HESI PSYCH MENTAL HEALTH FINAL
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH EXPLANATIONS
⩥ Over a period of several weeks, one male participant of a socialization
group at a community day care center for the elderly monopolizes most
of the group's time and interrupts others when they are talking. What is
the best action for the nurse to take in this situation? Answer: Allow the
group to handle the problem
⩥ An 86-year-old female client with Alzheimer's disease is wandering
the busy halls of the extended care facility and asks the nurse, "Where
should I stand for the parade?" Which response is best for the nurse to
provide? Answer: "Let's go back to the activity room and see what's
going on there."
⩥ Physical examination of a 6-year-old reveals several bite marks in
various locations on the body. X-ray examination reveals healed
fractures of the ribs. The mother tells the nurse that her child is always
having accidents. Which initial response by the nurse is most
appropriate? Answer: "Tell me more specifically about your childs
accidents."
⩥ A child is brought to the emergency room with a broken arm. Because
of other injuries, the nurse suspects the child may be a victim of abuse.
When the nurse tries to give the child an injection, the child's mother
,becomes very loud and shouts, "I won't leave my son! Don't you touch
him! You'll hurt my child!" What is the best interpretation of the
mother's statements? The mother is... Answer: Projecting her feelings
onto the nurse
⩥ A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of paranoid
schizophrenia. When her tray is brought to her, she refuses to eat and
tells the nurse, "I know you are trying to poison me with that food."
Which response would be most appropriate for the nurse to make?
Answer: "I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you need anything
else."
⩥ A 25-year-old female client has been particularly restless and the
nurse finds her trying to leave the psychiatric unit. She tells the nurse,
"Please let me go! I must leave because the secret police are after me."
Which response is best for the nurse to make? Answer: "Come with me
to your room and I will sit with you."
⩥ A 45-year-old male client tells the nurse that he used to believe he was
Jesus Christ, but now he knows he is not. Which response is best for the
nurse to make? Answer: "Others have had similar thoughts while under
stress."
⩥ A nurse working in the emergency room of a children's hospital
admits a child whose injuries could have resulted from abuse. Which
statement most accurately describes the nurse's responsibility in cases of
, suspected child abuse? Answer: The nurse should report any case of
suspected child abuse to the nurse in charge.
⩥ A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar
disorder develops diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action
should the nurse take? Answer: Notify the healthcare provider of the
symptoms prior to the next administration of the drug.
⩥ A client on the psychiatric unit appears to imitate a certain nurse on
the unit. The client seeks out this particular nurse and imitates the nurse's
mannerisms. The nurse knows that the client is using which defense
mechanism? Answer: Identification
⩥ The nurse is planning the care for a 32-year-old male client with acute
depression. Which nursing intervention would be best in helping this
client deal with his depression? Answer: Assist the client in exploring
feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
⩥ An anxious client expressing a fear of people and open places is
admitted to the psychiatric unit. What is the most effective way for the
nurse to assist this client? Answer: Accompany her outside for an
increasing amount of time each day.
⩥ A client with bipolar disorder on the mental health unit becomes loud,
and shouts at one of the nurses, "You fat tub of lard! Get something done
around here!" What is the best initial action for the nurse to take?
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH EXPLANATIONS
⩥ Over a period of several weeks, one male participant of a socialization
group at a community day care center for the elderly monopolizes most
of the group's time and interrupts others when they are talking. What is
the best action for the nurse to take in this situation? Answer: Allow the
group to handle the problem
⩥ An 86-year-old female client with Alzheimer's disease is wandering
the busy halls of the extended care facility and asks the nurse, "Where
should I stand for the parade?" Which response is best for the nurse to
provide? Answer: "Let's go back to the activity room and see what's
going on there."
⩥ Physical examination of a 6-year-old reveals several bite marks in
various locations on the body. X-ray examination reveals healed
fractures of the ribs. The mother tells the nurse that her child is always
having accidents. Which initial response by the nurse is most
appropriate? Answer: "Tell me more specifically about your childs
accidents."
⩥ A child is brought to the emergency room with a broken arm. Because
of other injuries, the nurse suspects the child may be a victim of abuse.
When the nurse tries to give the child an injection, the child's mother
,becomes very loud and shouts, "I won't leave my son! Don't you touch
him! You'll hurt my child!" What is the best interpretation of the
mother's statements? The mother is... Answer: Projecting her feelings
onto the nurse
⩥ A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of paranoid
schizophrenia. When her tray is brought to her, she refuses to eat and
tells the nurse, "I know you are trying to poison me with that food."
Which response would be most appropriate for the nurse to make?
Answer: "I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you need anything
else."
⩥ A 25-year-old female client has been particularly restless and the
nurse finds her trying to leave the psychiatric unit. She tells the nurse,
"Please let me go! I must leave because the secret police are after me."
Which response is best for the nurse to make? Answer: "Come with me
to your room and I will sit with you."
⩥ A 45-year-old male client tells the nurse that he used to believe he was
Jesus Christ, but now he knows he is not. Which response is best for the
nurse to make? Answer: "Others have had similar thoughts while under
stress."
⩥ A nurse working in the emergency room of a children's hospital
admits a child whose injuries could have resulted from abuse. Which
statement most accurately describes the nurse's responsibility in cases of
, suspected child abuse? Answer: The nurse should report any case of
suspected child abuse to the nurse in charge.
⩥ A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar
disorder develops diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action
should the nurse take? Answer: Notify the healthcare provider of the
symptoms prior to the next administration of the drug.
⩥ A client on the psychiatric unit appears to imitate a certain nurse on
the unit. The client seeks out this particular nurse and imitates the nurse's
mannerisms. The nurse knows that the client is using which defense
mechanism? Answer: Identification
⩥ The nurse is planning the care for a 32-year-old male client with acute
depression. Which nursing intervention would be best in helping this
client deal with his depression? Answer: Assist the client in exploring
feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
⩥ An anxious client expressing a fear of people and open places is
admitted to the psychiatric unit. What is the most effective way for the
nurse to assist this client? Answer: Accompany her outside for an
increasing amount of time each day.
⩥ A client with bipolar disorder on the mental health unit becomes loud,
and shouts at one of the nurses, "You fat tub of lard! Get something done
around here!" What is the best initial action for the nurse to take?
