HESI PSYCH MENTAL HEALTH TEST BANK
2026-2027 ACTUAL EXAM 300+ REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
1.
A male client with schizophrenia who is taking fluphenazine decanoate
(Prolixin decanoate) is being discharged in the morning. A repeat dose of
medication is scheduled for 20 days after discharge. The client tells the
nurse that he is going on vacation in the Bahamas and will return in 18 days.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for health teaching?
A) When I return from my tropical island vacation, I will go to the clinic to
get my Prolixin injection.
B) While I am on vacation and when I return, I will not eat or drink anything
that contains alcohol.
C) I will notify the healthcare provider if I have a sore throat or flu-like
symptoms.
D) I will continue to take my benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) every day. -
Correct AnswerPhotosensitivity is a side effect of Prolixin and a vacation in
the Bahamas (with its tropical island climate) increases the client's chance
of experiencing this side effect. He should be instructed to avoid direct sun
(A) and wear sunscreen. (B, C, and D) indicate accurate knowledge. Alcohol
acts synergistically with Prolixin (B). (C) lists signs of agranulocytosis, which
is also a side effect of Prolixin. In order to avoid extrapyramidal symptoms
(EPS), anticholinergic drugs, such as Cogentin, are often prescribed
prophylactically with Prolixin.
Correct Answer(s): A
2.
A male client is admitted to the mental health unit because he was feeling
depressed about the loss of his wife and job. The client has a history of
alcohol dependency and admits that he was drinking alcohol 12 hours ago.
Page 1 of 319
,Vital signs are: temperature, 100° F, pulse 100, and BP 142/100. The nurse
plans to give the client lorazepam (Ativan) based on which priority nursing
diagnosis?
A) Risk for injury related to suicidal ideation.
B) Risk for injury related to alcohol detoxification.
C) Knowledge deficit related to ineffective coping.
D) Health seeking behaviors related to personal crisis. - Correct AnswerThe
most important nursing diagnosis is related to alcohol detoxification (B)
because the client has elevated vital signs, a sign of alcohol detoxification.
Maintaining client safety related to (A) should be addressed after giving the
client Ativan for elevated vital signs secondary to alcohol withdrawal. (C and
D) can be addressed when immediate needs for safety are met.
Correct Answer(s): B
3.
The charge nurse is collaborating with the nursing staff about the plan of
care for a client who is very depressed. What is the most important
intervention to implement during the first 48 hours after the client's
admission to the unit?
A) Monitor appetite and observe intake at meals.
B) Maintain safety in the client's milieu.
C) Provide ongoing, supportive contact.
D) Encourage participation in activities. - Correct AnswerThe most
important reason for closely observing a depressed client immediately after
admission is to maintain safety (B), since suicide is a risk with depression.
(A, C, and D) are all important interventions, but safety is the priority.
Correct Answer(s): B
4.
A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of paranoid
schizophrenia. When her tray is brought to her, she refuses to eat and tells
the nurse, "I know you are trying to poison me with that food." Which
response is most appropriate for the nurse to make?
Page 2 of 319
,A) I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you need anything else.
B) You're not being poisoned. Why do you think someone is trying to poison
you?
C) No one on this unit has ever died from poisoning. You're safe here.
D) I will talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of changing
your diet. - Correct Answer(A) is the best choice cited. The nurse does not
argue with the client nor demand that she eat, but offers support by
agreeing to "be there if needed", e.g., to warm the food. (B and C) are
arguing with the client's delusions, and (B) asks "why" which is usually not a
good question for a psychotic client. (D) has nothing to do with the actual
problem; i.e., the problem is not the diet (she thinks any food given to her is
poisoned.)
Correct Answer(s): A
5.
A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder
develops diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action should the nurse
take?
A) Notify the healthcare provider immediately and prepare for
administration of an antidote.
B) Notify the healthcare provider of the symptoms prior to the next
administration of the drug.
C) Record the symptoms as normal side effects and continue administration
of the prescribed dosage.
D) Hold the medication and refuse to administer additional amounts of the
drug. - Correct AnswerEarly side effects of lithium carbonate (occurring with
serum lithium levels below 2.0 mEq per liter) generally follow a progressive
pattern beginning with diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, and muscular
weakness. At higher levels, ataxia, tinnitus, blurred vision, and large dilute
urine output may occur. (B) is the best choice. Although these are expected
symptoms, the healthcare provider should be notified prior to the next
administration of the drug. (A, C, and D) would not reflect good nursing
judgment.
Page 3 of 319
, Correct Answer(s): B
6.
The parents of a 14-year-old boy bring their son to the hospital. He is
lethargic, but responsive. The mother states, "I think he took some of my
pain pills." During initial assessment of the teenager, what information is
most important for the nurse to obtain from the parents?
A) If he has seemed depressed recently.
B) If a drug overdose has ever occurred before.
C) If he might have taken any other drugs.
D) If he has a desire to quit taking drugs. - Correct AnswerKnowledge of all
substances taken (C) will guide further treatment, such as administration of
antagonists, so obtaining this information has the highest priority. (A and B)
are also valuable in planning treatment. (D) is not appropriate during the
acute management of a drug overdose.
Correct Answer(s): C
7.
The wife of a male client recently diagnosed with schizophrenia asks the
nurse, "What exactly is schizophrenia? Is my husband all right?" Which
response is best for the nurse to provide to this family member?
A) It sounds like you're worried about your husband. Let's sit down and talk.
B) It is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes disorganized thinking.
C) Your husband will be just fine if he takes his medications regularly.
D) I think you should talk to your husband's psychologist about this
question. - Correct AnswerThe nurse should answer the client's question
with factual information and explain that schizophrenia is a chemical
imbalance in the brain (B). (A) is a therapeutic response but does not
answer the question, and may be an appropriate response after the nurse
answers the question asked. Although (C) is likely true to some degree, it is
also true that some clients continue to have disorganized thinking even with
antipsychotic medications. Referring the spouse to the psychologist (D) is
avoiding the issue; the nurse can and should answer the question.
Page 4 of 319
2026-2027 ACTUAL EXAM 300+ REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
1.
A male client with schizophrenia who is taking fluphenazine decanoate
(Prolixin decanoate) is being discharged in the morning. A repeat dose of
medication is scheduled for 20 days after discharge. The client tells the
nurse that he is going on vacation in the Bahamas and will return in 18 days.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for health teaching?
A) When I return from my tropical island vacation, I will go to the clinic to
get my Prolixin injection.
B) While I am on vacation and when I return, I will not eat or drink anything
that contains alcohol.
C) I will notify the healthcare provider if I have a sore throat or flu-like
symptoms.
D) I will continue to take my benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) every day. -
Correct AnswerPhotosensitivity is a side effect of Prolixin and a vacation in
the Bahamas (with its tropical island climate) increases the client's chance
of experiencing this side effect. He should be instructed to avoid direct sun
(A) and wear sunscreen. (B, C, and D) indicate accurate knowledge. Alcohol
acts synergistically with Prolixin (B). (C) lists signs of agranulocytosis, which
is also a side effect of Prolixin. In order to avoid extrapyramidal symptoms
(EPS), anticholinergic drugs, such as Cogentin, are often prescribed
prophylactically with Prolixin.
Correct Answer(s): A
2.
A male client is admitted to the mental health unit because he was feeling
depressed about the loss of his wife and job. The client has a history of
alcohol dependency and admits that he was drinking alcohol 12 hours ago.
Page 1 of 319
,Vital signs are: temperature, 100° F, pulse 100, and BP 142/100. The nurse
plans to give the client lorazepam (Ativan) based on which priority nursing
diagnosis?
A) Risk for injury related to suicidal ideation.
B) Risk for injury related to alcohol detoxification.
C) Knowledge deficit related to ineffective coping.
D) Health seeking behaviors related to personal crisis. - Correct AnswerThe
most important nursing diagnosis is related to alcohol detoxification (B)
because the client has elevated vital signs, a sign of alcohol detoxification.
Maintaining client safety related to (A) should be addressed after giving the
client Ativan for elevated vital signs secondary to alcohol withdrawal. (C and
D) can be addressed when immediate needs for safety are met.
Correct Answer(s): B
3.
The charge nurse is collaborating with the nursing staff about the plan of
care for a client who is very depressed. What is the most important
intervention to implement during the first 48 hours after the client's
admission to the unit?
A) Monitor appetite and observe intake at meals.
B) Maintain safety in the client's milieu.
C) Provide ongoing, supportive contact.
D) Encourage participation in activities. - Correct AnswerThe most
important reason for closely observing a depressed client immediately after
admission is to maintain safety (B), since suicide is a risk with depression.
(A, C, and D) are all important interventions, but safety is the priority.
Correct Answer(s): B
4.
A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of paranoid
schizophrenia. When her tray is brought to her, she refuses to eat and tells
the nurse, "I know you are trying to poison me with that food." Which
response is most appropriate for the nurse to make?
Page 2 of 319
,A) I'll leave your tray here. I am available if you need anything else.
B) You're not being poisoned. Why do you think someone is trying to poison
you?
C) No one on this unit has ever died from poisoning. You're safe here.
D) I will talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of changing
your diet. - Correct Answer(A) is the best choice cited. The nurse does not
argue with the client nor demand that she eat, but offers support by
agreeing to "be there if needed", e.g., to warm the food. (B and C) are
arguing with the client's delusions, and (B) asks "why" which is usually not a
good question for a psychotic client. (D) has nothing to do with the actual
problem; i.e., the problem is not the diet (she thinks any food given to her is
poisoned.)
Correct Answer(s): A
5.
A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder
develops diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action should the nurse
take?
A) Notify the healthcare provider immediately and prepare for
administration of an antidote.
B) Notify the healthcare provider of the symptoms prior to the next
administration of the drug.
C) Record the symptoms as normal side effects and continue administration
of the prescribed dosage.
D) Hold the medication and refuse to administer additional amounts of the
drug. - Correct AnswerEarly side effects of lithium carbonate (occurring with
serum lithium levels below 2.0 mEq per liter) generally follow a progressive
pattern beginning with diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, and muscular
weakness. At higher levels, ataxia, tinnitus, blurred vision, and large dilute
urine output may occur. (B) is the best choice. Although these are expected
symptoms, the healthcare provider should be notified prior to the next
administration of the drug. (A, C, and D) would not reflect good nursing
judgment.
Page 3 of 319
, Correct Answer(s): B
6.
The parents of a 14-year-old boy bring their son to the hospital. He is
lethargic, but responsive. The mother states, "I think he took some of my
pain pills." During initial assessment of the teenager, what information is
most important for the nurse to obtain from the parents?
A) If he has seemed depressed recently.
B) If a drug overdose has ever occurred before.
C) If he might have taken any other drugs.
D) If he has a desire to quit taking drugs. - Correct AnswerKnowledge of all
substances taken (C) will guide further treatment, such as administration of
antagonists, so obtaining this information has the highest priority. (A and B)
are also valuable in planning treatment. (D) is not appropriate during the
acute management of a drug overdose.
Correct Answer(s): C
7.
The wife of a male client recently diagnosed with schizophrenia asks the
nurse, "What exactly is schizophrenia? Is my husband all right?" Which
response is best for the nurse to provide to this family member?
A) It sounds like you're worried about your husband. Let's sit down and talk.
B) It is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes disorganized thinking.
C) Your husband will be just fine if he takes his medications regularly.
D) I think you should talk to your husband's psychologist about this
question. - Correct AnswerThe nurse should answer the client's question
with factual information and explain that schizophrenia is a chemical
imbalance in the brain (B). (A) is a therapeutic response but does not
answer the question, and may be an appropriate response after the nurse
answers the question asked. Although (C) is likely true to some degree, it is
also true that some clients continue to have disorganized thinking even with
antipsychotic medications. Referring the spouse to the psychologist (D) is
avoiding the issue; the nurse can and should answer the question.
Page 4 of 319
