HESI PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS

HESI PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM
2026 -2027 ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS




While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate documentatio
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n later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking during an interview?
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A. The nurse' ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal communication is lim
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ited with note taking…..ANSWER
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B. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of the examining nurse
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C. The client's comfort level is increased when the nurse breaks eye contact to take not
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e to take note.
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D. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client speak at n
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ormal pace. vc




A




An adolescent male receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug because he is exhi
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biting a depressed affect. While the client is taking the antidepressant, which
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,comparison of the client's behavior before and after taking the drug is most important f
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or the nurse to obtain?
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A. His appetite. vc




B. The emotional quality of his attitude……ANSWER
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C. His level of activity.
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D. The interactions he has with others. B
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A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female client who
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is a victim of intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the saf
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ety plan? Select all that apply.
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A. Purchase a gun to use for protection vc vc vc vc vc vc




B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence. vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc




C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
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D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children B
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CD
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While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a male adolescent avoids eye co
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ntact, looks at the floor, and talks softly when interacting verbally with the
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,nurse. The two trade places, and the nurse demonstrate the client's behavior. What is th
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e main goal of this therapeutic techniques?
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A. Discuss the client's feeling when he responds. vc vc vc vc vc vc




B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts…..ANSWER
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C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
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D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his interactions.) B
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A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines activities. Which
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nursing problem has the greatest priority for this client?
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A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
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B. Social isolation. vc




C. Refusal to address nutritional needs ........... ANSWER vc vc vc vc




D. Lowself- vc




esteem. C vc




The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder and notices that the c
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lient discontinued antipsychotic medication for several days. Which medication shou
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ld also be discontinued?
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a. Lithium. (Lithotabs) vc




b. Benzotropine (Cogentin)......... ANSWER vc

, c. Alprazolam (Xanax). vc




d. Magnesium (MilkofMagnesia). vc vc vc vc




B




A female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the room during the adm
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ission assessment. When interviewing the client, the RN notes a discrepancy between
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the client's verbal and nonverbal communication. What action does the RN take?
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A. Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages….ANSWER
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B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the discrepancy.
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C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and focus on the client's verbal messages.
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D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and interpret them as one. A
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A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face and raises his v
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oice, saying "My roommate is the most selfish, self-
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centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses his temper one more time with me, I
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am going to punch him out!" The RN recognizes that the client is using which defense
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mechanism?
A. Denial.
B. Projection….ANSWER