HESI Mental Health Exam Questions And Correct/Verified Answers
Newest 2024/2025 Graded A+
1. While interviewing a client, the nurse takes A
notes to assist with accurate documenta-
tion later. Which statement is most accu-
rate regarding note-taking during an inter-
view?
A. The nurse' ability to directly observe the
client's nonverbal communication is limit-
ed
with note taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a
legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased
when the nurse breaks eye contact to take
note to take note.
D. The interview process is enhanced with
note taking and allows the client speak at
normal pace.
2. An adolescent male receives a prescrip- B
tion for an antidepressant drug because
he is exhibiting a depressed affect. While
the client is taking the antidepressant,
which comparison of the client's behavior
before and after taking the drug is most
important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
D. The interactions he has with others.
3. A nurse is providing education about BCD
strategies for a safety plan for a female
client who is a victim of intimate partner
violence. Which strategies should be in-
cluded in the safety plan? Select all that
apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends
to signify violence.
, HESI Mental Health
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser
blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes
for self and children
4. While sitting in the dayroom of the men- B
tal health unit, a male adolescent avoids
eye contact, looks at the floor, and talks
softly when interacting verbally with the
nurse. The two trade places, and the nurse
demonstrate the client's behavior. What is
the main goal of this therapeutic tech-
niques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he re-
sponds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he
interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation
with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his
interactions.)
5. A client with depression remains in bed C
most of the day, and declines activities.
Which nursing problem has the greatest
priority for this client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
D. Low self-esteem.
6. The RN is preparing medications for a B
client with bipolar disorder and notices
that the client discontinued antipsychotic
medication for several days. Which med-
ication should also be discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
, HESI Mental Health
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia).
7. A female client requests that her husband A
be allowed to stay in the room during the
admission assessment. When interview-
ing the client, the RN notes a discrepancy
between the client's verbal and nonverbal
communication. What action does the RN
take?
A. Pay close attention and document the
nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the
discrepancy.
C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and fo-
cus on the client's verbal messages.
D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal mes-
sages and interpret them as one.
8. A male client approaches the RN with an B
angry expression on his face and rais-
es his voice, saying "My roommate is the
most selfish, self-centered, angry person I
have ever met. If he loses his temper one
more time with me, I am going to punch
him out!" The RN recognizes that the client
is using which defense mechanism?
A. Denial.
B. Projection.
C. Rationalization.
D. Splitting.
9. A male client with bipolar disorder who A
began taking lithium carbonate five days
ago is complaining of excessive thirst, and
the RN finds him attempting to drink water
from the bathroom sink faucet. Which in-
tervention should the RN implement?
A. Report the client's serum lithium level
, HESI Mental Health
to the HCP.
B. Encourage the client to suck on hard
candy to relieve the symptoms.
C. No action is needed since polydipsia is
a common side effect.
D. Tell the client that drinking from the
faucet is not allowed.
10. The RN is teaching a client about the ini- B
tiation of the prescribed abstinence ther-
apy using disulfiram (Antabuse). What in-
formation should the client acknowledge
understanding?
A. Completely abstain from heroin or co-
caine use.
B. Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior
to the first dose.
C. Attend monthly meetings of alcoholics
anonymous.
D. Admit to others that he is a substance
user.
11. A male client with schizophrenia is admit- D
ted to the mental health unit after abruptly
stopping his prescription for ziprasidone
(Geodon) one month ago. Which question
is most important for the RN to ask the
client?
A. Have you lost interest in the things that
you used to enjoy?
B. Is your ability to think or concentrate
decreased?
C. How many continuous hours do you
sleep at night?
D. Do you hear sounds or voices that oth-
ers do not hear?
12. During an annual physical by the occu- D
pational RN working in a corporate clin-
Newest 2024/2025 Graded A+
1. While interviewing a client, the nurse takes A
notes to assist with accurate documenta-
tion later. Which statement is most accu-
rate regarding note-taking during an inter-
view?
A. The nurse' ability to directly observe the
client's nonverbal communication is limit-
ed
with note taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a
legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased
when the nurse breaks eye contact to take
note to take note.
D. The interview process is enhanced with
note taking and allows the client speak at
normal pace.
2. An adolescent male receives a prescrip- B
tion for an antidepressant drug because
he is exhibiting a depressed affect. While
the client is taking the antidepressant,
which comparison of the client's behavior
before and after taking the drug is most
important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
D. The interactions he has with others.
3. A nurse is providing education about BCD
strategies for a safety plan for a female
client who is a victim of intimate partner
violence. Which strategies should be in-
cluded in the safety plan? Select all that
apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends
to signify violence.
, HESI Mental Health
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser
blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes
for self and children
4. While sitting in the dayroom of the men- B
tal health unit, a male adolescent avoids
eye contact, looks at the floor, and talks
softly when interacting verbally with the
nurse. The two trade places, and the nurse
demonstrate the client's behavior. What is
the main goal of this therapeutic tech-
niques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he re-
sponds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he
interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation
with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his
interactions.)
5. A client with depression remains in bed C
most of the day, and declines activities.
Which nursing problem has the greatest
priority for this client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
D. Low self-esteem.
6. The RN is preparing medications for a B
client with bipolar disorder and notices
that the client discontinued antipsychotic
medication for several days. Which med-
ication should also be discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
, HESI Mental Health
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia).
7. A female client requests that her husband A
be allowed to stay in the room during the
admission assessment. When interview-
ing the client, the RN notes a discrepancy
between the client's verbal and nonverbal
communication. What action does the RN
take?
A. Pay close attention and document the
nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the
discrepancy.
C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and fo-
cus on the client's verbal messages.
D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal mes-
sages and interpret them as one.
8. A male client approaches the RN with an B
angry expression on his face and rais-
es his voice, saying "My roommate is the
most selfish, self-centered, angry person I
have ever met. If he loses his temper one
more time with me, I am going to punch
him out!" The RN recognizes that the client
is using which defense mechanism?
A. Denial.
B. Projection.
C. Rationalization.
D. Splitting.
9. A male client with bipolar disorder who A
began taking lithium carbonate five days
ago is complaining of excessive thirst, and
the RN finds him attempting to drink water
from the bathroom sink faucet. Which in-
tervention should the RN implement?
A. Report the client's serum lithium level
, HESI Mental Health
to the HCP.
B. Encourage the client to suck on hard
candy to relieve the symptoms.
C. No action is needed since polydipsia is
a common side effect.
D. Tell the client that drinking from the
faucet is not allowed.
10. The RN is teaching a client about the ini- B
tiation of the prescribed abstinence ther-
apy using disulfiram (Antabuse). What in-
formation should the client acknowledge
understanding?
A. Completely abstain from heroin or co-
caine use.
B. Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior
to the first dose.
C. Attend monthly meetings of alcoholics
anonymous.
D. Admit to others that he is a substance
user.
11. A male client with schizophrenia is admit- D
ted to the mental health unit after abruptly
stopping his prescription for ziprasidone
(Geodon) one month ago. Which question
is most important for the RN to ask the
client?
A. Have you lost interest in the things that
you used to enjoy?
B. Is your ability to think or concentrate
decreased?
C. How many continuous hours do you
sleep at night?
D. Do you hear sounds or voices that oth-
ers do not hear?
12. During an annual physical by the occu- D
pational RN working in a corporate clin-
