NGN Mental Health HESI Exams
2026/2027 (Version A & B) Actual Exam
Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationales | Graded A+
Version A
Q01 A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and states, ―The voices
are telling me to hurt myself.‖ Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
Answer: "Tell me more about what the voices are saying to you."
Rationale: This response encourages the client to verbalize the content of the hallucinations
without challenging their reality, promoting trust and allowing the nurse to assess risk and
content.
Q02 A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed sertraline. The nurse should instruct
the client that improvement in symptoms typically occurs in:
Answer: 2 to 4 weeks
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline require 2–4 weeks for noticeable improvement due to gradual
receptor down-regulation and neuroplastic changes.
Q03 A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase, demonstrating hyperactivity, rapid
speech, and grandiosity. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer for rapid
symptom control?
Answer: Olanzapine
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine provide the fastest reduction in acute
manic symptoms (agitation, grandiosity) compared to mood stabilizers like lithium or valproate.
, Q04 A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat and has a BMI of 15.2 kg/m². Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
Answer: Heart rate 42 beats per minute
Rationale: Severe bradycardia (<50 bpm) is a life-threatening complication of malnutrition in
anorexia nervosa and indicates cardiac compromise requiring urgent medical attention.
Q05 A client with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed buspirone. The nurse should instruct
the client that the medication:
Answer: May take 1–4 weeks to become fully effective
Rationale: Buspirone is not fast-acting like benzodiazepines; it requires consistent daily use for
1–4 weeks to achieve full anxiolytic effects.
Q06 A client with alcohol use disorder is experiencing delirium tremens. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
Answer: Lorazepam
Rationale: Benzodiazepines (lorazepam, diazepam) are first-line for alcohol withdrawal and
delirium tremens to prevent seizures and manage autonomic hyperactivity.
Q07 A client with borderline personality disorder becomes angry and throws a chair during a
group session. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
Answer: "I see you are very angry right now. Let’s go to a quiet place and talk about what
happened."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the emotion, sets limits, de-escalates, and offers a safe
way to process feelings—key for BPD management.
Q08 The nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching to a client prescribed lithium. Which client
statement indicates understanding?
Answer: "I will drink plenty of fluids and keep my salt intake consistent."
2026/2027 (Version A & B) Actual Exam
Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationales | Graded A+
Version A
Q01 A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations and states, ―The voices
are telling me to hurt myself.‖ Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
Answer: "Tell me more about what the voices are saying to you."
Rationale: This response encourages the client to verbalize the content of the hallucinations
without challenging their reality, promoting trust and allowing the nurse to assess risk and
content.
Q02 A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed sertraline. The nurse should instruct
the client that improvement in symptoms typically occurs in:
Answer: 2 to 4 weeks
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline require 2–4 weeks for noticeable improvement due to gradual
receptor down-regulation and neuroplastic changes.
Q03 A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase, demonstrating hyperactivity, rapid
speech, and grandiosity. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer for rapid
symptom control?
Answer: Olanzapine
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine provide the fastest reduction in acute
manic symptoms (agitation, grandiosity) compared to mood stabilizers like lithium or valproate.
, Q04 A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat and has a BMI of 15.2 kg/m². Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
Answer: Heart rate 42 beats per minute
Rationale: Severe bradycardia (<50 bpm) is a life-threatening complication of malnutrition in
anorexia nervosa and indicates cardiac compromise requiring urgent medical attention.
Q05 A client with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed buspirone. The nurse should instruct
the client that the medication:
Answer: May take 1–4 weeks to become fully effective
Rationale: Buspirone is not fast-acting like benzodiazepines; it requires consistent daily use for
1–4 weeks to achieve full anxiolytic effects.
Q06 A client with alcohol use disorder is experiencing delirium tremens. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
Answer: Lorazepam
Rationale: Benzodiazepines (lorazepam, diazepam) are first-line for alcohol withdrawal and
delirium tremens to prevent seizures and manage autonomic hyperactivity.
Q07 A client with borderline personality disorder becomes angry and throws a chair during a
group session. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
Answer: "I see you are very angry right now. Let’s go to a quiet place and talk about what
happened."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the emotion, sets limits, de-escalates, and offers a safe
way to process feelings—key for BPD management.
Q08 The nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching to a client prescribed lithium. Which client
statement indicates understanding?
Answer: "I will drink plenty of fluids and keep my salt intake consistent."
