HESI Mental Health Final Exam With
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
,Plus Explained Rationales/Expert
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2026/Latest Update/Instant Download
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1. A client with schizophrenia says, "The FBI is following me and
controlling my thoughts." This is an example of:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion
C. Illusion
D. Confabulation
B. Delusion
Rationale: Delusions are fixed false beliefs that are not based in
reality, whereas hallucinations are sensory perceptions without
stimuli.
2. A patient with major depression refuses to eat or get out of
bed. The nurse’s priority intervention is:
A. Encourage group therapy
B. Monitor nutrition and hydration
C. Provide reading materials
D. Assign light chores
,B. Monitor nutrition and hydration
Rationale: Physiological needs, such as nutrition and hydration,
take priority according to Maslow’s hierarchy.
3. A client demonstrates rapid speech, flight of ideas, and
decreased need for sleep. This most likely indicates:
A. Major depressive episode
B. Hypomania
C. Mania
D. Schizoaffective disorder
C. Mania
Rationale: Mania is characterized by elevated mood, increased
energy, rapid speech, and decreased need for sleep.
4. Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Anhedonia
C. Hallucinations
D. Alogia
C. Hallucinations
Rationale: Positive symptoms involve the addition of abnormal
behaviors, such as hallucinations and delusions.
5. A client with generalized anxiety disorder complains of constant
worry. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage avoidance of stressors
B. Teach relaxation techniques
C. Administer antipsychotics
D. Encourage overthinking to identify triggers
,B. Teach relaxation techniques
Rationale: Relaxation techniques help clients manage physiological
and psychological symptoms of anxiety.
6. A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea,
vomiting, and tremors. The nurse should:
A. Encourage fluids and rest
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Increase the dose for better effect
D. Switch to an antidepressant
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: These are early signs of lithium toxicity; the provider
must be notified immediately.
7. Which behavior is expected in a client with borderline
personality disorder?
A. Avoiding social interactions
B. Stable interpersonal relationships
C. Fear of abandonment
D. Lack of interest in activities
C. Fear of abandonment
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by
instability in relationships, self-image, and affect, including intense
fear of abandonment.
8. A patient experiencing auditory hallucinations is most likely to:
A. Complain of blurred vision
B. Respond to internal stimuli
C. Be unaware of their surroundings
D. Exhibit flat affect
, B. Respond to internal stimuli
Rationale: Hallucinations involve perceiving stimuli that are not
real; auditory hallucinations lead to responses to voices or sounds.
9. The nurse is teaching a patient about SSRIs. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should stop the medication when I feel better."
B. "I may experience increased anxiety at the beginning."
C. "I can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
D. "SSRIs are habit-forming."
B. "I may experience increased anxiety at the beginning."
Rationale: SSRIs may initially increase anxiety before therapeutic
effects occur; abrupt cessation or alcohol use should be avoided.
10. Which defense mechanism is used when a client
attributes their own feelings of anger onto another person?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Rationalization
D. Regression
A. Projection
Rationale: Projection involves attributing one’s own unacceptable
feelings or thoughts onto someone else.
11. A patient with PTSD avoids talking about a traumatic
event. This is an example of:
A. Repression
B. Regression
C. Suppression
D. Displacement
Actual Questions & Verified Answers
,Plus Explained Rationales/Expert
Verified For Guaranteed Pass
2026/Latest Update/Instant Download
1. A client with schizophrenia says, "The FBI is following me and
controlling my thoughts." This is an example of:
A. Hallucination
B. Delusion
C. Illusion
D. Confabulation
B. Delusion
Rationale: Delusions are fixed false beliefs that are not based in
reality, whereas hallucinations are sensory perceptions without
stimuli.
2. A patient with major depression refuses to eat or get out of
bed. The nurse’s priority intervention is:
A. Encourage group therapy
B. Monitor nutrition and hydration
C. Provide reading materials
D. Assign light chores
,B. Monitor nutrition and hydration
Rationale: Physiological needs, such as nutrition and hydration,
take priority according to Maslow’s hierarchy.
3. A client demonstrates rapid speech, flight of ideas, and
decreased need for sleep. This most likely indicates:
A. Major depressive episode
B. Hypomania
C. Mania
D. Schizoaffective disorder
C. Mania
Rationale: Mania is characterized by elevated mood, increased
energy, rapid speech, and decreased need for sleep.
4. Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A. Flat affect
B. Anhedonia
C. Hallucinations
D. Alogia
C. Hallucinations
Rationale: Positive symptoms involve the addition of abnormal
behaviors, such as hallucinations and delusions.
5. A client with generalized anxiety disorder complains of constant
worry. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage avoidance of stressors
B. Teach relaxation techniques
C. Administer antipsychotics
D. Encourage overthinking to identify triggers
,B. Teach relaxation techniques
Rationale: Relaxation techniques help clients manage physiological
and psychological symptoms of anxiety.
6. A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea,
vomiting, and tremors. The nurse should:
A. Encourage fluids and rest
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Increase the dose for better effect
D. Switch to an antidepressant
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: These are early signs of lithium toxicity; the provider
must be notified immediately.
7. Which behavior is expected in a client with borderline
personality disorder?
A. Avoiding social interactions
B. Stable interpersonal relationships
C. Fear of abandonment
D. Lack of interest in activities
C. Fear of abandonment
Rationale: Borderline personality disorder is characterized by
instability in relationships, self-image, and affect, including intense
fear of abandonment.
8. A patient experiencing auditory hallucinations is most likely to:
A. Complain of blurred vision
B. Respond to internal stimuli
C. Be unaware of their surroundings
D. Exhibit flat affect
, B. Respond to internal stimuli
Rationale: Hallucinations involve perceiving stimuli that are not
real; auditory hallucinations lead to responses to voices or sounds.
9. The nurse is teaching a patient about SSRIs. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should stop the medication when I feel better."
B. "I may experience increased anxiety at the beginning."
C. "I can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
D. "SSRIs are habit-forming."
B. "I may experience increased anxiety at the beginning."
Rationale: SSRIs may initially increase anxiety before therapeutic
effects occur; abrupt cessation or alcohol use should be avoided.
10. Which defense mechanism is used when a client
attributes their own feelings of anger onto another person?
A. Projection
B. Sublimation
C. Rationalization
D. Regression
A. Projection
Rationale: Projection involves attributing one’s own unacceptable
feelings or thoughts onto someone else.
11. A patient with PTSD avoids talking about a traumatic
event. This is an example of:
A. Repression
B. Regression
C. Suppression
D. Displacement
