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NGN Mental Health HESI Exam 2025
(Version A): Actual Questions with
Answers & Rationale (Grade A+)
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication (20 Questions)
1. A client with depression states, “I feel like a failure.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “Everyone feels like that sometimes.”
B. “Can you share more about what makes you feel this way?”
C. “You’re not a failure; you’re doing your best.”
D. “Let’s focus on something positive instead.”
Rationale: Encouraging the client to elaborate promotes therapeutic communication by
exploring feelings and fostering trust.
2. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices. What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “Those voices aren’t real.”
B. “What are the voices telling you?”
C. “Try to ignore the voices.”
D. “You need to take your medication.”
Rationale: Asking about the voices assesses their content and potential risk, prioritizing
safety and therapeutic engagement.
3. (SATA) Which responses demonstrate therapeutic communication with a client
experiencing anxiety?
A. “I’m here with you; let’s take some deep breaths.”
B. “You shouldn’t be so nervous.”
C. “Can you describe what you’re feeling right now?”
D. “Let’s focus on what’s causing your anxiety.”
Rationale: Empathetic presence, exploring feelings, and identifying triggers promote
therapeutic communication. Minimizing feelings is non-therapeutic.
4. A client with bipolar disorder says, “I’m unstoppable!” during a manic episode. What is
the nurse’s best response?
A. “You need to calm down.”
B. “It sounds like you’re feeling very energetic. Let’s talk about what you’re
experiencing.”
C. “That’s not true; you have limits.”
D. “You’re going to crash if you keep this up.”
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings and encouraging discussion promotes
safety and therapeutic communication.
5. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears withdrawn. What is the
nurse’s best approach?
A. Insist the client join group activities.
B. Sit quietly with the client and offer presence.
C. Ask why the client is not talking.
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D. Encourage the client to discuss their trauma.
Rationale: Offering presence respects the client’s pace, building trust without forcing
interaction.
6. A client with borderline personality disorder yells, “You don’t care about me!” What is
the nurse’s best response?
A. “I’m here to help you; let’s talk about how you’re feeling.”
B. “That’s not true; I care about everyone.”
C. “You’re being unreasonable.”
D. “Let’s discuss this later when you’re calm.”
Rationale: Validating feelings and redirecting to discussion de-escalates and promotes
therapeutic communication.
7. A client with anxiety asks, “Will I ever feel normal again?” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You’ll be fine; just relax.”
B. “It sounds like you’re worried about your future. Can we explore that?”
C. “Everyone feels this way sometimes.”
D. “You need to focus on getting better.”
Rationale: Reflecting the client’s concern and encouraging exploration fosters
therapeutic communication and trust.
8. (SATA) Which techniques are effective for communicating with a client with major
depressive disorder?
A. Use open-ended questions.
B. Minimize the client’s feelings.
C. Provide empathetic responses.
D. Maintain a calm tone.
Rationale: Open-ended questions, empathy, and a calm tone promote trust and
engagement. Minimizing feelings is non-therapeutic.
9. A client with schizophrenia states, “The TV is sending me messages.” What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “That’s impossible; TVs don’t talk.”
B. “Tell me more about the messages you’re receiving.”
C. “You need to stop watching TV.”
D. “Let’s change the subject.”
Rationale: Exploring the delusion assesses its content and potential risk, promoting
therapeutic communication.
10. A client with generalized anxiety disorder is pacing. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Restrict the client to their room.
B. Offer to walk with the client and discuss their feelings.
C. Administer a sedative immediately.
D. Ignore the behavior and continue other tasks.
Rationale: Walking with the client provides support and an opportunity to explore
feelings, reducing anxiety therapeutically.
11. A client with depression says, “I don’t want to talk to anyone.” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You have to talk to get better.”
B. “I’ll sit here with you for a while if that’s okay.”
NGN Mental Health HESI Exam 2025
(Version A): Actual Questions with
Answers & Rationale (Grade A+)
Section 1: Therapeutic Communication (20 Questions)
1. A client with depression states, “I feel like a failure.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “Everyone feels like that sometimes.”
B. “Can you share more about what makes you feel this way?”
C. “You’re not a failure; you’re doing your best.”
D. “Let’s focus on something positive instead.”
Rationale: Encouraging the client to elaborate promotes therapeutic communication by
exploring feelings and fostering trust.
2. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices. What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “Those voices aren’t real.”
B. “What are the voices telling you?”
C. “Try to ignore the voices.”
D. “You need to take your medication.”
Rationale: Asking about the voices assesses their content and potential risk, prioritizing
safety and therapeutic engagement.
3. (SATA) Which responses demonstrate therapeutic communication with a client
experiencing anxiety?
A. “I’m here with you; let’s take some deep breaths.”
B. “You shouldn’t be so nervous.”
C. “Can you describe what you’re feeling right now?”
D. “Let’s focus on what’s causing your anxiety.”
Rationale: Empathetic presence, exploring feelings, and identifying triggers promote
therapeutic communication. Minimizing feelings is non-therapeutic.
4. A client with bipolar disorder says, “I’m unstoppable!” during a manic episode. What is
the nurse’s best response?
A. “You need to calm down.”
B. “It sounds like you’re feeling very energetic. Let’s talk about what you’re
experiencing.”
C. “That’s not true; you have limits.”
D. “You’re going to crash if you keep this up.”
Rationale: Acknowledging the client’s feelings and encouraging discussion promotes
safety and therapeutic communication.
5. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears withdrawn. What is the
nurse’s best approach?
A. Insist the client join group activities.
B. Sit quietly with the client and offer presence.
C. Ask why the client is not talking.
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D. Encourage the client to discuss their trauma.
Rationale: Offering presence respects the client’s pace, building trust without forcing
interaction.
6. A client with borderline personality disorder yells, “You don’t care about me!” What is
the nurse’s best response?
A. “I’m here to help you; let’s talk about how you’re feeling.”
B. “That’s not true; I care about everyone.”
C. “You’re being unreasonable.”
D. “Let’s discuss this later when you’re calm.”
Rationale: Validating feelings and redirecting to discussion de-escalates and promotes
therapeutic communication.
7. A client with anxiety asks, “Will I ever feel normal again?” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You’ll be fine; just relax.”
B. “It sounds like you’re worried about your future. Can we explore that?”
C. “Everyone feels this way sometimes.”
D. “You need to focus on getting better.”
Rationale: Reflecting the client’s concern and encouraging exploration fosters
therapeutic communication and trust.
8. (SATA) Which techniques are effective for communicating with a client with major
depressive disorder?
A. Use open-ended questions.
B. Minimize the client’s feelings.
C. Provide empathetic responses.
D. Maintain a calm tone.
Rationale: Open-ended questions, empathy, and a calm tone promote trust and
engagement. Minimizing feelings is non-therapeutic.
9. A client with schizophrenia states, “The TV is sending me messages.” What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “That’s impossible; TVs don’t talk.”
B. “Tell me more about the messages you’re receiving.”
C. “You need to stop watching TV.”
D. “Let’s change the subject.”
Rationale: Exploring the delusion assesses its content and potential risk, promoting
therapeutic communication.
10. A client with generalized anxiety disorder is pacing. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Restrict the client to their room.
B. Offer to walk with the client and discuss their feelings.
C. Administer a sedative immediately.
D. Ignore the behavior and continue other tasks.
Rationale: Walking with the client provides support and an opportunity to explore
feelings, reducing anxiety therapeutically.
11. A client with depression says, “I don’t want to talk to anyone.” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You have to talk to get better.”
B. “I’ll sit here with you for a while if that’s okay.”
