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HESI RN Mental Health V1 (2026/2027) —
Newest Updated Exam Solved with Verified A+
Results | Mental Health Nursing
Comprehensive Predictor
The HESI RN Mental Health Exam 2026/2027 – Newest Updated Edition is a high-yield, exam-
focused study resource designed to help nursing students successfully pass the HESI RN Mental
Health Comprehensive Predictor on the first attempt. This guide reflects the latest HESI
blueprint, NCLEX-aligned content, and real exam difficulty level used across accredited nursing
programs.
This comprehensive predictor exam resource covers core psychiatric-mental health nursing
concepts, clinical judgment scenarios, safety priorities, therapeutic communication, and
psychopharmacology principles commonly tested on the HESI RN Mental Health exam. All
questions are fully solved and paired with 100% verified correct answers, clearly highlighted for
fast review and high retention.
Each question is written in HESI-style format, emphasizing critical thinking, patient safety,
prioritization, and nursing best practice, making this guide ideal for final exam preparation,
remediation, and score improvement. Optimized for Docsity, Stuvia, CourseHero, and nursing
exam bundles, this resource supports confident exam performance and A+ results.
Exam Coverage
✔ HESI RN Mental Health Comprehensive Predictor Blueprint
✔ Therapeutic Communication & Nurse–Patient Relationship
✔ Mental Health Assessment & Mental Status Examination (MSE)
✔ Anxiety, Mood, and Depressive Disorders
✔ Psychotic Disorders (Schizophrenia Spectrum)
✔ Substance Use & Addictive Disorders
✔ Crisis Intervention & Suicide Risk Assessment
✔ Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Nursing
✔ Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers, Anxiolytics
✔ Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing
✔ Patient Rights, Confidentiality, and Involuntary Commitment
✔ Trauma-Informed Care & Safety Management
✔ Cultural Considerations in Mental Health Care
✔ HESI-Style Clinical Judgment & Prioritization Questions
Answer Format
,All questions include verified correct answers highlighted
HESI RN–style multiple-choice format
NCLEX-aligned rationales focused on safety and priority care
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 nurse' ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal communication is limited
with note taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased when the nurse breaks eye contact to take note to take
note.
D. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client speak at normal
pace.
A
An adolescent male receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug because he is exhibiting a
depressed affect. While the client is taking the antidepressant, which comparison of the client's
behavior before and after taking the drug is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
D. The interactions he has with others.
B
A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female client who is a
victim of intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the safety plan?
Select all that apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children
BCD
While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a male adolescent avoids eye contact,
looks at the floor, and talks softly when interacting verbally with the nurse. The two trade places,
and the nurse demonstrate the client's behavior. What is the main goal of this therapeutic
techniques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his interactions.)
B
A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines activities. Which nursing
problem has the greatest priority for this client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
,D. Low self-esteem.
C
The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder and notices that the client
discontinued antipsychotic medication for several days. Which medication should also be
discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia).
B
A female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the room during the admission
assessment. When interviewing the client, the RN notes a discrepancy between the client's verbal
and nonverbal communication. What action does the RN take?
A. Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the discrepancy.
C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and focus on the client's verbal messages.
D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and interpret them as one.
A
A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face and raises his voice,
saying "My roommate is the most selfish, self-centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses
his temper one more time with me, I am going to punch him out!" The RN recognizes that the
client is using which defense mechanism?
A. Denial.
B. Projection.
C. Rationalization.
D. Splitting.
B
A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking lithium carbonate five days ago is
complaining of excessive thirst, and the RN finds him attempting to drink water from the
bathroom sink faucet. Which intervention should the RN implement?
A. Report the client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
B. Encourage the client to suck on hard candy to relieve the symptoms.
C. No action is needed since polydipsia is a common side effect.
D. Tell the client that drinking from the faucet is not allowed.
A
The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed abstinence therapy using
disulfiram (Antabuse). What information should the client acknowledge understanding?
A. Completely abstain from heroin or cocaine use.
B. Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
C. Attend monthly meetings of alcoholics anonymous.
D. Admit to others that he is a substance user.
B
, A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental health unit after abruptly stopping his
prescription for ziprasidone (Geodon) one month ago. Which question is most important for the
RN to ask the client?
A. Have you lost interest in the things that you used to enjoy?
B. Is your ability to think or concentrate decreased?
C. How many continuous hours do you sleep at night?
D. Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear?
D
During an annual physical by the occupational RN working in a corporate clinic, a male
employee tells the RN that is high-stress job is causing trouble in his personal life. He further
explains that he often gets so angry while driving to and from work that he has considered
"getting even" with other drivers. How should the RN respond?
A. "Anger is contagious and could result in major confrontation."
B. "Try not to let your anger cause you to act impulsively."
C. "Expressing your anger to a stranger could result in an unsafe situation."
D. "It sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry."
D
A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is beginning desensitization with the therapist,
and the RN is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the highest priority for this client's
plan of care?
A. Encourage substitution of positive thoughts and negative ones.
B. Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
C. Progressively expose the client to larger crowds.
D. Encourage deep breathing when anxiety escalates in a crowd.
B
Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self-esteem of a male client with modern
depression?
A. Ask the client what his long term goals are.
B. Discuss the challenges of his medical condition.
C. Include the client in determining treatment protocol.
D. Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
E. Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns.
ADE
A male client is admitted to the psychiatric unit for recurrent negative symptoms of chronic
schizophrenia and medication adjustment of Risperidone (Risperdal). When the client walks to
the nurse's station in a laterally contracted position, he states that something has made his body
contort into a monster. What action should the RN take?
A. Medicate the client with the prescribed antipsychotic thioridazine (Mellaril).
B. Offer the client a prescribed physical therapy hot pack for muscle spasms.
C. Direct client to occupational therapy to distract him from somatic complaints.
D. Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine (Cogentin) for dystonia.
D
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior. Which action
by the MHW warrant immediate intervention by the RN?
HESI RN Mental Health V1 (2026/2027) —
Newest Updated Exam Solved with Verified A+
Results | Mental Health Nursing
Comprehensive Predictor
The HESI RN Mental Health Exam 2026/2027 – Newest Updated Edition is a high-yield, exam-
focused study resource designed to help nursing students successfully pass the HESI RN Mental
Health Comprehensive Predictor on the first attempt. This guide reflects the latest HESI
blueprint, NCLEX-aligned content, and real exam difficulty level used across accredited nursing
programs.
This comprehensive predictor exam resource covers core psychiatric-mental health nursing
concepts, clinical judgment scenarios, safety priorities, therapeutic communication, and
psychopharmacology principles commonly tested on the HESI RN Mental Health exam. All
questions are fully solved and paired with 100% verified correct answers, clearly highlighted for
fast review and high retention.
Each question is written in HESI-style format, emphasizing critical thinking, patient safety,
prioritization, and nursing best practice, making this guide ideal for final exam preparation,
remediation, and score improvement. Optimized for Docsity, Stuvia, CourseHero, and nursing
exam bundles, this resource supports confident exam performance and A+ results.
Exam Coverage
✔ HESI RN Mental Health Comprehensive Predictor Blueprint
✔ Therapeutic Communication & Nurse–Patient Relationship
✔ Mental Health Assessment & Mental Status Examination (MSE)
✔ Anxiety, Mood, and Depressive Disorders
✔ Psychotic Disorders (Schizophrenia Spectrum)
✔ Substance Use & Addictive Disorders
✔ Crisis Intervention & Suicide Risk Assessment
✔ Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Nursing
✔ Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers, Anxiolytics
✔ Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing
✔ Patient Rights, Confidentiality, and Involuntary Commitment
✔ Trauma-Informed Care & Safety Management
✔ Cultural Considerations in Mental Health Care
✔ HESI-Style Clinical Judgment & Prioritization Questions
Answer Format
,All questions include verified correct answers highlighted
HESI RN–style multiple-choice format
NCLEX-aligned rationales focused on safety and priority care
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 nurse' ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal communication is limited
with note taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased when the nurse breaks eye contact to take note to take
note.
D. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client speak at normal
pace.
A
An adolescent male receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug because he is exhibiting a
depressed affect. While the client is taking the antidepressant, which comparison of the client's
behavior before and after taking the drug is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
D. The interactions he has with others.
B
A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female client who is a
victim of intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the safety plan?
Select all that apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children
BCD
While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a male adolescent avoids eye contact,
looks at the floor, and talks softly when interacting verbally with the nurse. The two trade places,
and the nurse demonstrate the client's behavior. What is the main goal of this therapeutic
techniques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his interactions.)
B
A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines activities. Which nursing
problem has the greatest priority for this client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
,D. Low self-esteem.
C
The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder and notices that the client
discontinued antipsychotic medication for several days. Which medication should also be
discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia).
B
A female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the room during the admission
assessment. When interviewing the client, the RN notes a discrepancy between the client's verbal
and nonverbal communication. What action does the RN take?
A. Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the discrepancy.
C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and focus on the client's verbal messages.
D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and interpret them as one.
A
A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face and raises his voice,
saying "My roommate is the most selfish, self-centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses
his temper one more time with me, I am going to punch him out!" The RN recognizes that the
client is using which defense mechanism?
A. Denial.
B. Projection.
C. Rationalization.
D. Splitting.
B
A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking lithium carbonate five days ago is
complaining of excessive thirst, and the RN finds him attempting to drink water from the
bathroom sink faucet. Which intervention should the RN implement?
A. Report the client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
B. Encourage the client to suck on hard candy to relieve the symptoms.
C. No action is needed since polydipsia is a common side effect.
D. Tell the client that drinking from the faucet is not allowed.
A
The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed abstinence therapy using
disulfiram (Antabuse). What information should the client acknowledge understanding?
A. Completely abstain from heroin or cocaine use.
B. Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
C. Attend monthly meetings of alcoholics anonymous.
D. Admit to others that he is a substance user.
B
, A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental health unit after abruptly stopping his
prescription for ziprasidone (Geodon) one month ago. Which question is most important for the
RN to ask the client?
A. Have you lost interest in the things that you used to enjoy?
B. Is your ability to think or concentrate decreased?
C. How many continuous hours do you sleep at night?
D. Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear?
D
During an annual physical by the occupational RN working in a corporate clinic, a male
employee tells the RN that is high-stress job is causing trouble in his personal life. He further
explains that he often gets so angry while driving to and from work that he has considered
"getting even" with other drivers. How should the RN respond?
A. "Anger is contagious and could result in major confrontation."
B. "Try not to let your anger cause you to act impulsively."
C. "Expressing your anger to a stranger could result in an unsafe situation."
D. "It sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry."
D
A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is beginning desensitization with the therapist,
and the RN is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the highest priority for this client's
plan of care?
A. Encourage substitution of positive thoughts and negative ones.
B. Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
C. Progressively expose the client to larger crowds.
D. Encourage deep breathing when anxiety escalates in a crowd.
B
Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self-esteem of a male client with modern
depression?
A. Ask the client what his long term goals are.
B. Discuss the challenges of his medical condition.
C. Include the client in determining treatment protocol.
D. Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
E. Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns.
ADE
A male client is admitted to the psychiatric unit for recurrent negative symptoms of chronic
schizophrenia and medication adjustment of Risperidone (Risperdal). When the client walks to
the nurse's station in a laterally contracted position, he states that something has made his body
contort into a monster. What action should the RN take?
A. Medicate the client with the prescribed antipsychotic thioridazine (Mellaril).
B. Offer the client a prescribed physical therapy hot pack for muscle spasms.
C. Direct client to occupational therapy to distract him from somatic complaints.
D. Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine (Cogentin) for dystonia.
D
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior. Which action
by the MHW warrant immediate intervention by the RN?
