HESI MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM
2025/2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS (150–300
Q&A WITH RATIONALES) | NCLEX
PSYCHIATRIC REVIEW GUIDE
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 - B C D
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?
, HESI MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM
2025/2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS (150–300
Q&A WITH RATIONALES) | NCLEX
PSYCHIATRIC REVIEW GUIDE
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
2025/2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS (150–300
Q&A WITH RATIONALES) | NCLEX
PSYCHIATRIC REVIEW GUIDE
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 - B C D
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?
, HESI MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM
2025/2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS (150–300
Q&A WITH RATIONALES) | NCLEX
PSYCHIATRIC REVIEW GUIDE
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
