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HESI Mental Health RN V1–V3 | Test
Bank Exam Q&A | Verified Answers
Updated 2025/2026
A client with Bulimia and depression who is taking phenelzine (Nardil) 90 mg daily is admitted
to an acute care hospital for uncontrolled hypertension. What dietary choices should the RN
instruct the client to avoid?
A. Pan-seared catfish.
B. Peperoni pizza.
C. Deep fried shrimp.
D. Beef trips with gravy.
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior. Which action
by the mental health worker warrants immediate intervention by the RN?
A. Is attempting the physically restrain the patient.
B. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client.
C. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
D. Is using a load voice to talk to the client.
A client who recently experienced the death of a significant other arrives at the mental health
center. The client reports loss of interest in usual activities, expresses a wish to be with the
decreased significant other, has been eating very little, and has not slept in several days. Which
client statement is most important for the RN to explore at this time?
A. Not sleeping for several days.
B. Wishing to be with spouse.
C. Lack of interest in usual activities.
D. Eating very little.
A middle aged adult with major depressive disorder suffers from psychomotor retardation,
hypersomnia, and motivation. Which intervention is likely to be most effective in returning this
client to a normal level of functioning?
A. Provide education on methods to enhance sleep.
B. Teach the client to develop a plan for daily structured activities.
C. Suggest that the client develop a list of pleasurable activities.
D. Encourage the client to exercise.
pg. 1
, 2
When developing a plan of care for a client admitted to the psychiatric unit following aspiration
of a caustic material related to a suicide attempt, which nursing problem has the highest priority?
A. Impaired comfort.
B. Risk for injury.
pg. 2
, 3
C. Ineffective breathing pattern.
D. Ineffective coping.
A female client on a psychiatric unit is sweating profusely while she vigorously does push-ups
and then runs the length of the corridor several times before crashing into furniture in the sitting
room. Picking herself up, she begins to toss chairs aside, looking for a red one to sit in. When
another client objects to the disturbance, the client shouts, “I am the boss here. I do what I want.”
Which nursing problem best supports these observations?
A. Deficient diversional activity related to excess energy level. B.
Risk for other related violence related to disruptive behavior.
C. Risk for activity intolerance related to hyperactivity.
D. Disturbed personal identity related to grandiosity.
A RN is preparing the physical environment to interview a new client for admission to the
mental health unit. Which environmental setting facilitates the best outcome of the interview?
A. Dim the lights in the room to help the patient feel calm.
B. Sit within two feet of the client to enhance level of safety and security.
C. Reduce the noise level in the room by turning off the television and radio.
D. Position table between the client and the RN for extra personal space.
An older homeless client visits the psychiatric clinic to obtain a prescription renewal for
alprazolam (Xanax). During the health assessment, the client complains of chest pain. Which
action should the RN take first?
A. Refer the client to the cardiology unit.
B. Obtain the client Blood pressure.
C. Assess the client for substance abuse.
D. Determine if Xanax was taken recently.
The mother of an 8-month-old infant with profound mental and physical disabilities tells he RN
how depressed she is because she realized that her child will never achieve normal growth and
development milestones. How should the RN respond to the mother?
A. Ask the mother if she has ever thought about harming herself or her child.
B. Reassure the mother that her child will achieve some growth and development
milestones.
C. Determine if the mother has other children who do not have developmental disabilities.
D. Encourage the mother to write thoughts and feelings in journal.
Several clients with chronic mental illness and multiple substance abuse histories live in a group
residential home and attend daycare mental health facility where group and individual therapies
are provided. The RN finds the common bathroom at the facility with sputum on the walls, urine
pg. 3
, 4
in the sink and on the floors, and the toilet stopped up with tissue, paper towels, and feces. What
is the priority issue that the RN should address?
A. Medication non-compliance.
B. Number of bathroom facilities.
C. Infection control.
D. Acting out behaviors.
A client with schizophrenia is admitted to the psychiatric care unit for aggressive behavior,
auditory hallucinations, and potential for safe harm. The client has not been taking medications
as prescribed and insists that the food has been poisoned and refuses to eat. What intervention
should the RN implement?
A. Assure the client that all food served in the hospital is safe to eat.
B. Tell the client that irrational thinking is a symptom of schizophrenia.
C. Obtain an order for a tube feeding for the client.
D. Provide the client with food in unopened containers.
The RN is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female client who is a
victim of intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the safety plan?
(SOA)
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection.
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Take a self-defense course that retaliates the abuser with injury.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children.
E. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
The RN is admitting a male client who take lithium carbonate (Eskalith) twice a day. Which
information should the RN report to the HCP immediately?
A. Short term memory loss.
B. Five pound weight gain
C. Decreased affect.
D. Nausea and vomiting.
A male client who is admitted with delirium tremens is dehydrated and experiencing auditory
hallucinations. He has a bruised, swollen tongue and is confused. In developing a plan of care,
which action should the RN include to ensure the client is physiologically stable?
A. Encourage oral fluids.B.
Monitor vital signs.
C. Keep the room dark.
D. Apply ice to his tongue.
pg. 4
HESI Mental Health RN V1–V3 | Test
Bank Exam Q&A | Verified Answers
Updated 2025/2026
A client with Bulimia and depression who is taking phenelzine (Nardil) 90 mg daily is admitted
to an acute care hospital for uncontrolled hypertension. What dietary choices should the RN
instruct the client to avoid?
A. Pan-seared catfish.
B. Peperoni pizza.
C. Deep fried shrimp.
D. Beef trips with gravy.
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior. Which action
by the mental health worker warrants immediate intervention by the RN?
A. Is attempting the physically restrain the patient.
B. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client.
C. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
D. Is using a load voice to talk to the client.
A client who recently experienced the death of a significant other arrives at the mental health
center. The client reports loss of interest in usual activities, expresses a wish to be with the
decreased significant other, has been eating very little, and has not slept in several days. Which
client statement is most important for the RN to explore at this time?
A. Not sleeping for several days.
B. Wishing to be with spouse.
C. Lack of interest in usual activities.
D. Eating very little.
A middle aged adult with major depressive disorder suffers from psychomotor retardation,
hypersomnia, and motivation. Which intervention is likely to be most effective in returning this
client to a normal level of functioning?
A. Provide education on methods to enhance sleep.
B. Teach the client to develop a plan for daily structured activities.
C. Suggest that the client develop a list of pleasurable activities.
D. Encourage the client to exercise.
pg. 1
, 2
When developing a plan of care for a client admitted to the psychiatric unit following aspiration
of a caustic material related to a suicide attempt, which nursing problem has the highest priority?
A. Impaired comfort.
B. Risk for injury.
pg. 2
, 3
C. Ineffective breathing pattern.
D. Ineffective coping.
A female client on a psychiatric unit is sweating profusely while she vigorously does push-ups
and then runs the length of the corridor several times before crashing into furniture in the sitting
room. Picking herself up, she begins to toss chairs aside, looking for a red one to sit in. When
another client objects to the disturbance, the client shouts, “I am the boss here. I do what I want.”
Which nursing problem best supports these observations?
A. Deficient diversional activity related to excess energy level. B.
Risk for other related violence related to disruptive behavior.
C. Risk for activity intolerance related to hyperactivity.
D. Disturbed personal identity related to grandiosity.
A RN is preparing the physical environment to interview a new client for admission to the
mental health unit. Which environmental setting facilitates the best outcome of the interview?
A. Dim the lights in the room to help the patient feel calm.
B. Sit within two feet of the client to enhance level of safety and security.
C. Reduce the noise level in the room by turning off the television and radio.
D. Position table between the client and the RN for extra personal space.
An older homeless client visits the psychiatric clinic to obtain a prescription renewal for
alprazolam (Xanax). During the health assessment, the client complains of chest pain. Which
action should the RN take first?
A. Refer the client to the cardiology unit.
B. Obtain the client Blood pressure.
C. Assess the client for substance abuse.
D. Determine if Xanax was taken recently.
The mother of an 8-month-old infant with profound mental and physical disabilities tells he RN
how depressed she is because she realized that her child will never achieve normal growth and
development milestones. How should the RN respond to the mother?
A. Ask the mother if she has ever thought about harming herself or her child.
B. Reassure the mother that her child will achieve some growth and development
milestones.
C. Determine if the mother has other children who do not have developmental disabilities.
D. Encourage the mother to write thoughts and feelings in journal.
Several clients with chronic mental illness and multiple substance abuse histories live in a group
residential home and attend daycare mental health facility where group and individual therapies
are provided. The RN finds the common bathroom at the facility with sputum on the walls, urine
pg. 3
, 4
in the sink and on the floors, and the toilet stopped up with tissue, paper towels, and feces. What
is the priority issue that the RN should address?
A. Medication non-compliance.
B. Number of bathroom facilities.
C. Infection control.
D. Acting out behaviors.
A client with schizophrenia is admitted to the psychiatric care unit for aggressive behavior,
auditory hallucinations, and potential for safe harm. The client has not been taking medications
as prescribed and insists that the food has been poisoned and refuses to eat. What intervention
should the RN implement?
A. Assure the client that all food served in the hospital is safe to eat.
B. Tell the client that irrational thinking is a symptom of schizophrenia.
C. Obtain an order for a tube feeding for the client.
D. Provide the client with food in unopened containers.
The RN is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female client who is a
victim of intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the safety plan?
(SOA)
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection.
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Take a self-defense course that retaliates the abuser with injury.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children.
E. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
The RN is admitting a male client who take lithium carbonate (Eskalith) twice a day. Which
information should the RN report to the HCP immediately?
A. Short term memory loss.
B. Five pound weight gain
C. Decreased affect.
D. Nausea and vomiting.
A male client who is admitted with delirium tremens is dehydrated and experiencing auditory
hallucinations. He has a bruised, swollen tongue and is confused. In developing a plan of care,
which action should the RN include to ensure the client is physiologically stable?
A. Encourage oral fluids.B.
Monitor vital signs.
C. Keep the room dark.
D. Apply ice to his tongue.
pg. 4
