HESI RN MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND ACCURATE ANSWERS
◉ A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating
aggressive behavior. Which action by the MHW warrant immediate
intervention by the RN?
A. Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
B. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
C. Is using a loud voice to talk to the client.
D. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client.
Answer: A
◉ A client is admitted to the mental health unit and reports taking
extra antianxiety medication because, "I'm so stressed out. I just
want to go to sleep." The RN should plan one-on-one observation of
the client based on which statement?
A. "What should I do? Nothing seems to help."
B. "I have been so tired lately and needed to sleep."
C. "I really think that I don't need to be here."
D. "I don't want to walk. Nothing matters anymore."
,Answer: D
◉ The RN is performing intake interviews at a psychiatric clinic. A
female client with a known history of drug abuse reports that she
had a heart attack four years ago. Useof which substance places the
client at highest risk for myocardial infarction?
A. Benzodiazepine
B. Alcohol
C. Methamphetamine
D. Marijuana
Answer: C
◉ A male client comes to the emergency center because he has an
erection that will not resolve. The client reports that he is taking
trazodone (Desyrel) for insomnia. Which information is most
important for the nurse ask the client?
A. When was the last time you drank alcoholic beverage?
B. Have you taken any medications for erectile dysfunction?
C. Are you having any other sexual dysfunctions or problems?
D. Do you have a history of angina or high blood pressure?
Answer: B
◉ A female client admitted to the mental health unit starts to shout
and scream at the RN. What is the best approach for the RN to take?
,A. Stay quietly with the patient
B. Tell her that she is out of control.
C. Distract her by offering her finger foods.
D. Ignore the client's acting out behavior.
Answer: A
◉ 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.
C. Ineffective breathing pattern.
D. Ineffective coping.
Answer: C
◉ 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.
Answer: B
◉ 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.
Answer: C
◉ 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? (Select all
that apply)
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.
EVALUATION 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND ACCURATE ANSWERS
◉ A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating
aggressive behavior. Which action by the MHW warrant immediate
intervention by the RN?
A. Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
B. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
C. Is using a loud voice to talk to the client.
D. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client.
Answer: A
◉ A client is admitted to the mental health unit and reports taking
extra antianxiety medication because, "I'm so stressed out. I just
want to go to sleep." The RN should plan one-on-one observation of
the client based on which statement?
A. "What should I do? Nothing seems to help."
B. "I have been so tired lately and needed to sleep."
C. "I really think that I don't need to be here."
D. "I don't want to walk. Nothing matters anymore."
,Answer: D
◉ The RN is performing intake interviews at a psychiatric clinic. A
female client with a known history of drug abuse reports that she
had a heart attack four years ago. Useof which substance places the
client at highest risk for myocardial infarction?
A. Benzodiazepine
B. Alcohol
C. Methamphetamine
D. Marijuana
Answer: C
◉ A male client comes to the emergency center because he has an
erection that will not resolve. The client reports that he is taking
trazodone (Desyrel) for insomnia. Which information is most
important for the nurse ask the client?
A. When was the last time you drank alcoholic beverage?
B. Have you taken any medications for erectile dysfunction?
C. Are you having any other sexual dysfunctions or problems?
D. Do you have a history of angina or high blood pressure?
Answer: B
◉ A female client admitted to the mental health unit starts to shout
and scream at the RN. What is the best approach for the RN to take?
,A. Stay quietly with the patient
B. Tell her that she is out of control.
C. Distract her by offering her finger foods.
D. Ignore the client's acting out behavior.
Answer: A
◉ 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.
C. Ineffective breathing pattern.
D. Ineffective coping.
Answer: C
◉ 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.
Answer: B
◉ 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.
Answer: C
◉ 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? (Select all
that apply)
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.