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HESI RN Psychiatric-Mental Health
Exam (2025/2026) – actual Exam
Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales | High-Scoring Resource
Therapeutic Techniques (20 Questions)
Question 1
A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who is withdrawn. Which response is
most effective?
a. "Why are you so quiet today?"
b. "I notice you seem quiet today. Can you share how you're feeling?"
c. "You need to talk more to feel better."
d. "Let’s move on to group therapy now."
Rationale: Open-ended, nonjudgmental questions encourage the client to express feelings
and promote trust.
Question 2
Which technique is most appropriate when a client expresses suicidal thoughts?
a. Changing the subject
b. Directly addressing the thoughts
c. Minimizing the client’s concerns
d. Avoiding further discussion
Rationale: Directly addressing suicidal thoughts ensures safety and facilitates assessment of
intent.
Question 3
Scenario: A client with depression says, "I’m a failure." What is the nurse’s best response?
a. "You’re not a failure; everyone makes mistakes."
b. "It sounds like you’re feeling really down about yourself. Can you tell me more?"
c. "You should focus on your strengths."
d. "Let’s talk about something positive."
Rationale: Reflecting feelings encourages the client to explore emotions and fosters
therapeutic dialogue.
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Question 4
What is the goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
a. To explore past traumas
b. To change negative thought patterns
c. To suppress emotions
d. To encourage dependency
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and modifying negative thoughts to improve
behavior and emotions.
Question 5
A nurse is using active listening with a client. Which action demonstrates this technique?
a. Interrupting to clarify
b. Maintaining eye contact and nodding
c. Taking notes during the conversation
d. Offering advice immediately
Rationale: Active listening involves nonverbal cues like eye contact and nodding to show
engagement.
Question 6
Which therapeutic approach is best for a client with borderline personality disorder?
a. Insight-oriented therapy
b. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
c. Play therapy
d. Hypnotherapy
Rationale: DBT is evidence-based for borderline personality disorder, focusing on
emotional regulation and coping skills.
Question 7
Scenario: A client with anxiety says, "I can’t handle this." What is the nurse’s best response?
a. "You’ll be fine, just calm down."
b. "It sounds overwhelming. Can we talk about what’s making you feel this way?"
c. "You’re overreacting."
d. "Let’s focus on something else."
Rationale: Acknowledging feelings and exploring triggers promotes trust and reduces
anxiety.
Question 8
What is the purpose of motivational interviewing?
a. To confront client behaviors
b. To encourage self-motivated change
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c. To enforce compliance
d. To analyze past events
Rationale: Motivational interviewing empowers clients to identify and pursue their own
goals for change.
Question 9
A nurse is conducting group therapy. What is a key role of the nurse?
a. Dominating the discussion
b. Facilitating open communication
c. Assigning tasks to members
d. Correcting client statements
Rationale: The nurse facilitates discussion to ensure all members feel safe and heard in
group therapy.
Question 10
Which communication technique helps clarify a client’s vague statement?
a. Giving advice
b. Restating
c. Changing the topic
d. Using silence
Rationale: Restating clarifies the client’s meaning and shows the nurse’s understanding.
Question 11
Scenario: A client with schizophrenia is hallucinating. What is the nurse’s best response?
a. "Those voices aren’t real."
b. "I don’t hear the voices, but it sounds distressing. Can you tell me more?"
c. "Just ignore the voices."
d. "You need to stop imagining things."
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s experience without reinforcing delusions promotes
trust and safety.
Question 12
What is a key principle of therapeutic communication?
a. Judging client decisions
b. Demonstrating empathy
c. Using medical jargon
d. Offering quick solutions
Rationale: Empathy fosters a supportive relationship and encourages client expression.
Question 13
HESI RN Psychiatric-Mental Health
Exam (2025/2026) – actual Exam
Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales | High-Scoring Resource
Therapeutic Techniques (20 Questions)
Question 1
A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a client who is withdrawn. Which response is
most effective?
a. "Why are you so quiet today?"
b. "I notice you seem quiet today. Can you share how you're feeling?"
c. "You need to talk more to feel better."
d. "Let’s move on to group therapy now."
Rationale: Open-ended, nonjudgmental questions encourage the client to express feelings
and promote trust.
Question 2
Which technique is most appropriate when a client expresses suicidal thoughts?
a. Changing the subject
b. Directly addressing the thoughts
c. Minimizing the client’s concerns
d. Avoiding further discussion
Rationale: Directly addressing suicidal thoughts ensures safety and facilitates assessment of
intent.
Question 3
Scenario: A client with depression says, "I’m a failure." What is the nurse’s best response?
a. "You’re not a failure; everyone makes mistakes."
b. "It sounds like you’re feeling really down about yourself. Can you tell me more?"
c. "You should focus on your strengths."
d. "Let’s talk about something positive."
Rationale: Reflecting feelings encourages the client to explore emotions and fosters
therapeutic dialogue.
, 2
Question 4
What is the goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)?
a. To explore past traumas
b. To change negative thought patterns
c. To suppress emotions
d. To encourage dependency
Rationale: CBT focuses on identifying and modifying negative thoughts to improve
behavior and emotions.
Question 5
A nurse is using active listening with a client. Which action demonstrates this technique?
a. Interrupting to clarify
b. Maintaining eye contact and nodding
c. Taking notes during the conversation
d. Offering advice immediately
Rationale: Active listening involves nonverbal cues like eye contact and nodding to show
engagement.
Question 6
Which therapeutic approach is best for a client with borderline personality disorder?
a. Insight-oriented therapy
b. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
c. Play therapy
d. Hypnotherapy
Rationale: DBT is evidence-based for borderline personality disorder, focusing on
emotional regulation and coping skills.
Question 7
Scenario: A client with anxiety says, "I can’t handle this." What is the nurse’s best response?
a. "You’ll be fine, just calm down."
b. "It sounds overwhelming. Can we talk about what’s making you feel this way?"
c. "You’re overreacting."
d. "Let’s focus on something else."
Rationale: Acknowledging feelings and exploring triggers promotes trust and reduces
anxiety.
Question 8
What is the purpose of motivational interviewing?
a. To confront client behaviors
b. To encourage self-motivated change
, 3
c. To enforce compliance
d. To analyze past events
Rationale: Motivational interviewing empowers clients to identify and pursue their own
goals for change.
Question 9
A nurse is conducting group therapy. What is a key role of the nurse?
a. Dominating the discussion
b. Facilitating open communication
c. Assigning tasks to members
d. Correcting client statements
Rationale: The nurse facilitates discussion to ensure all members feel safe and heard in
group therapy.
Question 10
Which communication technique helps clarify a client’s vague statement?
a. Giving advice
b. Restating
c. Changing the topic
d. Using silence
Rationale: Restating clarifies the client’s meaning and shows the nurse’s understanding.
Question 11
Scenario: A client with schizophrenia is hallucinating. What is the nurse’s best response?
a. "Those voices aren’t real."
b. "I don’t hear the voices, but it sounds distressing. Can you tell me more?"
c. "Just ignore the voices."
d. "You need to stop imagining things."
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s experience without reinforcing delusions promotes
trust and safety.
Question 12
What is a key principle of therapeutic communication?
a. Judging client decisions
b. Demonstrating empathy
c. Using medical jargon
d. Offering quick solutions
Rationale: Empathy fosters a supportive relationship and encourages client expression.
Question 13
