HESI MENTAL HEALTH EXAM 3 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND RATIONALE GUIDE 2026
◉ A client who refuses antipsychotic medications disrupts group
activities, talks with nonsensical words and wanders into client's
rooms. The RN decides that the client needs constant observation
based on which of these assessment findings?
A. Wanders into the clients rooms.
B. Refuses antipsychotic medications.
C. Talks with nonsensical words.
D. Disrupts group activities. Answer: A
◉ A client with schizophrenia explains that she has 20 children and
then very seriously points to the RN and explains that she is one of
them. What is the most therapeutic response for the RN to provide/
A. "Let's go ask another RN is this is true."
B. "My name tag shows that I am a RN here."
C. "I can't possibly be one if your children."
D. "I know that you don't have 20 children." Answer: B
◉ A high school girl reveals to the high school RN that she has been
engaging in self- induced vomiting as weight-control measure.
,Which initial assessment should the RN focus on with this
adolescent?
A. National percentile of weight and height.
B. Frequency of bingeing and purging behaviors.
C. Perceptions of family and social relationships.
D. School grades and extracurricular activities. Answer: B
◉ Narcan was administered to an adult client following a suicide
attempt with an overdose of hydrocodone bitartrate (Vicodin).
Within 15 minutes, the client is alert and oriented. In planning
nursing care, which intervention has the highest priority at this
time?
A. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake.
B. Obtain the client's serum Vicodin level.
C. Observe the client for further narcotic effects.
D. Determine the client's reason for attempting suicide. Answer: C
◉ Following surgery, a male client with antisocial personality
disorder frequently requests that a specific RN be assigned to is care
and is belligerent when another RN is assigned. What action should
the charge RN implement?
A. Reassure the client that his request will be met whenever
possible.
,B. Advise the client that assignments are not based on the client's
request.
C. Ask the client to explain why he constantly requests the RN.
D. Encourage the client to verbalize his feelings about the RN.
Answer: B
◉ When preparing to administer a prescribed medication to a
homeless male at a community clinic, the client tells the RN that he
usually takes a different dosage. What action should the RN take?
A. Tell him to take the medication then verify the dosage at the next
healthcare team meeting.
B. Withhold the medication until the dosage can be confirmed.
C. Inform him that he may refuse the medication and document
whether or not he takes it.
D. Explain to the client that the dosage has been changed. Answer: B
◉ The nurse orients a female client with depression to the new
room on the mental health unit. The client states "It seems strange
that I don't have a T.V in my room." Which statement would be best
for the RN to provide?
A. "You can watch T.V as much as you want outside of your room."
B. "Sometimes clients feel like the T.V is sending them messages."
C. "It's important to be out of you room and talking to others."
, D. "Watching T.V is a passive activity and we want you to be active."
Answer: C
◉ A client admitted with a closed head injury after a fall has a blood
alcohol level of 0.28 (28%) and is difficult to arouse. Which
intervention during the first 6 hours following admission should the
RN identify as the priority?
A. Give lorazepam (Ativan) PRN for signs of withdrawal.
B. Administer disulfiram (Antabuse) immediately.
C. Place in a side lying position with head of bed elevated.
D. Provide thiamine and folate supplements as prescribed. Answer:
C
◉ The RN is completing the admission assessment of an
underweight adolescent who is admitted to a psychiatric unit with a
diagnosis of depression. Which finding requires notification to the
HCP?
A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/dl.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. WBCof10,000mm^3.
D. Body mass index of 21. Answer: A
QUESTIONS AND RATIONALE GUIDE 2026
◉ A client who refuses antipsychotic medications disrupts group
activities, talks with nonsensical words and wanders into client's
rooms. The RN decides that the client needs constant observation
based on which of these assessment findings?
A. Wanders into the clients rooms.
B. Refuses antipsychotic medications.
C. Talks with nonsensical words.
D. Disrupts group activities. Answer: A
◉ A client with schizophrenia explains that she has 20 children and
then very seriously points to the RN and explains that she is one of
them. What is the most therapeutic response for the RN to provide/
A. "Let's go ask another RN is this is true."
B. "My name tag shows that I am a RN here."
C. "I can't possibly be one if your children."
D. "I know that you don't have 20 children." Answer: B
◉ A high school girl reveals to the high school RN that she has been
engaging in self- induced vomiting as weight-control measure.
,Which initial assessment should the RN focus on with this
adolescent?
A. National percentile of weight and height.
B. Frequency of bingeing and purging behaviors.
C. Perceptions of family and social relationships.
D. School grades and extracurricular activities. Answer: B
◉ Narcan was administered to an adult client following a suicide
attempt with an overdose of hydrocodone bitartrate (Vicodin).
Within 15 minutes, the client is alert and oriented. In planning
nursing care, which intervention has the highest priority at this
time?
A. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake.
B. Obtain the client's serum Vicodin level.
C. Observe the client for further narcotic effects.
D. Determine the client's reason for attempting suicide. Answer: C
◉ Following surgery, a male client with antisocial personality
disorder frequently requests that a specific RN be assigned to is care
and is belligerent when another RN is assigned. What action should
the charge RN implement?
A. Reassure the client that his request will be met whenever
possible.
,B. Advise the client that assignments are not based on the client's
request.
C. Ask the client to explain why he constantly requests the RN.
D. Encourage the client to verbalize his feelings about the RN.
Answer: B
◉ When preparing to administer a prescribed medication to a
homeless male at a community clinic, the client tells the RN that he
usually takes a different dosage. What action should the RN take?
A. Tell him to take the medication then verify the dosage at the next
healthcare team meeting.
B. Withhold the medication until the dosage can be confirmed.
C. Inform him that he may refuse the medication and document
whether or not he takes it.
D. Explain to the client that the dosage has been changed. Answer: B
◉ The nurse orients a female client with depression to the new
room on the mental health unit. The client states "It seems strange
that I don't have a T.V in my room." Which statement would be best
for the RN to provide?
A. "You can watch T.V as much as you want outside of your room."
B. "Sometimes clients feel like the T.V is sending them messages."
C. "It's important to be out of you room and talking to others."
, D. "Watching T.V is a passive activity and we want you to be active."
Answer: C
◉ A client admitted with a closed head injury after a fall has a blood
alcohol level of 0.28 (28%) and is difficult to arouse. Which
intervention during the first 6 hours following admission should the
RN identify as the priority?
A. Give lorazepam (Ativan) PRN for signs of withdrawal.
B. Administer disulfiram (Antabuse) immediately.
C. Place in a side lying position with head of bed elevated.
D. Provide thiamine and folate supplements as prescribed. Answer:
C
◉ The RN is completing the admission assessment of an
underweight adolescent who is admitted to a psychiatric unit with a
diagnosis of depression. Which finding requires notification to the
HCP?
A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/dl.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. WBCof10,000mm^3.
D. Body mass index of 21. Answer: A
