HESI MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 160 HIGH-YIELD
MOOD DISORDERS, ANXIETY, PSYCHOSIS,
AND PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY SUMMARY
2026
◉ Over a period of several weeks, one male participant of a
socialization group at a community day care center for the elderly
monopolizes most of the group's time and interrupts others when
they are talking. What is the best action for the nurse to take in this
situation?
Answer: Allow the group to handle the problem
◉ An 86-year-old female client with Alzheimer's disease is
wandering the busy halls of the extended care facility and asks the
nurse, "Where should I stand for the parade?" Which response is
best for the nurse to provide?
Answer: "Let's go back to the activity room and see what's going on
there."
◉ Physical examination of a 6-year-old reveals several bite marks in
various locations on the body. X-ray examination reveals healed
fractures of the ribs. The mother tells the nurse that her child is
always having accidents. Which initial response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
,Answer: "Tell me more specifically about your childs accidents."
◉ A child is brought to the emergency room with a broken arm.
Because of other injuries, the nurse suspects the child may be a
victim of abuse. When the nurse tries to give the child an injection,
the child's mother becomes very loud and shouts, "I won't leave my
son! Don't you touch him! You'll hurt my child!" What is the best
interpretation of the mother's statements? The mother is...
Answer: Projecting her feelings onto the nurse
◉ A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of
paranoid schizophrenia. When her tray is brought to her, she refuses
to eat and tells the nurse, "I know you are trying to poison me with
that food." Which response would be most appropriate for the nurse
to make?
Answer: "I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you need anything
else."
◉ A 25-year-old female client has been particularly restless and the
nurse finds her trying to leave the psychiatric unit. She tells the
nurse, "Please let me go! I must leave because the secret police are
after me." Which response is best for the nurse to make?
Answer: "Come with me to your room and I will sit with you."
, ◉ A 45-year-old male client tells the nurse that he used to believe he
was Jesus Christ, but now he knows he is not. Which response is best
for the nurse to make?
Answer: "Others have had similar thoughts while under stress."
◉ A nurse working in the emergency room of a children's hospital
admits a child whose injuries could have resulted from abuse. Which
statement most accurately describes the nurse's responsibility in
cases of suspected child abuse?
Answer: The nurse should report any case of suspected child abuse
to the nurse in charge.
◉ A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar
disorder develops diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action
should the nurse take?
Answer: Notify the healthcare provider of the symptoms prior to the
next administration of the drug.
◉ A client on the psychiatric unit appears to imitate a certain nurse
on the unit. The client seeks out this particular nurse and imitates
the nurse's mannerisms. The nurse knows that the client is using
which defense mechanism?
Answer: Identification
MOOD DISORDERS, ANXIETY, PSYCHOSIS,
AND PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY SUMMARY
2026
◉ Over a period of several weeks, one male participant of a
socialization group at a community day care center for the elderly
monopolizes most of the group's time and interrupts others when
they are talking. What is the best action for the nurse to take in this
situation?
Answer: Allow the group to handle the problem
◉ An 86-year-old female client with Alzheimer's disease is
wandering the busy halls of the extended care facility and asks the
nurse, "Where should I stand for the parade?" Which response is
best for the nurse to provide?
Answer: "Let's go back to the activity room and see what's going on
there."
◉ Physical examination of a 6-year-old reveals several bite marks in
various locations on the body. X-ray examination reveals healed
fractures of the ribs. The mother tells the nurse that her child is
always having accidents. Which initial response by the nurse is most
appropriate?
,Answer: "Tell me more specifically about your childs accidents."
◉ A child is brought to the emergency room with a broken arm.
Because of other injuries, the nurse suspects the child may be a
victim of abuse. When the nurse tries to give the child an injection,
the child's mother becomes very loud and shouts, "I won't leave my
son! Don't you touch him! You'll hurt my child!" What is the best
interpretation of the mother's statements? The mother is...
Answer: Projecting her feelings onto the nurse
◉ A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of
paranoid schizophrenia. When her tray is brought to her, she refuses
to eat and tells the nurse, "I know you are trying to poison me with
that food." Which response would be most appropriate for the nurse
to make?
Answer: "I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you need anything
else."
◉ A 25-year-old female client has been particularly restless and the
nurse finds her trying to leave the psychiatric unit. She tells the
nurse, "Please let me go! I must leave because the secret police are
after me." Which response is best for the nurse to make?
Answer: "Come with me to your room and I will sit with you."
, ◉ A 45-year-old male client tells the nurse that he used to believe he
was Jesus Christ, but now he knows he is not. Which response is best
for the nurse to make?
Answer: "Others have had similar thoughts while under stress."
◉ A nurse working in the emergency room of a children's hospital
admits a child whose injuries could have resulted from abuse. Which
statement most accurately describes the nurse's responsibility in
cases of suspected child abuse?
Answer: The nurse should report any case of suspected child abuse
to the nurse in charge.
◉ A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar
disorder develops diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action
should the nurse take?
Answer: Notify the healthcare provider of the symptoms prior to the
next administration of the drug.
◉ A client on the psychiatric unit appears to imitate a certain nurse
on the unit. The client seeks out this particular nurse and imitates
the nurse's mannerisms. The nurse knows that the client is using
which defense mechanism?
Answer: Identification
