HESI PN PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
ACCURATE COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
WITH ALL POSSIBLE APPROVED WELL
ELABORATED PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY (100%
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-2027
CURRENTLY UPDATED VERSION Q&A
GUARANTEED PASS A+ INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal.
Which assessment finding indicates the client is at risk for delirium tremens?
A. Elevated blood pressure and tachycardia
B. Mild anxiety and insomnia
C. A single episode of vomiting
D. Slight hand tremors
Rationale: Elevated blood pressure and tachycardia are early signs of autonomic
hyperactivity, which can progress to delirium tremens, a life-threatening
complication. Mild anxiety, insomnia, and tremors are early withdrawal
symptoms but less indicative of imminent DT risk than severe vital sign changes.
2. A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed phenelzine. Which food
should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. A glass of milk
,B. A cup of black coffee
C. A slice of cheddar cheese
D. A plate of fresh pasta
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It interacts with
tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese to cause a hypertensive crisis. Milk, coffee,
and fresh pasta do not contain high levels of tyramine.
3. The nurse is educating a client about lithium therapy. Which statement by the
client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will call my healthcare provider if I have severe vomiting or diarrhea."
B. "I can skip a dose if I feel better."
C. "I should increase my fluid intake to 4 liters daily."
D. "I will take my lithium with an NSAID for pain relief."
Rationale: Severe vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration, increasing
lithium levels and risking toxicity. Skipping doses, over-hydrating, or using
NSAIDs can alter lithium levels and are unsafe practices.
4. During a crisis intervention session, a client who was sexually assaulted
repeatedly states, "I can't believe this happened to me. It's all my fault." Which of
the following is the nurse's most therapeutic response?
A. "Why do you think you are to blame?"
B. "You are not responsible for the actions of the perpetrator."
C. "Let's focus on what you can do to feel safe."
D. "It will take time, but you will get through this."
Rationale: The client is experiencing guilt and self-blame. Acknowledging that
the assault was not their fault is a validating and supportive response. Asking
"why" is non-therapeutic and blaming. Focusing on safety or offering false
reassurance does not address the underlying feeling of guilt.
5. A client with schizophrenia is prescribed chlorpromazine. The nurse observes the
client having a stiff neck and twitching of the facial muscles. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
,A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Benztropine
D. Atropine
Rationale: These are symptoms of an acute dystonic reaction, a side effect of
typical antipsychotics like chlorpromazine. Anticholinergic medications such as
benztropine are used to treat this reaction. Naloxone is for opioid overdose, and
Flumazenil is for benzodiazepine overdose.
6. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has difficulty sleeping and
experiences intrusive nightmares. Which medication is most likely prescribed to
target these specific symptoms?
A. Sertraline
B. Haloperidol
C. Prazosin
D. Bupropion
Rationale: Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, has been found effective
in reducing nightmares and improving sleep in clients with PTSD. Sertraline is a
first-line SSRI but does not specifically target nightmares. Haloperidol is an
antipsychotic, and Bupropion is an antidepressant that can worsen insomnia.
7. A nurse is performing a mental status examination on a client. To assess the
client's judgment, which of the following questions should the nurse ask?
A. "Can you tell me the date and where you are?"
B. "Who is the current president of the United States?"
C. "What would you do if you found a wallet on the ground?"
D. "Can you repeat these three words: apple, table, and pencil?"
Rationale: Asking a hypothetical scenario assesses the client's ability to make
sound decisions and solve problems, which is a measure of judgment.
Orientation (A), memory (D), and general knowledge (B) are other components
of the MSE.
, 8. During a group therapy session, a client with antisocial personality disorder
continuously interrupts others and makes derogatory remarks. Which action by
the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Ignore the behavior to avoid disruption.
B. Ask the other group members to confront the client.
C. Set clear limits, stating, "You will need to wait your turn to speak."
D. Terminate the group session due to the disruptive behavior.
Rationale: Clients with antisocial personality disorder require firm, consistent
limit-setting. Ignoring or letting others confront the client can escalate the
situation. Terminating the session punishes the whole group. Setting limits
provides structure and clear expectations.
9. A client who is prescribed clozapine reports a sore throat and fever. Which
laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum glucose level
B. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
C. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
D. Liver function tests (LFTs)
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a severe drop in white blood
cells. Sore throat and fever are signs of infection, indicating a potential drop in
ANC. This is a life-threatening side effect, so monitoring the ANC is critical.
Glucose, BUN, and LFTs are not associated with these specific symptoms.
10. A nurse is assessing a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following
physical findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperthermia
D. Edema
Rationale: Malnutrition from anorexia nervosa leads to bradycardia,
hypotension, hypothermia, and electrolyte imbalances. Hypertension,
hyperthermia, and edema are not typical initial findings.
ACCURATE COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
WITH ALL POSSIBLE APPROVED WELL
ELABORATED PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES PLUS EXPERT ANSWER KEY (100%
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-2027
CURRENTLY UPDATED VERSION Q&A
GUARANTEED PASS A+ INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal.
Which assessment finding indicates the client is at risk for delirium tremens?
A. Elevated blood pressure and tachycardia
B. Mild anxiety and insomnia
C. A single episode of vomiting
D. Slight hand tremors
Rationale: Elevated blood pressure and tachycardia are early signs of autonomic
hyperactivity, which can progress to delirium tremens, a life-threatening
complication. Mild anxiety, insomnia, and tremors are early withdrawal
symptoms but less indicative of imminent DT risk than severe vital sign changes.
2. A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed phenelzine. Which food
should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. A glass of milk
,B. A cup of black coffee
C. A slice of cheddar cheese
D. A plate of fresh pasta
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It interacts with
tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese to cause a hypertensive crisis. Milk, coffee,
and fresh pasta do not contain high levels of tyramine.
3. The nurse is educating a client about lithium therapy. Which statement by the
client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will call my healthcare provider if I have severe vomiting or diarrhea."
B. "I can skip a dose if I feel better."
C. "I should increase my fluid intake to 4 liters daily."
D. "I will take my lithium with an NSAID for pain relief."
Rationale: Severe vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration, increasing
lithium levels and risking toxicity. Skipping doses, over-hydrating, or using
NSAIDs can alter lithium levels and are unsafe practices.
4. During a crisis intervention session, a client who was sexually assaulted
repeatedly states, "I can't believe this happened to me. It's all my fault." Which of
the following is the nurse's most therapeutic response?
A. "Why do you think you are to blame?"
B. "You are not responsible for the actions of the perpetrator."
C. "Let's focus on what you can do to feel safe."
D. "It will take time, but you will get through this."
Rationale: The client is experiencing guilt and self-blame. Acknowledging that
the assault was not their fault is a validating and supportive response. Asking
"why" is non-therapeutic and blaming. Focusing on safety or offering false
reassurance does not address the underlying feeling of guilt.
5. A client with schizophrenia is prescribed chlorpromazine. The nurse observes the
client having a stiff neck and twitching of the facial muscles. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
,A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Benztropine
D. Atropine
Rationale: These are symptoms of an acute dystonic reaction, a side effect of
typical antipsychotics like chlorpromazine. Anticholinergic medications such as
benztropine are used to treat this reaction. Naloxone is for opioid overdose, and
Flumazenil is for benzodiazepine overdose.
6. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has difficulty sleeping and
experiences intrusive nightmares. Which medication is most likely prescribed to
target these specific symptoms?
A. Sertraline
B. Haloperidol
C. Prazosin
D. Bupropion
Rationale: Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, has been found effective
in reducing nightmares and improving sleep in clients with PTSD. Sertraline is a
first-line SSRI but does not specifically target nightmares. Haloperidol is an
antipsychotic, and Bupropion is an antidepressant that can worsen insomnia.
7. A nurse is performing a mental status examination on a client. To assess the
client's judgment, which of the following questions should the nurse ask?
A. "Can you tell me the date and where you are?"
B. "Who is the current president of the United States?"
C. "What would you do if you found a wallet on the ground?"
D. "Can you repeat these three words: apple, table, and pencil?"
Rationale: Asking a hypothetical scenario assesses the client's ability to make
sound decisions and solve problems, which is a measure of judgment.
Orientation (A), memory (D), and general knowledge (B) are other components
of the MSE.
, 8. During a group therapy session, a client with antisocial personality disorder
continuously interrupts others and makes derogatory remarks. Which action by
the nurse is most appropriate?
A. Ignore the behavior to avoid disruption.
B. Ask the other group members to confront the client.
C. Set clear limits, stating, "You will need to wait your turn to speak."
D. Terminate the group session due to the disruptive behavior.
Rationale: Clients with antisocial personality disorder require firm, consistent
limit-setting. Ignoring or letting others confront the client can escalate the
situation. Terminating the session punishes the whole group. Setting limits
provides structure and clear expectations.
9. A client who is prescribed clozapine reports a sore throat and fever. Which
laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum glucose level
B. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
C. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
D. Liver function tests (LFTs)
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a severe drop in white blood
cells. Sore throat and fever are signs of infection, indicating a potential drop in
ANC. This is a life-threatening side effect, so monitoring the ANC is critical.
Glucose, BUN, and LFTs are not associated with these specific symptoms.
10. A nurse is assessing a client with anorexia nervosa. Which of the following
physical findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperthermia
D. Edema
Rationale: Malnutrition from anorexia nervosa leads to bradycardia,
hypotension, hypothermia, and electrolyte imbalances. Hypertension,
hyperthermia, and edema are not typical initial findings.
