HESI RN MENTAL HEALTH FINAL EXAM PRACTICE NGN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+.
100% Verified Solutions | Updated Per Latest Guidelines | Graded A+
CORE DOMAINS
Therapeutic Communication and Relationship
Psychiatric Disorders and Treatment Modalities
Psychopharmacology and Medication Management
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
Legal and Ethical Issues in Mental Health
Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
Neurocognitive Disorders and Geriatric Mental Health
Stress, Coping, and Defense Mechanisms
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive HESI RN Mental Health examination is designed to assess the candidate's knowledge and
application of psychiatric-mental health nursing principles. It emphasizes therapeutic communication, clinical
reasoning, and evidence-based interventions for patients across the lifespan. The examination evaluates the
candidate's ability to prioritize care, manage complex psychiatric crises, and integrate pharmacological and non-
pharmacological interventions. Questions are presented in realistic, scenario-based formats that reflect Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) principles, requiring candidates to demonstrate clinical judgment, ethical decision-
,making, and a commitment to patient safety and recovery-oriented care. This rigorous assessment prepares
candidates for the complexities of mental health nursing practice.
SECTION ONE
Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder who states, "Life is not worth living anymore. I just
want to go to sleep and never wake up." Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the patient's statement in the medical record.
B. Ask the patient if they have a plan to harm themselves.
C. Tell the patient that they have so much to live for.
D. Notify the healthcare provider of the patient's statement.
🟢 Correct Answer:
B. Ask the patient if they have a plan to harm themselves.
🔴 RATIONALE:
The patient's statement indicates suicidal ideation. The priority action is to perform a suicide risk assessment by
,directly asking about intent, plan, and means. This is essential for determining the patient's risk level and
implementing appropriate safety measures. Documentation and notifying the provider are important but follow
the immediate assessment. False reassurance is not therapeutic and does not address the patient's distress.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient with schizophrenia. The patient has been stabilized on risperidone.
Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a correct understanding of the medication teaching?
A. "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
B. "I need to have my blood drawn regularly to check my white blood cell count."
C. "I should report any muscle stiffness or restlessness to my provider."
D. "It is safe to drink alcohol while taking this medication."
🟢 Correct Answer:
C. "I should report any muscle stiffness or restlessness to my provider."
🔴 RATIONALE:
Risperidone can cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as muscle stiffness, restlessness, and dystonia.
Patients should be educated to report these symptoms promptly. Antipsychotics should not be stopped
abruptly; clozapine requires white blood cell monitoring, not risperidone; alcohol should be avoided due to CNS
depression.
, Question 3
A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. The patient is hyperactive, talking rapidly, and
has not slept for three days. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Engage the patient in a competitive board game.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
C. Encourage the patient to attend group therapy.
D. Allow the patient to walk in the hallway to expend energy.
🟢 Correct Answer:
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
🔴 RATIONALE:
Patients in a manic episode require a calm, structured, low-stimulation environment to reduce sensory overload
and agitation. Competitive activities and group therapy may increase agitation; walking may be allowed but
should be supervised, and the priority is reducing stimulation.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient with anxiety disorder. The patient reports feeling a sense of impending doom,
palpitations, and shortness of breath. These symptoms have occurred suddenly and have lasted for 15 minutes.
This episode is most consistent with:
100% Verified Solutions | Updated Per Latest Guidelines | Graded A+
CORE DOMAINS
Therapeutic Communication and Relationship
Psychiatric Disorders and Treatment Modalities
Psychopharmacology and Medication Management
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
Legal and Ethical Issues in Mental Health
Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
Neurocognitive Disorders and Geriatric Mental Health
Stress, Coping, and Defense Mechanisms
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive HESI RN Mental Health examination is designed to assess the candidate's knowledge and
application of psychiatric-mental health nursing principles. It emphasizes therapeutic communication, clinical
reasoning, and evidence-based interventions for patients across the lifespan. The examination evaluates the
candidate's ability to prioritize care, manage complex psychiatric crises, and integrate pharmacological and non-
pharmacological interventions. Questions are presented in realistic, scenario-based formats that reflect Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) principles, requiring candidates to demonstrate clinical judgment, ethical decision-
,making, and a commitment to patient safety and recovery-oriented care. This rigorous assessment prepares
candidates for the complexities of mental health nursing practice.
SECTION ONE
Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder who states, "Life is not worth living anymore. I just
want to go to sleep and never wake up." Which of the following is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the patient's statement in the medical record.
B. Ask the patient if they have a plan to harm themselves.
C. Tell the patient that they have so much to live for.
D. Notify the healthcare provider of the patient's statement.
🟢 Correct Answer:
B. Ask the patient if they have a plan to harm themselves.
🔴 RATIONALE:
The patient's statement indicates suicidal ideation. The priority action is to perform a suicide risk assessment by
,directly asking about intent, plan, and means. This is essential for determining the patient's risk level and
implementing appropriate safety measures. Documentation and notifying the provider are important but follow
the immediate assessment. False reassurance is not therapeutic and does not address the patient's distress.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient with schizophrenia. The patient has been stabilized on risperidone.
Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a correct understanding of the medication teaching?
A. "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
B. "I need to have my blood drawn regularly to check my white blood cell count."
C. "I should report any muscle stiffness or restlessness to my provider."
D. "It is safe to drink alcohol while taking this medication."
🟢 Correct Answer:
C. "I should report any muscle stiffness or restlessness to my provider."
🔴 RATIONALE:
Risperidone can cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as muscle stiffness, restlessness, and dystonia.
Patients should be educated to report these symptoms promptly. Antipsychotics should not be stopped
abruptly; clozapine requires white blood cell monitoring, not risperidone; alcohol should be avoided due to CNS
depression.
, Question 3
A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. The patient is hyperactive, talking rapidly, and
has not slept for three days. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A. Engage the patient in a competitive board game.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
C. Encourage the patient to attend group therapy.
D. Allow the patient to walk in the hallway to expend energy.
🟢 Correct Answer:
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
🔴 RATIONALE:
Patients in a manic episode require a calm, structured, low-stimulation environment to reduce sensory overload
and agitation. Competitive activities and group therapy may increase agitation; walking may be allowed but
should be supervised, and the priority is reducing stimulation.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a patient with anxiety disorder. The patient reports feeling a sense of impending doom,
palpitations, and shortness of breath. These symptoms have occurred suddenly and have lasted for 15 minutes.
This episode is most consistent with:
