Page 1 of 172
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH HESI PRACTICE
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE
Download now
Champlain Nursing School
HIGH YIELDS QUESTIONS
Exam
NEWEST MODEL 2026 EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
, Page 2 of 172
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE EXAM HESI
A client who has been taking the prescribed dose of zolpidem (Ambien) for 5
days returns to the clinic for a follow-up visit. When interviewing the client, the
nurse identifies that the medication has been effective when the client says:
1
"I have less pain."
2
"I have been sleeping better."
3
"My blood glucose is under control."
4
"My blood pressure is coming down."
2
Zolpidem (Ambien) is a sedative-hypnotic that produces central nervous system
depression in the limbic, thalamic, and hypothalamic areas of the brain. Zolpidem is
not an analgesic, antidiabetic, or antihypertensive medication.
A nurse should base care for grieving clients on the knowledge that the
grieving process may last longer for people who have:
1
Feelings of guilt
2
Ambivalent feelings about death
3
Failed to remarry after several years
4
Close relationships with family members
1
Guilt feelings can prolong the grieving process because the individual is
overwhelmed by both guilt and grief and consequently the energy needed to cope
with both is excessive. Ambivalent feelings about the deceased, not the death itself,
can prolong grief. There are no research data to support the belief that the grieving
process lasts longer for people who failed to remarry after several years. Usually the
opposite is true; the support provided hastens the resolution of grief.
A client asks the nurse, "Because I'm so comfortable talking with you, can we
go out for coffee and movie after I get discharged?" To maintain the
boundaries of a therapeutic relationship, how will the nurse respond?
1
"I'm flattered but that would be professionally unethical."
, Page 3 of 172
2
"You feel connected to me now; that will change once you are discharged."
3
"The attention I've giving you is directed towards getting you better; it isn't
social."
4
"A social life is important so as your nurse let's talk about how you can form
friendships."
4
Clients often become socially interested in the nursing staff. When this occurs the
nurse should remind the client of the nursing role and take the opportunity to discuss
the need for friendships and how to achieve them best. Stating "I'm flattered but that
would be professionally unethical," "You feel connected to me now; that will change
once you are discharged," and "The attention I've giving you is directed towards
getting you better; it isn't social," while not untrue or inappropriate, do not address
best the nursing responsibility in this therapeutic role.
A secretary in a home health agency gossips about coworkers and then writes
them notes to tell them how valuable they are to the organization and how
much she likes working with them. What defense mechanism is being used by
the secretary?
1
Denial
2
Undoing
3
Displacement
4
Intellectualizatio
2
Undoing is atonement for or an attempt to dissipate unacceptable acts or wishes.
Denial is the refusal to accept or perceive unpleasantness as it actually exists.
Displacement is the discharge of pent-up feelings onto something or someone that is
less threatening than the original source of the feelings. Intellectualization is the use
of abstract thinking to minimize painful feelings.
A client with diabetes mellitus is able to discuss in detail the diabetic
metabolic process while eating a piece of chocolate cake. What defense
mechanism does the nurse identify when evaluating this behavior?
1
Projection
2
Dissociation
3
Displacement
4
Intellectualization
4
Intellectualization is the avoidance of a painful emotion with the use of a rational
explanation that removes the event from any personal significance. Projection is the
attribution of unacceptable thoughts and feelings to others. Dissociation is a
temporary alteration of consciousness or identity used to handle conflict; amnesia is
, Page 4 of 172
an example. Displacement is the discharge of a pent-up feeling, generally hostility,
on an object or person perceived to be weaker than the person who aroused the
feelings.
A nurse encourages a client to join a self-help group after being discharged
from a mental health facility. What is the purpose of having people work in a
group?
1
Support
2
Confrontation
3
Psychotherapy
4
Self-awareness
1
Members of a self-help group share similar experiences and can provide valuable
understanding and support to one other. Although confrontation and self-awareness
may occur, these are not the primary purposes of self-help groups. Self-help groups
provide an opportunity for people to interact, not to engage in professional
psychotherapy.
The wife of a client who is dying tells the nurse that although she wants to visit
her husband daily, she can visit only twice a week because she works and has
to take care of the house and their cat and dog. What defense mechanism
does the nurse conclude that the client's wife is using?
1
Projection
2
Sublimation
3
Compensation
4
Rationalization
4Rationalization is offering a socially acceptable or logical explanation to justify an
unacceptable feeling or behavior. Projection is the denial of emotionally
unacceptable feelings and the attribution of the traits to another person. Sublimation
is the substitution of a socially acceptable behavior for an unacceptable feeling or
drive. Compensation is making up for a perceived deficiency by emphasizing another
feature perceived as an asset.
What should the nurse do when determining whether a client is experiencing
adverse effects of risperidone (Risperdal)?
1
Monitor for episodes of diarrhea.
2
Test sensation of lower extremities.
3
Question if dizziness is experienced.
4
Auscultate breath sounds to detect wheezing.
3
Hypotension and dizziness are adverse effects of risperidone (Risperdal).
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH HESI PRACTICE
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE
Download now
Champlain Nursing School
HIGH YIELDS QUESTIONS
Exam
NEWEST MODEL 2026 EXAM LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS VERIFIED 100 %
, Page 2 of 172
PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE EXAM HESI
A client who has been taking the prescribed dose of zolpidem (Ambien) for 5
days returns to the clinic for a follow-up visit. When interviewing the client, the
nurse identifies that the medication has been effective when the client says:
1
"I have less pain."
2
"I have been sleeping better."
3
"My blood glucose is under control."
4
"My blood pressure is coming down."
2
Zolpidem (Ambien) is a sedative-hypnotic that produces central nervous system
depression in the limbic, thalamic, and hypothalamic areas of the brain. Zolpidem is
not an analgesic, antidiabetic, or antihypertensive medication.
A nurse should base care for grieving clients on the knowledge that the
grieving process may last longer for people who have:
1
Feelings of guilt
2
Ambivalent feelings about death
3
Failed to remarry after several years
4
Close relationships with family members
1
Guilt feelings can prolong the grieving process because the individual is
overwhelmed by both guilt and grief and consequently the energy needed to cope
with both is excessive. Ambivalent feelings about the deceased, not the death itself,
can prolong grief. There are no research data to support the belief that the grieving
process lasts longer for people who failed to remarry after several years. Usually the
opposite is true; the support provided hastens the resolution of grief.
A client asks the nurse, "Because I'm so comfortable talking with you, can we
go out for coffee and movie after I get discharged?" To maintain the
boundaries of a therapeutic relationship, how will the nurse respond?
1
"I'm flattered but that would be professionally unethical."
, Page 3 of 172
2
"You feel connected to me now; that will change once you are discharged."
3
"The attention I've giving you is directed towards getting you better; it isn't
social."
4
"A social life is important so as your nurse let's talk about how you can form
friendships."
4
Clients often become socially interested in the nursing staff. When this occurs the
nurse should remind the client of the nursing role and take the opportunity to discuss
the need for friendships and how to achieve them best. Stating "I'm flattered but that
would be professionally unethical," "You feel connected to me now; that will change
once you are discharged," and "The attention I've giving you is directed towards
getting you better; it isn't social," while not untrue or inappropriate, do not address
best the nursing responsibility in this therapeutic role.
A secretary in a home health agency gossips about coworkers and then writes
them notes to tell them how valuable they are to the organization and how
much she likes working with them. What defense mechanism is being used by
the secretary?
1
Denial
2
Undoing
3
Displacement
4
Intellectualizatio
2
Undoing is atonement for or an attempt to dissipate unacceptable acts or wishes.
Denial is the refusal to accept or perceive unpleasantness as it actually exists.
Displacement is the discharge of pent-up feelings onto something or someone that is
less threatening than the original source of the feelings. Intellectualization is the use
of abstract thinking to minimize painful feelings.
A client with diabetes mellitus is able to discuss in detail the diabetic
metabolic process while eating a piece of chocolate cake. What defense
mechanism does the nurse identify when evaluating this behavior?
1
Projection
2
Dissociation
3
Displacement
4
Intellectualization
4
Intellectualization is the avoidance of a painful emotion with the use of a rational
explanation that removes the event from any personal significance. Projection is the
attribution of unacceptable thoughts and feelings to others. Dissociation is a
temporary alteration of consciousness or identity used to handle conflict; amnesia is
, Page 4 of 172
an example. Displacement is the discharge of a pent-up feeling, generally hostility,
on an object or person perceived to be weaker than the person who aroused the
feelings.
A nurse encourages a client to join a self-help group after being discharged
from a mental health facility. What is the purpose of having people work in a
group?
1
Support
2
Confrontation
3
Psychotherapy
4
Self-awareness
1
Members of a self-help group share similar experiences and can provide valuable
understanding and support to one other. Although confrontation and self-awareness
may occur, these are not the primary purposes of self-help groups. Self-help groups
provide an opportunity for people to interact, not to engage in professional
psychotherapy.
The wife of a client who is dying tells the nurse that although she wants to visit
her husband daily, she can visit only twice a week because she works and has
to take care of the house and their cat and dog. What defense mechanism
does the nurse conclude that the client's wife is using?
1
Projection
2
Sublimation
3
Compensation
4
Rationalization
4Rationalization is offering a socially acceptable or logical explanation to justify an
unacceptable feeling or behavior. Projection is the denial of emotionally
unacceptable feelings and the attribution of the traits to another person. Sublimation
is the substitution of a socially acceptable behavior for an unacceptable feeling or
drive. Compensation is making up for a perceived deficiency by emphasizing another
feature perceived as an asset.
What should the nurse do when determining whether a client is experiencing
adverse effects of risperidone (Risperdal)?
1
Monitor for episodes of diarrhea.
2
Test sensation of lower extremities.
3
Question if dizziness is experienced.
4
Auscultate breath sounds to detect wheezing.
3
Hypotension and dizziness are adverse effects of risperidone (Risperdal).
