HESI NSG 221: Mental Health Exam
2026 Questions and Answers
Countertransference - Correct answer-Countertransference occurs when the
therapist displaces onto the client attitudes or feelings from his or her past. For
example, a female nurse who has teenage children and who is experiencing
extreme frustration with an adolescent client may respond by adopting a parental
or chastising tone. The nurse is countertransfering her own attitudes and feelings
toward her children onto the client. Nurses can deal with countertransference by
examining their own feelings and responses, using self-awareness, and talking with
colleagues.
Tardive Dyskinesia - Correct answer-Tardive dyskinesia (TD), a syndrome of
permanent involuntary movements, is most commonly caused by the long-term use
of conventional antipsychotic drugs. Tongue thrusting and protruding, lip
smacking, blinking, grimacing, and other excessive unnecessary facial movements
are characteristic. After it has developed, TD is irreversible, although decreasing or
discontinuing antipsychotic medications can arrest its progression
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Civial Rights-Psychiatric Clients - Correct answer-Clients receiving mental health
care retain all civil rights afforded to all people except the right to leave the
hospital in the case of involuntary commitment. Any restrictions (e.g., mail,
visitors, clothing) must be made for a verifiable, documented reason. These
decisions can be made by a court or a designated decision-making person or
persons, for example, a primary nurse or treatment team, depending on local laws
or regulations.
Group Therapy - Correct answer-In group therapy, clients participate in sessions
with a group of people. The members share a common purpose and are expected to
contribute to the group to benefit others and receive benefit from others in return.
Group rules are established, which all members must observe. These rules vary
according to the type of group. Being a member of a group allows the client to
learn new ways of looking at a problem or ways of coping with or solving
problems and also helps him or her learn important interpersonal skills.
Crisis Intervention-Empathy - Correct answer-Empathy is the ability to place
oneself into the experience of another for a moment in time. Nurses develop
empathy by gathering as much information about an issue as possible directly from
the client to avoid interjecting their personal experiences and interpretations of the
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,situation. The nurse asks as many questions as needed to gain a clear understanding
of the client's perceptions of an event or issue.
Clarification Communication - Correct answer-Understanding the context of
communication is extremely important in accurately identifying the meaning of a
message. To clarify context, the nurse must gather information from verbal and
nonverbal sources and validate findings with the client.
Depressed Adolescent Rapport (use of self disclosure) - Correct answer-Self-
disclosure means revealing personal information such as biographical information
and personal ideas, thoughts, and feelings about oneself to clients. Now, however,
it is believed that some purposeful, well-planned self-disclosure can improve
rapport between the nurse and the client. The nurse can use self-disclosure to
convey support, educate clients, and demonstrate that a client's anxiety is normal
and that many people deal with stress and problems in their lives.
Depressed Adolescent Rapport (Establishing Rapport) - Correct answer-When
assessing a new patient, establish rapport first. If not much time is available to
establish rapport, or if the patient is guarded or suspicious, you can say, "The
questions I am about to ask you I ask all of my patients," and then proceed. Some
other tips include the following:
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Establish rapport and connection by showing interest in the patient and by
listening.
Codependent Behaviors & Alcohol Abuse - Correct answer-Codependence is a
maladaptive coping pattern on the part of family members or others resulting from
a prolonged relationship with the person who uses substances. Characteristics of
codependence are poor relationship skills, excessive anxiety and worry,
compulsive behaviors, and resistance to change. Family members learn these
dysfunctional behavior patterns as they try to adjust to the behavior of the
substance user. One type of codependent behavior is called enabling, which is a
behavior that seems helpful on the surface but actually perpetuates the substance
use.
Clonidine (Catapress) - Correct answer-Suppresses opiate withdrawal symptoms
It is given to clients with opiate dependence to suppress some effects of withdrawal
or abstinence. It is most effective against nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but
produces modest relief from muscle aches, anxiety, and restlessness
is an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist used to treat hypertension. It is given to clients
with opiate dependence to suppress some effects of withdrawal or abstinence. It is
most effective against nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but produces modest relief
from muscle aches, anxiety, and restlessness
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
2026 Questions and Answers
Countertransference - Correct answer-Countertransference occurs when the
therapist displaces onto the client attitudes or feelings from his or her past. For
example, a female nurse who has teenage children and who is experiencing
extreme frustration with an adolescent client may respond by adopting a parental
or chastising tone. The nurse is countertransfering her own attitudes and feelings
toward her children onto the client. Nurses can deal with countertransference by
examining their own feelings and responses, using self-awareness, and talking with
colleagues.
Tardive Dyskinesia - Correct answer-Tardive dyskinesia (TD), a syndrome of
permanent involuntary movements, is most commonly caused by the long-term use
of conventional antipsychotic drugs. Tongue thrusting and protruding, lip
smacking, blinking, grimacing, and other excessive unnecessary facial movements
are characteristic. After it has developed, TD is irreversible, although decreasing or
discontinuing antipsychotic medications can arrest its progression
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Civial Rights-Psychiatric Clients - Correct answer-Clients receiving mental health
care retain all civil rights afforded to all people except the right to leave the
hospital in the case of involuntary commitment. Any restrictions (e.g., mail,
visitors, clothing) must be made for a verifiable, documented reason. These
decisions can be made by a court or a designated decision-making person or
persons, for example, a primary nurse or treatment team, depending on local laws
or regulations.
Group Therapy - Correct answer-In group therapy, clients participate in sessions
with a group of people. The members share a common purpose and are expected to
contribute to the group to benefit others and receive benefit from others in return.
Group rules are established, which all members must observe. These rules vary
according to the type of group. Being a member of a group allows the client to
learn new ways of looking at a problem or ways of coping with or solving
problems and also helps him or her learn important interpersonal skills.
Crisis Intervention-Empathy - Correct answer-Empathy is the ability to place
oneself into the experience of another for a moment in time. Nurses develop
empathy by gathering as much information about an issue as possible directly from
the client to avoid interjecting their personal experiences and interpretations of the
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,situation. The nurse asks as many questions as needed to gain a clear understanding
of the client's perceptions of an event or issue.
Clarification Communication - Correct answer-Understanding the context of
communication is extremely important in accurately identifying the meaning of a
message. To clarify context, the nurse must gather information from verbal and
nonverbal sources and validate findings with the client.
Depressed Adolescent Rapport (use of self disclosure) - Correct answer-Self-
disclosure means revealing personal information such as biographical information
and personal ideas, thoughts, and feelings about oneself to clients. Now, however,
it is believed that some purposeful, well-planned self-disclosure can improve
rapport between the nurse and the client. The nurse can use self-disclosure to
convey support, educate clients, and demonstrate that a client's anxiety is normal
and that many people deal with stress and problems in their lives.
Depressed Adolescent Rapport (Establishing Rapport) - Correct answer-When
assessing a new patient, establish rapport first. If not much time is available to
establish rapport, or if the patient is guarded or suspicious, you can say, "The
questions I am about to ask you I ask all of my patients," and then proceed. Some
other tips include the following:
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Establish rapport and connection by showing interest in the patient and by
listening.
Codependent Behaviors & Alcohol Abuse - Correct answer-Codependence is a
maladaptive coping pattern on the part of family members or others resulting from
a prolonged relationship with the person who uses substances. Characteristics of
codependence are poor relationship skills, excessive anxiety and worry,
compulsive behaviors, and resistance to change. Family members learn these
dysfunctional behavior patterns as they try to adjust to the behavior of the
substance user. One type of codependent behavior is called enabling, which is a
behavior that seems helpful on the surface but actually perpetuates the substance
use.
Clonidine (Catapress) - Correct answer-Suppresses opiate withdrawal symptoms
It is given to clients with opiate dependence to suppress some effects of withdrawal
or abstinence. It is most effective against nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but
produces modest relief from muscle aches, anxiety, and restlessness
is an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist used to treat hypertension. It is given to clients
with opiate dependence to suppress some effects of withdrawal or abstinence. It is
most effective against nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but produces modest relief
from muscle aches, anxiety, and restlessness
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
