HESI MENTAL HEALTH LATEST 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
✔✔the client diagnosed with anorexia is refusing to eat and is less than 20% of ideal
body weight for her height and structure. The client has not eaten anything since
admission 2 days ago. Which action should the nurse implement?
1. Notify the psychiatrist to request a court order to feed the client.
2. Take no action because the client has the right to refuse treatment.
3. Discharge the client because she is not complying with the treatment.
4. Physically restrain the client and insert a nasogastric tube for feeding. - ✔✔Answer:
1. Notify the psychiatrist to request a court order to feed the client.
✔✔The nurse answers the client's phone in the lobby area and the person asks, "May I
speak to Mr. Jones?" Which action should the nurse implement?
1. Ask the caller who is asking for Mr. Jones.
2. Tell the caller Mr. Jones cannot have phone calls.
3. Request the caller to give the access code for information.
4. Find Mr. Jones and tell them he has a phone call. - ✔✔Answer:
4. Find Mr. Jones and tell them he has a phone call. (This is the client's phone. Facility
phone would be different.)
✔✔The client being the psychiatric nurse in the mental health clinic tells the nurse "If I
tell you something very important, will you promise not to tell anyone?" Which statement
is the nurse's best response?
1. "I promise I will not tell anyone if you don't want me to."
2. "If it affects your care I will have to tell someone who can help."
3. "If you don't want me to tell anyone, then please don't tell me."
4. "Why do you not want me to tell anyone if it is so important?" - ✔✔Answer:
2. "If it affects your care I will have to tell someone who can help."
(1. don't promise anything. 3. do not shut a pt down when they are trying to
communicate. 4. never ask a pt "why" or "what made you".)
✔✔Which situation would warrant immediate intervention by the charge nurse on the
psychiatric unit after receiving the a.m. shift report?
1. The client diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia who is delusional.
2. The p.m. shift licensed practical nurse called in to say that he or she would not be in
for work today.
3. The male mental health worker reports losing his unit key and identification card.
4. The unit secretary has HCP's orders that need to be co-signed. - ✔✔Answer:
3. The male mental health worker reports losing his unit key and identification card.
(The unit is no longer secure. Pt's safety is at risk.)
✔✔A highly agitated client paces the unit and states. "I could buy and sell this place."
The client's mood fluctuates rom fits of laughter to outbursts of anger. Which is the most
accurate documentation of this client's behavior?
,A. "Rates mood 8/10. Exhibiting looseness of association. Euphoric."
B. "Mood euthymic. Exhibiting magical thinking. Restless."
C. "Mood labile. Exhibiting delusions of reference. Hyperactive."
D. "Agitated and pacing. Exhibiting grandiosity. Mood labile." - ✔✔Answer:
D. "Agitated and pacing. Exhibiting grandiosity. Mood labile."
✔✔A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder is distraught over insomnia experienced
over the last 3 nights and a 12- pound weight loss over the past 2 weeks. Which should
be this client's priority nursing diagnosis?
A. Knowledge deficit R/T bipolar disorder AEB concern about symptoms.
B. Altered nutrition: Less than body requirements r/t hyperactivity AEB weight loss.
C. Risk for suicide r/t powerlessness AEB insomnia and anorexia.
D. Altered sleep patterns r/t mania AEB insomnia for the past 3 nights. - ✔✔Answer:
B. Altered nutrition: Less than body requirements r/t hyperactivity AEB weight loss.
(physical needs/health always priority.)
✔✔A nurse is planning care for a client diagnosed with bipolar disorder: manic phase. In
which order should the nurse prioritize the client outcomes in the exhibit?
Client outcomes:
1. Maintains nutritional status.
2. Interacts appropriately with peers.
3. Remains free from injury.
4. Sleeps 6-8 hrs at night. - ✔✔Answer:
3., 1., 4., 2.
✔✔A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder: depressive phase intentionally overdoses
on sertraline (Zoloft). Family members report that the client has experience anorexia,
insomnia, and recent job loss. What should be the priority nursing diagnosis for this
client?
A. Risk for suicide r/t hopelessness.
B. Anxiety: severe r/t hyperactivity
C. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements r/t refusal to eat
D. Dysfunctional grieving r/t loss of employment. - ✔✔Answer:
A. Risk for suicide r/t hopelessness.
✔✔A client diagnosed with BP disorder: manic episode refuses to take lithium
carbonate due to excessive weight gain. in order to increase compliance, which
medication should a nurse anticipate that a physician will prescribe?
A. Sertraline (Zoloft)
B. Valporic acid (Depakote)
C. Trazodone (Desyrel)
D. Paroxetine (Paxil) - ✔✔Answer:
B. Valporic acid (Depakote)
(prescribed to help with weight loss.)
, ✔✔A client diagnosed with BP disorder is exhibiting severe manic behaviors. A
physician prescribes lithium carbonate (Eskalith) and olanzapine (Zyprexa). The client's
spouse questions the Zyprexa order. Which is the appropriate nursing response?
A. "Zyprexa in combination with Eskalith cures manic symptoms."
B. "Zyprexa prevents extrapyramidal side effects."
C. "Zyprexa ensures a good night's sleep."
D. "Zyprexa calms hyperactivity until the Eskalith takes effect." - ✔✔Answer:
D. "Zyprexa calms hyperactivity until the Eskalith takes effect."
(when it comes to psych meds, it takes 4-6 wks to see effect. Give Zyprexa as a bridge
until Lithium takes in effect."
✔✔A client began taking lithium for the treatment of BP disorder approximately 1 month
ago. The client asks if it is normal to have gained 12 pounds in this time frame. Which is
the appropriate nursing response?
A. "Thats strange. Weight loss is the typical pattern."
B. "What have you been eating? Weight gain is not usually associate with lithium."
C. "Weight gain is a common but troubling side effect."
D. "Weight gain only occurs during the first month of treatment with this drug." -
✔✔Answer:
C. "Weight gain is a common but troubling side effect."
✔✔A client diagnosed with BP disorder has been taking lithium carbonate (Lithaine) for
1 year. The client presents in an emergency department with a temp of 101F (38C),
severe diarrhea, blurred vision, and tinnitus. How should the nurse interpret these
symptoms?
A. Symptoms indicate consumption of foods high in tyramine.
B. Symptoms indicate lithium carbonate discontinuation syndrome.
C. Symptoms indicate the development of lithium carbonate tolerance.
D. Symptoms indicate lithium carbonate toxicity. - ✔✔Answer:
D. Symptoms indicate lithium carbonate toxicity. (0.6-1.2 normal range. blurred vision
and tinnitus is most obvious clue)
✔✔A nursing instructor is discussing various challenges in the treatment of clients
diagnosed with bp disorder. Which student statement demonstrates an understanding of
the most critical challenge in the care of these clients?
A. "Treatment is compromised when clients can't sleep."
B. "Treatment is compromised with irritability interferes with social interactions."
C. "Treatment is compromised when clients have no insight into their problems."
D. "Treatment is compromised when clients choose not to take their medications." -
✔✔Answer:
D. "Treatment is compromised when clients choose not to take their medications."
✔✔A clients diagnosed with bp disorder: manic phase. Which nursing intervention
would be implemented to achieve the outcome of "Client will gain 2 lb by the end of the
week?"
AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
✔✔the client diagnosed with anorexia is refusing to eat and is less than 20% of ideal
body weight for her height and structure. The client has not eaten anything since
admission 2 days ago. Which action should the nurse implement?
1. Notify the psychiatrist to request a court order to feed the client.
2. Take no action because the client has the right to refuse treatment.
3. Discharge the client because she is not complying with the treatment.
4. Physically restrain the client and insert a nasogastric tube for feeding. - ✔✔Answer:
1. Notify the psychiatrist to request a court order to feed the client.
✔✔The nurse answers the client's phone in the lobby area and the person asks, "May I
speak to Mr. Jones?" Which action should the nurse implement?
1. Ask the caller who is asking for Mr. Jones.
2. Tell the caller Mr. Jones cannot have phone calls.
3. Request the caller to give the access code for information.
4. Find Mr. Jones and tell them he has a phone call. - ✔✔Answer:
4. Find Mr. Jones and tell them he has a phone call. (This is the client's phone. Facility
phone would be different.)
✔✔The client being the psychiatric nurse in the mental health clinic tells the nurse "If I
tell you something very important, will you promise not to tell anyone?" Which statement
is the nurse's best response?
1. "I promise I will not tell anyone if you don't want me to."
2. "If it affects your care I will have to tell someone who can help."
3. "If you don't want me to tell anyone, then please don't tell me."
4. "Why do you not want me to tell anyone if it is so important?" - ✔✔Answer:
2. "If it affects your care I will have to tell someone who can help."
(1. don't promise anything. 3. do not shut a pt down when they are trying to
communicate. 4. never ask a pt "why" or "what made you".)
✔✔Which situation would warrant immediate intervention by the charge nurse on the
psychiatric unit after receiving the a.m. shift report?
1. The client diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia who is delusional.
2. The p.m. shift licensed practical nurse called in to say that he or she would not be in
for work today.
3. The male mental health worker reports losing his unit key and identification card.
4. The unit secretary has HCP's orders that need to be co-signed. - ✔✔Answer:
3. The male mental health worker reports losing his unit key and identification card.
(The unit is no longer secure. Pt's safety is at risk.)
✔✔A highly agitated client paces the unit and states. "I could buy and sell this place."
The client's mood fluctuates rom fits of laughter to outbursts of anger. Which is the most
accurate documentation of this client's behavior?
,A. "Rates mood 8/10. Exhibiting looseness of association. Euphoric."
B. "Mood euthymic. Exhibiting magical thinking. Restless."
C. "Mood labile. Exhibiting delusions of reference. Hyperactive."
D. "Agitated and pacing. Exhibiting grandiosity. Mood labile." - ✔✔Answer:
D. "Agitated and pacing. Exhibiting grandiosity. Mood labile."
✔✔A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder is distraught over insomnia experienced
over the last 3 nights and a 12- pound weight loss over the past 2 weeks. Which should
be this client's priority nursing diagnosis?
A. Knowledge deficit R/T bipolar disorder AEB concern about symptoms.
B. Altered nutrition: Less than body requirements r/t hyperactivity AEB weight loss.
C. Risk for suicide r/t powerlessness AEB insomnia and anorexia.
D. Altered sleep patterns r/t mania AEB insomnia for the past 3 nights. - ✔✔Answer:
B. Altered nutrition: Less than body requirements r/t hyperactivity AEB weight loss.
(physical needs/health always priority.)
✔✔A nurse is planning care for a client diagnosed with bipolar disorder: manic phase. In
which order should the nurse prioritize the client outcomes in the exhibit?
Client outcomes:
1. Maintains nutritional status.
2. Interacts appropriately with peers.
3. Remains free from injury.
4. Sleeps 6-8 hrs at night. - ✔✔Answer:
3., 1., 4., 2.
✔✔A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder: depressive phase intentionally overdoses
on sertraline (Zoloft). Family members report that the client has experience anorexia,
insomnia, and recent job loss. What should be the priority nursing diagnosis for this
client?
A. Risk for suicide r/t hopelessness.
B. Anxiety: severe r/t hyperactivity
C. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements r/t refusal to eat
D. Dysfunctional grieving r/t loss of employment. - ✔✔Answer:
A. Risk for suicide r/t hopelessness.
✔✔A client diagnosed with BP disorder: manic episode refuses to take lithium
carbonate due to excessive weight gain. in order to increase compliance, which
medication should a nurse anticipate that a physician will prescribe?
A. Sertraline (Zoloft)
B. Valporic acid (Depakote)
C. Trazodone (Desyrel)
D. Paroxetine (Paxil) - ✔✔Answer:
B. Valporic acid (Depakote)
(prescribed to help with weight loss.)
, ✔✔A client diagnosed with BP disorder is exhibiting severe manic behaviors. A
physician prescribes lithium carbonate (Eskalith) and olanzapine (Zyprexa). The client's
spouse questions the Zyprexa order. Which is the appropriate nursing response?
A. "Zyprexa in combination with Eskalith cures manic symptoms."
B. "Zyprexa prevents extrapyramidal side effects."
C. "Zyprexa ensures a good night's sleep."
D. "Zyprexa calms hyperactivity until the Eskalith takes effect." - ✔✔Answer:
D. "Zyprexa calms hyperactivity until the Eskalith takes effect."
(when it comes to psych meds, it takes 4-6 wks to see effect. Give Zyprexa as a bridge
until Lithium takes in effect."
✔✔A client began taking lithium for the treatment of BP disorder approximately 1 month
ago. The client asks if it is normal to have gained 12 pounds in this time frame. Which is
the appropriate nursing response?
A. "Thats strange. Weight loss is the typical pattern."
B. "What have you been eating? Weight gain is not usually associate with lithium."
C. "Weight gain is a common but troubling side effect."
D. "Weight gain only occurs during the first month of treatment with this drug." -
✔✔Answer:
C. "Weight gain is a common but troubling side effect."
✔✔A client diagnosed with BP disorder has been taking lithium carbonate (Lithaine) for
1 year. The client presents in an emergency department with a temp of 101F (38C),
severe diarrhea, blurred vision, and tinnitus. How should the nurse interpret these
symptoms?
A. Symptoms indicate consumption of foods high in tyramine.
B. Symptoms indicate lithium carbonate discontinuation syndrome.
C. Symptoms indicate the development of lithium carbonate tolerance.
D. Symptoms indicate lithium carbonate toxicity. - ✔✔Answer:
D. Symptoms indicate lithium carbonate toxicity. (0.6-1.2 normal range. blurred vision
and tinnitus is most obvious clue)
✔✔A nursing instructor is discussing various challenges in the treatment of clients
diagnosed with bp disorder. Which student statement demonstrates an understanding of
the most critical challenge in the care of these clients?
A. "Treatment is compromised when clients can't sleep."
B. "Treatment is compromised with irritability interferes with social interactions."
C. "Treatment is compromised when clients have no insight into their problems."
D. "Treatment is compromised when clients choose not to take their medications." -
✔✔Answer:
D. "Treatment is compromised when clients choose not to take their medications."
✔✔A clients diagnosed with bp disorder: manic phase. Which nursing intervention
would be implemented to achieve the outcome of "Client will gain 2 lb by the end of the
week?"
