HESI PSYCH EXAM PRACTICE REVIEW 2026
TESTED QUESTIONS
◉ The nurse is leading a "current events group" with client who
have chronic psychiatric illnesses. One group member states, "Clara
Barton was my nurse during my last hospitalization. She was a very
mean nurse and wasn't nice to me." Which response is best for the
nurse to make?
Clara Barton was not your nurse.
What did she do to you that was so mean?
I didn't know that Clara Barton was a nurse.
Clara Barton started the American Red Cross. Answer: Clara Barton
started the American Red Cross.
The historical fact that Clara Barton was a nurse during the Civil War
is referencing the concept of universality in this group therapy
discussion. Stating the original role of Clara Barton in nursing should
be presented, which is the reality in nursing and the American
culture. The other responses are not indicated.
◉ The nurse is planning the care for an adult client with acute
depression. Which intervention should the nurse implement to help
the client deal with depression?
,Ensure that the client's day is filled with group activities.
Assist the client in exploring feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
Allow the client to initiate and determine activities of daily living.
Encourage the client to explore the rationale for depression. Answer:
Assist the client in exploring feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
Depression is associated with feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
Exploring such feelings with the client is an important nursing
intervention for a client who is acutely depressed. The other
interventions are not indicated.
◉ Over a period of several weeks, a male participant of a
socialization group at a community day care center for the elderly
monopolizes most of the group's time and interrupts others when
they are talking. What is the best action for the nurse to take in this
situation?
Talk to the client outside the group about his behavior during group
meetings.
Remind the client to allow others in the group a chance to talk.
Allow the group to handle the problem.
,Ask the client to join another group. Answer: Allow the group to
handle the problem.
The phase the group process is in--initial, working, or termination--
this will help determine communication styles between the group
members. After several weeks, the group is in the working phase and
the group members should be allowed to determine the direction of
the group. The nurse should ignore the client's comments and allow
the group to address the situation.
◉ A client on the psychiatric unit appears to imitate a certain nurse
on the unit. The client seeks out this particular nurse and imitates
the nurse's mannerisms. Which defense mechanism is the client
using?
Sublimation.
Identification.
Introjection.
Repression. Answer: Identification.
Identification is an attempt to be like someone or emulate the
personality traits of another. The client is not demonstrating the
other psychosocial mechanisms.
, ◉ The nurse should include which interventions in the plan of care
for a severely depressed client with neurovegetative symptoms?
(Select all that apply.)
Permit rest periods as needed.
Speaking slowly and simply.
Place the client on suicide precautions.
Observe and encourage food and fluid intake.
Encourage vigorous exercise and long walks on the unit. Answer:
Permit rest periods as needed.
Speaking slowly and simply.
Place the client on suicide precautions.
Observe and encourage food and fluid intake.
Neurovegetative symptoms that accompany the mood disorder of
depression include physiological disruptions, such as anorexia,
constipation, sleep disturbance, and psychomotor retardation. The
client's plan of care should include measures that promote the
client's comfort and well-being, such as rest, nutrition, suicide
precautions, and simple communications. Vigorous exercise and
long walks are not indicated for clients in a neurovegetative state.
TESTED QUESTIONS
◉ The nurse is leading a "current events group" with client who
have chronic psychiatric illnesses. One group member states, "Clara
Barton was my nurse during my last hospitalization. She was a very
mean nurse and wasn't nice to me." Which response is best for the
nurse to make?
Clara Barton was not your nurse.
What did she do to you that was so mean?
I didn't know that Clara Barton was a nurse.
Clara Barton started the American Red Cross. Answer: Clara Barton
started the American Red Cross.
The historical fact that Clara Barton was a nurse during the Civil War
is referencing the concept of universality in this group therapy
discussion. Stating the original role of Clara Barton in nursing should
be presented, which is the reality in nursing and the American
culture. The other responses are not indicated.
◉ The nurse is planning the care for an adult client with acute
depression. Which intervention should the nurse implement to help
the client deal with depression?
,Ensure that the client's day is filled with group activities.
Assist the client in exploring feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
Allow the client to initiate and determine activities of daily living.
Encourage the client to explore the rationale for depression. Answer:
Assist the client in exploring feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
Depression is associated with feelings of shame, anger, and guilt.
Exploring such feelings with the client is an important nursing
intervention for a client who is acutely depressed. The other
interventions are not indicated.
◉ Over a period of several weeks, a male participant of a
socialization group at a community day care center for the elderly
monopolizes most of the group's time and interrupts others when
they are talking. What is the best action for the nurse to take in this
situation?
Talk to the client outside the group about his behavior during group
meetings.
Remind the client to allow others in the group a chance to talk.
Allow the group to handle the problem.
,Ask the client to join another group. Answer: Allow the group to
handle the problem.
The phase the group process is in--initial, working, or termination--
this will help determine communication styles between the group
members. After several weeks, the group is in the working phase and
the group members should be allowed to determine the direction of
the group. The nurse should ignore the client's comments and allow
the group to address the situation.
◉ A client on the psychiatric unit appears to imitate a certain nurse
on the unit. The client seeks out this particular nurse and imitates
the nurse's mannerisms. Which defense mechanism is the client
using?
Sublimation.
Identification.
Introjection.
Repression. Answer: Identification.
Identification is an attempt to be like someone or emulate the
personality traits of another. The client is not demonstrating the
other psychosocial mechanisms.
, ◉ The nurse should include which interventions in the plan of care
for a severely depressed client with neurovegetative symptoms?
(Select all that apply.)
Permit rest periods as needed.
Speaking slowly and simply.
Place the client on suicide precautions.
Observe and encourage food and fluid intake.
Encourage vigorous exercise and long walks on the unit. Answer:
Permit rest periods as needed.
Speaking slowly and simply.
Place the client on suicide precautions.
Observe and encourage food and fluid intake.
Neurovegetative symptoms that accompany the mood disorder of
depression include physiological disruptions, such as anorexia,
constipation, sleep disturbance, and psychomotor retardation. The
client's plan of care should include measures that promote the
client's comfort and well-being, such as rest, nutrition, suicide
precautions, and simple communications. Vigorous exercise and
long walks are not indicated for clients in a neurovegetative state.
