HESI RN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2025/2026
(2 DIFFERENT EXAMS) | COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS | NEWEST
VERSIONS
Question 1
A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reports persistent worrying,
difficulty concentrating, and muscle tension for the past six months. Which of
the following is the MOST appropriate initial nursing intervention?
A) Administer a PRN anxiolytic medication immediately.
B) Encourage the client to identify and discuss their feelings of anxiety.
C) Recommend strenuous physical exercise to relieve tension.
D) Confront the client about the irrationality of their worries.
E) Teach the client advanced relaxation techniques without discussion.
Correct Answer: B) Encourage the client to identify and discuss their
feelings of anxiety.
Rationale: Encouraging the client to identify and discuss their
feelings of anxiety is a therapeutic communication technique that
helps build rapport, allows the nurse to assess the client's
perception, and can be the first step in developing coping
strategies.
Question 2
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) has been
prescribed an antidepressant. The nurse should educate the client that
therapeutic effects of antidepressants typically begin to appear within what
timeframe?
A) Immediately after the first dose.
B) Within 24-48 hours.
C) 1 to 3 weeks.
D) 4 to 6 months.
E) After 1 year of consistent use.
Correct Answer: C) 1 to 3 weeks.
Rationale: Clients starting antidepressant medication need to be
,informed that it typically takes 1 to 3 weeks for therapeutic effects
to become noticeable, with full effects possibly taking longer. This
prevents discouragement and premature discontinuation of the
medication.
Question 3
A client with schizophrenia is exhibiting paranoid delusions, stating, "They
are trying to poison my food!" What is the most appropriate nursing
response?
A) "Nobody here is trying to poison you."
B) "Tell me more about who 'they' are."
C) "Your food is safe. I will stay with you while you eat it."
D) "That's a silly thought, eat your meal."
E) "Why do you think someone wants to poison you?"
Correct Answer: C) "Your food is safe. I will stay with you while you eat
it."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's fear without
reinforcing the delusion, provides a sense of safety and trust by
offering to stay, and promotes nutrition. Direct confrontation or
exploration of the delusion is not therapeutic.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute panic attack. Which of the
following is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage the client to describe their fears in detail.
B) Provide a calm, quiet environment and stay with the client.
C) Educate the client about the long-term management of panic disorder.
D) Administer a sedative and leave the client alone to rest.
E) Engage the client in strenuous physical activity.
Correct Answer: B) Provide a calm, quiet environment and stay with
the client.
Rationale: During an acute panic attack, the priority is to ensure the
,client's safety and reduce overwhelming anxiety. A calm, quiet
environment and the consistent presence of the nurse provide
reassurance and help de-escalate the panic.
Question 5
A client diagnosed with bipolar I disorder in a manic phase is hyperactive,
grandiose, and has not slept for 48 hours. Which nursing diagnosis is the
highest priority?
A) Impaired Social Interaction
B) Risk for Injury
C) Disturbed Thought Process
D) Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
E) Sleep Deprivation
Correct Answer: B) Risk for Injury
Rationale: The client's hyperactive state, lack of sleep, and impaired
judgment associated with mania place them at significant risk for
injury (e.g., falls, exhaustion). Safety is always the highest priority.
Question 6
When communicating with a client who is severely depressed, which
therapeutic communication technique is MOST effective?
A) Asking open-ended questions about their future plans.
B) Using active listening and offering self with brief, frequent interactions.
C) Engaging in lighthearted humor to lift their spirits.
D) Providing extensive advice on how to overcome depression.
E) Discussing the nurse's personal experiences with sadness.
Correct Answer: B) Using active listening and offering self with brief,
frequent interactions.
Rationale: Severely depressed clients often have low energy,
difficulty concentrating, and may feel overwhelmed by complex
interactions. Active listening, offering a non-demanding presence
, ("offering self"), and using brief, frequent interactions demonstrate
care and support without overwhelming them.
Question 7
A client receiving lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder should be advised to
maintain a consistent intake of which substance?
A) Sodium
B) Caffeine
C) Alcohol
D) Sugar
E) High-fat foods
Correct Answer: A) Sodium
Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is affected by sodium
and fluid intake. Consistent sodium and fluid intake helps maintain
stable lithium levels and prevents toxicity. Fluctuations can lead to
either subtherapeutic levels or toxicity.
Question 8
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) performs elaborate
handwashing rituals. What is the initial nursing intervention when addressing
this behavior?
A) Prevent the client from performing the ritual immediately.
B) Explain that the ritual is unnecessary.
C) Allow the ritual but set limits on its duration.
D) Distract the client with other activities.
E) Ignore the ritual to avoid reinforcing it.
Correct Answer: C) Allow the ritual but set limits on its duration.
Rationale: Initially, allowing the client to perform the ritual but
setting limits on its duration helps reduce immediate anxiety and
establishes boundaries. Abruptly preventing the ritual can cause
extreme anxiety. The long-term goal is to gradually reduce the time
and frequency.
(2 DIFFERENT EXAMS) | COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS | NEWEST
VERSIONS
Question 1
A client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reports persistent worrying,
difficulty concentrating, and muscle tension for the past six months. Which of
the following is the MOST appropriate initial nursing intervention?
A) Administer a PRN anxiolytic medication immediately.
B) Encourage the client to identify and discuss their feelings of anxiety.
C) Recommend strenuous physical exercise to relieve tension.
D) Confront the client about the irrationality of their worries.
E) Teach the client advanced relaxation techniques without discussion.
Correct Answer: B) Encourage the client to identify and discuss their
feelings of anxiety.
Rationale: Encouraging the client to identify and discuss their
feelings of anxiety is a therapeutic communication technique that
helps build rapport, allows the nurse to assess the client's
perception, and can be the first step in developing coping
strategies.
Question 2
A client diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) has been
prescribed an antidepressant. The nurse should educate the client that
therapeutic effects of antidepressants typically begin to appear within what
timeframe?
A) Immediately after the first dose.
B) Within 24-48 hours.
C) 1 to 3 weeks.
D) 4 to 6 months.
E) After 1 year of consistent use.
Correct Answer: C) 1 to 3 weeks.
Rationale: Clients starting antidepressant medication need to be
,informed that it typically takes 1 to 3 weeks for therapeutic effects
to become noticeable, with full effects possibly taking longer. This
prevents discouragement and premature discontinuation of the
medication.
Question 3
A client with schizophrenia is exhibiting paranoid delusions, stating, "They
are trying to poison my food!" What is the most appropriate nursing
response?
A) "Nobody here is trying to poison you."
B) "Tell me more about who 'they' are."
C) "Your food is safe. I will stay with you while you eat it."
D) "That's a silly thought, eat your meal."
E) "Why do you think someone wants to poison you?"
Correct Answer: C) "Your food is safe. I will stay with you while you eat
it."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's fear without
reinforcing the delusion, provides a sense of safety and trust by
offering to stay, and promotes nutrition. Direct confrontation or
exploration of the delusion is not therapeutic.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute panic attack. Which of the
following is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage the client to describe their fears in detail.
B) Provide a calm, quiet environment and stay with the client.
C) Educate the client about the long-term management of panic disorder.
D) Administer a sedative and leave the client alone to rest.
E) Engage the client in strenuous physical activity.
Correct Answer: B) Provide a calm, quiet environment and stay with
the client.
Rationale: During an acute panic attack, the priority is to ensure the
,client's safety and reduce overwhelming anxiety. A calm, quiet
environment and the consistent presence of the nurse provide
reassurance and help de-escalate the panic.
Question 5
A client diagnosed with bipolar I disorder in a manic phase is hyperactive,
grandiose, and has not slept for 48 hours. Which nursing diagnosis is the
highest priority?
A) Impaired Social Interaction
B) Risk for Injury
C) Disturbed Thought Process
D) Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
E) Sleep Deprivation
Correct Answer: B) Risk for Injury
Rationale: The client's hyperactive state, lack of sleep, and impaired
judgment associated with mania place them at significant risk for
injury (e.g., falls, exhaustion). Safety is always the highest priority.
Question 6
When communicating with a client who is severely depressed, which
therapeutic communication technique is MOST effective?
A) Asking open-ended questions about their future plans.
B) Using active listening and offering self with brief, frequent interactions.
C) Engaging in lighthearted humor to lift their spirits.
D) Providing extensive advice on how to overcome depression.
E) Discussing the nurse's personal experiences with sadness.
Correct Answer: B) Using active listening and offering self with brief,
frequent interactions.
Rationale: Severely depressed clients often have low energy,
difficulty concentrating, and may feel overwhelmed by complex
interactions. Active listening, offering a non-demanding presence
, ("offering self"), and using brief, frequent interactions demonstrate
care and support without overwhelming them.
Question 7
A client receiving lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder should be advised to
maintain a consistent intake of which substance?
A) Sodium
B) Caffeine
C) Alcohol
D) Sugar
E) High-fat foods
Correct Answer: A) Sodium
Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is affected by sodium
and fluid intake. Consistent sodium and fluid intake helps maintain
stable lithium levels and prevents toxicity. Fluctuations can lead to
either subtherapeutic levels or toxicity.
Question 8
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) performs elaborate
handwashing rituals. What is the initial nursing intervention when addressing
this behavior?
A) Prevent the client from performing the ritual immediately.
B) Explain that the ritual is unnecessary.
C) Allow the ritual but set limits on its duration.
D) Distract the client with other activities.
E) Ignore the ritual to avoid reinforcing it.
Correct Answer: C) Allow the ritual but set limits on its duration.
Rationale: Initially, allowing the client to perform the ritual but
setting limits on its duration helps reduce immediate anxiety and
establishes boundaries. Abruptly preventing the ritual can cause
extreme anxiety. The long-term goal is to gradually reduce the time
and frequency.
