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HESI Mental Health 2025: 170+ Psychiatric Nursing
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales,
VERIFIED ,RATED A +, GUARANTEE PASS
Question 1
A 25-year-old patient with major depressive disorder reports feeling hopeless and has stopped
attending work. Which is the nurse’s priority intervention?
a. Assess for suicidal ideation and intent
b. Encourage participation in group therapy
c. Teach relaxation techniques
d. Schedule routine follow-up
ANS: a
Rationale: The priority in depression is safety. Assessing for suicidal ideation and intent is
essential to prevent self-harm. While therapy, relaxation, and follow-up are important, immediate
risk assessment takes precedence.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Safety Assessment | TOP: Major Depressive Disorder | MSC: Safe and
Effective Care
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Question 2
A patient with schizophrenia hears voices telling them to harm themselves. Which nursing action
is most appropriate?
a. Ensure patient safety and provide a calm, supportive environment
b. Encourage the patient to ignore the voices
c. Tell the patient the voices are not real
d. Allow the patient to act on the command
ANS: a
Rationale: Safety is the highest priority. Providing a calm environment and monitoring closely
prevents harm. Dismissing or challenging hallucinations without support can increase anxiety,
and allowing action is unsafe.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Safety Management | TOP: Schizophrenia | MSC: Safe and Effective Care
Question 3
Which statement by a patient with anxiety indicates effective coping?
a. “I can take deep breaths and focus on what I can control.”
b. “I can’t handle anything; I’ll avoid it all.”
c. “I need someone else to fix my problems.”
d. “I feel paralyzed and can’t do anything.”
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ANS: a
Rationale: Effective coping involves self-regulation and focusing on controllable aspects.
Avoidance, dependency, and helplessness indicate ineffective coping strategies.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Coping Skills | TOP: Anxiety Disorders | MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
Question 4
A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. Which behavior requires the nurse’s
immediate attention?
a. Spending excessive money impulsively
b. Talking rapidly
c. Exhibiting grandiose ideas
d. Sleeping 2–3 hours per night
ANS: d
Rationale: While impulsivity, rapid speech, and grandiosity are symptoms, severe sleep
deprivation can lead to medical complications and requires immediate intervention to ensure
safety and stabilize the patient.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Bipolar Management | TOP: Manic Episode | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 5
A patient taking lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and tremors. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
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a. Assess for signs of lithium toxicity
b. Encourage fluid intake
c. Reassure the patient these are minor side effects
d. Schedule routine follow-up
ANS: a
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and tremors are early signs of lithium toxicity, which can be life-
threatening. Immediate assessment and provider notification are critical.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Medication Safety | TOP: Mood Stabilizers | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 6
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
a. Ask the patient what the voices are saying and validate feelings
b. Ignore the hallucinations
c. Tell the patient the hallucinations are not real
d. Encourage the patient to talk to the voices
ANS: a
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves acknowledging the patient’s experience and
exploring content without reinforcing delusions. Ignoring or dismissing hallucinations may
increase distress.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Therapeutic Communication | TOP: Psychotic Disorders | MSC:
Psychosocial Integrity
HESI Mental Health 2025: 170+ Psychiatric Nursing
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales,
VERIFIED ,RATED A +, GUARANTEE PASS
Question 1
A 25-year-old patient with major depressive disorder reports feeling hopeless and has stopped
attending work. Which is the nurse’s priority intervention?
a. Assess for suicidal ideation and intent
b. Encourage participation in group therapy
c. Teach relaxation techniques
d. Schedule routine follow-up
ANS: a
Rationale: The priority in depression is safety. Assessing for suicidal ideation and intent is
essential to prevent self-harm. While therapy, relaxation, and follow-up are important, immediate
risk assessment takes precedence.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Safety Assessment | TOP: Major Depressive Disorder | MSC: Safe and
Effective Care
,2 | Page
Question 2
A patient with schizophrenia hears voices telling them to harm themselves. Which nursing action
is most appropriate?
a. Ensure patient safety and provide a calm, supportive environment
b. Encourage the patient to ignore the voices
c. Tell the patient the voices are not real
d. Allow the patient to act on the command
ANS: a
Rationale: Safety is the highest priority. Providing a calm environment and monitoring closely
prevents harm. Dismissing or challenging hallucinations without support can increase anxiety,
and allowing action is unsafe.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Safety Management | TOP: Schizophrenia | MSC: Safe and Effective Care
Question 3
Which statement by a patient with anxiety indicates effective coping?
a. “I can take deep breaths and focus on what I can control.”
b. “I can’t handle anything; I’ll avoid it all.”
c. “I need someone else to fix my problems.”
d. “I feel paralyzed and can’t do anything.”
,3 | Page
ANS: a
Rationale: Effective coping involves self-regulation and focusing on controllable aspects.
Avoidance, dependency, and helplessness indicate ineffective coping strategies.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Coping Skills | TOP: Anxiety Disorders | MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
Question 4
A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. Which behavior requires the nurse’s
immediate attention?
a. Spending excessive money impulsively
b. Talking rapidly
c. Exhibiting grandiose ideas
d. Sleeping 2–3 hours per night
ANS: d
Rationale: While impulsivity, rapid speech, and grandiosity are symptoms, severe sleep
deprivation can lead to medical complications and requires immediate intervention to ensure
safety and stabilize the patient.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Bipolar Management | TOP: Manic Episode | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 5
A patient taking lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and tremors. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
, 4 | Page
a. Assess for signs of lithium toxicity
b. Encourage fluid intake
c. Reassure the patient these are minor side effects
d. Schedule routine follow-up
ANS: a
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and tremors are early signs of lithium toxicity, which can be life-
threatening. Immediate assessment and provider notification are critical.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Medication Safety | TOP: Mood Stabilizers | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 6
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
a. Ask the patient what the voices are saying and validate feelings
b. Ignore the hallucinations
c. Tell the patient the hallucinations are not real
d. Encourage the patient to talk to the voices
ANS: a
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves acknowledging the patient’s experience and
exploring content without reinforcing delusions. Ignoring or dismissing hallucinations may
increase distress.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Therapeutic Communication | TOP: Psychotic Disorders | MSC:
Psychosocial Integrity
