HESI MENTAL HEALTH MOST RECENT EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS and CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+
During an annual physical by the occupational RN working in a corporate clinic, a
male employee tells the RN that is high-stress job is causing trouble in his
personal life. He further explains that he often gets so angry while driving to and
from work that he has considered "getting even" with other drivers. How should
the RN respond?
A. "Anger is contagious and could result in major confrontation."
B. "Try not to let your anger cause you to act impulsively."
C. "Expressing your anger to a stranger could result in an unsafe situation."
D. "It sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry." -
CORRECT ANSWER-D
A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is beginning desensitization with
the therapist, and the RN is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the
highest priority for this client's plan of care?
A. Encourage substitution of positive thoughts and negative ones.
B. Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
C. Progressively expose the client to larger crowds.
,D. Encourage deep breathing when anxiety escalates in a crowd. - CORRECT
ANSWER-B
While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate
documentation later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking
during an interview?
A. The nurse' ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal communication is
limited
with note taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased when the nurse breaks eye contact to
take note to take note.
D. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client speak
at normal pace. - CORRECT ANSWER-A
An adolescent male receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug because he
is exhibiting a depressed affect. While the client is taking the antidepressant,
which comparison of the client's behavior before and after taking the drug is most
important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
,D. The interactions he has with others. - CORRECT ANSWER-B
A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female
client who is a victim of intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be
included in the safety plan? Select all that apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children - CORRECT
ANSWER-B C D
While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a male adolescent avoids
eye contact, looks at the floor, and talks softly when interacting verbally with the
nurse. The two trade places, and the nurse demonstrate the client's behavior.
What is the main goal of this therapeutic techniques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his interactions.) - CORRECT ANSWER-B
, A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines activities.
Which nursing problem has the greatest priority for this client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
D. Low self-esteem. - CORRECT ANSWER-C
The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder and notices that
the client discontinued antipsychotic medication for several days. Which
medication should also be discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia). - CORRECT ANSWER-B
A female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the room during
the admission assessment. When interviewing the client, the RN notes a
discrepancy between the client's verbal and nonverbal communication. What
action does the RN take?
A. Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the discrepancy.
QUESTIONS and CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+
During an annual physical by the occupational RN working in a corporate clinic, a
male employee tells the RN that is high-stress job is causing trouble in his
personal life. He further explains that he often gets so angry while driving to and
from work that he has considered "getting even" with other drivers. How should
the RN respond?
A. "Anger is contagious and could result in major confrontation."
B. "Try not to let your anger cause you to act impulsively."
C. "Expressing your anger to a stranger could result in an unsafe situation."
D. "It sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry." -
CORRECT ANSWER-D
A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is beginning desensitization with
the therapist, and the RN is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the
highest priority for this client's plan of care?
A. Encourage substitution of positive thoughts and negative ones.
B. Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
C. Progressively expose the client to larger crowds.
,D. Encourage deep breathing when anxiety escalates in a crowd. - CORRECT
ANSWER-B
While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate
documentation later. Which statement is most accurate regarding note-taking
during an interview?
A. The nurse' ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal communication is
limited
with note taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased when the nurse breaks eye contact to
take note to take note.
D. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client speak
at normal pace. - CORRECT ANSWER-A
An adolescent male receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug because he
is exhibiting a depressed affect. While the client is taking the antidepressant,
which comparison of the client's behavior before and after taking the drug is most
important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
,D. The interactions he has with others. - CORRECT ANSWER-B
A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female
client who is a victim of intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be
included in the safety plan? Select all that apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children - CORRECT
ANSWER-B C D
While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a male adolescent avoids
eye contact, looks at the floor, and talks softly when interacting verbally with the
nurse. The two trade places, and the nurse demonstrate the client's behavior.
What is the main goal of this therapeutic techniques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his interactions.) - CORRECT ANSWER-B
, A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines activities.
Which nursing problem has the greatest priority for this client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
D. Low self-esteem. - CORRECT ANSWER-C
The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder and notices that
the client discontinued antipsychotic medication for several days. Which
medication should also be discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia). - CORRECT ANSWER-B
A female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the room during
the admission assessment. When interviewing the client, the RN notes a
discrepancy between the client's verbal and nonverbal communication. What
action does the RN take?
A. Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the discrepancy.
