HESI RN MENTAL HEALTH ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior.
Which action by the MHW warrant immediate intervention by the RN?
A. Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
B. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
C. Is using a loud voice to talk to the client.
D. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client.
Correct Answer
A. Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
Question 2
An outpatient clinic who has been receiving haloperidol (Haldol) for 2 days develops
muscular rigidity, altered consciousness, a temperature of 103, and trouble breathing
on day 3. The nurse interest these findings as indicating which of the following.
A) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
B) Tardive dyskinesia
C) Extrapyramidal adverse effects
D) Drug-induced parksonism
Correct Answer
A) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Question 3
A client is admitted for bipolar disorder and alcohol withdrawal, depressive phase.
Based on which assessment finding will the RN withhold the clonidine (Catapres)
prescription?
A. Pulse rate 68-78 bpm
B. BP readings of 90/62 mmHg to 92/58
C. Temperature of 99.5-99.7 F
D. Respiration rate of 24 bpm
Correct Answer
B. BP readings of 90/62 mmHg to 92/58
Page 1 of 153
,Question 4
Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse-client
interaction?
Client: "When I am anxious, the only thing that calms me down is alcohol."
Nurse: "Other than drinking, what alternatives have you explored to decrease
anxiety?"
A. Reflecting
B. Making observations
C. Formulating a plan of action
D. Giving recognition
Correct Answer
C. Formulating a plan of action
Question 5
A client diagnosed with undifferentiated schizophrenia is being discharged on
aripiprazole (Ability) 5 mg every night. When developing the teaching plan about the
most common adverse effects, which of the following should the nurse include?
Select all that apply.
A) Headaches that will subside in a few weeks
B) Transient mild anxiety
C) Insomnia
D) Torticollis
E) Pill rolling movements
Correct Answer
A) Headaches that will subside in a few weeks
B) Transient mild anxiety
C) Insomnia
Page 2 of 153
,Question 6
The RN on the evening shift receives report that a client is scheduled for
Electroconvulsive Therapy in the morning. Which intervention should the RN
implement the evening before the scheduled ECT?
A. Keep client NPO after midnight
B. Hold all bedtime meds
C. Implement elopement precautions
D. Give the client an enema at bedtime
Correct Answer
A. Keep client NPO after midnight
Question 7
A newly admitted client describes her mission in life as one of saving her son by
eliminating the "provocative sluts" of the world. There are several attractive young
women on the unit. What should the nurse do first?
A) Ask the client for her definition of "provocative sluts"
B) Ask the young female clients on the unit to dress less provocatively
C) Ask the client to discuss her concerns in the next group session
D) Ask the client to inform the staff if she has negative thoughts about other clients
Correct Answer
D) Ask the client to inform the staff if she has negative thoughts about other clients
Question 8
When preparing to administer to domestic violence screening tool to a female client,
which statement should the RN provide?
A. "If your partner is abusing you, I need to ask these questions."
B. "State law mandates that I ask if you are a victim of domestic violence"
C. "The HCP provider needs to know if you are experiencing any domestic abuse"
D. "All clients are screened for domestic abuse because it is common in our society"
Correct Answer
D. "All clients are screened for domestic abuse because it is common in our society"
Page 3 of 153
, Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia for the presence of
hallucinations. Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an
example of making observations?
A. "You appear to be talking to someone I do not see."
B. "Please describe what you are seeing."
C. "Why do you continually look in the corner of this room?"
D. "If you hum a tune, the voices may not be so distracting."
Correct Answer
A. "You appear to be talking to someone I do not see."
Question 10
A male client with schizophrenia is demonstrating echolalia, which is becoming
annoying to other clients on the unit. What intervention is best for the RN to
implement?
A. Isolate the client from other clients
B. Administer PRN sedative
C. Avoid recognizing the behavior
D. Escort the client to his room
Correct Answer
D. Escort the client to his room
Question 11
The RN is providing care for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder
who has self-inflicted lacerations on the abdomen. Which approach should the RN
use when changing this client's dressing?
A. Provide detailed thorough explanations when cleansing wound.
B. Perform the dressing change in a non-judgmental manner.
C. Ask in a non-threatening manner why the client cut own abdomen.
D. Request another staff member assist with the dressing change.
Correct Answer
B. Perform the dressing change in a non-judgmental manner.
Page 4 of 153
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question 1
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior.
Which action by the MHW warrant immediate intervention by the RN?
A. Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
B. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
C. Is using a loud voice to talk to the client.
D. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client.
Correct Answer
A. Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
Question 2
An outpatient clinic who has been receiving haloperidol (Haldol) for 2 days develops
muscular rigidity, altered consciousness, a temperature of 103, and trouble breathing
on day 3. The nurse interest these findings as indicating which of the following.
A) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
B) Tardive dyskinesia
C) Extrapyramidal adverse effects
D) Drug-induced parksonism
Correct Answer
A) Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Question 3
A client is admitted for bipolar disorder and alcohol withdrawal, depressive phase.
Based on which assessment finding will the RN withhold the clonidine (Catapres)
prescription?
A. Pulse rate 68-78 bpm
B. BP readings of 90/62 mmHg to 92/58
C. Temperature of 99.5-99.7 F
D. Respiration rate of 24 bpm
Correct Answer
B. BP readings of 90/62 mmHg to 92/58
Page 1 of 153
,Question 4
Which therapeutic communication technique is being used in this nurse-client
interaction?
Client: "When I am anxious, the only thing that calms me down is alcohol."
Nurse: "Other than drinking, what alternatives have you explored to decrease
anxiety?"
A. Reflecting
B. Making observations
C. Formulating a plan of action
D. Giving recognition
Correct Answer
C. Formulating a plan of action
Question 5
A client diagnosed with undifferentiated schizophrenia is being discharged on
aripiprazole (Ability) 5 mg every night. When developing the teaching plan about the
most common adverse effects, which of the following should the nurse include?
Select all that apply.
A) Headaches that will subside in a few weeks
B) Transient mild anxiety
C) Insomnia
D) Torticollis
E) Pill rolling movements
Correct Answer
A) Headaches that will subside in a few weeks
B) Transient mild anxiety
C) Insomnia
Page 2 of 153
,Question 6
The RN on the evening shift receives report that a client is scheduled for
Electroconvulsive Therapy in the morning. Which intervention should the RN
implement the evening before the scheduled ECT?
A. Keep client NPO after midnight
B. Hold all bedtime meds
C. Implement elopement precautions
D. Give the client an enema at bedtime
Correct Answer
A. Keep client NPO after midnight
Question 7
A newly admitted client describes her mission in life as one of saving her son by
eliminating the "provocative sluts" of the world. There are several attractive young
women on the unit. What should the nurse do first?
A) Ask the client for her definition of "provocative sluts"
B) Ask the young female clients on the unit to dress less provocatively
C) Ask the client to discuss her concerns in the next group session
D) Ask the client to inform the staff if she has negative thoughts about other clients
Correct Answer
D) Ask the client to inform the staff if she has negative thoughts about other clients
Question 8
When preparing to administer to domestic violence screening tool to a female client,
which statement should the RN provide?
A. "If your partner is abusing you, I need to ask these questions."
B. "State law mandates that I ask if you are a victim of domestic violence"
C. "The HCP provider needs to know if you are experiencing any domestic abuse"
D. "All clients are screened for domestic abuse because it is common in our society"
Correct Answer
D. "All clients are screened for domestic abuse because it is common in our society"
Page 3 of 153
, Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client diagnosed with schizophrenia for the presence of
hallucinations. Which therapeutic communication technique used by the nurse is an
example of making observations?
A. "You appear to be talking to someone I do not see."
B. "Please describe what you are seeing."
C. "Why do you continually look in the corner of this room?"
D. "If you hum a tune, the voices may not be so distracting."
Correct Answer
A. "You appear to be talking to someone I do not see."
Question 10
A male client with schizophrenia is demonstrating echolalia, which is becoming
annoying to other clients on the unit. What intervention is best for the RN to
implement?
A. Isolate the client from other clients
B. Administer PRN sedative
C. Avoid recognizing the behavior
D. Escort the client to his room
Correct Answer
D. Escort the client to his room
Question 11
The RN is providing care for a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder
who has self-inflicted lacerations on the abdomen. Which approach should the RN
use when changing this client's dressing?
A. Provide detailed thorough explanations when cleansing wound.
B. Perform the dressing change in a non-judgmental manner.
C. Ask in a non-threatening manner why the client cut own abdomen.
D. Request another staff member assist with the dressing change.
Correct Answer
B. Perform the dressing change in a non-judgmental manner.
Page 4 of 153
