
The clients' fear
The possibility of incontinence during the procedure
The risk for aspiration
2. Why is it important for the nurse to ask the client how she has previously
managed the voices she hears?
It promotes symptom management and helps understand the
client's coping strategies.
It provides a way to educate the client about medication side effects.
It focuses on the client's delusions rather than their hallucinations.
It allows the nurse to dismiss the client's feelings as irrelevant.
3. In the context of the mother's reaction to her child's treatment, explain how
projection manifests in her behavior.
The mother is hiding her true feelings of fear by showing anger.
The mother is expressing her anger in a socially acceptable manner.
The mother is likely projecting her own feelings of guilt or fear onto
the nurse by accusing her of intending to harm the child.
The mother is reverting to childhood behaviors due to stress.
1/53
,3/11/25, 2:03 PM
4. Why is it crucial for the nurse to report suspected child abuse in the case of a
child presenting with a green vaginal discharge?
The child may have a dietary issue that needs addressing.
The discharge is a normal symptom of puberty.
The presence of a green vaginal discharge in an 8-year-old
suggests potential sexual abuse, necessitating reporting.
The discharge indicates a common infection that can be treated easily.
5. Why is it crucial for the nurse to assess the client's alcohol consumption
before addressing other symptoms of mental health issues?
Because ongoing alcohol use can hinder the effectiveness of
treatment for depression.
Because it allows the nurse to prescribe more medications.
Because alcohol consumption is unrelated to mental health
symptoms.
Because it helps to establish a routine for the client.
6. On admission, a highly anxious client is described as delusional. Delusions
are most likely to occur with which disorders?
Personality disorders
Dissociative disorders
Anxiety disorders
Psychotic disorders
7. In a scenario where a client begins to show signs of restlessness and
confusion post-surgery, what should the nurse's immediate action be
regarding the client's alcohol withdrawal status?
Administer pain medication immediately.
2/53
,3/11/25, 2:03 PM
Ignore the symptoms as they are common post-surgery.
Encourage the client to sleep to reduce confusion.
Monitor the client closely for progression of symptoms and
implement safety measures.
8. What is the best initial response a nurse can give to a client expressing
feelings of hopelessness?
How can I help you? Tell me more about your problems.
Let's talk about what is right with your life.
I hear your misery, but things will get better soon.
Things probably aren't as bad as they seem right now.
9. A client taking oxazepam reports feeling excessively drowsy during the day.
What should the nurse recommend based on the medication's
characteristics?
Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
Stop taking the medication immediately.
Increase the dosage of oxazepam.
Take the medication in the morning instead of the evening.
10. If a nurse is developing a support group for families of clients with
schizophrenia, which topic should be prioritized to help them cope with the
long-term effects of the illness?
Behavior modification for aggression
Current treatment measures for substance abuse
Chronic grief associated with long-term illness
3/53
, 3/11/25, 2:03 PM
Prevention of criminal activity
11. The nurse is caring for a client who has a history of heavy alcohol use. Which
findings would indicate that the client is probably experiencing delirium
tremens (DTs)?
Nausea, vomiting, bloody stools and hypotension
Headache, blurred vision, garbled speech and hypertension
Excitability, disorientation, tremors and tachycardia
Chest pain, nausea, diaphoresis and tachycardia
12. What is the condition characterized by fever, rigidity, and autonomic
instability that can occur as a reaction to antipsychotic medications?
Tardive dyskinesia
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Akathisia
Serotonin syndrome
13. Why is it important for the nurse to divert a client's attention from paranoid
ideation rather than reinforcing it?
Reinforcing the client's beliefs can help them feel validated.
Diverting the client's attention helps to develop a positive self-
image and reduces the focus on delusions.
Arguing with the client about their delusions can help them see the
truth.
Ignoring the client’s concerns can lead to improved trust in the
nursing staff.
4/53
