HESI MENTAL HEALTH RN V1 V3
STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ 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? Answer:
The emotional quality of his attitude
◉ 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.
Answer: - Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
- Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
- Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children
◉ 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? Answer: Allow the client to identify the way he
interacts.
,◉ A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines
activities. Which nursing problem has the greatest priority for this
client? Answer: Refusal to address nutritional needs.
◉ 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? Answer:
Benzotropine (Cogentin).
◉ 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? Answer: Pay close
attention and document the nonverbal messages.
◉ A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face
and raises his voice, saying "My roommate is the most selfish, self-
centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses his temper one more
time with me, I am going to punch him out!" The RN recognizes that the
client is using which defense mechanism? Answer: Projection.
◉ A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking lithium
carbonate five days ago is complaining of excessive thirst, and the RN
finds him attempting to drink water from the bathroom sink faucet.
Which intervention should the RN implement? Answer: Report the
client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
,◉ The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed
abstinence therapy using disulfiram (Antabuse). What information
should the client acknowledge understanding? Answer: Remain alcohol
free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
◉ A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental health unit
after abruptly stopping his prescription for ziprasidone (Geodon) one
month ago. Which question is most important for the RN to ask the
client? Answer: Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear?
◉ 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? Answer: "It
sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry."
◉ 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?
Answer: Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
◉ Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self-esteem of a
male client with modern depression? Answer: - Ask the client what his
long term goals are.
- Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
- Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns.
, ◉ A male client is admitted to the psychiatric unit for recurrent negative
symptoms of chronic schizophrenia and medication adjustment of
Risperidone (Risperdal). When the client walks to the nurse's station in a
laterally contracted position, he states that something has made his body
contort into a monster. What action should the RN take? Answer:
Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine (Cogentin) for
dystonia.
◉ A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating
aggressive behavior. Which action by the MHW warrant immediate
intervention by the RN? Answer: Is attempting to physically restrain the
patient.
◉ A client on the mental health unit is becoming more agitated, shouting
at the staff, and pacing in the hallway. When the PRN medication is
offered, the client refuses the medication and defiantly sits on the floor
in the middle of the unit hallway. What nursing intervention should the
RN implement first? Answer: Take other clients in the area to the client
lounge.
◉ A client is admitted to the mental health unit and reports taking extra
antianxiety medication because, "I'm so stressed out. I just want to go to
sleep." The RN should plan one-on-one observation of the client based
on which statement? Answer: "I don't want to walk. Nothing matters
anymore."
◉ A male hospital employee is pushed out the way by a female
employee because of an oncoming gurney. The pushed employee
becomes very angry and swings at the female employee. Both
STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ 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? Answer:
The emotional quality of his attitude
◉ 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.
Answer: - Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
- Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
- Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children
◉ 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? Answer: Allow the client to identify the way he
interacts.
,◉ A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines
activities. Which nursing problem has the greatest priority for this
client? Answer: Refusal to address nutritional needs.
◉ 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? Answer:
Benzotropine (Cogentin).
◉ 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? Answer: Pay close
attention and document the nonverbal messages.
◉ A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face
and raises his voice, saying "My roommate is the most selfish, self-
centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses his temper one more
time with me, I am going to punch him out!" The RN recognizes that the
client is using which defense mechanism? Answer: Projection.
◉ A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking lithium
carbonate five days ago is complaining of excessive thirst, and the RN
finds him attempting to drink water from the bathroom sink faucet.
Which intervention should the RN implement? Answer: Report the
client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
,◉ The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed
abstinence therapy using disulfiram (Antabuse). What information
should the client acknowledge understanding? Answer: Remain alcohol
free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
◉ A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental health unit
after abruptly stopping his prescription for ziprasidone (Geodon) one
month ago. Which question is most important for the RN to ask the
client? Answer: Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear?
◉ 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? Answer: "It
sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry."
◉ 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?
Answer: Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
◉ Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self-esteem of a
male client with modern depression? Answer: - Ask the client what his
long term goals are.
- Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
- Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns.
, ◉ A male client is admitted to the psychiatric unit for recurrent negative
symptoms of chronic schizophrenia and medication adjustment of
Risperidone (Risperdal). When the client walks to the nurse's station in a
laterally contracted position, he states that something has made his body
contort into a monster. What action should the RN take? Answer:
Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine (Cogentin) for
dystonia.
◉ A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating
aggressive behavior. Which action by the MHW warrant immediate
intervention by the RN? Answer: Is attempting to physically restrain the
patient.
◉ A client on the mental health unit is becoming more agitated, shouting
at the staff, and pacing in the hallway. When the PRN medication is
offered, the client refuses the medication and defiantly sits on the floor
in the middle of the unit hallway. What nursing intervention should the
RN implement first? Answer: Take other clients in the area to the client
lounge.
◉ A client is admitted to the mental health unit and reports taking extra
antianxiety medication because, "I'm so stressed out. I just want to go to
sleep." The RN should plan one-on-one observation of the client based
on which statement? Answer: "I don't want to walk. Nothing matters
anymore."
◉ A male hospital employee is pushed out the way by a female
employee because of an oncoming gurney. The pushed employee
becomes very angry and swings at the female employee. Both
