HESI PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE
TEST
A male client arrives at the mental health clinic and tells the practical nurse (PN) that he
is overwhelmed and does not know who to talk to about his life. Based on the client's
comments, what aspect of the client's life should the practical nurse explore first with the
client?
A) Coping mechanisms.
B) Problem resolution.
C) Support system.
D) Perception of the event. - Answers :C) Support system.
The practical nurse (PN) is planning care for an adult client who is admitted with
depression. According to Maslow, which needs should the PN prioritize in the client's
plan of care?
A) Safety.
B) Self-esteem.
C) Physiological issues.
D) Psychological issues. - Answers :C) Physiological issues.
A woman arrives at the clinic with multiple bruises. The practical nurse (PN) who has
cared for her on previous similar visits is concerned about her safety. Which question
should the PN ask the client to determine if she is a victim of domestic violence?
A) How are things in your home life?
B) Why do you stay in your situation?
C) What did you do that caused your partner to hit you?
D) Do you feel it is healthy to remain a battered victim? - Answers :A) How are things in
your home life?
A male client who has lost his job calls the clinic and tells the practical nurse (PN), "I
feel so overwhelmed that I've decided to take a handful of sleeping medicine I bought
over the counter at the drugstore. I wish I didn't have to do it, but there's no other way."
The PN asks several questions and learns that his wife is in the next room. How should
the PN respond?
A) Convince him to drive himself to the hospital.
B) Go to his home address and take him to the hospital.
C) Keep him on the phone while another nurse calls the police.
D) Persuade him to call his wife to the phone. - Answers :D) Persuade him to call his
wife to the phone.
, A male client who believes he has a brain tumor after numerous diagnostic tests that
indicate no evidence of organic disease tells the practical nurse (PN), "No one believes
me! I have the symptoms: terrible headaches and episodes of blurred vision. Last week
I felt weak and even vomited. I'm going to die." Which response by the PN fosters
cognitive restructuring?
A) "Tell me about your relationships with the significant women in your life."
B) "Sharing your thoughts and feelings about death can be helpful."
C) "There are other possible explanations for your symptoms."
D) "Based on your diagnostic tests results, your concern is unfounded." - Answers :C)
"There are other possible explanations for your symptoms."
A confused male client who unexpectedly becomes agitated and combative, raises his
fist and threatens a female practical nurse (PN) stating that he is going to bash in her
face. What action should the PN take?
A) Activate the de-escalation response team.
B) Administer a PRN antianxiety agent.
C) Tell the client his behavior is not acceptable.
D) Summon the in-house security guard. - Answers :A) Activate the de-escalation
response team.
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a female client with borderline personality disorder
and a history of self-mutilation. The client tells the PN that another staff member makes
her feel angry and unimportant. What priority intervention should the PN implement?
A) Tell the client that she will be secluded if she acts out.
B) Give the client a reward for expressing her anger.
C) Explain that she should cope by doing something physical.
D) Ask her if she feels like hurting herself when she is angry. - Answers :D) Ask her if
she feels like hurting herself when she is angry.
Which drug is commonly prescribed for a client with attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD)?
A) Haloperidol (Haldol).
B) Imipramine (Tofranil).
C) Fluphenazine (Prolixin).
D) Methylphenidate (Ritalin). - Answers :D) Methylphenidate (Ritalin).
A male client is admitted to a drug rehabilitation program for chronic cocaine abuse.
Which nursing problem should the practical nurse consider is the client's highest
priority?
A) Risk for noncompliance related to chronic drug use.
B) Risk for self-violence related to suicidal depression.
TEST
A male client arrives at the mental health clinic and tells the practical nurse (PN) that he
is overwhelmed and does not know who to talk to about his life. Based on the client's
comments, what aspect of the client's life should the practical nurse explore first with the
client?
A) Coping mechanisms.
B) Problem resolution.
C) Support system.
D) Perception of the event. - Answers :C) Support system.
The practical nurse (PN) is planning care for an adult client who is admitted with
depression. According to Maslow, which needs should the PN prioritize in the client's
plan of care?
A) Safety.
B) Self-esteem.
C) Physiological issues.
D) Psychological issues. - Answers :C) Physiological issues.
A woman arrives at the clinic with multiple bruises. The practical nurse (PN) who has
cared for her on previous similar visits is concerned about her safety. Which question
should the PN ask the client to determine if she is a victim of domestic violence?
A) How are things in your home life?
B) Why do you stay in your situation?
C) What did you do that caused your partner to hit you?
D) Do you feel it is healthy to remain a battered victim? - Answers :A) How are things in
your home life?
A male client who has lost his job calls the clinic and tells the practical nurse (PN), "I
feel so overwhelmed that I've decided to take a handful of sleeping medicine I bought
over the counter at the drugstore. I wish I didn't have to do it, but there's no other way."
The PN asks several questions and learns that his wife is in the next room. How should
the PN respond?
A) Convince him to drive himself to the hospital.
B) Go to his home address and take him to the hospital.
C) Keep him on the phone while another nurse calls the police.
D) Persuade him to call his wife to the phone. - Answers :D) Persuade him to call his
wife to the phone.
, A male client who believes he has a brain tumor after numerous diagnostic tests that
indicate no evidence of organic disease tells the practical nurse (PN), "No one believes
me! I have the symptoms: terrible headaches and episodes of blurred vision. Last week
I felt weak and even vomited. I'm going to die." Which response by the PN fosters
cognitive restructuring?
A) "Tell me about your relationships with the significant women in your life."
B) "Sharing your thoughts and feelings about death can be helpful."
C) "There are other possible explanations for your symptoms."
D) "Based on your diagnostic tests results, your concern is unfounded." - Answers :C)
"There are other possible explanations for your symptoms."
A confused male client who unexpectedly becomes agitated and combative, raises his
fist and threatens a female practical nurse (PN) stating that he is going to bash in her
face. What action should the PN take?
A) Activate the de-escalation response team.
B) Administer a PRN antianxiety agent.
C) Tell the client his behavior is not acceptable.
D) Summon the in-house security guard. - Answers :A) Activate the de-escalation
response team.
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a female client with borderline personality disorder
and a history of self-mutilation. The client tells the PN that another staff member makes
her feel angry and unimportant. What priority intervention should the PN implement?
A) Tell the client that she will be secluded if she acts out.
B) Give the client a reward for expressing her anger.
C) Explain that she should cope by doing something physical.
D) Ask her if she feels like hurting herself when she is angry. - Answers :D) Ask her if
she feels like hurting herself when she is angry.
Which drug is commonly prescribed for a client with attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD)?
A) Haloperidol (Haldol).
B) Imipramine (Tofranil).
C) Fluphenazine (Prolixin).
D) Methylphenidate (Ritalin). - Answers :D) Methylphenidate (Ritalin).
A male client is admitted to a drug rehabilitation program for chronic cocaine abuse.
Which nursing problem should the practical nurse consider is the client's highest
priority?
A) Risk for noncompliance related to chronic drug use.
B) Risk for self-violence related to suicidal depression.
