HESI RN Mental Health
Comprehensive Exam 2026/2027 –
Questions and Answers | 100%
Verified | Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – Already Graded A+|
Instant Download pdf
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Client
Relationship
Question 1: A newly admitted client with severe depression sits
alone in their room, staring at the wall, and has not spoken since
arrival. The nurse enters the room to establish a therapeutic
relationship. What is the most appropriate initial statement by the
nurse?
A) "Why are you sitting here all by yourself?"
B) "I will sit with you for a while, and we can talk if you'd like."
C) "You need to come out to the day room and socialize with the
others."
D) "Don't worry, things will start looking up once your medication
kicks in."
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Option B demonstrates "offering self," a therapeutic
communication technique that shows interest and a desire to
understand without making demands on the patient. Sitting
quietly with a depressed patient conveys acceptance and
presence, which is crucial for building rapport. Option A is non-
therapeutic because "why" questions can make the patient
defensive. Option C is authoritarian and ignores the patient's
current severe lack of energy. Option D provides false
reassurance, which minimizes the patient's feelings .
Question 2: A client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse,
"The government agents are watching me through the television
screen. They know everything I do." Which response by the nurse
is the most therapeutic?
A) "That is just your imagination; there are no agents watching
you."
B) "Why do you think the government would be interested in
you?"
C) "It sounds like you are feeling very frightened by that thought."
D) "Let's turn off the television so they can't watch you anymore."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option C uses empathy and validation, acknowledging
the patient's underlying emotion (fear) without arguing with or
validating the delusion itself. This approach builds trust and keeps
communication open. Option A directly challenges the delusion,
which can escalate anxiety. Option D may reinforce the delusion,
and Option B puts the client on the defensive .
, Question 3: A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go on
anymore." Which response is most therapeutic?
A) "Don't talk like that. You have so much to live for."
B) "Are you thinking about harming yourself?"
C) "Everyone feels down sometimes. You'll feel better soon."
D) "Let's focus on the positive things in your life."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A statement suggesting hopelessness should prompt
an immediate suicide risk assessment. Asking directly about
suicidal ideation is therapeutic and does not plant the idea in the
client's mind. False reassurance (A, C, D) is non-therapeutic and
dismisses the client's feelings .
Section 2: Safety, Crisis Intervention & Prioritization
Question 4: A client comes to the emergency department after an
assault and is extremely agitated, trembling, and hyperventilating.
What is the priority nursing action?
A) Begin to teach relaxation techniques.
B) Encourage the client to discuss the assault.
C) Remain with the client until the anxiety decreases.
D) Place the client in a quiet room alone to decrease stimulation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a client is in a severe or panic state of anxiety, it
is crucial for the nurse to remain with the client. The client in a
, severe state of anxiety is unable to learn relaxation techniques (A).
Discussing the assault at this point (B) would increase the client's
level of anxiety further. The nurse's presence provides safety and
reduces anxiety .
Question 5: A client is pacing and speaking loudly in the
dayroom. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Tell the client to sit down and be quiet.
B) Approach the client calmly and ask what is happening.
C) Call for a security team to restrain the client.
D) Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcing it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in managing escalating behavior is to
approach the client calmly and assess the situation. This uses de-
escalation techniques before considering more restrictive
interventions. Physical restraint should only be performed by
trained staff with a provider order .
Question 6: Which client is most at risk for committing suicide?
A) A 75-year-old client with metastatic cancer
B) A 71-year-old client with a cardiac disorder
C) A 24-year-old client who just had an argument with her
roommate
D) A 30-year-old newly divorced client who states she has custody
of the children
Correct Answer: A
Comprehensive Exam 2026/2027 –
Questions and Answers | 100%
Verified | Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – Already Graded A+|
Instant Download pdf
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Client
Relationship
Question 1: A newly admitted client with severe depression sits
alone in their room, staring at the wall, and has not spoken since
arrival. The nurse enters the room to establish a therapeutic
relationship. What is the most appropriate initial statement by the
nurse?
A) "Why are you sitting here all by yourself?"
B) "I will sit with you for a while, and we can talk if you'd like."
C) "You need to come out to the day room and socialize with the
others."
D) "Don't worry, things will start looking up once your medication
kicks in."
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Option B demonstrates "offering self," a therapeutic
communication technique that shows interest and a desire to
understand without making demands on the patient. Sitting
quietly with a depressed patient conveys acceptance and
presence, which is crucial for building rapport. Option A is non-
therapeutic because "why" questions can make the patient
defensive. Option C is authoritarian and ignores the patient's
current severe lack of energy. Option D provides false
reassurance, which minimizes the patient's feelings .
Question 2: A client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the nurse,
"The government agents are watching me through the television
screen. They know everything I do." Which response by the nurse
is the most therapeutic?
A) "That is just your imagination; there are no agents watching
you."
B) "Why do you think the government would be interested in
you?"
C) "It sounds like you are feeling very frightened by that thought."
D) "Let's turn off the television so they can't watch you anymore."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option C uses empathy and validation, acknowledging
the patient's underlying emotion (fear) without arguing with or
validating the delusion itself. This approach builds trust and keeps
communication open. Option A directly challenges the delusion,
which can escalate anxiety. Option D may reinforce the delusion,
and Option B puts the client on the defensive .
, Question 3: A client tells the nurse, "I don't think I can go on
anymore." Which response is most therapeutic?
A) "Don't talk like that. You have so much to live for."
B) "Are you thinking about harming yourself?"
C) "Everyone feels down sometimes. You'll feel better soon."
D) "Let's focus on the positive things in your life."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A statement suggesting hopelessness should prompt
an immediate suicide risk assessment. Asking directly about
suicidal ideation is therapeutic and does not plant the idea in the
client's mind. False reassurance (A, C, D) is non-therapeutic and
dismisses the client's feelings .
Section 2: Safety, Crisis Intervention & Prioritization
Question 4: A client comes to the emergency department after an
assault and is extremely agitated, trembling, and hyperventilating.
What is the priority nursing action?
A) Begin to teach relaxation techniques.
B) Encourage the client to discuss the assault.
C) Remain with the client until the anxiety decreases.
D) Place the client in a quiet room alone to decrease stimulation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a client is in a severe or panic state of anxiety, it
is crucial for the nurse to remain with the client. The client in a
, severe state of anxiety is unable to learn relaxation techniques (A).
Discussing the assault at this point (B) would increase the client's
level of anxiety further. The nurse's presence provides safety and
reduces anxiety .
Question 5: A client is pacing and speaking loudly in the
dayroom. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Tell the client to sit down and be quiet.
B) Approach the client calmly and ask what is happening.
C) Call for a security team to restrain the client.
D) Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcing it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in managing escalating behavior is to
approach the client calmly and assess the situation. This uses de-
escalation techniques before considering more restrictive
interventions. Physical restraint should only be performed by
trained staff with a provider order .
Question 6: Which client is most at risk for committing suicide?
A) A 75-year-old client with metastatic cancer
B) A 71-year-old client with a cardiac disorder
C) A 24-year-old client who just had an argument with her
roommate
D) A 30-year-old newly divorced client who states she has custody
of the children
Correct Answer: A
