HESI Mental Health RN - Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar,
and Psychotic Disorders Exam | Complete Questions
and Answers with Rationales 2026/2027
Anxiety Disorders
1. A client experiencing a panic attack reports, “I can't breathe, and
something terrible is going to happen.” Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A. Ask the client to identify the trigger.
B. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy.
C. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Teach detailed relaxation techniques.
Answer: C
Rationale: During severe anxiety or panic, concentration and
information processing are impaired. Remaining with the client and
providing brief, simple communication promotes safety and reduces
stimulation.
2. Which finding is most characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD)?
A. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks only
B. Persistent excessive worry about multiple areas of life
C. Repeated intrusive thoughts followed by rituals
D. Fear restricted to one specific object
Answer: B
,Rationale: GAD involves excessive, difficult-to-control worry across
multiple domains, typically accompanied by symptoms such as
restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.
3. A client with severe anxiety is pacing rapidly and repeatedly wringing
their hands. What is the nurse's priority?
A. Discuss childhood stressors.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
C. Encourage participation in recreational activities.
D. Ask the client to complete a detailed questionnaire.
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe anxiety limits the ability to process complex
information. Reducing environmental stimuli can help decrease anxiety
and improve the client's ability to focus.
4. A client taking lorazepam should receive which teaching?
A. “Stop the medication abruptly when you feel better.”
B. “Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.”
C. “Double the next dose if you miss one.”
D. “This medication has no potential for dependence.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines can cause sedation and respiratory
depression, particularly when combined with alcohol or other CNS
depressants. They can also produce physical dependence.
5. Which statement by a client demonstrates understanding of
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety?
,A. “I should avoid every situation that makes me uncomfortable.”
B. “I will identify and challenge unrealistic thoughts.”
C. “My therapist will make all my decisions for me.”
D. “I should suppress anxious thoughts.”
Answer: B
Rationale: CBT helps clients recognize maladaptive thought patterns
and replace them with more realistic interpretations and behaviors.
6. A client has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which symptom
would the nurse expect?
A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Compulsions performed to reduce anxiety
C. Elevated mood and decreased need for sleep
D. Flashbacks following trauma
Answer: B
Rationale: OCD is characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts often performed
to reduce distress caused by obsessive thoughts.
7. A client repeatedly checks whether the door is locked. Which nursing
response is most appropriate?
A. “You need to stop checking immediately.”
B. “I'll check the door for you.”
C. “Let's discuss what you are feeling when you have the urge to
check.”
D. “There is no reason for you to feel anxious.”
Answer: C
, Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the client's anxiety without
reinforcing the compulsive behavior and encourage exploration of
feelings and triggers.
8. Which finding indicates moderate anxiety rather than mild anxiety?
A. Heightened awareness and increased motivation
B. Narrowed perceptual field and difficulty concentrating
C. Complete inability to process information
D. Loss of contact with reality
Answer: B
Rationale: Moderate anxiety narrows the perceptual field and may
impair concentration. Severe anxiety and panic produce progressively
greater impairment.
9. A client with a specific phobia is fearful of elevators. Which
treatment is commonly used?
A. Exposure-based therapy
B. Psychoanalysis only
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Seclusion
Answer: A
Rationale: Exposure therapy gradually and systematically exposes the
client to the feared stimulus while developing coping skills.
10. Which assessment finding requires immediate follow-up in a client
with anxiety?
A. Mild muscle tension
and Psychotic Disorders Exam | Complete Questions
and Answers with Rationales 2026/2027
Anxiety Disorders
1. A client experiencing a panic attack reports, “I can't breathe, and
something terrible is going to happen.” Which intervention should the
nurse implement first?
A. Ask the client to identify the trigger.
B. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy.
C. Remain with the client and use short, simple statements.
D. Teach detailed relaxation techniques.
Answer: C
Rationale: During severe anxiety or panic, concentration and
information processing are impaired. Remaining with the client and
providing brief, simple communication promotes safety and reduces
stimulation.
2. Which finding is most characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD)?
A. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks only
B. Persistent excessive worry about multiple areas of life
C. Repeated intrusive thoughts followed by rituals
D. Fear restricted to one specific object
Answer: B
,Rationale: GAD involves excessive, difficult-to-control worry across
multiple domains, typically accompanied by symptoms such as
restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.
3. A client with severe anxiety is pacing rapidly and repeatedly wringing
their hands. What is the nurse's priority?
A. Discuss childhood stressors.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulation environment.
C. Encourage participation in recreational activities.
D. Ask the client to complete a detailed questionnaire.
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe anxiety limits the ability to process complex
information. Reducing environmental stimuli can help decrease anxiety
and improve the client's ability to focus.
4. A client taking lorazepam should receive which teaching?
A. “Stop the medication abruptly when you feel better.”
B. “Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.”
C. “Double the next dose if you miss one.”
D. “This medication has no potential for dependence.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines can cause sedation and respiratory
depression, particularly when combined with alcohol or other CNS
depressants. They can also produce physical dependence.
5. Which statement by a client demonstrates understanding of
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety?
,A. “I should avoid every situation that makes me uncomfortable.”
B. “I will identify and challenge unrealistic thoughts.”
C. “My therapist will make all my decisions for me.”
D. “I should suppress anxious thoughts.”
Answer: B
Rationale: CBT helps clients recognize maladaptive thought patterns
and replace them with more realistic interpretations and behaviors.
6. A client has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Which symptom
would the nurse expect?
A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Compulsions performed to reduce anxiety
C. Elevated mood and decreased need for sleep
D. Flashbacks following trauma
Answer: B
Rationale: OCD is characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts often performed
to reduce distress caused by obsessive thoughts.
7. A client repeatedly checks whether the door is locked. Which nursing
response is most appropriate?
A. “You need to stop checking immediately.”
B. “I'll check the door for you.”
C. “Let's discuss what you are feeling when you have the urge to
check.”
D. “There is no reason for you to feel anxious.”
Answer: C
, Rationale: The nurse should acknowledge the client's anxiety without
reinforcing the compulsive behavior and encourage exploration of
feelings and triggers.
8. Which finding indicates moderate anxiety rather than mild anxiety?
A. Heightened awareness and increased motivation
B. Narrowed perceptual field and difficulty concentrating
C. Complete inability to process information
D. Loss of contact with reality
Answer: B
Rationale: Moderate anxiety narrows the perceptual field and may
impair concentration. Severe anxiety and panic produce progressively
greater impairment.
9. A client with a specific phobia is fearful of elevators. Which
treatment is commonly used?
A. Exposure-based therapy
B. Psychoanalysis only
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Seclusion
Answer: A
Rationale: Exposure therapy gradually and systematically exposes the
client to the feared stimulus while developing coping skills.
10. Which assessment finding requires immediate follow-up in a client
with anxiety?
A. Mild muscle tension
