HESI Mental Health RN V1–V3 | Test Bank Exam Q&A |
Verified Answers | Updated 2026/2027| Latest Version
PART 1 – QUESTIONS 1–50
Question 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 during the admission process?
A. Assist the client in developing alternative coping skills
B. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach
C. Ask the client why she is so anxious
D. Administer a PRN sedative to help relieve her anxiety
Correct Answer: B
A calm, matter-of-fact approach provides a therapeutic environment that helps
Rationale:
reduce anxiety without reinforcing the anxious behavior . Teaching coping skills is
important but not the immediate priority during the admission process. Asking "why"
questions can increase anxiety. Sedation should be a last resort, not the first
intervention.
Question 2. A female client is brought to the emergency department after police
officers found her disoriented, disorganized, and confused. The RN also determines that
the client is homeless and is exhibiting suspiciousness. The client's plan of care should
include what priority problem?
A. Acute confusion
B. Ineffective community coping
,C. Disturbed sensory perception
D. Self-care deficit
Correct Answer: A
Acute confusion is the priority problem as it indicates an immediate alteration in
Rationale:
mental status that may have multiple etiologies (medical, psychiatric, substance-related)
requiring urgent assessment and intervention . Safety is the priority until confusion is
resolved.
Question 3. A client who refuses antipsychotic medications disrupts group activities,
talks with nonsensical words, and wanders into other clients' rooms. The RN decides that
the client needs constant observation based on which assessment finding?
A. Wanders into other clients' rooms
B. Refuses antipsychotic medications
C. Talks with nonsensical words
D. Disrupts group activities
Correct Answer: A
Wandering into other clients' rooms poses a safety risk to both the client and
Rationale:
others. This behavior indicates potential boundary violations and the need for closer
observation to protect all clients on the unit .
Question 4. A client with schizophrenia explains that she has 20 children and then very
seriously points to the RN and says, "And you are the father of them all." What is the
best response by the RN?
A. "I am not the father of your children."
B. "That must have been quite an experience."
C. "Why would you think that I am the father?"
D. "It seems like you are having some unusual thoughts right now."
Correct Answer: D
, This response validates the client's experience without reinforcing the delusion. It
Rationale:
acknowledges the thought as unusual and opens the door for therapeutic dialogue
without arguing with the delusion, which would be counterproductive .
Question 5. A client on the mental health unit is becoming more agitated, shouting at
the staff, and pacing in the hallway. When the PRN medication is offered, the client
refuses the medication and defiantly sits on the floor in the middle of the unit hallway.
What should the RN do first?
A. Tell the client to get up off the floor
B. Administer PRN sedative
C. Avoid recognizing the behavior
D. Escort the client to his room
Correct Answer: D
Removing the client from the stimulating environment of the hallway to a quieter,
Rationale:
more private space can help de-escalate agitation . This is a non-pharmacological
intervention that should be attempted before medication or other more restrictive
measures.
Question 6. A client is admitted for bipolar disorder and alcohol withdrawal, depressive
phase. Based on which assessment finding will the RN withhold the clonidine (Catapres)
prescription?
A. Blood pressure readings of 90/62 mmHg to 92/58 mmHg
B. Pulse rate of 68-78 BPM
C. Temperature of 99.5-99.7°F
D. Respiration rate of 24 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: A
Clonidine is an antihypertensive medication used to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Rationale:
It should be withheld if blood pressure is low (systolic < 90 mmHg) due to the risk of
further hypotension .
, Question 7. A client with a diagnosis of major depression who has attempted suicide
says to the nurse, "I should have died! I've always been a failure. Nothing ever goes right
for me." Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You have everything to live for."
B. "Why do you see yourself as a failure?"
C. "Feeling like this is all part of being depressed."
D. "You've been feeling like a failure for a while?"
Correct Answer: D
This response uses reflection and encourages the client to explore their feelings
Rationale:
further. It is therapeutic because it acknowledges the client's statement without
minimizing or judging, and it invites continued dialogue .
Question 8. An older homeless client visits the psychiatric clinic to obtain a prescription
renewal for alprazolam (Xanax). During the health assessment, the client complains of
chest pain. Which action should the RN take first?
A. Refer the client to the cardiology unit
B. Obtain the client's blood pressure
C. Assess the client for substance abuse
D. Determine if Xanax was taken recently
Correct Answer: B
Physical complaints in psychiatric clients should be evaluated promptly. Obtaining
Rationale:
vital signs, especially blood pressure, is the priority to assess for cardiovascular
compromise before proceeding with further assessment or referral .
Question 9. Which statement made by an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) indicates
to the RN that the UAP understands the concepts related to suicide?
Verified Answers | Updated 2026/2027| Latest Version
PART 1 – QUESTIONS 1–50
Question 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 during the admission process?
A. Assist the client in developing alternative coping skills
B. Remain calm and use a matter-of-fact approach
C. Ask the client why she is so anxious
D. Administer a PRN sedative to help relieve her anxiety
Correct Answer: B
A calm, matter-of-fact approach provides a therapeutic environment that helps
Rationale:
reduce anxiety without reinforcing the anxious behavior . Teaching coping skills is
important but not the immediate priority during the admission process. Asking "why"
questions can increase anxiety. Sedation should be a last resort, not the first
intervention.
Question 2. A female client is brought to the emergency department after police
officers found her disoriented, disorganized, and confused. The RN also determines that
the client is homeless and is exhibiting suspiciousness. The client's plan of care should
include what priority problem?
A. Acute confusion
B. Ineffective community coping
,C. Disturbed sensory perception
D. Self-care deficit
Correct Answer: A
Acute confusion is the priority problem as it indicates an immediate alteration in
Rationale:
mental status that may have multiple etiologies (medical, psychiatric, substance-related)
requiring urgent assessment and intervention . Safety is the priority until confusion is
resolved.
Question 3. A client who refuses antipsychotic medications disrupts group activities,
talks with nonsensical words, and wanders into other clients' rooms. The RN decides that
the client needs constant observation based on which assessment finding?
A. Wanders into other clients' rooms
B. Refuses antipsychotic medications
C. Talks with nonsensical words
D. Disrupts group activities
Correct Answer: A
Wandering into other clients' rooms poses a safety risk to both the client and
Rationale:
others. This behavior indicates potential boundary violations and the need for closer
observation to protect all clients on the unit .
Question 4. A client with schizophrenia explains that she has 20 children and then very
seriously points to the RN and says, "And you are the father of them all." What is the
best response by the RN?
A. "I am not the father of your children."
B. "That must have been quite an experience."
C. "Why would you think that I am the father?"
D. "It seems like you are having some unusual thoughts right now."
Correct Answer: D
, This response validates the client's experience without reinforcing the delusion. It
Rationale:
acknowledges the thought as unusual and opens the door for therapeutic dialogue
without arguing with the delusion, which would be counterproductive .
Question 5. A client on the mental health unit is becoming more agitated, shouting at
the staff, and pacing in the hallway. When the PRN medication is offered, the client
refuses the medication and defiantly sits on the floor in the middle of the unit hallway.
What should the RN do first?
A. Tell the client to get up off the floor
B. Administer PRN sedative
C. Avoid recognizing the behavior
D. Escort the client to his room
Correct Answer: D
Removing the client from the stimulating environment of the hallway to a quieter,
Rationale:
more private space can help de-escalate agitation . This is a non-pharmacological
intervention that should be attempted before medication or other more restrictive
measures.
Question 6. A client is admitted for bipolar disorder and alcohol withdrawal, depressive
phase. Based on which assessment finding will the RN withhold the clonidine (Catapres)
prescription?
A. Blood pressure readings of 90/62 mmHg to 92/58 mmHg
B. Pulse rate of 68-78 BPM
C. Temperature of 99.5-99.7°F
D. Respiration rate of 24 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: A
Clonidine is an antihypertensive medication used to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Rationale:
It should be withheld if blood pressure is low (systolic < 90 mmHg) due to the risk of
further hypotension .
, Question 7. A client with a diagnosis of major depression who has attempted suicide
says to the nurse, "I should have died! I've always been a failure. Nothing ever goes right
for me." Which response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You have everything to live for."
B. "Why do you see yourself as a failure?"
C. "Feeling like this is all part of being depressed."
D. "You've been feeling like a failure for a while?"
Correct Answer: D
This response uses reflection and encourages the client to explore their feelings
Rationale:
further. It is therapeutic because it acknowledges the client's statement without
minimizing or judging, and it invites continued dialogue .
Question 8. An older homeless client visits the psychiatric clinic to obtain a prescription
renewal for alprazolam (Xanax). During the health assessment, the client complains of
chest pain. Which action should the RN take first?
A. Refer the client to the cardiology unit
B. Obtain the client's blood pressure
C. Assess the client for substance abuse
D. Determine if Xanax was taken recently
Correct Answer: B
Physical complaints in psychiatric clients should be evaluated promptly. Obtaining
Rationale:
vital signs, especially blood pressure, is the priority to assess for cardiovascular
compromise before proceeding with further assessment or referral .
Question 9. Which statement made by an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) indicates
to the RN that the UAP understands the concepts related to suicide?
