HESI MENTAL HEALTH LATEST ACTUAL EXAM 2025–2026
300 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS • CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
& RATIONALES • A+ GRADED
1. When preparing to administer a prescribed medication to a homeless male at a
community clinic, the client tells the RN that he usually takes a different dosage.
What action should the RN take?
A. Tell him to take the medication then verify the dosage at the next healthcare
team meeting.
B. Withhold the medication until the dosage can be confirmed.
C. Inform him that he may refuse the medication and document whether or not
he takes it.
D. Explain to the client that the dosage has been changed. - ANSWER--B
2. The nurse orients a female client with depression to the new room on the mental
health unit. The client states "It seems strange that I don't have a T.V in my room."
Which statement would be best for the RN to provide?
A. "You can watch T.V as much as you want outside of your room."
B. "Sometimes clients feel like the T.V is sending them messages."
C. "It's important to be out of you room and talking to others."
D. "Watching T.V is a passive activity and we want you to be active." - ANSWER--
C
3. A client admitted with a closed head injury after a fall has a blood alcohol level of
0.28 (28%) and is difficult to arouse. Which intervention during the first 6 hours
following admission should the RN identify as the priority?
A. Give lorazepam (Ativan) PRN for signs of withdrawal.
B. Administer disulfiram (Antabuse) immediately.
C. Place in a side lying position with head of bed elevated.
D. Provide thiamine and folate supplements as prescribed. - ANSWER--C
4. The RN is completing the admission assessment of an underweight adolescent who is
admitted to a psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of depression. Which finding requires
notification to the HCP?
A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/dl.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. WBCof10,000mm^3.
D. Body mass index of 21. - ANSWER--A
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, 5. The Rn is planning client teaching for a 35-year-old client with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Which self-care measure should the RN emphasize for the client's recovery?
A. Support group meetings.
B. VitaminBandmultivitaminsupplements.
C. Diet with adequate calories and protein.
D. Alcohol abstinence. - ANSWER--D
6. A teenager has lost 20 pounds in the last three months is admitted to the hospital
with hypotension and tachycardia. The client reports irregular menses and hair loss.
Which intervention is most important for the RN to include in the clients plan of
care?
A. Implement behavioral modification therapy.
B. Initiate caloric and nutritional therapy.
C. Evaluate the client for low self-esteem.
D. Record daily weights and graft trend. - ANSWER--B
7. While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate
documentation later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking during
an interview?
A. The client's comfort level is increased when the RN breaks eye contact to take
notes.
B. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client to
speak at a normal pace.
C. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of examining RN.
D. The RN's ability to directly observe the client's non-verbal communication is
limited
8. with note taking. - ANSWER--D
9. A client is receiving substitution therapy during withdrawal from benzodiazepines.
Which expected outcome statement has the highest priority when planning nursing
care?
a. Client will not demonstrate cross addiction.
b. Co-dependent behaviors will be decreased.
c. CNS stimulation will be reduced.
d. Client's level of consciousness will increase. - ANSWER--C
10. A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for manic depression begins to
develop diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action should the nurse take?
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, a.Notify the physician immediately and force fluids.
b.Prior to giving the next dose, notify the physician of the symptoms.
c.Record the symptoms and continue medication as prescribed.
d.Hold the medication and refuse to administer additional amounts of
the
11. drug. - ANSWER--B
12. While caring for an older client, the RN observes multiple bruises in Over the client's
legs, arms, back, and gluteal areas. When the client Contact, the RN suspects elder
abuse. What action should the RN take?
A. Report family conversations and anger towards the client when visiting.
B. Ask the client specific questions about someone causing the bruising.
C. Question the family members and caregiver how the bruising occurred.
D. Measure and document size, shape and color of the bruised areas. - ANSWER-
-D
13. The RN is performing intake interviews at a psychiatric clinic. A female client with a
known history of drug abuse reports that she had a heart attack four years ago. Use
of which substance places the client at highest risk for myocardial infarction?
A. Benzodiazepine
B. Alcohol
C. Methamphetamine
D. Marijuana - ANSWER--C
14. After receiving treatment for anorexia, a student asks the school RN for permission to
work in the school cafeteria as part of the school's work study program. What action
should the RN take?
A. Suggest that the student work in the athletic department.
B. Determine the parent's opinion of the work assignments.
C. Referthestudenttoapsychiatristforfurtherdiscussion.
D. Recommend assignment to the receptionist's office. - ANSWER--D
15. A client who is homeless is diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted on an
involuntary basis to a mental health hospital 4 days ago. The client stopped taking
prescribed antipsychotic drugs approximately one month ago. Since hospitalization
the client continues to have poor judgment and refuses all medications. What action
should the RN take?
A. Encourage the client to stay in the hospital so the client does not have to be
homeless.
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, B. Provide the client with medication if the client presents an imminent risk to
self and
16. others.
17. C. Administer a long acting antipsychotic medication so that the client can be
discharged to a shelter.
18. D. Describe to the client treatment options provided at the community mental health
clinics. - ANSWER--B
19. A male client comes to the emergency center because he has an erection that will
not resolve. The client reports that he is taking trazodone (Desyrel) for insomnia.
Which information is most important for the nurse ask the client?
A. When was the last time you drank alcoholic beverage?
B. Have you taken any medications for erectile dysfunction?
C. Are you having any other sexual dysfunctions or problems?
D. Do you have a history of angina or high blood pressure? - ANSWER--B
20. On admission to the mental health unit, a client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells
the RN that he is the son of god. Based on this statement, which intervention should
the RN include in this client's plan of care?
A. Lead the client by his arm to the seclusion room.
B. Ensure the client's environment is safe.
C. Schedule activity therapy twice a week.
D. Confront his delusion as not consistent with reality. - ANSWER--D
21. The RN on the day shift receive report about a client with depression who was in bed
most of the weekend. The RN walks into the client's room in the morning and finds
the client in bed. What intervention is best for the RN to implement?
A. Monitor the client's appetite and pattern of sleep.
B. Assess the client's feelings about the hospital stay.
C. Assist the client to get out of bed and involved in an activity.
D. Explain that staff will check on the client every 30 minutes. - ANSWER--C
22. Which client information indicates the need for the RN to use CAGE questionnaire
during the admission interview?
A. Client's medication history includes the frequent use of antidepressants.
B. Describe self as a social drinker who drinks alcoholic beverages daily.
C. Reports difficulties with short term memory since traumatic brain injury.
D. Medical history includes that the client was recently sexually assaulted. -
ANSWER--B
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300 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS • CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
& RATIONALES • A+ GRADED
1. When preparing to administer a prescribed medication to a homeless male at a
community clinic, the client tells the RN that he usually takes a different dosage.
What action should the RN take?
A. Tell him to take the medication then verify the dosage at the next healthcare
team meeting.
B. Withhold the medication until the dosage can be confirmed.
C. Inform him that he may refuse the medication and document whether or not
he takes it.
D. Explain to the client that the dosage has been changed. - ANSWER--B
2. The nurse orients a female client with depression to the new room on the mental
health unit. The client states "It seems strange that I don't have a T.V in my room."
Which statement would be best for the RN to provide?
A. "You can watch T.V as much as you want outside of your room."
B. "Sometimes clients feel like the T.V is sending them messages."
C. "It's important to be out of you room and talking to others."
D. "Watching T.V is a passive activity and we want you to be active." - ANSWER--
C
3. A client admitted with a closed head injury after a fall has a blood alcohol level of
0.28 (28%) and is difficult to arouse. Which intervention during the first 6 hours
following admission should the RN identify as the priority?
A. Give lorazepam (Ativan) PRN for signs of withdrawal.
B. Administer disulfiram (Antabuse) immediately.
C. Place in a side lying position with head of bed elevated.
D. Provide thiamine and folate supplements as prescribed. - ANSWER--C
4. The RN is completing the admission assessment of an underweight adolescent who is
admitted to a psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of depression. Which finding requires
notification to the HCP?
A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/dl.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. WBCof10,000mm^3.
D. Body mass index of 21. - ANSWER--A
1|Page
, 5. The Rn is planning client teaching for a 35-year-old client with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Which self-care measure should the RN emphasize for the client's recovery?
A. Support group meetings.
B. VitaminBandmultivitaminsupplements.
C. Diet with adequate calories and protein.
D. Alcohol abstinence. - ANSWER--D
6. A teenager has lost 20 pounds in the last three months is admitted to the hospital
with hypotension and tachycardia. The client reports irregular menses and hair loss.
Which intervention is most important for the RN to include in the clients plan of
care?
A. Implement behavioral modification therapy.
B. Initiate caloric and nutritional therapy.
C. Evaluate the client for low self-esteem.
D. Record daily weights and graft trend. - ANSWER--B
7. While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate
documentation later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking during
an interview?
A. The client's comfort level is increased when the RN breaks eye contact to take
notes.
B. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client to
speak at a normal pace.
C. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of examining RN.
D. The RN's ability to directly observe the client's non-verbal communication is
limited
8. with note taking. - ANSWER--D
9. A client is receiving substitution therapy during withdrawal from benzodiazepines.
Which expected outcome statement has the highest priority when planning nursing
care?
a. Client will not demonstrate cross addiction.
b. Co-dependent behaviors will be decreased.
c. CNS stimulation will be reduced.
d. Client's level of consciousness will increase. - ANSWER--C
10. A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for manic depression begins to
develop diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action should the nurse take?
2|Page
, a.Notify the physician immediately and force fluids.
b.Prior to giving the next dose, notify the physician of the symptoms.
c.Record the symptoms and continue medication as prescribed.
d.Hold the medication and refuse to administer additional amounts of
the
11. drug. - ANSWER--B
12. While caring for an older client, the RN observes multiple bruises in Over the client's
legs, arms, back, and gluteal areas. When the client Contact, the RN suspects elder
abuse. What action should the RN take?
A. Report family conversations and anger towards the client when visiting.
B. Ask the client specific questions about someone causing the bruising.
C. Question the family members and caregiver how the bruising occurred.
D. Measure and document size, shape and color of the bruised areas. - ANSWER-
-D
13. The RN is performing intake interviews at a psychiatric clinic. A female client with a
known history of drug abuse reports that she had a heart attack four years ago. Use
of which substance places the client at highest risk for myocardial infarction?
A. Benzodiazepine
B. Alcohol
C. Methamphetamine
D. Marijuana - ANSWER--C
14. After receiving treatment for anorexia, a student asks the school RN for permission to
work in the school cafeteria as part of the school's work study program. What action
should the RN take?
A. Suggest that the student work in the athletic department.
B. Determine the parent's opinion of the work assignments.
C. Referthestudenttoapsychiatristforfurtherdiscussion.
D. Recommend assignment to the receptionist's office. - ANSWER--D
15. A client who is homeless is diagnosed with schizophrenia and admitted on an
involuntary basis to a mental health hospital 4 days ago. The client stopped taking
prescribed antipsychotic drugs approximately one month ago. Since hospitalization
the client continues to have poor judgment and refuses all medications. What action
should the RN take?
A. Encourage the client to stay in the hospital so the client does not have to be
homeless.
3|Page
, B. Provide the client with medication if the client presents an imminent risk to
self and
16. others.
17. C. Administer a long acting antipsychotic medication so that the client can be
discharged to a shelter.
18. D. Describe to the client treatment options provided at the community mental health
clinics. - ANSWER--B
19. A male client comes to the emergency center because he has an erection that will
not resolve. The client reports that he is taking trazodone (Desyrel) for insomnia.
Which information is most important for the nurse ask the client?
A. When was the last time you drank alcoholic beverage?
B. Have you taken any medications for erectile dysfunction?
C. Are you having any other sexual dysfunctions or problems?
D. Do you have a history of angina or high blood pressure? - ANSWER--B
20. On admission to the mental health unit, a client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells
the RN that he is the son of god. Based on this statement, which intervention should
the RN include in this client's plan of care?
A. Lead the client by his arm to the seclusion room.
B. Ensure the client's environment is safe.
C. Schedule activity therapy twice a week.
D. Confront his delusion as not consistent with reality. - ANSWER--D
21. The RN on the day shift receive report about a client with depression who was in bed
most of the weekend. The RN walks into the client's room in the morning and finds
the client in bed. What intervention is best for the RN to implement?
A. Monitor the client's appetite and pattern of sleep.
B. Assess the client's feelings about the hospital stay.
C. Assist the client to get out of bed and involved in an activity.
D. Explain that staff will check on the client every 30 minutes. - ANSWER--C
22. Which client information indicates the need for the RN to use CAGE questionnaire
during the admission interview?
A. Client's medication history includes the frequent use of antidepressants.
B. Describe self as a social drinker who drinks alcoholic beverages daily.
C. Reports difficulties with short term memory since traumatic brain injury.
D. Medical history includes that the client was recently sexually assaulted. -
ANSWER--B
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