PSYCH / MENTAL HEALTH HESI EXAM
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A client recently diagnosed with a terminal illness expresses frustration to the nurse,
stating, "I'm going to die, and I wish my family would stop hoping for a cure! I get so
angry when they carry on like this. After all, I'm the one who's dying." Which therapeutic
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. "Have you shared your feelings with your family?"
b. "I think we should talk more about your anger with your family."
c. "You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for you to be cured."
d. "Well, it sounds like you're being pretty pessimistic. After all, years ago, people died
of pneumonia."
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The therapeutic response validates the client's feelings through reflection and
,demonstrates empathy. Option C accurately acknowledges the client's expressed
emotion of anger while validating the source of that feeling without judgment. Option A
is incorrect because it deflects from the client's expressed feelings and places
responsibility on the client to address family dynamics. Option B is incorrect because it
focuses on the nurse's agenda rather than the client's expressed concern. Option D is
incorrect because it dismisses the client's feelings and minimizes their legitimate
concerns.
A nurse reviews a client's medical record and notes that the admission was voluntary.
Based on this information, which client behavior should the nurse anticipate?
a. Fearfulness regarding treatment measures
b. Anger and aggressiveness directed towards others
c. An understanding of the pathology and symptoms of the diagnosis
d. A willingness to participate in the planning of care and treatment plan
✔️ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Clients who are admitted voluntarily have made the decision to seek treatment and
typically demonstrate a willingness to engage in their care planning and treatment.
Option A is incorrect because voluntary admission does not necessarily correlate with
fearfulness. Option B is incorrect because anger and aggression are not expected
behaviors associated with voluntary status. Option C is incorrect because understanding
of pathology is not guaranteed with voluntary admission.
A nurse is preparing a client for the termination phase of the nurse-client relationship.
Which nursing task is most appropriate for this phase?
a. Planning short-term goals
b. Making appropriate referrals
c. Developing realistic solutions
d. Identifying expected outcomes
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
,The termination phase involves concluding the therapeutic relationship and ensuring
continuity of care through appropriate referrals and follow-up planning. Option B is the
correct task for this phase. Options A, C, and D are activities more appropriately
associated with the working phase of the relationship.
A nurse calls security and has physical restraints applied when a client who was
admitted voluntarily becomes both physically and verbally abusive while demanding to
be discharged. Which legal ramifications may be associated with these interventions?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Libel
b. Battery
c. Assault
d. Slander
e. False imprisonment
✔️ Correct Answer: B, C, E
Rationale:
Applying restraints without proper authorization or in a non-emergent situation may
constitute battery (unlawful touching), assault (causing fear of harmful contact), and
false imprisonment (unlawful restriction of movement). Libel (Option A) involves written
defamation, and slander (Option D) involves spoken defamation, neither of which apply
to this scenario.
A nurse is working with a client who sought counseling after unsuccessfully attempting
to rescue a neighbor from a house fire. Despite the client's efforts, the neighbor died.
Which action should the nurse engage in during the working phase of the nurse-client
relationship?
a. Exploring the client's ability to function
b. Exploring the client's potential for self-harm
c. Inquiring about the client's perception and appraisal of the neighbor's death
d. Inquiring about and examining the client's feelings that may block adaptive coping
, ✔️ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
During the working phase, the nurse helps the client explore feelings that may interfere
with adaptive coping. Option D is the most appropriate intervention as it addresses
emotional barriers to healing. Options A and B are more appropriately addressed during
the orientation phase, and Option C focuses on content rather than the therapeutic
process of exploring feelings.
A client who has just been sexually assaulted is calm and quiet. The nurse analyzes this
behavior as indicating which defense mechanism?
a. Denial
b. Projection
c. Rationalization
d. Intellectualization
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Denial involves refusing to acknowledge the reality of a traumatic event. The client's
calm demeanor immediately following a sexual assault may represent denial as a
protective mechanism. Projection (Option B) involves attributing one's feelings to
others. Rationalization (Option C) involves creating logical explanations for unacceptable
behavior. Intellectualization (Option D) involves focusing on facts to avoid emotional
content.
Unresolved feelings related to loss most likely may be recognized during which phase of
the therapeutic nurse-client relationship?
a. Working
b. Trusting
c. Orientation
d. Termination
✔️ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
LATEST UPDATED | RN Psychiatric Nursing
Exam Prep | Most Tested Q&A with
Detailed Rationales| BRAND NEW!!
2026/2027 Frequently Most Tested Questions and 100%
Accurate From Past papers | Graded A+ , Reviewed and
Updated | 100% Guarantee Pass | Latest Exam and
Newest Version!!!
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A client recently diagnosed with a terminal illness expresses frustration to the nurse,
stating, "I'm going to die, and I wish my family would stop hoping for a cure! I get so
angry when they carry on like this. After all, I'm the one who's dying." Which therapeutic
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. "Have you shared your feelings with your family?"
b. "I think we should talk more about your anger with your family."
c. "You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for you to be cured."
d. "Well, it sounds like you're being pretty pessimistic. After all, years ago, people died
of pneumonia."
✔️ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The therapeutic response validates the client's feelings through reflection and
,demonstrates empathy. Option C accurately acknowledges the client's expressed
emotion of anger while validating the source of that feeling without judgment. Option A
is incorrect because it deflects from the client's expressed feelings and places
responsibility on the client to address family dynamics. Option B is incorrect because it
focuses on the nurse's agenda rather than the client's expressed concern. Option D is
incorrect because it dismisses the client's feelings and minimizes their legitimate
concerns.
A nurse reviews a client's medical record and notes that the admission was voluntary.
Based on this information, which client behavior should the nurse anticipate?
a. Fearfulness regarding treatment measures
b. Anger and aggressiveness directed towards others
c. An understanding of the pathology and symptoms of the diagnosis
d. A willingness to participate in the planning of care and treatment plan
✔️ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Clients who are admitted voluntarily have made the decision to seek treatment and
typically demonstrate a willingness to engage in their care planning and treatment.
Option A is incorrect because voluntary admission does not necessarily correlate with
fearfulness. Option B is incorrect because anger and aggression are not expected
behaviors associated with voluntary status. Option C is incorrect because understanding
of pathology is not guaranteed with voluntary admission.
A nurse is preparing a client for the termination phase of the nurse-client relationship.
Which nursing task is most appropriate for this phase?
a. Planning short-term goals
b. Making appropriate referrals
c. Developing realistic solutions
d. Identifying expected outcomes
✔️ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
,The termination phase involves concluding the therapeutic relationship and ensuring
continuity of care through appropriate referrals and follow-up planning. Option B is the
correct task for this phase. Options A, C, and D are activities more appropriately
associated with the working phase of the relationship.
A nurse calls security and has physical restraints applied when a client who was
admitted voluntarily becomes both physically and verbally abusive while demanding to
be discharged. Which legal ramifications may be associated with these interventions?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Libel
b. Battery
c. Assault
d. Slander
e. False imprisonment
✔️ Correct Answer: B, C, E
Rationale:
Applying restraints without proper authorization or in a non-emergent situation may
constitute battery (unlawful touching), assault (causing fear of harmful contact), and
false imprisonment (unlawful restriction of movement). Libel (Option A) involves written
defamation, and slander (Option D) involves spoken defamation, neither of which apply
to this scenario.
A nurse is working with a client who sought counseling after unsuccessfully attempting
to rescue a neighbor from a house fire. Despite the client's efforts, the neighbor died.
Which action should the nurse engage in during the working phase of the nurse-client
relationship?
a. Exploring the client's ability to function
b. Exploring the client's potential for self-harm
c. Inquiring about the client's perception and appraisal of the neighbor's death
d. Inquiring about and examining the client's feelings that may block adaptive coping
, ✔️ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
During the working phase, the nurse helps the client explore feelings that may interfere
with adaptive coping. Option D is the most appropriate intervention as it addresses
emotional barriers to healing. Options A and B are more appropriately addressed during
the orientation phase, and Option C focuses on content rather than the therapeutic
process of exploring feelings.
A client who has just been sexually assaulted is calm and quiet. The nurse analyzes this
behavior as indicating which defense mechanism?
a. Denial
b. Projection
c. Rationalization
d. Intellectualization
✔️ Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Denial involves refusing to acknowledge the reality of a traumatic event. The client's
calm demeanor immediately following a sexual assault may represent denial as a
protective mechanism. Projection (Option B) involves attributing one's feelings to
others. Rationalization (Option C) involves creating logical explanations for unacceptable
behavior. Intellectualization (Option D) involves focusing on facts to avoid emotional
content.
Unresolved feelings related to loss most likely may be recognized during which phase of
the therapeutic nurse-client relationship?
a. Working
b. Trusting
c. Orientation
d. Termination
✔️ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
