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
(20 Questions)
Q1: A client hospitalized for major depression states, "I don't see any point in getting out of bed.
Nothing matters anymore." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. "You should get up and move around to feel better."
B. "Tell me more about what you're feeling right now." [CORRECT]
C. "Things will look better tomorrow, you'll see."
D. "Your family is coming to visit, so you need to be up."
Correct Answer: B
Q2: During the orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship, which action is the nurse's
priority?
A. Establishing trust and defining the relationship's boundaries [CORRECT]
B. Exploring the client's unconscious conflicts
C. Facilitating the client's behavioral changes
D. Terminating the relationship successfully
Correct Answer: A
Q3: A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The government is monitoring my thoughts
through the television." Which is the nurse's best initial response?
A. "That's not possible. The government doesn't have that technology."
B. "You believe the government is monitoring your thoughts?" [CORRECT]
C. "Have you told your doctor about these thoughts?"
D. "Let's watch TV in the dayroom instead."
Correct Answer: B
,Q4: Which of the following is a violation of professional boundaries in the nurse-client
relationship? (Select all that apply)
A. Accepting a $50 gift from a grateful client upon discharge [CORRECT]
B. Sharing personal struggles with depression to empathize with a client [CORRECT]
C. Providing education about medication side effects
D. Scheduling the client on the nurse's assigned shifts consistently [CORRECT]
E. Documenting the client's progress toward goals
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Q5: A nurse is caring for a client who was involuntarily committed. The client demands to leave
the facility immediately. Which is the nurse's best response?
A. "You cannot leave until the doctor says you can."
B. "Let me explain your legal rights and the commitment process." [CORRECT]
C. "If you try to leave, I'll have to restrain you."
D. "Everyone here is committed; you'll get used to it."
Correct Answer: B
Q6: A client states, "I'm so worthless. I can't do anything right." Which response by the nurse
uses the therapeutic technique of "exploring"?
A. "You're feeling worthless right now?"
B. "Tell me more about why you feel worthless." [CORRECT]
C. "I think you do many things well."
D. "Feeling worthless is common in depression."
Correct Answer: B
Q7: Which action by the nurse demonstrates the ethical principle of autonomy?
A. Restraining a client to prevent self-harm
B. Obtaining informed consent before ECT treatment [CORRECT]
C. Reporting a client's threat to harm another
D. Allocating limited resources based on acuity
Correct Answer: B
, Q8: A client with borderline personality disorder becomes angry and shouts, "You're the worst
nurse ever! You don't care about me!" Which response demonstrates the most appropriate
boundary setting?
A. "I understand you're upset, but I won't tolerate being shouted at. Let's talk when you can speak
calmly." [CORRECT]
B. "You're wrong. I do care about all my clients."
C. "I'll come back when you're ready to apologize."
D. "Let me get you some PRN medication to calm down."
Correct Answer: A
Q9: A nurse is using seclusion for a client who is violent. Which observation is required by
standard protocol?
A. Documenting vital signs every 8 hours
B. Continuous visual monitoring by assigned staff [CORRECT]
C. Checking on the client every 30 minutes
D. Allowing the client to determine when to exit seclusion
Correct Answer: B
Q10: A client asks the nurse, "Do you think I should divorce my husband?" Which is the nurse's
most therapeutic response?
A. "Yes, he seems abusive based on what you've shared."
B. "What are your thoughts about your marriage?" [CORRECT]
C. "No, you should try counseling first."
D. "I can't give advice about personal relationships."
Correct Answer: B
Q11: Which statement by the nurse demonstrates "false reassurance"?
A. "I hear that you're frightened about the procedure."
B. "Don't worry, everything will be fine." [CORRECT]
C. "Help me understand what specifically concerns you."
D. "Many clients feel anxious before this procedure."
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
(20 Questions)
Q1: A client hospitalized for major depression states, "I don't see any point in getting out of bed.
Nothing matters anymore." Which response by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic
communication?
A. "You should get up and move around to feel better."
B. "Tell me more about what you're feeling right now." [CORRECT]
C. "Things will look better tomorrow, you'll see."
D. "Your family is coming to visit, so you need to be up."
Correct Answer: B
Q2: During the orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship, which action is the nurse's
priority?
A. Establishing trust and defining the relationship's boundaries [CORRECT]
B. Exploring the client's unconscious conflicts
C. Facilitating the client's behavioral changes
D. Terminating the relationship successfully
Correct Answer: A
Q3: A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "The government is monitoring my thoughts
through the television." Which is the nurse's best initial response?
A. "That's not possible. The government doesn't have that technology."
B. "You believe the government is monitoring your thoughts?" [CORRECT]
C. "Have you told your doctor about these thoughts?"
D. "Let's watch TV in the dayroom instead."
Correct Answer: B
,Q4: Which of the following is a violation of professional boundaries in the nurse-client
relationship? (Select all that apply)
A. Accepting a $50 gift from a grateful client upon discharge [CORRECT]
B. Sharing personal struggles with depression to empathize with a client [CORRECT]
C. Providing education about medication side effects
D. Scheduling the client on the nurse's assigned shifts consistently [CORRECT]
E. Documenting the client's progress toward goals
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Q5: A nurse is caring for a client who was involuntarily committed. The client demands to leave
the facility immediately. Which is the nurse's best response?
A. "You cannot leave until the doctor says you can."
B. "Let me explain your legal rights and the commitment process." [CORRECT]
C. "If you try to leave, I'll have to restrain you."
D. "Everyone here is committed; you'll get used to it."
Correct Answer: B
Q6: A client states, "I'm so worthless. I can't do anything right." Which response by the nurse
uses the therapeutic technique of "exploring"?
A. "You're feeling worthless right now?"
B. "Tell me more about why you feel worthless." [CORRECT]
C. "I think you do many things well."
D. "Feeling worthless is common in depression."
Correct Answer: B
Q7: Which action by the nurse demonstrates the ethical principle of autonomy?
A. Restraining a client to prevent self-harm
B. Obtaining informed consent before ECT treatment [CORRECT]
C. Reporting a client's threat to harm another
D. Allocating limited resources based on acuity
Correct Answer: B
, Q8: A client with borderline personality disorder becomes angry and shouts, "You're the worst
nurse ever! You don't care about me!" Which response demonstrates the most appropriate
boundary setting?
A. "I understand you're upset, but I won't tolerate being shouted at. Let's talk when you can speak
calmly." [CORRECT]
B. "You're wrong. I do care about all my clients."
C. "I'll come back when you're ready to apologize."
D. "Let me get you some PRN medication to calm down."
Correct Answer: A
Q9: A nurse is using seclusion for a client who is violent. Which observation is required by
standard protocol?
A. Documenting vital signs every 8 hours
B. Continuous visual monitoring by assigned staff [CORRECT]
C. Checking on the client every 30 minutes
D. Allowing the client to determine when to exit seclusion
Correct Answer: B
Q10: A client asks the nurse, "Do you think I should divorce my husband?" Which is the nurse's
most therapeutic response?
A. "Yes, he seems abusive based on what you've shared."
B. "What are your thoughts about your marriage?" [CORRECT]
C. "No, you should try counseling first."
D. "I can't give advice about personal relationships."
Correct Answer: B
Q11: Which statement by the nurse demonstrates "false reassurance"?
A. "I hear that you're frightened about the procedure."
B. "Don't worry, everything will be fine." [CORRECT]
C. "Help me understand what specifically concerns you."
D. "Many clients feel anxious before this procedure."
Correct Answer: B
