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HESI Mental Health RN V1-V3 Questions with
Detailed Verified Answers
What nursing problem has the greatest priority for a client with
depression who remains in bed most of the day? Ans: Loss of interest in
diversional activity.
Which medication should be discontinued if a client with bipolar disorder
has stopped taking antipsychotic medication? Ans: Lithium (Lithotabs).
What should the RN do when noticing a discrepancy between a client's
verbal and nonverbal communication during an admission assessment?
Ans: Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
What defense mechanism is a male client using when he expresses anger
towards his roommate? Ans: Projection.
What intervention should the RN implement for a male client with bipolar
disorder experiencing excessive thirst after starting lithium carbonate?
Ans: Encourage the client to suck on hard candy to relieve the
symptoms.
What should a client understand about disulfiram (Antabuse) therapy?
Ans: Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
What is the most important question for the RN to ask a client with
schizophrenia who stopped taking ziprasidone? Ans: Do you hear
sounds or voices that others do not hear?
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How should the RN respond to a male employee who expresses anger
while driving due to job stress? Ans: It sounds as if there are many
situations that make you feel angry.
What intervention has the highest priority for a client with agoraphobia
beginning desensitization therapy? Ans: Establish trust by providing a
calm, safe environment.
Which nursing actions can help promote self-esteem in a male client with
depression? Ans: Include the client in determining treatment protocol.
What is one way to help a client with depression set long-term goals?
Ans: Ask the client what his long term goals are.
How can the RN encourage a client with depression to engage in therapy?
Ans: Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
What is an effective way to provide support for a client with depression?
Ans: Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns.
What should the RN do if a client with bipolar disorder exhibits polydipsia
after starting lithium? Ans: No action is needed since polydipsia is a
common side effect.
What should the RN focus on when a client expresses anger towards
another individual? Ans: Encourage the client to express feelings in a
safe manner.
What is the most appropriate response for a client experiencing anger
during stressful situations? Ans: Try not to let your anger cause you to
act impulsively.
What is a common side effect of lithium carbonate that clients may
experience? Ans: Excessive thirst.
What is the significance of documenting nonverbal messages during client
assessments? Ans: It helps to understand the client's true feelings and
intentions.
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What is a potential outcome of ignoring a client's nonverbal
communication? Ans: Misinterpretation of the client's feelings.
What is the role of the RN in reinforcing desensitization therapy for
agoraphobia? Ans: Support the client through gradual exposure to
anxiety-provoking situations.
How can the RN assist a client in recognizing their feelings of anger?
Ans: Encourage reflection on the situations that trigger their anger.
What is an important aspect of the therapeutic relationship in mental
health nursing? Ans: Establishing trust and safety for the client.
What should the RN administer for a client with dystonia caused by
Risperidone? Ans: Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine
(Cogentin).
What action by a mental health worker requires immediate intervention
by the RN during a crisis? Ans: Attempting to physically restrain the
patient.
What is the first nursing intervention for an agitated client refusing PRN
medication? Ans: Quietly approach the client with additional staff
members.
Why should the RN plan one-on-one observation for a client taking extra
antianxiety medication? Ans: The client expressed feelings of
hopelessness and a desire to sleep excessively.
What factor in the pushed employee's history is most related to his
aggressive reaction? Ans: Was physically abused by his mother.
In which section of the mental status exam should the RN document a
client's belief that the television talks to her? Ans: Insight and
judgement.
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What nursing problem should be included in the care plan for a client
reporting shortness of breath and feeling like they are going to die? Ans:
Moderate anxiety.
What is the most important action for the RN to take for a client feeling
scared due to being stalked? Ans: Offer the client a safe place to relax
before interviewing her.
What is the best nursing action for a fidgety adolescent client during a
group session? Ans: Redirect him by encouraging him to read from the
handout.
What is the best approach for an RN when a depressed adolescent
becomes irritated and sarcastic during an interview? Ans: Maintain a
calm demeanor and allow the client to express his feelings.
What should the RN do for a client with chronic schizophrenia
experiencing negative symptoms? Ans: Adjust medication as
prescribed, such as Risperidone.
What is a common symptom of chronic schizophrenia that the RN should
monitor? Ans: Recurrent negative symptoms.
What is a potential side effect of antipsychotic medications like
Risperidone? Ans: Dystonia.
What should the RN do if a client is agitated and pacing in the hallway?
Ans: Assess the situation and approach the client calmly.
What is a key consideration when documenting a client's mental status?
Ans: Ensure to include any delusions or altered perceptions.
What should the RN prioritize when a client expresses feelings of being
stalked? Ans: Ensure the client's safety.
What is an appropriate response for a client who feels hopeless and
doesn't want to walk? Ans: Engage the client in a supportive
conversation.
HESI Mental Health RN V1-V3 Questions with
Detailed Verified Answers
What nursing problem has the greatest priority for a client with
depression who remains in bed most of the day? Ans: Loss of interest in
diversional activity.
Which medication should be discontinued if a client with bipolar disorder
has stopped taking antipsychotic medication? Ans: Lithium (Lithotabs).
What should the RN do when noticing a discrepancy between a client's
verbal and nonverbal communication during an admission assessment?
Ans: Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
What defense mechanism is a male client using when he expresses anger
towards his roommate? Ans: Projection.
What intervention should the RN implement for a male client with bipolar
disorder experiencing excessive thirst after starting lithium carbonate?
Ans: Encourage the client to suck on hard candy to relieve the
symptoms.
What should a client understand about disulfiram (Antabuse) therapy?
Ans: Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
What is the most important question for the RN to ask a client with
schizophrenia who stopped taking ziprasidone? Ans: Do you hear
sounds or voices that others do not hear?
, Page | 2
How should the RN respond to a male employee who expresses anger
while driving due to job stress? Ans: It sounds as if there are many
situations that make you feel angry.
What intervention has the highest priority for a client with agoraphobia
beginning desensitization therapy? Ans: Establish trust by providing a
calm, safe environment.
Which nursing actions can help promote self-esteem in a male client with
depression? Ans: Include the client in determining treatment protocol.
What is one way to help a client with depression set long-term goals?
Ans: Ask the client what his long term goals are.
How can the RN encourage a client with depression to engage in therapy?
Ans: Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
What is an effective way to provide support for a client with depression?
Ans: Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns.
What should the RN do if a client with bipolar disorder exhibits polydipsia
after starting lithium? Ans: No action is needed since polydipsia is a
common side effect.
What should the RN focus on when a client expresses anger towards
another individual? Ans: Encourage the client to express feelings in a
safe manner.
What is the most appropriate response for a client experiencing anger
during stressful situations? Ans: Try not to let your anger cause you to
act impulsively.
What is a common side effect of lithium carbonate that clients may
experience? Ans: Excessive thirst.
What is the significance of documenting nonverbal messages during client
assessments? Ans: It helps to understand the client's true feelings and
intentions.
, Page | 3
What is a potential outcome of ignoring a client's nonverbal
communication? Ans: Misinterpretation of the client's feelings.
What is the role of the RN in reinforcing desensitization therapy for
agoraphobia? Ans: Support the client through gradual exposure to
anxiety-provoking situations.
How can the RN assist a client in recognizing their feelings of anger?
Ans: Encourage reflection on the situations that trigger their anger.
What is an important aspect of the therapeutic relationship in mental
health nursing? Ans: Establishing trust and safety for the client.
What should the RN administer for a client with dystonia caused by
Risperidone? Ans: Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine
(Cogentin).
What action by a mental health worker requires immediate intervention
by the RN during a crisis? Ans: Attempting to physically restrain the
patient.
What is the first nursing intervention for an agitated client refusing PRN
medication? Ans: Quietly approach the client with additional staff
members.
Why should the RN plan one-on-one observation for a client taking extra
antianxiety medication? Ans: The client expressed feelings of
hopelessness and a desire to sleep excessively.
What factor in the pushed employee's history is most related to his
aggressive reaction? Ans: Was physically abused by his mother.
In which section of the mental status exam should the RN document a
client's belief that the television talks to her? Ans: Insight and
judgement.
, Page | 4
What nursing problem should be included in the care plan for a client
reporting shortness of breath and feeling like they are going to die? Ans:
Moderate anxiety.
What is the most important action for the RN to take for a client feeling
scared due to being stalked? Ans: Offer the client a safe place to relax
before interviewing her.
What is the best nursing action for a fidgety adolescent client during a
group session? Ans: Redirect him by encouraging him to read from the
handout.
What is the best approach for an RN when a depressed adolescent
becomes irritated and sarcastic during an interview? Ans: Maintain a
calm demeanor and allow the client to express his feelings.
What should the RN do for a client with chronic schizophrenia
experiencing negative symptoms? Ans: Adjust medication as
prescribed, such as Risperidone.
What is a common symptom of chronic schizophrenia that the RN should
monitor? Ans: Recurrent negative symptoms.
What is a potential side effect of antipsychotic medications like
Risperidone? Ans: Dystonia.
What should the RN do if a client is agitated and pacing in the hallway?
Ans: Assess the situation and approach the client calmly.
What is a key consideration when documenting a client's mental status?
Ans: Ensure to include any delusions or altered perceptions.
What should the RN prioritize when a client expresses feelings of being
stalked? Ans: Ensure the client's safety.
What is an appropriate response for a client who feels hopeless and
doesn't want to walk? Ans: Engage the client in a supportive
conversation.
