Mental Health (PSYCH) HESI
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client with depression states, “Nothing will ever get better for me.” What is the nurse’s most
therapeutic response?
A. “You should not think that way.”
✔✔B. “It sounds like you are feeling hopeless.”
C. “Why do you feel that way?”
D. “Things will improve soon.”
A client with bipolar disorder is seen pacing, talking rapidly, and refusing meals. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Allow the client to skip meals.
✔✔B. Offer high-calorie finger foods.
C. Ask the client to stop pacing.
D. Encourage the client to rest.
A client prescribed lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and tremors. What should the nurse
suspect?
1
,A. Normal medication effects.
✔✔B. Lithium toxicity.
C. Withdrawal symptoms.
D. Depression relapse.
A client says, “The voices tell me to hurt myself.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Distract the client with activities.
✔✔B. Assess the command hallucination further.
C. Ignore the statement.
D. Ask the family to stay with the client.
A nurse notices a client rocking back and forth silently for long periods. This behavior is most
consistent with:
A. Paranoia
✔✔B. Catatonia
C. Delusion of control
D. Flight of ideas
2
,A client on clozapine reports fever and sore throat. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Administer acetaminophen.
✔✔B. Obtain a white blood cell count.
C. Encourage rest and fluids.
D. Provide reassurance.
A client with alcohol withdrawal is sweating, anxious, and has tremors. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
A. Begin teaching about relapse prevention.
✔✔B. Administer prescribed benzodiazepines.
C. Offer caffeinated drinks.
D. Leave the client alone to rest.
A client with schizophrenia states, “The FBI has cameras watching me in this room.” What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “That’s not true.”
✔✔B. “That sounds frightening. I do not see cameras here.”
C. “Why would the FBI be watching you?”
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, D. “Try to ignore those thoughts.”
A client prescribed an SSRI suddenly develops muscle rigidity, fever, and confusion. What
should the nurse suspect?
A. Withdrawal syndrome
✔✔B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Catatonia
D. Hallucination
A client in mania is demanding, intrusive, and aggressive toward staff. What should the nurse
do?
A. Ignore the behavior.
✔✔B. Set firm, consistent limits.
C. Encourage the client to join group debates.
D. Offer caffeinated drinks for energy.
A client with schizophrenia repeats everything the nurse says. What is this behavior called?
A. Perseveration
4
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client with depression states, “Nothing will ever get better for me.” What is the nurse’s most
therapeutic response?
A. “You should not think that way.”
✔✔B. “It sounds like you are feeling hopeless.”
C. “Why do you feel that way?”
D. “Things will improve soon.”
A client with bipolar disorder is seen pacing, talking rapidly, and refusing meals. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Allow the client to skip meals.
✔✔B. Offer high-calorie finger foods.
C. Ask the client to stop pacing.
D. Encourage the client to rest.
A client prescribed lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and tremors. What should the nurse
suspect?
1
,A. Normal medication effects.
✔✔B. Lithium toxicity.
C. Withdrawal symptoms.
D. Depression relapse.
A client says, “The voices tell me to hurt myself.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Distract the client with activities.
✔✔B. Assess the command hallucination further.
C. Ignore the statement.
D. Ask the family to stay with the client.
A nurse notices a client rocking back and forth silently for long periods. This behavior is most
consistent with:
A. Paranoia
✔✔B. Catatonia
C. Delusion of control
D. Flight of ideas
2
,A client on clozapine reports fever and sore throat. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Administer acetaminophen.
✔✔B. Obtain a white blood cell count.
C. Encourage rest and fluids.
D. Provide reassurance.
A client with alcohol withdrawal is sweating, anxious, and has tremors. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
A. Begin teaching about relapse prevention.
✔✔B. Administer prescribed benzodiazepines.
C. Offer caffeinated drinks.
D. Leave the client alone to rest.
A client with schizophrenia states, “The FBI has cameras watching me in this room.” What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “That’s not true.”
✔✔B. “That sounds frightening. I do not see cameras here.”
C. “Why would the FBI be watching you?”
3
, D. “Try to ignore those thoughts.”
A client prescribed an SSRI suddenly develops muscle rigidity, fever, and confusion. What
should the nurse suspect?
A. Withdrawal syndrome
✔✔B. Serotonin syndrome
C. Catatonia
D. Hallucination
A client in mania is demanding, intrusive, and aggressive toward staff. What should the nurse
do?
A. Ignore the behavior.
✔✔B. Set firm, consistent limits.
C. Encourage the client to join group debates.
D. Offer caffeinated drinks for energy.
A client with schizophrenia repeats everything the nurse says. What is this behavior called?
A. Perseveration
4
