PSYCH HESI Practice Exam Questions
and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client states, “The FBI has implanted a chip in my brain.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “That’s not true, no one has done that.”
✔✔B. “It sounds like you feel frightened by that thought.”
C. “Why do you think the FBI would do that?”
D. “Just ignore those thoughts and they will go away.”
A client in alcohol withdrawal is at risk for which priority complication?
A. Depression
✔✔B. Seizures
C. Hallucinations
D. Sleep disturbances
A client taking sertraline reports nausea and headache. What should the nurse tell the client?
A. “You should stop taking the medication right away.”
B. “Skip doses if you experience side effects.”
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,✔✔C. “These symptoms may improve in a few weeks.”
D. “Double the dose to reduce side effects.”
A nurse observes a client pacing, yelling, and clenching fists. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Call security immediately.
✔✔B. Use a calm voice and attempt de-escalation.
C. Encourage the client to attend group therapy.
D. Offer detailed education about coping skills.
A client taking haloperidol develops a high fever and muscle rigidity. What should the nurse
suspect?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
✔✔B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Acute dystonia
A client states, “I feel worthless and hopeless.” Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A. “You need to stop thinking that way.”
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,✔✔B. “You sound like you are feeling very hopeless.”
C. “You will get better if you try harder.”
D. “Why would you think that?”
A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder is euphoric, hyperactive, and intrusive. What activity is
most appropriate?
A. Chess tournament
✔✔B. Finger painting
C. Group debates
D. Competitive basketball
A client prescribed lithium reports excessive thirst, nausea, and confusion. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Offer oral fluids.
✔✔B. Check serum lithium levels.
C. Teach relaxation techniques.
D. Continue current medication plan.
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, A client with OCD spends hours checking if the stove is off. What is the nurse’s best approach?
A. Forbid the client from checking the stove.
✔✔B. Allow the ritual but set time limits.
C. Ignore the behavior completely.
D. Encourage the client to stop immediately.
A client prescribed clozapine suddenly develops a sore throat and fever. What should the nurse
do?
A. Encourage rest and fluids.
B. Give acetaminophen as needed.
✔✔C. Obtain a white blood cell count.
D. Reassure the client this is temporary.
A client with depression refuses to attend group therapy. What is the nurse’s best intervention?
A. Force the client to attend group.
✔✔B. Sit quietly with the client one-on-one.
C. Tell the client to stop being antisocial.
D. Ignore the client’s behavior.
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and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client states, “The FBI has implanted a chip in my brain.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “That’s not true, no one has done that.”
✔✔B. “It sounds like you feel frightened by that thought.”
C. “Why do you think the FBI would do that?”
D. “Just ignore those thoughts and they will go away.”
A client in alcohol withdrawal is at risk for which priority complication?
A. Depression
✔✔B. Seizures
C. Hallucinations
D. Sleep disturbances
A client taking sertraline reports nausea and headache. What should the nurse tell the client?
A. “You should stop taking the medication right away.”
B. “Skip doses if you experience side effects.”
1
,✔✔C. “These symptoms may improve in a few weeks.”
D. “Double the dose to reduce side effects.”
A nurse observes a client pacing, yelling, and clenching fists. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Call security immediately.
✔✔B. Use a calm voice and attempt de-escalation.
C. Encourage the client to attend group therapy.
D. Offer detailed education about coping skills.
A client taking haloperidol develops a high fever and muscle rigidity. What should the nurse
suspect?
A. Tardive dyskinesia
✔✔B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Acute dystonia
A client states, “I feel worthless and hopeless.” Which nursing response is most therapeutic?
A. “You need to stop thinking that way.”
2
,✔✔B. “You sound like you are feeling very hopeless.”
C. “You will get better if you try harder.”
D. “Why would you think that?”
A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder is euphoric, hyperactive, and intrusive. What activity is
most appropriate?
A. Chess tournament
✔✔B. Finger painting
C. Group debates
D. Competitive basketball
A client prescribed lithium reports excessive thirst, nausea, and confusion. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Offer oral fluids.
✔✔B. Check serum lithium levels.
C. Teach relaxation techniques.
D. Continue current medication plan.
3
, A client with OCD spends hours checking if the stove is off. What is the nurse’s best approach?
A. Forbid the client from checking the stove.
✔✔B. Allow the ritual but set time limits.
C. Ignore the behavior completely.
D. Encourage the client to stop immediately.
A client prescribed clozapine suddenly develops a sore throat and fever. What should the nurse
do?
A. Encourage rest and fluids.
B. Give acetaminophen as needed.
✔✔C. Obtain a white blood cell count.
D. Reassure the client this is temporary.
A client with depression refuses to attend group therapy. What is the nurse’s best intervention?
A. Force the client to attend group.
✔✔B. Sit quietly with the client one-on-one.
C. Tell the client to stop being antisocial.
D. Ignore the client’s behavior.
4
