HESI Mental Health Exam Questions
And Answers
/. Which characteristic is commonly associated with adolescent depression? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Exercising daily
B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
D. Having poor muscle tone
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships - B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships
/.Which characteristic of adolescence is exemplified by risk-taking behavior without fear
of consequences?
A. Animism
B. Personal fable
C. Imaginery audience
D. Sense of invulnerability - D. Sense of invulnerability
/.A client does not take their medication regularly and is depressed. Which inference
can the nurse make about the client's motivational level?
A. Not motivated
B. Intrinsically motivated
C. Extrinsically motivated with self-determination
D. Extrinsically motivated without self-determination - A. Not motivated
/.Which action would the nurse take for a withdrawn client who suddenly screams,
bursts into tears, and runs from the room to the far end of the hallway?
A. Walk to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
B. Accept the action as the impulsive behavior of a sick person
C. Ask another client in the dayroom why the client acted in this way
D. Document objectively the incident in the client's record immediately - A. Walk to the
end of the hallway where the client is standing
This lets the client know that the nurse is available. It also demonstrates an acceptance
of the client.
/.Which consistent approach would the nurse use for a client diagnosed with an
antisocial personality disorder?
A. Warm and firm without being punitive
B. Indifferent and detached but nonjudgemental
,C. Confidentiality acquiescent to client demands
D. Clearly communicative of personal disapproval - A. Warm and firm without being
punitive
/.Which technique would be appropriate for clients who exhibit mild neurocognitive
impairment?
A. Reality orientation
B. Behavioral confrontation
C. Reflective communication
D. Reminiscence group therapy - A. Reality orientation
/.Which characteristic is most essential for the nurse to have in caring for clients with
mental health disorders?
A. Empathy
B. Sympathy
C. Organization
D. Authoritarianism - A. Empathy
Empathy - understanding and, to some extent, sharing the emotions of another-
encourages the expression of feelings. Sympathy, or feeling sorry for someone, may
further decrease the client's feelings of self-worth.
/.Which stage is a terminally ill client displaying by gradually moving towards resolution
of feelings about impending death according to Kubler-Ross' theory of death and dying?
A. Anger stage
B. Denial stage
C. Bargaining stage
D. Acceptance stage - D. Acceptance stage
When acceptance is reached. the individual is beginning to withdraw from life;
communication is simple, concise, and most often nonverbal. Kubler-Ross' research has
shown that at this stage, verbal communication is typically less important, and touch
and presence are most important. The client has moved past the anger, denial, and
bargaining stages.
/.Which action would the nurse take for a client with an obsessive-compulsive disorder
who continually walks up and down the hall, touching every other and becomes upset if
interrupted?
A. Distract the client, which will help the client forget about touching the chairs.
B. Encourage the client to continue touching the chairs as long as the client wants until
fatigue sets in
C. Remove chairs from the hall, thereby relieving the client of the necessity of touching
every other one
D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client help set the time
limits to be imposed - D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the
client help set the time limits to be imposed
,/.Place the five stages of grievingidentified and described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in
order of progression from first to last.
1. Anger
2. Denial
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
5. Bargaining - 2. Denial
1. Anger
5. Bargaining
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
/.Which assessment finding would the nurse observe in a client with bipolar disorder,
manic phase?
A. Constant singing
B. Ritualistic behavior
C. Flat affect
D. Apathetic demeanor - A. Constant singing
/.Which reason would be likely for a client's anger and acting out when the nurse
interrupts the hand-washing ritual of a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
B. Resents the nurse's authoritarian manner
C. Is clashing with the nurse's personality
D. Reflects and aggressive characteristic - A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
/.Which response would the nurse make to a client who says, 'I feel so guilty. None of
this makes any sense. Everyone must really think I'm crazy,' after performing a complex
ritual?
A. 'Your behavior is bizarre, but it serves a useful purpose.'
B. 'You're concerned about what other people are thinking about you.'
C. 'I am sure people understand that you can't help this behavior right now.'
D. 'Guilt serves no useful purpose. It just helps you stay stuck where you are.' - B.
'You're concerned about what other people are thinking about you.'
/.Which characteristic of clients with antisocial personality disorder would the nurse
consider when planning care?
A. Engages in many rituals
B. Is a perfectionist
C. Exhibits lack of empathy for others
D. Possesses limited communication skills - C. Exhibits lack of empathy for others
/.At which stage of Kohlberg's theory does an individual want to fulfill the expectations of
one's immediate group?
A. Good boy-nice orientation
, B. Society-maintaining orientation
C. Instrumental relativist orientation
D. Universal ethical principle orientation - A. Good boy-nice orientation
The good boy-good girl orientation stage involves an individual who wants to win the
approval and maintain the expectations of one's immediate group. During the society-
maintaining orientation stage, an individual expands focus from a relationship with
others to societal concerns. The instrumental relativist orientation stage involves a child
who wants to follow parental rules. the universal ethical principle orientation stage
defines "right" by the decision of conscience according to self-chosen ethical principles.
/.Which side effect would the nurse monitor for in a severely depressed client who
received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
A. Loss of appetite
B. Postural hypotension
C. Total memory loss
D. Confusion immediately after the treatment - D. Confusion immediately after the
treatment
/.A client is diagnosed with Alzheimer disease and is exhibiting hyperorality. Which
parameter would the nurse closely monitor to keep this client safe?
A. For choking at meal times
B. For the presence of mouth ulcers
C. For injuries from touching hot foods
D. For attempts at eating inedible objects - D. For attempts at eating inedible objects
/.Which period of Piaget's theory covers the prevalence of egocentrism in adolescents?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Formal operations
D. Concrete operations - C. Formal operations
/.Which explanation, when providing a change-of-shift report, would the nurse use to
describe a client diagnosed with schizophrenia who is experiencing opposing emotions
simultaneously?
A. Double bind
B. Ambivalence
C. Loose association
D. Inappropriate affect - B. Ambivalence
/.Which response would the nurse use when a client diagnosed with acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) states, "I'm not worried because they have a cure
for AIDS"?
A. "Repeated phlebotomies may be able to rid you of the virus."
B. "You may be cured for AIDS after prolonged pharmacological therapy."
C. "Perhaps you should have worn condoms to prevent contracting the virus."
And Answers
/. Which characteristic is commonly associated with adolescent depression? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Exercising daily
B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
D. Having poor muscle tone
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships - B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships
/.Which characteristic of adolescence is exemplified by risk-taking behavior without fear
of consequences?
A. Animism
B. Personal fable
C. Imaginery audience
D. Sense of invulnerability - D. Sense of invulnerability
/.A client does not take their medication regularly and is depressed. Which inference
can the nurse make about the client's motivational level?
A. Not motivated
B. Intrinsically motivated
C. Extrinsically motivated with self-determination
D. Extrinsically motivated without self-determination - A. Not motivated
/.Which action would the nurse take for a withdrawn client who suddenly screams,
bursts into tears, and runs from the room to the far end of the hallway?
A. Walk to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
B. Accept the action as the impulsive behavior of a sick person
C. Ask another client in the dayroom why the client acted in this way
D. Document objectively the incident in the client's record immediately - A. Walk to the
end of the hallway where the client is standing
This lets the client know that the nurse is available. It also demonstrates an acceptance
of the client.
/.Which consistent approach would the nurse use for a client diagnosed with an
antisocial personality disorder?
A. Warm and firm without being punitive
B. Indifferent and detached but nonjudgemental
,C. Confidentiality acquiescent to client demands
D. Clearly communicative of personal disapproval - A. Warm and firm without being
punitive
/.Which technique would be appropriate for clients who exhibit mild neurocognitive
impairment?
A. Reality orientation
B. Behavioral confrontation
C. Reflective communication
D. Reminiscence group therapy - A. Reality orientation
/.Which characteristic is most essential for the nurse to have in caring for clients with
mental health disorders?
A. Empathy
B. Sympathy
C. Organization
D. Authoritarianism - A. Empathy
Empathy - understanding and, to some extent, sharing the emotions of another-
encourages the expression of feelings. Sympathy, or feeling sorry for someone, may
further decrease the client's feelings of self-worth.
/.Which stage is a terminally ill client displaying by gradually moving towards resolution
of feelings about impending death according to Kubler-Ross' theory of death and dying?
A. Anger stage
B. Denial stage
C. Bargaining stage
D. Acceptance stage - D. Acceptance stage
When acceptance is reached. the individual is beginning to withdraw from life;
communication is simple, concise, and most often nonverbal. Kubler-Ross' research has
shown that at this stage, verbal communication is typically less important, and touch
and presence are most important. The client has moved past the anger, denial, and
bargaining stages.
/.Which action would the nurse take for a client with an obsessive-compulsive disorder
who continually walks up and down the hall, touching every other and becomes upset if
interrupted?
A. Distract the client, which will help the client forget about touching the chairs.
B. Encourage the client to continue touching the chairs as long as the client wants until
fatigue sets in
C. Remove chairs from the hall, thereby relieving the client of the necessity of touching
every other one
D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client help set the time
limits to be imposed - D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the
client help set the time limits to be imposed
,/.Place the five stages of grievingidentified and described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in
order of progression from first to last.
1. Anger
2. Denial
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
5. Bargaining - 2. Denial
1. Anger
5. Bargaining
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
/.Which assessment finding would the nurse observe in a client with bipolar disorder,
manic phase?
A. Constant singing
B. Ritualistic behavior
C. Flat affect
D. Apathetic demeanor - A. Constant singing
/.Which reason would be likely for a client's anger and acting out when the nurse
interrupts the hand-washing ritual of a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
B. Resents the nurse's authoritarian manner
C. Is clashing with the nurse's personality
D. Reflects and aggressive characteristic - A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
/.Which response would the nurse make to a client who says, 'I feel so guilty. None of
this makes any sense. Everyone must really think I'm crazy,' after performing a complex
ritual?
A. 'Your behavior is bizarre, but it serves a useful purpose.'
B. 'You're concerned about what other people are thinking about you.'
C. 'I am sure people understand that you can't help this behavior right now.'
D. 'Guilt serves no useful purpose. It just helps you stay stuck where you are.' - B.
'You're concerned about what other people are thinking about you.'
/.Which characteristic of clients with antisocial personality disorder would the nurse
consider when planning care?
A. Engages in many rituals
B. Is a perfectionist
C. Exhibits lack of empathy for others
D. Possesses limited communication skills - C. Exhibits lack of empathy for others
/.At which stage of Kohlberg's theory does an individual want to fulfill the expectations of
one's immediate group?
A. Good boy-nice orientation
, B. Society-maintaining orientation
C. Instrumental relativist orientation
D. Universal ethical principle orientation - A. Good boy-nice orientation
The good boy-good girl orientation stage involves an individual who wants to win the
approval and maintain the expectations of one's immediate group. During the society-
maintaining orientation stage, an individual expands focus from a relationship with
others to societal concerns. The instrumental relativist orientation stage involves a child
who wants to follow parental rules. the universal ethical principle orientation stage
defines "right" by the decision of conscience according to self-chosen ethical principles.
/.Which side effect would the nurse monitor for in a severely depressed client who
received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
A. Loss of appetite
B. Postural hypotension
C. Total memory loss
D. Confusion immediately after the treatment - D. Confusion immediately after the
treatment
/.A client is diagnosed with Alzheimer disease and is exhibiting hyperorality. Which
parameter would the nurse closely monitor to keep this client safe?
A. For choking at meal times
B. For the presence of mouth ulcers
C. For injuries from touching hot foods
D. For attempts at eating inedible objects - D. For attempts at eating inedible objects
/.Which period of Piaget's theory covers the prevalence of egocentrism in adolescents?
A. Sensorimotor
B. Preoperational
C. Formal operations
D. Concrete operations - C. Formal operations
/.Which explanation, when providing a change-of-shift report, would the nurse use to
describe a client diagnosed with schizophrenia who is experiencing opposing emotions
simultaneously?
A. Double bind
B. Ambivalence
C. Loose association
D. Inappropriate affect - B. Ambivalence
/.Which response would the nurse use when a client diagnosed with acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) states, "I'm not worried because they have a cure
for AIDS"?
A. "Repeated phlebotomies may be able to rid you of the virus."
B. "You may be cured for AIDS after prolonged pharmacological therapy."
C. "Perhaps you should have worn condoms to prevent contracting the virus."
