HESI PSYCH MENTAL HEALTH TEST BANK 1
2026-2027 ACTUAL EXAM 300 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
The nurse is preparing to administer phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) to a
client on the psychiatric unit. Which complaint related to administration
of this drug should the nurse expect this client to make?
A) My mouth feels like cotton.
B) That stuff gives me indigestion.
C) This pill gives me diarrhea.
D) My urine looks pink. - Correct AnswerA. "My mouth feels like
cotton."
A client is receiving substitution therapy during withdrawal from
benzodiazepines. Which expected outcome statement has the highest
priority when planning nursing care?
A) Client will not demonstrate cross-addiction.
B) Co-dependent behaviors will be decreased.
C) Excessive CNS stimulation will be reduced.
D) Client's level of consciousness will increase. - Correct AnswerC.
Excessive CNS stimulation will be reduced.
Page 1 of 106
,A client who is known to abuse drugs is admitted to the psychiatric unit.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a client
who is exhibiting benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms?
A) Perphenazine (Trilafon).
B) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
C) Chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
D) Isocarboxazid (Marplan). - Correct AnswerC. Chlordiazepoxide
(Librium)
A 22-year-old male client is admitted to the emergency center following
a suicide attempt. His records reveal that this is his third suicide attempt
in the past two years. He is conscious, but does not respond to verbal
commands for treatment. Which assessment finding should prompt the
nurse to prepare the client for gastric lavage?
A) He ingested the drug 3 hours prior to admission to the emergency
center.
B) The family reports that he took an entire bottle of acetaminophen
(Tylenol).
C) He is unresponsive to instructions and is unable to cooperate with
emetic therapy.
D) Those with repeated suicide attempts desire punishment to relieve
their guilt. - Correct AnswerC. He is unresponsive to instructions and is
unable to cooperate with emetic therapy.
A 72-year-old female client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a
diagnosis of major depression. Which statement by the client should be
of greatest concern to the nurse and require further assessment?
A) "I will die if my cat dies."
B) "I don't feel like eating this morning."
C) "I just went to my friend's funeral."
Page 2 of 106
,D) "Don't you have more important things to do?" - Correct AnswerA. "I
will die if my cat dies"
A 19-year-old female client with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa wants
to help serve dinner trays to other clients on a psychiatric unit. What
action should the nurse take?
A) Encourage the client's participation in unit activities by asking her to
pass trays for the rest of the week.
B) Provide an additional challenge by asking the client to also help feed
the older clients.
C) Suggest another way for this client to participate in unit activities.
D) Tell the client that hospital policy does not permit her to pass trays. -
Correct AnswerC. Suggest another way for this client to participate in
the unit's activities.
Which diet selection by a client who is depressed and taking the MAO
inhibitor tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate) indicates to the nurse that
the client understands the dietary restrictions imposed by this
medication regimen?
A) Hamburger, French fries, and chocolate milkshake.
B) Liver and onions, broccoli, and decaffeinated coffee.
C) Pepperoni and cheese pizza, tossed salad, and a soft drink.
D) Roast beef, baked potato with butter, and iced tea. - Correct
AnswerD. Roast beef, 11baked potato with butter, and iced tea.
The nurse is planning care for a 32-year-old male client diagnosed with
HIV infection who has a history of chronic depression. Recently, the
client's viral load has begun to increase rather than decrease despite his
adherence to the HIV drug regimen. What should the nurse do first
while taking the client's history upon admission to the hospital?
Page 3 of 106
, A) Determine if the client attends a support group weekly.
B) Hold all antidepressant medications until further notice.
C) Ask the client if he takes St. John's Wort routinely.
D) Have the client describe any recent changes in mood. - Correct
AnswerC.Ask the client if he takes St. John's wort routinely.
A young adult male client, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia,
believes that world is trying poison him. What intervention should the
nurse include in this client's plan of care?
A) Remind the client that his suspicions are not true.
B) Ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily.
C) Encourage the client to participate in group activities.
D) Assign the client to a room closest to the activity room. - Correct
AnswerB. Ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily.
The community health nurse talks to a male client who has bipolar
disorder. The client explains that he sleeps 4 to 5 hours a night and is
working with his partner to start two new businesses and build an
empire. The client stopped taking his medications several days ago.
What nursing problem has the highest priority?
A) Excessive work activity.
B) Decreased need for sleep.
C) Medication management.
D) Inflated self-esteem. - Correct AnswerC. Medication management
A male client is admitted to a mental health unit on Friday afternoon
and is very upset on Sunday because he has not had the opportunity to
talk with the healthcare provider. Which response is best for the nurse
to provide this client?
A) "Let me call and leave a message for your healthcare provider."
Page 4 of 106
2026-2027 ACTUAL EXAM 300 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
The nurse is preparing to administer phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) to a
client on the psychiatric unit. Which complaint related to administration
of this drug should the nurse expect this client to make?
A) My mouth feels like cotton.
B) That stuff gives me indigestion.
C) This pill gives me diarrhea.
D) My urine looks pink. - Correct AnswerA. "My mouth feels like
cotton."
A client is receiving substitution therapy during withdrawal from
benzodiazepines. Which expected outcome statement has the highest
priority when planning nursing care?
A) Client will not demonstrate cross-addiction.
B) Co-dependent behaviors will be decreased.
C) Excessive CNS stimulation will be reduced.
D) Client's level of consciousness will increase. - Correct AnswerC.
Excessive CNS stimulation will be reduced.
Page 1 of 106
,A client who is known to abuse drugs is admitted to the psychiatric unit.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a client
who is exhibiting benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms?
A) Perphenazine (Trilafon).
B) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
C) Chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
D) Isocarboxazid (Marplan). - Correct AnswerC. Chlordiazepoxide
(Librium)
A 22-year-old male client is admitted to the emergency center following
a suicide attempt. His records reveal that this is his third suicide attempt
in the past two years. He is conscious, but does not respond to verbal
commands for treatment. Which assessment finding should prompt the
nurse to prepare the client for gastric lavage?
A) He ingested the drug 3 hours prior to admission to the emergency
center.
B) The family reports that he took an entire bottle of acetaminophen
(Tylenol).
C) He is unresponsive to instructions and is unable to cooperate with
emetic therapy.
D) Those with repeated suicide attempts desire punishment to relieve
their guilt. - Correct AnswerC. He is unresponsive to instructions and is
unable to cooperate with emetic therapy.
A 72-year-old female client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a
diagnosis of major depression. Which statement by the client should be
of greatest concern to the nurse and require further assessment?
A) "I will die if my cat dies."
B) "I don't feel like eating this morning."
C) "I just went to my friend's funeral."
Page 2 of 106
,D) "Don't you have more important things to do?" - Correct AnswerA. "I
will die if my cat dies"
A 19-year-old female client with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa wants
to help serve dinner trays to other clients on a psychiatric unit. What
action should the nurse take?
A) Encourage the client's participation in unit activities by asking her to
pass trays for the rest of the week.
B) Provide an additional challenge by asking the client to also help feed
the older clients.
C) Suggest another way for this client to participate in unit activities.
D) Tell the client that hospital policy does not permit her to pass trays. -
Correct AnswerC. Suggest another way for this client to participate in
the unit's activities.
Which diet selection by a client who is depressed and taking the MAO
inhibitor tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate) indicates to the nurse that
the client understands the dietary restrictions imposed by this
medication regimen?
A) Hamburger, French fries, and chocolate milkshake.
B) Liver and onions, broccoli, and decaffeinated coffee.
C) Pepperoni and cheese pizza, tossed salad, and a soft drink.
D) Roast beef, baked potato with butter, and iced tea. - Correct
AnswerD. Roast beef, 11baked potato with butter, and iced tea.
The nurse is planning care for a 32-year-old male client diagnosed with
HIV infection who has a history of chronic depression. Recently, the
client's viral load has begun to increase rather than decrease despite his
adherence to the HIV drug regimen. What should the nurse do first
while taking the client's history upon admission to the hospital?
Page 3 of 106
, A) Determine if the client attends a support group weekly.
B) Hold all antidepressant medications until further notice.
C) Ask the client if he takes St. John's Wort routinely.
D) Have the client describe any recent changes in mood. - Correct
AnswerC.Ask the client if he takes St. John's wort routinely.
A young adult male client, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia,
believes that world is trying poison him. What intervention should the
nurse include in this client's plan of care?
A) Remind the client that his suspicions are not true.
B) Ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily.
C) Encourage the client to participate in group activities.
D) Assign the client to a room closest to the activity room. - Correct
AnswerB. Ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily.
The community health nurse talks to a male client who has bipolar
disorder. The client explains that he sleeps 4 to 5 hours a night and is
working with his partner to start two new businesses and build an
empire. The client stopped taking his medications several days ago.
What nursing problem has the highest priority?
A) Excessive work activity.
B) Decreased need for sleep.
C) Medication management.
D) Inflated self-esteem. - Correct AnswerC. Medication management
A male client is admitted to a mental health unit on Friday afternoon
and is very upset on Sunday because he has not had the opportunity to
talk with the healthcare provider. Which response is best for the nurse
to provide this client?
A) "Let me call and leave a message for your healthcare provider."
Page 4 of 106
