lOMoAR cPSD| 19500986
MENTAL HEALTH HESI EXIT EXAM
LATEST 2022-2024 EXAM / HESI EXIT
MENTAL HEALTH EXAM LATEST EXAM
456 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALE |
ALREADY GRADED A
,1. A 30-year-old sales manager tells the nurse, "I am thinking about a job change. I don't feel
like I am living up to my potential." Which of Maslow's developmental stages is the sales
manager attempting to achieve?
A. Self-Actualization.
B. Loving and Belonging.
C. Basic Needs.
D. Safety and Security.
Answ:A
Self-actualization is the highest level of Maslow's development stages, which is an attempt to
fulfill one's full potential (C). (B) is identifying support systems. (C) is the first level of
Maslow's developmental stages and is the foundation upon which higher needs rest.
Individuals who feel safe and secure (D) in their environment perceive themselves as having
physical safety and lack fear of harm.
2. The nurse observes a client who is admitted to the mental health unit and identifies
thatthe client is talking continuously, using words that rhyme but that have no context or
relationship with one topic to the next in the conversation. This client's behavior and thought
processes are consistent with which syndrome?
A. Dementia.
B. Depression.
C. Schizophrenia.
D. Chronic brain syndrome.
Answ:C
The client is demonstrating symptoms of schizophrenia (C), such as disorganized speech
that may include word salad (communication that includes both real and imaginary words in
no logical order), incoherent speech, and clanging (rhyming). Dementia (A) is a global
impairment of intellectual (cognitive) functions that may be progressive, such as Alzheimer's
or organic brain syndrome (D). Depression (C) is typified by psychomotor retardation, and
the client appears to be slowed down in movement, in speech, and would appear listless and
disheveled.
3. A homeless person who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder is admitted to the
mental health unit. Which laboratory finding obtained on admission is most important for the
nurse toreport to the healthcare provider?
A. Decreased thyroid stimulating hormone level.
B. Elevated liver function profile.
C. Increased white blood cell count.
D. Decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels.
Answ:A
,Hyperthyroidism causes an increased level of serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which
inhibit the release of TSH (A), so the client's manic behavior may be related to an endocrine
disorder. (B, C, and D) are abnormal findings that are commonly found in the homeless
population because of poor sanitation, poor nutrition, and the prevalence of substance
abuse.
4. An adult male client who was admitted to the mental health unit yesterday tells the
nursethat microchips were planted in his head for military surveillance of his every move.
Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
A. You are in the hospital, and I am the nurse caring for you.
B. It must be difficult for you to control your anxious feelings.
C. Go to occupational therapy and start a project.
D. You are not in a war area now; this is the United States.
Answ:C
Delusions often generate fear and isolation, so the nurse should help the client participate in
activities that avoid focusing on the false belief and encourage interaction with others (C).
Delusions are often well-fixed, and though (A) reinforces reality, it is argumentative and
dismisses the client's fears. It is often difficult for the client to recognize the relationship
between delusions and anxiety (B), and the nurse should reassure the client that he is in a
safe place. Dismissing delusional thinking (D) is unrealistic because neurochemical
imbalances that cause positive symptoms of schizophrenia require antipsychotic drug
therapy.
5. The nurse is assessing a client's intelligence. Which factor should the nurse
rememberduring this part of the mental status exam?
A. Acute psychiatric illnesses impair intelligence.
B. Intelligence is influenced by social and cultural beliefs.
C. Poor concentration skills suggests limited intelligence.
D. The inability to think abstractly indicates limited intelligence.
Answ:B
Social and cultural beliefs (B) have significant impact on intelligence. Chronic psychiatric
illness may impair intelligence (A), especially if it remains untreated. Limited concentration
does not suggest limited intelligence (C). Difficulties with abstractions are suggestive of
psychotic thinking (D), not limited intelligence.
6. At a support meeting of parents of a teenager with polysubstance dependency, a
parent states, "Each time my son tries to quit taking drugs, he gets so depressed that I'm
afraid hewill commit suicide." The nurse's response should be based on which
information?
A. Addiction is a chronic, incurable disease.
, B. Tolerance to the effects of drugs causes feelings of depression.
C. Feelings of depression frequently lead to drug abuse and addiction.
D. Careful monitoring should be provided during withdrawal from the drugs.
Answ:D
The priority is to teach the parents that their son will need monitoring and support during
withdrawal (D) to ensure that he does not attempt suicide. Although (A and C) are true, they
are not as relevant to the parent's expressed concern. There is no information to support (B).
7. The wife of a male client recently diagnosed with schizophrenia asks the nurse,
"Whatexactly is schizophrenia? Is my husband all right?" Which response is best for the
nurse toprovide to this family member?
A. It sounds like you're worried about your husband. Let's sit down and talk.
B. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes disorganized thinking.
C. Your husband will be just fine if he takes his medications regularly.
D. I think you should talk to your husband's psychologist about this question.
Answ:B
The nurse should answer the client's question with factual information and explain that
schizophrenia is a chemical imbalance in the brain (B). (A) is a therapeutic response but
does not answer the question, and may be an appropriate response after the nurse answers
the question asked. Although (C) is likely true to some degree, it is also true that some
clients continue to have disorganized thinking even with antipsychotic medications. Referring
the spouse to the psychologist (D) is avoiding the issue; the nurse can and should answer
the question.
8. A young adult male client, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, believes that
world istrying poison him. What intervention should the nurse include in this client's plan
of care?
A. Remind the client that his suspicions are not true.
B. Ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily.
C. Encourage the client to participate in group activities.
D. Assign the client to a room closest to the activity room.
Answ:B
A client with paranoid schizophrenia has difficulty with trust and developing a trusting
relationship with one nurse (B) is likely to be therapeutic for this client. (A) is argumentative.
Stress increases anxiety, and anxiety increases paranoid ideation; (C) would be too stressful
and anxiety-promoting for a client who is experiencing pathological suspicions. (D) also
might increase anxiety and stress.
9. The community health nurse talks to a male client who has bipolar disorder. The
client explains that he sleeps 4 to 5 hours a night and is working with his partner to start
two new
MENTAL HEALTH HESI EXIT EXAM
LATEST 2022-2024 EXAM / HESI EXIT
MENTAL HEALTH EXAM LATEST EXAM
456 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALE |
ALREADY GRADED A
,1. A 30-year-old sales manager tells the nurse, "I am thinking about a job change. I don't feel
like I am living up to my potential." Which of Maslow's developmental stages is the sales
manager attempting to achieve?
A. Self-Actualization.
B. Loving and Belonging.
C. Basic Needs.
D. Safety and Security.
Answ:A
Self-actualization is the highest level of Maslow's development stages, which is an attempt to
fulfill one's full potential (C). (B) is identifying support systems. (C) is the first level of
Maslow's developmental stages and is the foundation upon which higher needs rest.
Individuals who feel safe and secure (D) in their environment perceive themselves as having
physical safety and lack fear of harm.
2. The nurse observes a client who is admitted to the mental health unit and identifies
thatthe client is talking continuously, using words that rhyme but that have no context or
relationship with one topic to the next in the conversation. This client's behavior and thought
processes are consistent with which syndrome?
A. Dementia.
B. Depression.
C. Schizophrenia.
D. Chronic brain syndrome.
Answ:C
The client is demonstrating symptoms of schizophrenia (C), such as disorganized speech
that may include word salad (communication that includes both real and imaginary words in
no logical order), incoherent speech, and clanging (rhyming). Dementia (A) is a global
impairment of intellectual (cognitive) functions that may be progressive, such as Alzheimer's
or organic brain syndrome (D). Depression (C) is typified by psychomotor retardation, and
the client appears to be slowed down in movement, in speech, and would appear listless and
disheveled.
3. A homeless person who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder is admitted to the
mental health unit. Which laboratory finding obtained on admission is most important for the
nurse toreport to the healthcare provider?
A. Decreased thyroid stimulating hormone level.
B. Elevated liver function profile.
C. Increased white blood cell count.
D. Decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels.
Answ:A
,Hyperthyroidism causes an increased level of serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which
inhibit the release of TSH (A), so the client's manic behavior may be related to an endocrine
disorder. (B, C, and D) are abnormal findings that are commonly found in the homeless
population because of poor sanitation, poor nutrition, and the prevalence of substance
abuse.
4. An adult male client who was admitted to the mental health unit yesterday tells the
nursethat microchips were planted in his head for military surveillance of his every move.
Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
A. You are in the hospital, and I am the nurse caring for you.
B. It must be difficult for you to control your anxious feelings.
C. Go to occupational therapy and start a project.
D. You are not in a war area now; this is the United States.
Answ:C
Delusions often generate fear and isolation, so the nurse should help the client participate in
activities that avoid focusing on the false belief and encourage interaction with others (C).
Delusions are often well-fixed, and though (A) reinforces reality, it is argumentative and
dismisses the client's fears. It is often difficult for the client to recognize the relationship
between delusions and anxiety (B), and the nurse should reassure the client that he is in a
safe place. Dismissing delusional thinking (D) is unrealistic because neurochemical
imbalances that cause positive symptoms of schizophrenia require antipsychotic drug
therapy.
5. The nurse is assessing a client's intelligence. Which factor should the nurse
rememberduring this part of the mental status exam?
A. Acute psychiatric illnesses impair intelligence.
B. Intelligence is influenced by social and cultural beliefs.
C. Poor concentration skills suggests limited intelligence.
D. The inability to think abstractly indicates limited intelligence.
Answ:B
Social and cultural beliefs (B) have significant impact on intelligence. Chronic psychiatric
illness may impair intelligence (A), especially if it remains untreated. Limited concentration
does not suggest limited intelligence (C). Difficulties with abstractions are suggestive of
psychotic thinking (D), not limited intelligence.
6. At a support meeting of parents of a teenager with polysubstance dependency, a
parent states, "Each time my son tries to quit taking drugs, he gets so depressed that I'm
afraid hewill commit suicide." The nurse's response should be based on which
information?
A. Addiction is a chronic, incurable disease.
, B. Tolerance to the effects of drugs causes feelings of depression.
C. Feelings of depression frequently lead to drug abuse and addiction.
D. Careful monitoring should be provided during withdrawal from the drugs.
Answ:D
The priority is to teach the parents that their son will need monitoring and support during
withdrawal (D) to ensure that he does not attempt suicide. Although (A and C) are true, they
are not as relevant to the parent's expressed concern. There is no information to support (B).
7. The wife of a male client recently diagnosed with schizophrenia asks the nurse,
"Whatexactly is schizophrenia? Is my husband all right?" Which response is best for the
nurse toprovide to this family member?
A. It sounds like you're worried about your husband. Let's sit down and talk.
B. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes disorganized thinking.
C. Your husband will be just fine if he takes his medications regularly.
D. I think you should talk to your husband's psychologist about this question.
Answ:B
The nurse should answer the client's question with factual information and explain that
schizophrenia is a chemical imbalance in the brain (B). (A) is a therapeutic response but
does not answer the question, and may be an appropriate response after the nurse answers
the question asked. Although (C) is likely true to some degree, it is also true that some
clients continue to have disorganized thinking even with antipsychotic medications. Referring
the spouse to the psychologist (D) is avoiding the issue; the nurse can and should answer
the question.
8. A young adult male client, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, believes that
world istrying poison him. What intervention should the nurse include in this client's plan
of care?
A. Remind the client that his suspicions are not true.
B. Ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily.
C. Encourage the client to participate in group activities.
D. Assign the client to a room closest to the activity room.
Answ:B
A client with paranoid schizophrenia has difficulty with trust and developing a trusting
relationship with one nurse (B) is likely to be therapeutic for this client. (A) is argumentative.
Stress increases anxiety, and anxiety increases paranoid ideation; (C) would be too stressful
and anxiety-promoting for a client who is experiencing pathological suspicions. (D) also
might increase anxiety and stress.
9. The community health nurse talks to a male client who has bipolar disorder. The
client explains that he sleeps 4 to 5 hours a night and is working with his partner to start
two new
