,NSG 221 HESI Exam Mental Health Nursing Questions And Answers
2026/2027 HERZING UNIVERSITY
Q1. Which statement best describes mental health as a continuum?
A) A person is either mentally healthy or mentally ill with no intermediate
states
B) Mental health can vary from wellness to significant mental illness over
time
C) Mental illness is always permanent
D) Mental health depends only on the absence of psychiatric symptoms
Correct Answer: B) Mental health can vary from wellness to significant
mental illness over time
Rationale: Mental health exists on a continuum, and a person's functioning
and symptoms can change over time.
Q2. Which statement best reflects a recovery-oriented approach to
mental health care?
A) Recovery means the complete absence of symptoms
B) Recovery focuses on helping the person achieve meaningful functioning
and quality of life
C) Recovery requires permanent hospitalization
D) Recovery is determined exclusively by the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B) Recovery focuses on helping the person achieve
meaningful functioning and quality of life
Rationale: Recovery emphasizes hope, autonomy, meaningful goals,
strengths, and functioning even when symptoms may continue.
Q3. Which action best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "Everything will be fine."
B) "Why did you allow this to happen?"
C) "Tell me more about what you are experiencing."
D) "You should try to think positively."
Correct Answer: C) "Tell me more about what you are experiencing."
Rationale: Open-ended communication encourages the client to explore
thoughts and feelings without judgment or premature interpretation.
Q4. A client becomes silent after describing a painful experience.
Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A) Change the subject
B) Remain quietly present
C) Ask several questions rapidly
D) Tell the client not to cry
, Correct Answer: B) Remain quietly present
Rationale: Therapeutic silence allows the client time to process emotions
and communicate when ready.
Q5. Which response is an example of reflection?
A) "You seem frightened by what happened."
B) "Why are you frightened?"
C) "You shouldn't be frightened."
D) "Everything will work out."
Correct Answer: A) "You seem frightened by what happened."
Rationale: Reflection returns the client's expressed feeling or meaning and
encourages further exploration.
Q6. Which nursing behavior is an example of false reassurance?
A) "I am here with you."
B) "Tell me what concerns you most."
C) "Everything is going to be fine."
D) "You sound worried."
Correct Answer: C) "Everything is going to be fine."
Rationale: False reassurance minimizes the client's concern and makes a
promise the nurse cannot guarantee.
Q7. What is countertransference?
A) The client's transfer of past feelings onto the nurse
B) The nurse's emotional responses toward the client based partly on the
nurse's own past experiences
C) The client's refusal to participate in treatment
D) A medication-induced cognitive disturbance
Correct Answer: B) The nurse's emotional responses toward the client based
partly on the nurse's own past experiences
Rationale: Countertransference occurs when the nurse's personal feelings,
experiences, or unresolved issues influence the therapeutic relationship.
Q8. A nurse notices unusually strong feelings of anger toward a
client. What should the nurse do first?
A) Express the anger directly to the client
B) Reflect on the source of the feelings and seek appropriate supervision
C) Avoid documenting the feelings
D) Immediately terminate care
Correct Answer: B) Reflect on the source of the feelings and seek appropriate
supervision
2026/2027 HERZING UNIVERSITY
Q1. Which statement best describes mental health as a continuum?
A) A person is either mentally healthy or mentally ill with no intermediate
states
B) Mental health can vary from wellness to significant mental illness over
time
C) Mental illness is always permanent
D) Mental health depends only on the absence of psychiatric symptoms
Correct Answer: B) Mental health can vary from wellness to significant
mental illness over time
Rationale: Mental health exists on a continuum, and a person's functioning
and symptoms can change over time.
Q2. Which statement best reflects a recovery-oriented approach to
mental health care?
A) Recovery means the complete absence of symptoms
B) Recovery focuses on helping the person achieve meaningful functioning
and quality of life
C) Recovery requires permanent hospitalization
D) Recovery is determined exclusively by the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B) Recovery focuses on helping the person achieve
meaningful functioning and quality of life
Rationale: Recovery emphasizes hope, autonomy, meaningful goals,
strengths, and functioning even when symptoms may continue.
Q3. Which action best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A) "Everything will be fine."
B) "Why did you allow this to happen?"
C) "Tell me more about what you are experiencing."
D) "You should try to think positively."
Correct Answer: C) "Tell me more about what you are experiencing."
Rationale: Open-ended communication encourages the client to explore
thoughts and feelings without judgment or premature interpretation.
Q4. A client becomes silent after describing a painful experience.
Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A) Change the subject
B) Remain quietly present
C) Ask several questions rapidly
D) Tell the client not to cry
, Correct Answer: B) Remain quietly present
Rationale: Therapeutic silence allows the client time to process emotions
and communicate when ready.
Q5. Which response is an example of reflection?
A) "You seem frightened by what happened."
B) "Why are you frightened?"
C) "You shouldn't be frightened."
D) "Everything will work out."
Correct Answer: A) "You seem frightened by what happened."
Rationale: Reflection returns the client's expressed feeling or meaning and
encourages further exploration.
Q6. Which nursing behavior is an example of false reassurance?
A) "I am here with you."
B) "Tell me what concerns you most."
C) "Everything is going to be fine."
D) "You sound worried."
Correct Answer: C) "Everything is going to be fine."
Rationale: False reassurance minimizes the client's concern and makes a
promise the nurse cannot guarantee.
Q7. What is countertransference?
A) The client's transfer of past feelings onto the nurse
B) The nurse's emotional responses toward the client based partly on the
nurse's own past experiences
C) The client's refusal to participate in treatment
D) A medication-induced cognitive disturbance
Correct Answer: B) The nurse's emotional responses toward the client based
partly on the nurse's own past experiences
Rationale: Countertransference occurs when the nurse's personal feelings,
experiences, or unresolved issues influence the therapeutic relationship.
Q8. A nurse notices unusually strong feelings of anger toward a
client. What should the nurse do first?
A) Express the anger directly to the client
B) Reflect on the source of the feelings and seek appropriate supervision
C) Avoid documenting the feelings
D) Immediately terminate care
Correct Answer: B) Reflect on the source of the feelings and seek appropriate
supervision
