HESI RN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM TEST BANK ACTUAL
2026/2027 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE
COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM REAL QUESTIONS WITH
WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS AND DETAILED
RATIONALES (RELIABLE ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATED
VERSION 2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED PASS A+ |FULL
REVISED HESI RN MENTAL HEALTH REAL EXAM |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF |BRAND NEW!
1. During admission to the psychiatric unit, a female client is
extremely anxious and states that she is worried about the sun
coming up the next day. What intervention is most important for the
RN to implement?
A. Assist the client in developing alternative coping skills
B. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach
C. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach – CORRECT
ANSWER
D. Administer a PRN sedative
Rationale: For an extremely anxious client, providing a calm, non-
threatening environment is most important. Using a matter-of-fact
approach decreases anxiety by providing structure and predictability.
,"Why" questions increase anxiety, and sedatives are not the first-line
intervention.
2. 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's ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal
communication is limited with note-taking. – CORRECT ANSWER
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 notes
D. Note-taking should be continuous throughout the entire interview
Rationale: Note-taking during an interview can limit the nurse's
ability to observe the client's nonverbal communication, which
provides crucial assessment data. The nurse should maintain eye
contact and observe body language while taking minimal notes to be
expanded later.
3. A client with anxiety says, "I feel like I'm losing my mind." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
,A. "Don't worry, everyone feels that way sometimes."
B. "Tell me more about what you are experiencing." – CORRECT
ANSWER
C. "You are not losing your mind; you are just anxious."
D. "Why do you think you feel that way?"
Rationale: The most therapeutic response is to encourage the client
to explore their feelings further. This validates the client's experience
and promotes therapeutic communication. Telling the client not to
worry or dismissing their feelings is nontherapeutic.
4. The RN is preparing the physical environment to interview a new
client for admission. Which setting facilitates the best outcome?
A. Dim the lights to help the patient feel calm
B. Sit within two feet of the client
C. Reduce noise by turning off the television and radio – CORRECT
ANSWER
, D. Position a table between the client and RN
Rationale: A quiet environment free from distractions promotes
effective communication during the admission interview. Dim
lighting may appear unsafe, and excessive closeness or barriers can
impede rapport.
5. A client who is admitted to the mental health unit reports
shortness of breath and dizziness. The client tells the nurse, "I feel
like I am going to die." Which nursing problem should the nurse
include in this client's plan of care?
A. Mood disturbance
B. Moderate anxiety – CORRECT ANSWER
C. Altered thoughts
D. Social isolation
Rationale: The client is experiencing symptoms of moderate to
severe anxiety, including shortness of breath, dizziness, and fear of
dying. These physiological and psychological manifestations indicate
anxiety as the primary nursing problem.
2026/2027 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE
COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM REAL QUESTIONS WITH
WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS AND DETAILED
RATIONALES (RELIABLE ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATED
VERSION 2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED PASS A+ |FULL
REVISED HESI RN MENTAL HEALTH REAL EXAM |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF |BRAND NEW!
1. During admission to the psychiatric unit, a female client is
extremely anxious and states that she is worried about the sun
coming up the next day. What intervention is most important for the
RN to implement?
A. Assist the client in developing alternative coping skills
B. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach
C. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach – CORRECT
ANSWER
D. Administer a PRN sedative
Rationale: For an extremely anxious client, providing a calm, non-
threatening environment is most important. Using a matter-of-fact
approach decreases anxiety by providing structure and predictability.
,"Why" questions increase anxiety, and sedatives are not the first-line
intervention.
2. 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's ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal
communication is limited with note-taking. – CORRECT ANSWER
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 notes
D. Note-taking should be continuous throughout the entire interview
Rationale: Note-taking during an interview can limit the nurse's
ability to observe the client's nonverbal communication, which
provides crucial assessment data. The nurse should maintain eye
contact and observe body language while taking minimal notes to be
expanded later.
3. A client with anxiety says, "I feel like I'm losing my mind." Which
response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
,A. "Don't worry, everyone feels that way sometimes."
B. "Tell me more about what you are experiencing." – CORRECT
ANSWER
C. "You are not losing your mind; you are just anxious."
D. "Why do you think you feel that way?"
Rationale: The most therapeutic response is to encourage the client
to explore their feelings further. This validates the client's experience
and promotes therapeutic communication. Telling the client not to
worry or dismissing their feelings is nontherapeutic.
4. The RN is preparing the physical environment to interview a new
client for admission. Which setting facilitates the best outcome?
A. Dim the lights to help the patient feel calm
B. Sit within two feet of the client
C. Reduce noise by turning off the television and radio – CORRECT
ANSWER
, D. Position a table between the client and RN
Rationale: A quiet environment free from distractions promotes
effective communication during the admission interview. Dim
lighting may appear unsafe, and excessive closeness or barriers can
impede rapport.
5. A client who is admitted to the mental health unit reports
shortness of breath and dizziness. The client tells the nurse, "I feel
like I am going to die." Which nursing problem should the nurse
include in this client's plan of care?
A. Mood disturbance
B. Moderate anxiety – CORRECT ANSWER
C. Altered thoughts
D. Social isolation
Rationale: The client is experiencing symptoms of moderate to
severe anxiety, including shortness of breath, dizziness, and fear of
dying. These physiological and psychological manifestations indicate
anxiety as the primary nursing problem.
