Mental Health (PSYCH) HESI - Practice
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client with depression says, “I can’t find the energy to get out of bed.” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You just need to try harder.”
✔✔B. “It sounds like you are feeling very low on energy.”
C. “You should stop thinking that way.”
D. “Why do you feel that way?”
A client with schizophrenia begins to pace and mutter angrily. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Ask the client to stop pacing.
✔✔B. Ensure the safety of the environment.
C. Offer a group activity.
D. Begin teaching coping strategies.
A client prescribed haloperidol develops muscle stiffness, fever, and confusion. What condition
should the nurse suspect?
1
,A. Serotonin syndrome
✔✔B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. Acute dystonia
A client with OCD spends hours arranging objects on the bedside table. What should the nurse
do?
A. Remove all objects from the table.
✔✔B. Allow rituals but set reasonable limits.
C. Ignore the behavior.
D. Tell the client to stop immediately.
A client taking sertraline reports nausea during the first week. What should the nurse say?
A. “Stop the medication immediately.”
B. “Take an antacid with the medication.”
✔✔C. “Mild nausea often improves with time.”
D. “Skip doses until the nausea stops.”
2
,A client withdrawing from alcohol is diaphoretic and tremulous. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage fluids.
✔✔B. Assess for seizure risk.
C. Begin discharge planning.
D. Offer group therapy.
A client on lithium develops diarrhea and unsteady gait. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Offer fluids.
✔✔B. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
C. Teach relaxation techniques.
D. Encourage exercise.
A client states, “I know the FBI is watching me through the lights.” What is this thought pattern?
A. Illusion
B. Obsession
✔✔C. Delusion of persecution
D. Hallucination
3
, A client with schizophrenia hears voices commanding him to hurt others. What is the nurse’s
priority?
A. Distract the client with music.
✔✔B. Ensure the environment is safe.
C. Ask the client to describe the voices.
D. Provide relaxation exercises.
A client with major depression suddenly appears cheerful after weeks of hopelessness. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Congratulate the client.
✔✔B. Assess for suicidal intent.
C. Encourage social activities.
D. Begin discharge planning.
A client with bipolar disorder is pacing rapidly, speaking loudly, and interrupting others. What is
the nurse’s best intervention?
A. Ask the client to explain their thoughts in detail.
✔✔B. Reduce environmental stimulation.
C. Engage the client in group therapy.
4
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client with depression says, “I can’t find the energy to get out of bed.” What is the nurse’s best
response?
A. “You just need to try harder.”
✔✔B. “It sounds like you are feeling very low on energy.”
C. “You should stop thinking that way.”
D. “Why do you feel that way?”
A client with schizophrenia begins to pace and mutter angrily. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Ask the client to stop pacing.
✔✔B. Ensure the safety of the environment.
C. Offer a group activity.
D. Begin teaching coping strategies.
A client prescribed haloperidol develops muscle stiffness, fever, and confusion. What condition
should the nurse suspect?
1
,A. Serotonin syndrome
✔✔B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Tardive dyskinesia
D. Acute dystonia
A client with OCD spends hours arranging objects on the bedside table. What should the nurse
do?
A. Remove all objects from the table.
✔✔B. Allow rituals but set reasonable limits.
C. Ignore the behavior.
D. Tell the client to stop immediately.
A client taking sertraline reports nausea during the first week. What should the nurse say?
A. “Stop the medication immediately.”
B. “Take an antacid with the medication.”
✔✔C. “Mild nausea often improves with time.”
D. “Skip doses until the nausea stops.”
2
,A client withdrawing from alcohol is diaphoretic and tremulous. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage fluids.
✔✔B. Assess for seizure risk.
C. Begin discharge planning.
D. Offer group therapy.
A client on lithium develops diarrhea and unsteady gait. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Offer fluids.
✔✔B. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
C. Teach relaxation techniques.
D. Encourage exercise.
A client states, “I know the FBI is watching me through the lights.” What is this thought pattern?
A. Illusion
B. Obsession
✔✔C. Delusion of persecution
D. Hallucination
3
, A client with schizophrenia hears voices commanding him to hurt others. What is the nurse’s
priority?
A. Distract the client with music.
✔✔B. Ensure the environment is safe.
C. Ask the client to describe the voices.
D. Provide relaxation exercises.
A client with major depression suddenly appears cheerful after weeks of hopelessness. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Congratulate the client.
✔✔B. Assess for suicidal intent.
C. Encourage social activities.
D. Begin discharge planning.
A client with bipolar disorder is pacing rapidly, speaking loudly, and interrupting others. What is
the nurse’s best intervention?
A. Ask the client to explain their thoughts in detail.
✔✔B. Reduce environmental stimulation.
C. Engage the client in group therapy.
4
