HESI MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 2026
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE | PSYCHIATRIC
NURSING PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
,A nurse is providing education about strategies for a BCD
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
While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a B
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.)
A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, C
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.
The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar B
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).
,A female client requests that her husband be allowed to A
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 male client approaches the RN with an angry B
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.
A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking A
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.
The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the B
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.
, A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental D
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?
During an annual physical by the occupational RN D
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."
A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is B
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.
Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self- ADE
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.
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE | PSYCHIATRIC
NURSING PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
,A nurse is providing education about strategies for a BCD
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
While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a B
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.)
A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, C
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.
The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar B
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).
,A female client requests that her husband be allowed to A
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 male client approaches the RN with an angry B
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.
A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking A
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.
The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the B
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.
, A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental D
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?
During an annual physical by the occupational RN D
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."
A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is B
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.
Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self- ADE
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.
