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 - A+ Graded
Section 1: Foundational Concepts & Therapeutic Communication (Questions 1-20)
Q1: A client admitted with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I don't see the point in
talking to you. Nothing you say will make me feel better." Which response demonstrates the
therapeutic communication technique of offering self?
A. "I understand how you feel. I've been depressed too, and talking really helped me."
B. "You should give it a try. Talking about your feelings is part of getting better."
C. "I'm here to listen if you want to talk, or we can just sit together quietly." [CORRECT]
D. "Why do you think talking won't help you?"
Correct Answer: C
Q2: During the orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship, which action is the nurse's
priority?
A. Encourage the client to explore feelings about hospitalization
B. Establish clear boundaries and explain the purpose of the relationship [CORRECT]
C. Help the client develop insight into maladaptive behaviors
D. Evaluate the client's progress toward established goals
Correct Answer: B
Q3: A client states, "I hear voices telling me to hurt my roommate." Which is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Assess the content and frequency of the hallucinations
B. Ensure immediate safety of the client and roommate [CORRECT]
C. Administer PRN antipsychotic medication
D. Document the statement in the medical record
Correct Answer: B
,Q4: A nurse is caring for four clients on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which client requires
immediate assessment?
A. A client with depression who refuses to attend group therapy
B. A client with bipolar disorder who is pacing and speaking loudly
C. A client with schizophrenia who is standing in the hallway stating, "The devil is inside my
chest and I must cut it out" while clutching a sharp pencil [CORRECT]
D. A client with anxiety who is requesting PRN lorazepam
Correct Answer: C
Q5: Which of the following are therapeutic communication techniques? (Select all that apply)
A. "You should take your medication as prescribed."
B. "Tell me more about what you're experiencing." [CORRECT]
C. "I notice you're clenching your fists. Are you feeling angry?" [CORRECT]
D. "Everything will work out fine. Don't worry."
E. "What do you think would help you feel more comfortable?" [CORRECT]
Correct Answers: B, C, E
Q6: A client with borderline personality disorder attempts to engage the nurse in a social
relationship outside the hospital, saying, "You're the only one who understands me." Which
response maintains appropriate professional boundaries?
A. "I care about all my clients, but I cannot see you outside the hospital. Let's discuss your
feelings about our therapeutic relationship." [CORRECT]
B. "I can't be your friend, but I can give you my personal phone number for emergencies."
C. "You need to focus on making friends with other clients here."
D. "Why do you feel I'm the only one who understands you?"
Correct Answer: A
Q7: A client admitted voluntarily for depression requests to leave the hospital. The nurse knows
that:
A. The client can leave immediately against medical advice
B. The client must wait for physician discharge
C. The client has the right to request discharge, and the physician must evaluate for involuntary
,commitment criteria if the client is a danger to self or others [CORRECT]
D. The client loses all rights upon admission
Correct Answer: C
Q8: A nurse documents in the client's chart: "Client was manipulative and attention-seeking
during shift." This documentation is:
A. Appropriate objective documentation
B. Subjective and potentially biased; should describe specific behaviors instead [CORRECT]
C. Required for clients with personality disorders
D. Therapeutic and helps the treatment team
Correct Answer: B
Q9: A client tells the nurse, "I'm going to kill myself as soon as I leave here." Which response is
non-therapeutic?
A. "Are you having thoughts of hurting yourself right now?"
B. "You have so much to live for. Think about your family." [CORRECT]
C. "Tell me what makes you feel that way."
D. "Let's get the psychiatrist to talk with you about these thoughts."
Correct Answer: B
Q10: Which situations require mandatory reporting by the nurse? (Select all that apply)
A. A 16-year-old client reveals they are sexually active with their 16-year-old partner
B. An elderly client shows signs of physical abuse by their caregiver [CORRECT]
C. A client threatens to harm their ex-spouse [CORRECT]
D. A client admits to using illegal drugs
E. A minor client discloses sexual abuse by a family member [CORRECT]
Correct Answers: B, C, E
Q11: A client with schizophrenia says, "The CIA is monitoring my thoughts through the
television." Which is the most therapeutic response?
A. "That's not true. The CIA doesn't monitor people's thoughts."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling frightened. Tell me more about what you're experiencing."
, [CORRECT]
C. "You have schizophrenia, which causes these false beliefs."
D. "Let's watch TV together so you can see it's not monitoring you."
Correct Answer: B
Q12: The nurse is implementing seclusion for an aggressive client. Which action is essential?
A. Keep the client in seclusion for a minimum of 4 hours to ensure safety
B. Provide one-to-one observation and assess every 15 minutes (or per policy) [CORRECT]
C. Restrain the client to the bed while in seclusion
D. Withhold food and fluids until the client is calm
Correct Answer: B
Q13: A client states, "My doctor told me I have bipolar disorder, but I don't think that's right. I'm
just energetic." The nurse responds, "You're questioning your diagnosis because it doesn't fit with
how you see yourself." This is an example of:
A. Restating
B. Clarifying
C. Reflecting [CORRECT]
D. Focusing
Correct Answer: C
Q14: Which statement about informed consent in mental health settings is correct?
A. Clients with mental illness cannot provide informed consent
B. Informed consent requires that the client understands the information, is competent to make
decisions, and volunteers for treatment [CORRECT]
C. Informed consent is not required for ECT treatment
D. Parents cannot provide informed consent for adolescent mental health treatment
Correct Answer: B
Q15: A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the psychiatric unit. The nurse-client
relationship is in the working phase. Which intervention is most appropriate?
REVIEW GUIDE 2026/2027 | Verified Questions and
Answers | Focus on Therapeutic Communication & Safety |
Grade A Target | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Foundational Concepts & Therapeutic Communication (Questions 1-20)
Q1: A client admitted with major depressive disorder tells the nurse, "I don't see the point in
talking to you. Nothing you say will make me feel better." Which response demonstrates the
therapeutic communication technique of offering self?
A. "I understand how you feel. I've been depressed too, and talking really helped me."
B. "You should give it a try. Talking about your feelings is part of getting better."
C. "I'm here to listen if you want to talk, or we can just sit together quietly." [CORRECT]
D. "Why do you think talking won't help you?"
Correct Answer: C
Q2: During the orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship, which action is the nurse's
priority?
A. Encourage the client to explore feelings about hospitalization
B. Establish clear boundaries and explain the purpose of the relationship [CORRECT]
C. Help the client develop insight into maladaptive behaviors
D. Evaluate the client's progress toward established goals
Correct Answer: B
Q3: A client states, "I hear voices telling me to hurt my roommate." Which is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Assess the content and frequency of the hallucinations
B. Ensure immediate safety of the client and roommate [CORRECT]
C. Administer PRN antipsychotic medication
D. Document the statement in the medical record
Correct Answer: B
,Q4: A nurse is caring for four clients on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Which client requires
immediate assessment?
A. A client with depression who refuses to attend group therapy
B. A client with bipolar disorder who is pacing and speaking loudly
C. A client with schizophrenia who is standing in the hallway stating, "The devil is inside my
chest and I must cut it out" while clutching a sharp pencil [CORRECT]
D. A client with anxiety who is requesting PRN lorazepam
Correct Answer: C
Q5: Which of the following are therapeutic communication techniques? (Select all that apply)
A. "You should take your medication as prescribed."
B. "Tell me more about what you're experiencing." [CORRECT]
C. "I notice you're clenching your fists. Are you feeling angry?" [CORRECT]
D. "Everything will work out fine. Don't worry."
E. "What do you think would help you feel more comfortable?" [CORRECT]
Correct Answers: B, C, E
Q6: A client with borderline personality disorder attempts to engage the nurse in a social
relationship outside the hospital, saying, "You're the only one who understands me." Which
response maintains appropriate professional boundaries?
A. "I care about all my clients, but I cannot see you outside the hospital. Let's discuss your
feelings about our therapeutic relationship." [CORRECT]
B. "I can't be your friend, but I can give you my personal phone number for emergencies."
C. "You need to focus on making friends with other clients here."
D. "Why do you feel I'm the only one who understands you?"
Correct Answer: A
Q7: A client admitted voluntarily for depression requests to leave the hospital. The nurse knows
that:
A. The client can leave immediately against medical advice
B. The client must wait for physician discharge
C. The client has the right to request discharge, and the physician must evaluate for involuntary
,commitment criteria if the client is a danger to self or others [CORRECT]
D. The client loses all rights upon admission
Correct Answer: C
Q8: A nurse documents in the client's chart: "Client was manipulative and attention-seeking
during shift." This documentation is:
A. Appropriate objective documentation
B. Subjective and potentially biased; should describe specific behaviors instead [CORRECT]
C. Required for clients with personality disorders
D. Therapeutic and helps the treatment team
Correct Answer: B
Q9: A client tells the nurse, "I'm going to kill myself as soon as I leave here." Which response is
non-therapeutic?
A. "Are you having thoughts of hurting yourself right now?"
B. "You have so much to live for. Think about your family." [CORRECT]
C. "Tell me what makes you feel that way."
D. "Let's get the psychiatrist to talk with you about these thoughts."
Correct Answer: B
Q10: Which situations require mandatory reporting by the nurse? (Select all that apply)
A. A 16-year-old client reveals they are sexually active with their 16-year-old partner
B. An elderly client shows signs of physical abuse by their caregiver [CORRECT]
C. A client threatens to harm their ex-spouse [CORRECT]
D. A client admits to using illegal drugs
E. A minor client discloses sexual abuse by a family member [CORRECT]
Correct Answers: B, C, E
Q11: A client with schizophrenia says, "The CIA is monitoring my thoughts through the
television." Which is the most therapeutic response?
A. "That's not true. The CIA doesn't monitor people's thoughts."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling frightened. Tell me more about what you're experiencing."
, [CORRECT]
C. "You have schizophrenia, which causes these false beliefs."
D. "Let's watch TV together so you can see it's not monitoring you."
Correct Answer: B
Q12: The nurse is implementing seclusion for an aggressive client. Which action is essential?
A. Keep the client in seclusion for a minimum of 4 hours to ensure safety
B. Provide one-to-one observation and assess every 15 minutes (or per policy) [CORRECT]
C. Restrain the client to the bed while in seclusion
D. Withhold food and fluids until the client is calm
Correct Answer: B
Q13: A client states, "My doctor told me I have bipolar disorder, but I don't think that's right. I'm
just energetic." The nurse responds, "You're questioning your diagnosis because it doesn't fit with
how you see yourself." This is an example of:
A. Restating
B. Clarifying
C. Reflecting [CORRECT]
D. Focusing
Correct Answer: C
Q14: Which statement about informed consent in mental health settings is correct?
A. Clients with mental illness cannot provide informed consent
B. Informed consent requires that the client understands the information, is competent to make
decisions, and volunteers for treatment [CORRECT]
C. Informed consent is not required for ECT treatment
D. Parents cannot provide informed consent for adolescent mental health treatment
Correct Answer: B
Q15: A client with anorexia nervosa is admitted to the psychiatric unit. The nurse-client
relationship is in the working phase. Which intervention is most appropriate?
