HESI MENTAL HEALTH NURSING EXAM 2025–2026
300 UPDATED EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE ANSWERS
& DETAILED RATIONALES
1. A male adult is admitted because of an acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose. After
transfer to the mental health unit, the client is told he has liver damage. Which
information is most important for the nurse to include in the client's discharge plan?
A. Do not take any over the counter meds.
B. Eat a high carb, low fat, low protein diet.
C. Call the crisis hotline if feeling lonely.
D. Avoid exposure to large crowds. - ANSWER--A
2. After receiving treatment for anorexia, a student asks the school RN for permission to
work in the school cafeteria as part of the school's work study program. What action
should the RN take?
A. Refer the student to a psychiatrist for further discussion.
B. Recommend assignment to the receptionist's office.
C. Suggest that student work in the athletic department.
D. Determine the parent's opinion of the work assignment. - ANSWER--B
3. The Rn accepts a transfer to the metal health unit and understands that the client is
distractible and is exhibiting a decreased ability to concentrate. The RN only has 15
minutes to talk to the client. To develop treatment plan for this client, which
assessment is most important for the RN to obtain?
A. Motivation of treatment.
B. History of substance use.
C. Medicationcompliance.
D. Mental status examination. - ANSWER--D
4. A male client who recently lost a loved one arrives at the mental health center and
tells the RN he is no longer interested is his usual activities and has not slept for
several days. Which priority nursing problem should the RN include in the client's
plan of care?
A. Risk for suicide.
B. Sleepdeprivation.
C. Situational low self-esteem.
D. Social isolation. - ANSWER--B
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, 5. A male client with long history of alcohol dependency arrives in the emergency
department describing the feelings of bugs crawling on his body. His blood pressure
is 170/102, his pulse rate is 110 bpm, and is blood alcohol level is 0mg/dL. Which
prescription should the RN administer?
A. Haloperidol (Haldol).
B. Thiamine (Vitamin B1).
C. Diphenhydramine(Benadryl).
D. Lorazepam (Ativan). - ANSWER--D
6. A client who refuses antipsychotic medications disrupts group activities, talks with
nonsensical words and wanders into client's rooms. The RN decides that the client
needs constant observation based on which of these assessment findings?
A. Wanders into the clients rooms.
B. Refuses antipsychotic medications.
C. Talks with nonsensical words.
D. Disrupts group activities. - ANSWER--A
7. A client with schizophrenia explains that she has 20 children and then very seriously
points to the RN and explains that she is one of them. What is the most therapeutic
response for the RN to provide/
A. "Let's go ask another RN is this is true."
B. "My name tag shows that I am a RN here."
C. "I can't possibly be one if your children."
D. "I know that you don't have 20 children." - ANSWER--B
8. A high school girl reveals to the high school RN that she has been engaging in self-
induced vomiting as weight-control measure. Which initial assessment should the RN
focus on with this adolescent?
A. National percentile of weight and height.
B. Frequency of bingeing and purging behaviors.
C. Perceptions of family and social relationships.
D. School grades and extracurricular activities. - ANSWER--B
9. Narcan was administered to an adult client following a suicide attempt with an
overdose of hydrocodone bitartrate (Vicodin). Within 15 minutes, the client is alert
and oriented. In planning nursing care, which intervention has the highest priority at
this time?
A. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake.
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, B. Obtain the client's serum Vicodin level.
C. Observe the client for further narcotic effects.
D. Determine the client's reason for attempting suicide. - ANSWER--C
10. Following surgery, a male client with antisocial personality disorder frequently
requests that a specific RN be assigned to is care and is belligerent when another RN
is assigned. What action should the charge RN implement?
A. Reassure the client that his request will be met whenever possible.
B. Advise the client that assignments are not based on the client's request.
C. Ask the client to explain why he constantly requests the RN.
D. Encourage the client to verbalize his feelings about the RN. - ANSWER--B
11. When preparing to administer a prescribed medication to a homeless male at a
community clinic, the client tells the RN that he usually takes a different dosage.
What action should the RN take?
A. Tell him to take the medication then verify the dosage at the next healthcare
team meeting.
B. Withhold the medication until the dosage can be confirmed.
C. Inform him that he may refuse the medication and document whether or not
he takes it.
D. Explain to the client that the dosage has been changed. - ANSWER--B
12. The nurse orients a female client with depression to the new room on the mental
health unit. The client states "It seems strange that I don't have a T.V in my room."
Which statement would be best for the RN to provide?
A. "You can watch T.V as much as you want outside of your room."
B. "Sometimes clients feel like the T.V is sending them messages."
C. "It's important to be out of you room and talking to others."
D. "Watching T.V is a passive activity and we want you to be active." - ANSWER--
C
13. A client admitted with a closed head injury after a fall has a blood alcohol level of
0.28 (28%) and is difficult to arouse. Which intervention during the first 6 hours
following admission should the RN identify as the priority?
A. Give lorazepam (Ativan) PRN for signs of withdrawal.
B. Administer disulfiram (Antabuse) immediately.
C. Place in a side lying position with head of bed elevated.
D. Provide thiamine and folate supplements as prescribed. - ANSWER--C
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, 14. The RN is completing the admission assessment of an underweight adolescent who is
admitted to a psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of depression. Which finding requires
notification to the HCP?
A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/dl.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. WBCof10,000mm^3.
D. Body mass index of 21. - ANSWER--A
15. The Rn is planning client teaching for a 35-year-old client with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Which self-care measure should the RN emphasize for the client's recovery?
A. Support group meetings.
B. VitaminBandmultivitaminsupplements.
C. Diet with adequate calories and protein.
D. Alcohol abstinence. - ANSWER--D
16. A teenager has lost 20 pounds in the last three months is admitted to the hospital
with hypotension and tachycardia. The client reports irregular menses and hair loss.
Which intervention is most important for the RN to include in the clients plan of
care?
A. Implement behavioral modification therapy.
B. Initiate caloric and nutritional therapy.
C. Evaluate the client for low self-esteem.
D. Record daily weights and graft trend. - ANSWER--B
17. While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate
documentation later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking during
an interview?
A. The client's comfort level is increased when the RN breaks eye contact to take
notes.
B. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client to
speak at a normal pace.
C. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of examining RN.
D. The RN's ability to directly observe the client's non-verbal communication is
limited
18. with note taking. - ANSWER--D
19. A client is receiving substitution therapy during withdrawal from benzodiazepines.
Which expected outcome statement has the highest priority when planning nursing
care?
a. Client will not demonstrate cross addiction.
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300 UPDATED EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE ANSWERS
& DETAILED RATIONALES
1. A male adult is admitted because of an acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose. After
transfer to the mental health unit, the client is told he has liver damage. Which
information is most important for the nurse to include in the client's discharge plan?
A. Do not take any over the counter meds.
B. Eat a high carb, low fat, low protein diet.
C. Call the crisis hotline if feeling lonely.
D. Avoid exposure to large crowds. - ANSWER--A
2. After receiving treatment for anorexia, a student asks the school RN for permission to
work in the school cafeteria as part of the school's work study program. What action
should the RN take?
A. Refer the student to a psychiatrist for further discussion.
B. Recommend assignment to the receptionist's office.
C. Suggest that student work in the athletic department.
D. Determine the parent's opinion of the work assignment. - ANSWER--B
3. The Rn accepts a transfer to the metal health unit and understands that the client is
distractible and is exhibiting a decreased ability to concentrate. The RN only has 15
minutes to talk to the client. To develop treatment plan for this client, which
assessment is most important for the RN to obtain?
A. Motivation of treatment.
B. History of substance use.
C. Medicationcompliance.
D. Mental status examination. - ANSWER--D
4. A male client who recently lost a loved one arrives at the mental health center and
tells the RN he is no longer interested is his usual activities and has not slept for
several days. Which priority nursing problem should the RN include in the client's
plan of care?
A. Risk for suicide.
B. Sleepdeprivation.
C. Situational low self-esteem.
D. Social isolation. - ANSWER--B
1|Page
, 5. A male client with long history of alcohol dependency arrives in the emergency
department describing the feelings of bugs crawling on his body. His blood pressure
is 170/102, his pulse rate is 110 bpm, and is blood alcohol level is 0mg/dL. Which
prescription should the RN administer?
A. Haloperidol (Haldol).
B. Thiamine (Vitamin B1).
C. Diphenhydramine(Benadryl).
D. Lorazepam (Ativan). - ANSWER--D
6. A client who refuses antipsychotic medications disrupts group activities, talks with
nonsensical words and wanders into client's rooms. The RN decides that the client
needs constant observation based on which of these assessment findings?
A. Wanders into the clients rooms.
B. Refuses antipsychotic medications.
C. Talks with nonsensical words.
D. Disrupts group activities. - ANSWER--A
7. A client with schizophrenia explains that she has 20 children and then very seriously
points to the RN and explains that she is one of them. What is the most therapeutic
response for the RN to provide/
A. "Let's go ask another RN is this is true."
B. "My name tag shows that I am a RN here."
C. "I can't possibly be one if your children."
D. "I know that you don't have 20 children." - ANSWER--B
8. A high school girl reveals to the high school RN that she has been engaging in self-
induced vomiting as weight-control measure. Which initial assessment should the RN
focus on with this adolescent?
A. National percentile of weight and height.
B. Frequency of bingeing and purging behaviors.
C. Perceptions of family and social relationships.
D. School grades and extracurricular activities. - ANSWER--B
9. Narcan was administered to an adult client following a suicide attempt with an
overdose of hydrocodone bitartrate (Vicodin). Within 15 minutes, the client is alert
and oriented. In planning nursing care, which intervention has the highest priority at
this time?
A. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake.
2|Page
, B. Obtain the client's serum Vicodin level.
C. Observe the client for further narcotic effects.
D. Determine the client's reason for attempting suicide. - ANSWER--C
10. Following surgery, a male client with antisocial personality disorder frequently
requests that a specific RN be assigned to is care and is belligerent when another RN
is assigned. What action should the charge RN implement?
A. Reassure the client that his request will be met whenever possible.
B. Advise the client that assignments are not based on the client's request.
C. Ask the client to explain why he constantly requests the RN.
D. Encourage the client to verbalize his feelings about the RN. - ANSWER--B
11. When preparing to administer a prescribed medication to a homeless male at a
community clinic, the client tells the RN that he usually takes a different dosage.
What action should the RN take?
A. Tell him to take the medication then verify the dosage at the next healthcare
team meeting.
B. Withhold the medication until the dosage can be confirmed.
C. Inform him that he may refuse the medication and document whether or not
he takes it.
D. Explain to the client that the dosage has been changed. - ANSWER--B
12. The nurse orients a female client with depression to the new room on the mental
health unit. The client states "It seems strange that I don't have a T.V in my room."
Which statement would be best for the RN to provide?
A. "You can watch T.V as much as you want outside of your room."
B. "Sometimes clients feel like the T.V is sending them messages."
C. "It's important to be out of you room and talking to others."
D. "Watching T.V is a passive activity and we want you to be active." - ANSWER--
C
13. A client admitted with a closed head injury after a fall has a blood alcohol level of
0.28 (28%) and is difficult to arouse. Which intervention during the first 6 hours
following admission should the RN identify as the priority?
A. Give lorazepam (Ativan) PRN for signs of withdrawal.
B. Administer disulfiram (Antabuse) immediately.
C. Place in a side lying position with head of bed elevated.
D. Provide thiamine and folate supplements as prescribed. - ANSWER--C
3|Page
, 14. The RN is completing the admission assessment of an underweight adolescent who is
admitted to a psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of depression. Which finding requires
notification to the HCP?
A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/dl.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. WBCof10,000mm^3.
D. Body mass index of 21. - ANSWER--A
15. The Rn is planning client teaching for a 35-year-old client with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Which self-care measure should the RN emphasize for the client's recovery?
A. Support group meetings.
B. VitaminBandmultivitaminsupplements.
C. Diet with adequate calories and protein.
D. Alcohol abstinence. - ANSWER--D
16. A teenager has lost 20 pounds in the last three months is admitted to the hospital
with hypotension and tachycardia. The client reports irregular menses and hair loss.
Which intervention is most important for the RN to include in the clients plan of
care?
A. Implement behavioral modification therapy.
B. Initiate caloric and nutritional therapy.
C. Evaluate the client for low self-esteem.
D. Record daily weights and graft trend. - ANSWER--B
17. While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate
documentation later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking during
an interview?
A. The client's comfort level is increased when the RN breaks eye contact to take
notes.
B. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client to
speak at a normal pace.
C. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of examining RN.
D. The RN's ability to directly observe the client's non-verbal communication is
limited
18. with note taking. - ANSWER--D
19. A client is receiving substitution therapy during withdrawal from benzodiazepines.
Which expected outcome statement has the highest priority when planning nursing
care?
a. Client will not demonstrate cross addiction.
4|Page
