PART 1 of 5
HESI Mental Health Specialty
Exam
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies — Questions 1–17
Chapter 2: Reduction of Risk Potential — Questions 18–33
Chapter 3: Physiological Adaptation — Questions 34–50
Q1. A practical nurse is preparing to administer haloperidol to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
A. Decreased agitation
B. Tardive dyskinesia
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Tardive dyskinesia ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that can
cause tardive dyskinesia, a serious movement disorder characterized by involuntary repetitive
movements such as lip smacking, tongue protrusion, and facial grimacing. Option A is incorrect
because decreased agitation is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because increased blood
pressure is not a common adverse effect of haloperidol. Option D is incorrect because increased
heart rate is not a common adverse effect of haloperidol. The concept tested is the recognition of
serious adverse effects of typical antipsychotics.
Q2. A practical nurse is preparing to administer risperidone to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
,A. Decreased agitation
B. Weight gain
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Weight gain ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that can
cause significant weight gain and metabolic syndrome, and the nurse should monitor weight, blood
glucose, and lipid levels. Option A is incorrect because decreased agitation is a therapeutic response.
Option C is incorrect because increased blood pressure is not a common adverse effect of
risperidone. Option D is incorrect because increased heart rate is not a common adverse effect of
risperidone. The concept tested is the recognition of adverse effects of atypical antipsychotics.
Q3. A practical nurse is preparing to administer olanzapine to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
A. Decreased agitation
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Hyperglycemia ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic that can
cause hyperglycemia and new-onset diabetes mellitus, and the nurse should monitor blood glucose
levels. Option A is incorrect because decreased agitation is a therapeutic response. Option C is
incorrect because increased blood pressure is not a common adverse effect of olanzapine. Option D
is incorrect because increased heart rate is not a common adverse effect of olanzapine. The concept
tested is the recognition of metabolic adverse effects of atypical antipsychotics.
Q4. A practical nurse is preparing to administer clozapine to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
,A. Decreased agitation
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Agranulocytosis ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a serious
adverse effect that requires regular monitoring of white blood cell counts. Option A is incorrect
because decreased agitation is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because increased blood
pressure is not a common adverse effect of clozapine. Option D is incorrect because increased heart
rate is not a common adverse effect of clozapine. The concept tested is the recognition of serious
adverse effects of clozapine.
Q5. A practical nurse is preparing to administer lithium carbonate to a client. Which finding indicates
lithium toxicity?
A. Decreased mania
B. Coarse hand tremor
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Coarse hand tremor ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Coarse hand tremor is an early sign of lithium
toxicity, which can progress to ataxia, confusion, and seizures. Option A is incorrect because
decreased mania is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because increased blood pressure is
not a common sign of lithium toxicity. Option D is incorrect because increased heart rate is not a
common sign of lithium toxicity. The concept tested is the recognition of lithium toxicity.
Q6. A practical nurse is preparing to administer valproic acid to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
, A. Decreased mania
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Hepatotoxicity ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity, and the
nurse should monitor liver function tests regularly during therapy. Option A is incorrect because
decreased mania is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because increased blood pressure is
not a common adverse effect of valproic acid. Option D is incorrect because increased heart rate is
not a common adverse effect of valproic acid. The concept tested is the recognition of serious
adverse effects of valproic acid.
Q7. A practical nurse is preparing to administer carbamazepine to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
A. Decreased mania
B. Aplastic anemia
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Aplastic anemia ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Carbamazepine can cause aplastic anemia and
agranulocytosis, and the nurse should monitor complete blood cell counts regularly. Option A is
incorrect because decreased mania is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because
increased blood pressure is not a common adverse effect of carbamazepine. Option D is incorrect
because increased heart rate is not a common adverse effect of carbamazepine. The concept tested
is the recognition of serious adverse effects of carbamazepine.
Q8. A practical nurse is preparing to administer lamotrigine to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
HESI Mental Health Specialty
Exam
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies — Questions 1–17
Chapter 2: Reduction of Risk Potential — Questions 18–33
Chapter 3: Physiological Adaptation — Questions 34–50
Q1. A practical nurse is preparing to administer haloperidol to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
A. Decreased agitation
B. Tardive dyskinesia
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Tardive dyskinesia ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that can
cause tardive dyskinesia, a serious movement disorder characterized by involuntary repetitive
movements such as lip smacking, tongue protrusion, and facial grimacing. Option A is incorrect
because decreased agitation is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because increased blood
pressure is not a common adverse effect of haloperidol. Option D is incorrect because increased
heart rate is not a common adverse effect of haloperidol. The concept tested is the recognition of
serious adverse effects of typical antipsychotics.
Q2. A practical nurse is preparing to administer risperidone to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
,A. Decreased agitation
B. Weight gain
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Weight gain ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that can
cause significant weight gain and metabolic syndrome, and the nurse should monitor weight, blood
glucose, and lipid levels. Option A is incorrect because decreased agitation is a therapeutic response.
Option C is incorrect because increased blood pressure is not a common adverse effect of
risperidone. Option D is incorrect because increased heart rate is not a common adverse effect of
risperidone. The concept tested is the recognition of adverse effects of atypical antipsychotics.
Q3. A practical nurse is preparing to administer olanzapine to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
A. Decreased agitation
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Hyperglycemia ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic that can
cause hyperglycemia and new-onset diabetes mellitus, and the nurse should monitor blood glucose
levels. Option A is incorrect because decreased agitation is a therapeutic response. Option C is
incorrect because increased blood pressure is not a common adverse effect of olanzapine. Option D
is incorrect because increased heart rate is not a common adverse effect of olanzapine. The concept
tested is the recognition of metabolic adverse effects of atypical antipsychotics.
Q4. A practical nurse is preparing to administer clozapine to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
,A. Decreased agitation
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Agranulocytosis ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a serious
adverse effect that requires regular monitoring of white blood cell counts. Option A is incorrect
because decreased agitation is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because increased blood
pressure is not a common adverse effect of clozapine. Option D is incorrect because increased heart
rate is not a common adverse effect of clozapine. The concept tested is the recognition of serious
adverse effects of clozapine.
Q5. A practical nurse is preparing to administer lithium carbonate to a client. Which finding indicates
lithium toxicity?
A. Decreased mania
B. Coarse hand tremor
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Coarse hand tremor ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Coarse hand tremor is an early sign of lithium
toxicity, which can progress to ataxia, confusion, and seizures. Option A is incorrect because
decreased mania is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because increased blood pressure is
not a common sign of lithium toxicity. Option D is incorrect because increased heart rate is not a
common sign of lithium toxicity. The concept tested is the recognition of lithium toxicity.
Q6. A practical nurse is preparing to administer valproic acid to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
, A. Decreased mania
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Hepatotoxicity ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity, and the
nurse should monitor liver function tests regularly during therapy. Option A is incorrect because
decreased mania is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because increased blood pressure is
not a common adverse effect of valproic acid. Option D is incorrect because increased heart rate is
not a common adverse effect of valproic acid. The concept tested is the recognition of serious
adverse effects of valproic acid.
Q7. A practical nurse is preparing to administer carbamazepine to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
A. Decreased mania
B. Aplastic anemia
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Increased heart rate
Correct Answer: Aplastic anemia ✅
Rationale: The correct answer is option B. Carbamazepine can cause aplastic anemia and
agranulocytosis, and the nurse should monitor complete blood cell counts regularly. Option A is
incorrect because decreased mania is a therapeutic response. Option C is incorrect because
increased blood pressure is not a common adverse effect of carbamazepine. Option D is incorrect
because increased heart rate is not a common adverse effect of carbamazepine. The concept tested
is the recognition of serious adverse effects of carbamazepine.
Q8. A practical nurse is preparing to administer lamotrigine to a client. Which finding indicates an
adverse effect of the medication?
