NUR208 / NUR 208 Mental Health Nursing HESI ACTUAL
REVIEW GUIDE 2026/2027 | Verified Questions and
Answers | Focus on Therapeutic Communication & Safety |
Grade A Target | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Foundational Concepts & Therapeutic Communication (Questions 1-20)
Q1: A client hospitalized for depression states, "I don't see any point in talking to you. Nothing is
going to change how I feel." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. "You should talk to me because it's part of your treatment plan."
B. "I understand you're feeling hopeless right now. Would you tell me more about what you're
experiencing?" [CORRECT]
C. "Things will get better if you just give it time."
D. "Why do you think talking won't help?"
Correct Answer: B
Q2: A nurse is caring for four clients on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which client requires
immediate assessment by the nurse?
A. A client with schizophrenia who is pacing in the hallway
B. A client with bipolar disorder who is sleeping after receiving lithium
C. A client with major depression who is refusing lunch for the third day
D. A client with borderline personality disorder who has locked themselves in the bathroom with
a razor [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Q3: During the working phase of the nurse-client relationship, a client with anxiety begins to
discuss childhood trauma. The client becomes tearful and states, "I can't talk about this
anymore." Which nursing response is most appropriate?
A. "We need to finish discussing this today while you're feeling emotional."
B. "You're right to stop. Let's take a break and focus on coping strategies you're using right now."
[CORRECT]
,C. "If you don't talk about it now, you'll never get better."
D. "I know this is hard, but you must confront your past to heal."
Correct Answer: B
Q4: A 16-year-old client is admitted for suicidal ideation. The parents demand to know
everything the client discusses in therapy. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Explain to the parents that confidentiality applies but that safety concerns will be shared
[CORRECT]
B. Tell the parents they have a legal right to all information since the client is a minor
C. Refuse to answer any parent questions to maintain absolute confidentiality
D. Share all information with the parents to ensure family involvement
Correct Answer: A
Q5: A client experiencing command hallucinations tells the nurse, "The voices are telling me to
hurt my roommate." Which is the nurse's priority action?
A. Immediately assess the client's reality testing and implement 1:1 observation [CORRECT]
B. Ask the client to ignore the voices and focus on positive thoughts
C. Tell the client that the voices are not real and cannot hurt anyone
D. Administer PRN antipsychotic and leave the client to rest
Correct Answer: A
Q6: Which of the following are therapeutic communication techniques? (Select all that apply)
A. Restating
B. Giving advice
C. Clarifying
D. Defending
E. Active listening
F. Exploring [CORRECT]
Correct Answers: A, C, E, F
Q7: A client is placed in seclusion after assaulting another patient. Which observation by the
nurse indicates the client can be safely removed from seclusion?
, A. The client is sleeping peacefully in the corner
B. The client is demanding to be released immediately
C. The client is calm, cooperative, and no longer poses a threat to others [CORRECT]
D. The client is crying and apologizing profusely
Correct Answer: C
Q8: A nurse is working with a client who has dependent personality disorder. The client calls the
nurse station every 10 minutes asking for reassurance. Which nursing response demonstrates
appropriate boundary setting?
A. "I will check on you every 2 hours as scheduled. If you have an emergency, call me."
[CORRECT]
B. "Stop calling. You need to learn to handle things yourself."
C. "I'll come sit with you so you don't need to call."
D. "Why do you need so much reassurance?"
Correct Answer: A
Q9: A client with schizophrenia says, "The CIA is monitoring my thoughts through the
television." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic use of self?
A. "That's impossible. The CIA doesn't have that technology."
B. "You believe the CIA is monitoring you. That must feel frightening. Tell me more about what
you're experiencing." [CORRECT]
C. "Have you taken your medication today? You're delusional."
D. "Let's watch TV together so you can see that's not happening."
Correct Answer: B
Q10: A nurse is caring for a client who has been involuntarily committed. The client demands to
leave the unit. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "You can leave whenever you want. This is a free country."
B. "The doctor has determined you are a danger to yourself or others. Let's discuss your concerns
about staying." [CORRECT]
C. "If you try to leave, I'll have to restrain you."
D. "You signed admission papers, so you can't leave for 72 hours."
Correct Answer: B
REVIEW GUIDE 2026/2027 | Verified Questions and
Answers | Focus on Therapeutic Communication & Safety |
Grade A Target | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Foundational Concepts & Therapeutic Communication (Questions 1-20)
Q1: A client hospitalized for depression states, "I don't see any point in talking to you. Nothing is
going to change how I feel." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. "You should talk to me because it's part of your treatment plan."
B. "I understand you're feeling hopeless right now. Would you tell me more about what you're
experiencing?" [CORRECT]
C. "Things will get better if you just give it time."
D. "Why do you think talking won't help?"
Correct Answer: B
Q2: A nurse is caring for four clients on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which client requires
immediate assessment by the nurse?
A. A client with schizophrenia who is pacing in the hallway
B. A client with bipolar disorder who is sleeping after receiving lithium
C. A client with major depression who is refusing lunch for the third day
D. A client with borderline personality disorder who has locked themselves in the bathroom with
a razor [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Q3: During the working phase of the nurse-client relationship, a client with anxiety begins to
discuss childhood trauma. The client becomes tearful and states, "I can't talk about this
anymore." Which nursing response is most appropriate?
A. "We need to finish discussing this today while you're feeling emotional."
B. "You're right to stop. Let's take a break and focus on coping strategies you're using right now."
[CORRECT]
,C. "If you don't talk about it now, you'll never get better."
D. "I know this is hard, but you must confront your past to heal."
Correct Answer: B
Q4: A 16-year-old client is admitted for suicidal ideation. The parents demand to know
everything the client discusses in therapy. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Explain to the parents that confidentiality applies but that safety concerns will be shared
[CORRECT]
B. Tell the parents they have a legal right to all information since the client is a minor
C. Refuse to answer any parent questions to maintain absolute confidentiality
D. Share all information with the parents to ensure family involvement
Correct Answer: A
Q5: A client experiencing command hallucinations tells the nurse, "The voices are telling me to
hurt my roommate." Which is the nurse's priority action?
A. Immediately assess the client's reality testing and implement 1:1 observation [CORRECT]
B. Ask the client to ignore the voices and focus on positive thoughts
C. Tell the client that the voices are not real and cannot hurt anyone
D. Administer PRN antipsychotic and leave the client to rest
Correct Answer: A
Q6: Which of the following are therapeutic communication techniques? (Select all that apply)
A. Restating
B. Giving advice
C. Clarifying
D. Defending
E. Active listening
F. Exploring [CORRECT]
Correct Answers: A, C, E, F
Q7: A client is placed in seclusion after assaulting another patient. Which observation by the
nurse indicates the client can be safely removed from seclusion?
, A. The client is sleeping peacefully in the corner
B. The client is demanding to be released immediately
C. The client is calm, cooperative, and no longer poses a threat to others [CORRECT]
D. The client is crying and apologizing profusely
Correct Answer: C
Q8: A nurse is working with a client who has dependent personality disorder. The client calls the
nurse station every 10 minutes asking for reassurance. Which nursing response demonstrates
appropriate boundary setting?
A. "I will check on you every 2 hours as scheduled. If you have an emergency, call me."
[CORRECT]
B. "Stop calling. You need to learn to handle things yourself."
C. "I'll come sit with you so you don't need to call."
D. "Why do you need so much reassurance?"
Correct Answer: A
Q9: A client with schizophrenia says, "The CIA is monitoring my thoughts through the
television." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic use of self?
A. "That's impossible. The CIA doesn't have that technology."
B. "You believe the CIA is monitoring you. That must feel frightening. Tell me more about what
you're experiencing." [CORRECT]
C. "Have you taken your medication today? You're delusional."
D. "Let's watch TV together so you can see that's not happening."
Correct Answer: B
Q10: A nurse is caring for a client who has been involuntarily committed. The client demands to
leave the unit. Which statement by the nurse is most accurate?
A. "You can leave whenever you want. This is a free country."
B. "The doctor has determined you are a danger to yourself or others. Let's discuss your concerns
about staying." [CORRECT]
C. "If you try to leave, I'll have to restrain you."
D. "You signed admission papers, so you can't leave for 72 hours."
Correct Answer: B
