HESI Exit Exam Mental Health Practice Questions
80 NCLEX-Style Multiple-Choice Questions for Exam Preparation
Covering Therapeutic Communication, Psychiatric Disorders, Crisis Intervention, and Safety
Practice Questions
Question 1: A nurse is speaking with a client who expresses feelings of worthlessness due to
depression. Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You have so much to live for; dont feel that way."
B) "Can you share whats making you feel worthless?"
C) "Everyone feels like this sometimes."
D) "Lets talk about something more positive."
Correct Answer: B) Can you share whats making you feel worthless?
Question 2: A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. What
is the nurses priority action?
A) Distract the client with a calming activity.
B) Assess the content and intensity of the voices.
C) Tell the client to ignore the voices.
D) Administer an antipsychotic immediately.
Correct Answer: B) Assess the content and intensity of the voices.
Question 3: A client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase is disruptive in a group setting.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer a mood stabilizer as prescribed.
B) Remove the client to a low-stimulus environment.
C) Encourage the client to lead the group discussion.
D) Allow the client to continue to promote expression.
Correct Answer: B) Remove the client to a low-stimulus environment.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a client for generalized anxiety disorder. Which symptom is
most indicative of this condition?
A) Persistent excessive worry for 6 months
B) Sudden mood swings
C) Auditory hallucinations
D) Loss of interest in activities
Correct Answer: A) Persistent excessive worry for 6 months
Question 5: A client in crisis expresses suicidal ideation with a specific plan. What is the
nurses first action?
A) Discuss coping mechanisms for stress.
B) Initiate one-to-one observation for safety.
C) Explore the clients support system.
D) Refer the client to outpatient therapy.
Correct Answer: B) Initiate one-to-one observation for safety.
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, Question 6: A client with panic disorder is experiencing a panic attack. Which nursing action
is most appropriate?
A) Instruct the client to analyze their triggers.
B) Stay with the client and encourage slow breathing.
C) Leave the client alone to reduce stimulation.
D) Administer an antidepressant immediately.
Correct Answer: B) Stay with the client and encourage slow breathing.
Question 7: A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is distressed about repetitive
checking behaviors. What should the nurse say?
A) "Why do you need to check things so often?"
B) "It must be exhausting to feel driven to check repeatedly."
C) "You should stop checking to feel better."
D) "Checking is normal; dont worry about it."
Correct Answer: B) It must be exhausting to feel driven to check repeatedly."
Question 8: A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports flashbacks. Which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Encourage the client to describe the trauma in detail.
B) Teach grounding techniques to manage flashbacks.
C) Administer an anxiolytic immediately.
D) Avoid discussing the flashbacks to reduce distress.
Correct Answer: B) Teach grounding techniques to manage flashbacks.
Question 9: A client with borderline personality disorder idealizes one nurse and devalues an-
other. What is the nurses best action?
A) Allow the client to interact only with the favored nurse.
B) Maintain consistent team communication and boundaries.
C) Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcement.
D) Confront the client about their behavior.
Correct Answer: B) Maintain consistent team communication and bound-
aries.
Question 10: A client in a manic episode is talking rapidly and jumping between topics. Which
communication approach should the nurse use?
A) Interrupt frequently to redirect the client.
B) Use a calm tone with short, clear statements.
C) Match the clients rapid speech to build rapport.
D) Avoid speaking to prevent escalation.
Correct Answer: B) Use a calm tone with short, clear statements.
Question 11: A client with schizophrenia refuses medication, stating, "Its controlling my mind."
What is the nurses best response?
A) "You must take it to get better."
B) "Can you tell me more about your concerns?"
C) "If you dont take it, youll be hospitalized."
D) "Lets skip todays dose and try tomorrow."
Correct Answer: B) Can you tell me more about your concerns?"
Question 12: A client with anxiety reports palpitations and sweating. What should the nurse do
first?
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80 NCLEX-Style Multiple-Choice Questions for Exam Preparation
Covering Therapeutic Communication, Psychiatric Disorders, Crisis Intervention, and Safety
Practice Questions
Question 1: A nurse is speaking with a client who expresses feelings of worthlessness due to
depression. Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "You have so much to live for; dont feel that way."
B) "Can you share whats making you feel worthless?"
C) "Everyone feels like this sometimes."
D) "Lets talk about something more positive."
Correct Answer: B) Can you share whats making you feel worthless?
Question 2: A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. What
is the nurses priority action?
A) Distract the client with a calming activity.
B) Assess the content and intensity of the voices.
C) Tell the client to ignore the voices.
D) Administer an antipsychotic immediately.
Correct Answer: B) Assess the content and intensity of the voices.
Question 3: A client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase is disruptive in a group setting.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A) Administer a mood stabilizer as prescribed.
B) Remove the client to a low-stimulus environment.
C) Encourage the client to lead the group discussion.
D) Allow the client to continue to promote expression.
Correct Answer: B) Remove the client to a low-stimulus environment.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a client for generalized anxiety disorder. Which symptom is
most indicative of this condition?
A) Persistent excessive worry for 6 months
B) Sudden mood swings
C) Auditory hallucinations
D) Loss of interest in activities
Correct Answer: A) Persistent excessive worry for 6 months
Question 5: A client in crisis expresses suicidal ideation with a specific plan. What is the
nurses first action?
A) Discuss coping mechanisms for stress.
B) Initiate one-to-one observation for safety.
C) Explore the clients support system.
D) Refer the client to outpatient therapy.
Correct Answer: B) Initiate one-to-one observation for safety.
1
, Question 6: A client with panic disorder is experiencing a panic attack. Which nursing action
is most appropriate?
A) Instruct the client to analyze their triggers.
B) Stay with the client and encourage slow breathing.
C) Leave the client alone to reduce stimulation.
D) Administer an antidepressant immediately.
Correct Answer: B) Stay with the client and encourage slow breathing.
Question 7: A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is distressed about repetitive
checking behaviors. What should the nurse say?
A) "Why do you need to check things so often?"
B) "It must be exhausting to feel driven to check repeatedly."
C) "You should stop checking to feel better."
D) "Checking is normal; dont worry about it."
Correct Answer: B) It must be exhausting to feel driven to check repeatedly."
Question 8: A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports flashbacks. Which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Encourage the client to describe the trauma in detail.
B) Teach grounding techniques to manage flashbacks.
C) Administer an anxiolytic immediately.
D) Avoid discussing the flashbacks to reduce distress.
Correct Answer: B) Teach grounding techniques to manage flashbacks.
Question 9: A client with borderline personality disorder idealizes one nurse and devalues an-
other. What is the nurses best action?
A) Allow the client to interact only with the favored nurse.
B) Maintain consistent team communication and boundaries.
C) Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcement.
D) Confront the client about their behavior.
Correct Answer: B) Maintain consistent team communication and bound-
aries.
Question 10: A client in a manic episode is talking rapidly and jumping between topics. Which
communication approach should the nurse use?
A) Interrupt frequently to redirect the client.
B) Use a calm tone with short, clear statements.
C) Match the clients rapid speech to build rapport.
D) Avoid speaking to prevent escalation.
Correct Answer: B) Use a calm tone with short, clear statements.
Question 11: A client with schizophrenia refuses medication, stating, "Its controlling my mind."
What is the nurses best response?
A) "You must take it to get better."
B) "Can you tell me more about your concerns?"
C) "If you dont take it, youll be hospitalized."
D) "Lets skip todays dose and try tomorrow."
Correct Answer: B) Can you tell me more about your concerns?"
Question 12: A client with anxiety reports palpitations and sweating. What should the nurse do
first?
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