HESI MENTAL HEALTH LATEST ACTUAL EXAM 2025–2026
COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS & RATIONALES | A+ GRADED
1. When preparing to administer to domestic violence screening tool to a female client,
which statement should the RN provide?
A. If your partner is abusing you, I need to ask these questions.
B. State law mandates that I ask if you are a victim of domestic violence.
C. The HCP provider needs to know if you are experiencing any domestic abuse.
D. All clients are screened for domestic abuse because it is common in our
society. - ANSWER--D
2. A young adult female visits the mental health clinic complaining of diarrhea,
headache, and muscle aches. She is afebrile, denies chills, and all laboratory findings
are within normal limits. During the physical assessment, the client tells the RN that
her sister thinks she is neurotic and calls her a hypochondriac. Which response is
best for the RN to provide?
A. Unless your sister has a medical education, ignore her comments.
B. I can hear that your sister comments are over-whelming you.
C. Do you think it's possible that you might be a hypochondriac?
D. Besides your sister's comments, what in your life is troubling you? - ANSWER-
-D
3. The RN is leading a group on the inpatient psychiatric unit. Which approach should
the RN use during the working phase of group development?
A. Establishing a rapport with group members.
B. Clarifying the nurse's role and clients' responsibilities.
C. Discussing ways to use new coping skills learned.
D. Helping clients identify areas of problem in their lives. - ANSWER--D
4. A male client with schizophrenia is demonstrating echolalia, which is becoming
annoying to other clients on the unit. What intervention is best for the RN to
implement?
A. Isolate the client from the other clients.
B. AdministerPRNsedative.
C. Avoidrecognizingthebehavior.
D. Escort the client to his room. - ANSWER--D
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, 5. A client is admitted for bipolar disorder and alcohol withdrawal, depressive phase.
Based on which assessment finding will the RN withhold the clonidine (Catapres)
prescription?
A. Blood pressure readings of 90/62 mmHg to 92/58 mmHg.
B. Pulse rate of 68-78 BPM.
C. Temperature of 99.5-99.7 F.
D. Respiration rate of 24 breaths per minute. - ANSWER--A
6. The RN on the evening shift receives report that a client is scheduled for
electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) in the morning. Which intervention should the Rn
implement the evening before the scheduled ECT?
A. Hold all bedtime medications.
B. Keep the client NPO after mid-night.
C. Implementelopementprecautions.
D. Give the client an enema at bedtime. - ANSWER--B
7. A client with Bulimia and depression who is taking phenelzine (Nardil) 90 mg daily is
admitted to an acute care hospital for uncontrolled hypertension. What dietary
choices should the RN instruct the client to avoid?
A. Pan-seared catfish.
B. Peperoni pizza.
C. Deepfriedshrimp.
D. Beef trips with gravy. - ANSWER--B
8. A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior.
Which action by the mental health worker warrants immediate intervention by the
RN?
A. Is attempting the physically restrain the patient.
B. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client.
C. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
D. Is using a load voice to talk to the client. - ANSWER--A
9. A client who recently experienced the death of a significant other arrives at the
mental health center. The client reports loss of interest in usual activities, expresses a
wish to be with the decreased significant other, has been eating very little, and has
not slept in several days. Which client statement is most important for the RN to
explore at this time?
A. Not sleeping for several days.
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, B. Wishing to be with spouse.
C. Lack of interest in usual activities.
D. Eating very little. - ANSWER--A
10. A middle aged adult with major depressive disorder suffers from psychomotor
retardation, hypersomnia, and motivation. Which intervention is likely to be most
effective in returning this client to a normal level of functioning?
A. Provide education on methods to enhance sleep.
B. Teach the client to develop a plan for daily structured activities.
C. Suggest that the client develop a list of pleasurable activities.
D. Encourage the client to exercise. - ANSWER--B
11. When developing a plan of care for a client admitted to the psychiatric unit following
aspiration of a caustic material related to a suicide attempt, which nursing problem
has the highest priority?
A. Impaired comfort.
B. Risk for injury.
C. Ineffective breathing pattern.
D. Ineffective coping. - ANSWER--C
12. A female client on a psychiatric unit is sweating profusely while she vigorously does
push- ups and then runs the length of the corridor several times before crashing into
furniture in the sitting room. Picking herself up, she begins to toss chairs aside,
looking for a red one to sit in. When another client objects to the disturbance, the
client shouts, "I am the boss here. I do what I want." Which nursing problem best
supports these observations?
A. Deficient diversional activity related to excess energy level.
B. Risk for other related violence related to disruptive behavior.
C. Risk for activity intolerance related to hyperactivity.
D. Disturbed personal identity related to grandiosity. - ANSWER--B
13. A RN is preparing the physical environment to interview a new client for admission to
the mental health unit. Which environmental setting facilitates the best outcome of
the interview?
A. Dim the lights in the room to help the patient feel calm.
B. Sit within two feet of the client to enhance level of safety and security.
C. Reduce the noise level in the room by turning off the television and radio.
D. Position table between the client and the RN for extra personal space. -
ANSWER--C
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, 14. An older homeless client visits the psychiatric clinic to obtain a prescription renewal
for alprazolam (Xanax). During the health assessment, the client complains of chest
pain. Which action should the RN take first?
A. Refer the client to the cardiology unit.
B. Obtain the client Blood pressure.
C. Assess the client for substance abuse.
D. Determine if Xanax was taken recently. - ANSWER--D
15. The mother of an 8-month-old infant with profound mental and physical disabilities
tells he RN how depressed she is because she realized that her child will never
achieve normal growth and development milestones. How should the RN respond to
the mother?
A. Ask the mother if she has ever thought about harming herself or her child.
B. Reassure the mother that her child will achieve some growth and
development milestones.
C. Determine if the mother has other children who do not have developmental
disabilities.
D. Encourage the mother to write thoughts and feelings in journal. - ANSWER--A
16. Several clients with chronic mental illness and multiple substance abuse histories live
in a group residential home and attend daycare mental health facility where group
and individual therapies are provided. The RN finds the common bathroom at the
facility with sputum on the walls, urine in the sink and on the floors, and the toilet
stopped up with tissue, paper towels, and feces. What is the priority issue that the
RN should address?
A. Medication non-compliance.
B. Number of bathroom facilities.
C. Infectioncontrol.
D. Acting out behaviors. - ANSWER--C
17. A client with schizophrenia is admitted to the psychiatric care unit for aggressive
behavior, auditory hallucinations, and potential for safe harm. The client has not
been taking medications as prescribed and insists that the food has been poisoned
and refuses to eat. What intervention should the RN implement?
A. Assure the client that all food served in the hospital is safe to eat.
B. Tell the client that irrational thinking is a symptom of schizophrenia.
C. Obtain an order for a tube feeding for the client.
D. Provide the client with food in unopened containers. - ANSWER--D
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COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS & RATIONALES | A+ GRADED
1. When preparing to administer to domestic violence screening tool to a female client,
which statement should the RN provide?
A. If your partner is abusing you, I need to ask these questions.
B. State law mandates that I ask if you are a victim of domestic violence.
C. The HCP provider needs to know if you are experiencing any domestic abuse.
D. All clients are screened for domestic abuse because it is common in our
society. - ANSWER--D
2. A young adult female visits the mental health clinic complaining of diarrhea,
headache, and muscle aches. She is afebrile, denies chills, and all laboratory findings
are within normal limits. During the physical assessment, the client tells the RN that
her sister thinks she is neurotic and calls her a hypochondriac. Which response is
best for the RN to provide?
A. Unless your sister has a medical education, ignore her comments.
B. I can hear that your sister comments are over-whelming you.
C. Do you think it's possible that you might be a hypochondriac?
D. Besides your sister's comments, what in your life is troubling you? - ANSWER-
-D
3. The RN is leading a group on the inpatient psychiatric unit. Which approach should
the RN use during the working phase of group development?
A. Establishing a rapport with group members.
B. Clarifying the nurse's role and clients' responsibilities.
C. Discussing ways to use new coping skills learned.
D. Helping clients identify areas of problem in their lives. - ANSWER--D
4. A male client with schizophrenia is demonstrating echolalia, which is becoming
annoying to other clients on the unit. What intervention is best for the RN to
implement?
A. Isolate the client from the other clients.
B. AdministerPRNsedative.
C. Avoidrecognizingthebehavior.
D. Escort the client to his room. - ANSWER--D
1|Page
, 5. A client is admitted for bipolar disorder and alcohol withdrawal, depressive phase.
Based on which assessment finding will the RN withhold the clonidine (Catapres)
prescription?
A. Blood pressure readings of 90/62 mmHg to 92/58 mmHg.
B. Pulse rate of 68-78 BPM.
C. Temperature of 99.5-99.7 F.
D. Respiration rate of 24 breaths per minute. - ANSWER--A
6. The RN on the evening shift receives report that a client is scheduled for
electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) in the morning. Which intervention should the Rn
implement the evening before the scheduled ECT?
A. Hold all bedtime medications.
B. Keep the client NPO after mid-night.
C. Implementelopementprecautions.
D. Give the client an enema at bedtime. - ANSWER--B
7. A client with Bulimia and depression who is taking phenelzine (Nardil) 90 mg daily is
admitted to an acute care hospital for uncontrolled hypertension. What dietary
choices should the RN instruct the client to avoid?
A. Pan-seared catfish.
B. Peperoni pizza.
C. Deepfriedshrimp.
D. Beef trips with gravy. - ANSWER--B
8. A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior.
Which action by the mental health worker warrants immediate intervention by the
RN?
A. Is attempting the physically restrain the patient.
B. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client.
C. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
D. Is using a load voice to talk to the client. - ANSWER--A
9. A client who recently experienced the death of a significant other arrives at the
mental health center. The client reports loss of interest in usual activities, expresses a
wish to be with the decreased significant other, has been eating very little, and has
not slept in several days. Which client statement is most important for the RN to
explore at this time?
A. Not sleeping for several days.
2|Page
, B. Wishing to be with spouse.
C. Lack of interest in usual activities.
D. Eating very little. - ANSWER--A
10. A middle aged adult with major depressive disorder suffers from psychomotor
retardation, hypersomnia, and motivation. Which intervention is likely to be most
effective in returning this client to a normal level of functioning?
A. Provide education on methods to enhance sleep.
B. Teach the client to develop a plan for daily structured activities.
C. Suggest that the client develop a list of pleasurable activities.
D. Encourage the client to exercise. - ANSWER--B
11. When developing a plan of care for a client admitted to the psychiatric unit following
aspiration of a caustic material related to a suicide attempt, which nursing problem
has the highest priority?
A. Impaired comfort.
B. Risk for injury.
C. Ineffective breathing pattern.
D. Ineffective coping. - ANSWER--C
12. A female client on a psychiatric unit is sweating profusely while she vigorously does
push- ups and then runs the length of the corridor several times before crashing into
furniture in the sitting room. Picking herself up, she begins to toss chairs aside,
looking for a red one to sit in. When another client objects to the disturbance, the
client shouts, "I am the boss here. I do what I want." Which nursing problem best
supports these observations?
A. Deficient diversional activity related to excess energy level.
B. Risk for other related violence related to disruptive behavior.
C. Risk for activity intolerance related to hyperactivity.
D. Disturbed personal identity related to grandiosity. - ANSWER--B
13. A RN is preparing the physical environment to interview a new client for admission to
the mental health unit. Which environmental setting facilitates the best outcome of
the interview?
A. Dim the lights in the room to help the patient feel calm.
B. Sit within two feet of the client to enhance level of safety and security.
C. Reduce the noise level in the room by turning off the television and radio.
D. Position table between the client and the RN for extra personal space. -
ANSWER--C
3|Page
, 14. An older homeless client visits the psychiatric clinic to obtain a prescription renewal
for alprazolam (Xanax). During the health assessment, the client complains of chest
pain. Which action should the RN take first?
A. Refer the client to the cardiology unit.
B. Obtain the client Blood pressure.
C. Assess the client for substance abuse.
D. Determine if Xanax was taken recently. - ANSWER--D
15. The mother of an 8-month-old infant with profound mental and physical disabilities
tells he RN how depressed she is because she realized that her child will never
achieve normal growth and development milestones. How should the RN respond to
the mother?
A. Ask the mother if she has ever thought about harming herself or her child.
B. Reassure the mother that her child will achieve some growth and
development milestones.
C. Determine if the mother has other children who do not have developmental
disabilities.
D. Encourage the mother to write thoughts and feelings in journal. - ANSWER--A
16. Several clients with chronic mental illness and multiple substance abuse histories live
in a group residential home and attend daycare mental health facility where group
and individual therapies are provided. The RN finds the common bathroom at the
facility with sputum on the walls, urine in the sink and on the floors, and the toilet
stopped up with tissue, paper towels, and feces. What is the priority issue that the
RN should address?
A. Medication non-compliance.
B. Number of bathroom facilities.
C. Infectioncontrol.
D. Acting out behaviors. - ANSWER--C
17. A client with schizophrenia is admitted to the psychiatric care unit for aggressive
behavior, auditory hallucinations, and potential for safe harm. The client has not
been taking medications as prescribed and insists that the food has been poisoned
and refuses to eat. What intervention should the RN implement?
A. Assure the client that all food served in the hospital is safe to eat.
B. Tell the client that irrational thinking is a symptom of schizophrenia.
C. Obtain an order for a tube feeding for the client.
D. Provide the client with food in unopened containers. - ANSWER--D
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