MENTAL HEALTH - HESI V2 PRACTICE 2025 UPDATED
A 30 year old sales manager tells the nurse "i am thinking about a job change. i don't feel like i am living
up to my potential." which of maslows developmental stages is the sales manager attempting to achieve
A. Self-Actualization
B. Loving and Belonging
C. Basic Needs
D. Safety and Security - ANSWER self actualization: self actualization is the highest level of maslows
developmental stages, which is an attempt to fulfill ones full potential.. loving and belonging is
identifying support systems.. basic needs is the first level of maslows developmental stages and is the
foundation upon which higher needs rest.. individuals who feel safe and secure in their environment
perceive themselves as having physical safety and lack fear of harm
the nurse observes a client who is admitted to the mental health unit and identifies that the client is
talking continuously, using words that rhyme but have no context or relationship with one topic to the
next in the conversation. this clients behavior and thought processes are consistent with which
syndrome
A. Dementia
B. Depression
C. Schizophrenia
D. Chronic brain syndrome - ANSWER schizophrenia: the client is demonstrating symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as disorganized speech that may include word salad (communication that includes
both real and imaginary words in no logical order), incoherent speech, and clanging (rhyming)..
dementia is a global impairment of intellectual (cognitive) functions that may be progressive, such as
alzheimers or organic brain syndrome.. depression is typified by psychomotor retardation, and the client
appears to be slowed down in movement, in speech, and would appear listless and disheveled
,a homeless person who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder is admitted to the mental health unit..
which lab finding obtained on admission is most important for the nurse to report to the HCP
- Decreased thyroid stimulating hormone level.
- Elevated liver function profile.
- Increased white blood cell count.
- Decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. - ANSWER decreased thyroid stimulating hormone
level: hyperthyroidism causes an increased level of serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which inhibit
the release of TSH, so the clients manic behavior may be related to an endocrine disorder.. elevated liver
function profile, increased WBC count, and decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are abnormal
findings that are commonly found in the homeless population because of poor sanitation, poor
nutrition, and the prevalence of substance abuse
an adult male client who was admitted to the mental health unit yesterday tells the nurse that
microchips were planted in his head for military surveillance of his every move.. which response is best
for the nurse to provide
- You are in the hospital, and I am the nurse caring for you.
- It must be difficult for you to control your anxious feelings.
- Go to occupational therapy and start a project.
- You are not in a war area now; this is the United States. - ANSWER go to occupational therapy and
start a project: delusions often generate fear and isolation, so the nurse should help the client
participate in activities that avoid focusing on the false belief and encourage interaction with others..
delusions are often well-fixed, and though saying "you are in a hospital, and i am the nurse caring for
you" reinforces reality, it is argumentative and dismisses the clients fears.. it is often difficult for the
client to recognize the relationship between delusions and anxiety ("it must be difficult for you to
control your anxiety"), and the nurse should reassure the client that he is in a safe place.. dismissing
delusional thinking ("you are not in a war now, this is the US"), is unrealistic bc neurochemical
imbalances that cause positive symptoms of schizophrenia require antipsychotic drug therapy
the nurse is assessing a clients intelligence.. which factor should the nurse remember during this part of
the mental status exam
,- Acute psychiatric illnesses impair intelligence.
- Intelligence is influenced by social and cultural beliefs.
- Poor concentration skills suggests limited intelligence.
- The inability to think abstractly indicates limited intelligence. - ANSWER intelligence is influenced by
social and cultural beliefs: social and cultural beliefs have significant impact on intelligence.. chronic
psychiatric illness may impair intelligence, especially if it remains untreated.. limited concentration does
not suggest limited intelligence.. difficulties with abstractions are suggestive of psychotic thinking, not
limited intelligence
at a support meeting of parents of a teenager with polysubstance dependency, a parent states "each
time my son tries to quit taking drugs, he gets so depressed that I'm afraid he will commit suicide".. the
nurses response should be based on which information
A. Addiction is a chronic, incurable disease.B. Tolerance to the effects of drugs causes feelings of
depression.C. Feelings of depression frequently lead to drug abuse and addiction.D. Careful monitoring
should be provided during withdrawal from the drugs. - ANSWER careful monitoring should be
provided during withdrawal from the drugs: the priority is to teach the parents that their son will need
monitoring and support during withdrawal to ensure that he does not attempt suicide
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
A. It sounds like you're worried about your husband. Let's sit down and talkB. It is a chemical imbalance
in the brain that causes disorganized thinkingC. Your husband will be just fine if he takes his medication
regularlyD. I think you should talk to your husband's psychologist about this question - ANSWER it is a
chemical imbalance in the brain that causes disorganized thinking: the nurse should answer the clients
question with factual information and explain that schizophrenia is a chemical imbalance in the brain
a young adult male client, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, believes that the world is trying to
poison him.. what intervention should the nurse include in this clients 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 the group activities.D. Assign the client a room closest to
the activity room. - ANSWER ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily: a client with paranoid
schizophrenia has difficulty with trust and developing a trusting relationship with one nurse is likely to
be therapeutic for this client
the community health nurse talks to a male client who has bipolar disorder.. the client explains that he
sleeps 4-5 hours a night and is working with his partner to start two new businesses and build an
empire.. the client stopped taking his meds 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. - ANSWER medication mgmt: the most important nursing problem is medication mgmt
because compliance with the medication regimen will help prevent hospitalization
a female client with OCD is describing her obsessions and compulsions and asks the nurse why these
make her feel safer.. what information should the nurse include in this clients teaching plan
- Compulsions relieve anxiety.
- Anxiety is the key reason for OCD.
- Obsessions cause compulsions.
- Obsessive thoughts are linked to levels of neurochemicals.
- Antidepressant medications increase serotonin levels. - ANSWER - compulsions relieve anxiety
- anxiety is the key reason for OCD
- obsessive thoughts are linked to levels of neurochemicals
- antidepressant meds increase serotonin levels
to promote client understanding and compliance, the teaching plan should include explanations about
the origin and treatment options of OCD symptomology.. compulsions are behaviors that help relieve
anxiety, which is a vague feeling related to unknown fears, that motivate behavior to help the client
cope and feel secure.. all obsessions do not result in compulsive behavior.. OCD is supported by the
A 30 year old sales manager tells the nurse "i am thinking about a job change. i don't feel like i am living
up to my potential." which of maslows developmental stages is the sales manager attempting to achieve
A. Self-Actualization
B. Loving and Belonging
C. Basic Needs
D. Safety and Security - ANSWER self actualization: self actualization is the highest level of maslows
developmental stages, which is an attempt to fulfill ones full potential.. loving and belonging is
identifying support systems.. basic needs is the first level of maslows developmental stages and is the
foundation upon which higher needs rest.. individuals who feel safe and secure in their environment
perceive themselves as having physical safety and lack fear of harm
the nurse observes a client who is admitted to the mental health unit and identifies that the client is
talking continuously, using words that rhyme but have no context or relationship with one topic to the
next in the conversation. this clients behavior and thought processes are consistent with which
syndrome
A. Dementia
B. Depression
C. Schizophrenia
D. Chronic brain syndrome - ANSWER schizophrenia: the client is demonstrating symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as disorganized speech that may include word salad (communication that includes
both real and imaginary words in no logical order), incoherent speech, and clanging (rhyming)..
dementia is a global impairment of intellectual (cognitive) functions that may be progressive, such as
alzheimers or organic brain syndrome.. depression is typified by psychomotor retardation, and the client
appears to be slowed down in movement, in speech, and would appear listless and disheveled
,a homeless person who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder is admitted to the mental health unit..
which lab finding obtained on admission is most important for the nurse to report to the HCP
- Decreased thyroid stimulating hormone level.
- Elevated liver function profile.
- Increased white blood cell count.
- Decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. - ANSWER decreased thyroid stimulating hormone
level: hyperthyroidism causes an increased level of serum thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which inhibit
the release of TSH, so the clients manic behavior may be related to an endocrine disorder.. elevated liver
function profile, increased WBC count, and decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are abnormal
findings that are commonly found in the homeless population because of poor sanitation, poor
nutrition, and the prevalence of substance abuse
an adult male client who was admitted to the mental health unit yesterday tells the nurse that
microchips were planted in his head for military surveillance of his every move.. which response is best
for the nurse to provide
- You are in the hospital, and I am the nurse caring for you.
- It must be difficult for you to control your anxious feelings.
- Go to occupational therapy and start a project.
- You are not in a war area now; this is the United States. - ANSWER go to occupational therapy and
start a project: delusions often generate fear and isolation, so the nurse should help the client
participate in activities that avoid focusing on the false belief and encourage interaction with others..
delusions are often well-fixed, and though saying "you are in a hospital, and i am the nurse caring for
you" reinforces reality, it is argumentative and dismisses the clients fears.. it is often difficult for the
client to recognize the relationship between delusions and anxiety ("it must be difficult for you to
control your anxiety"), and the nurse should reassure the client that he is in a safe place.. dismissing
delusional thinking ("you are not in a war now, this is the US"), is unrealistic bc neurochemical
imbalances that cause positive symptoms of schizophrenia require antipsychotic drug therapy
the nurse is assessing a clients intelligence.. which factor should the nurse remember during this part of
the mental status exam
,- Acute psychiatric illnesses impair intelligence.
- Intelligence is influenced by social and cultural beliefs.
- Poor concentration skills suggests limited intelligence.
- The inability to think abstractly indicates limited intelligence. - ANSWER intelligence is influenced by
social and cultural beliefs: social and cultural beliefs have significant impact on intelligence.. chronic
psychiatric illness may impair intelligence, especially if it remains untreated.. limited concentration does
not suggest limited intelligence.. difficulties with abstractions are suggestive of psychotic thinking, not
limited intelligence
at a support meeting of parents of a teenager with polysubstance dependency, a parent states "each
time my son tries to quit taking drugs, he gets so depressed that I'm afraid he will commit suicide".. the
nurses response should be based on which information
A. Addiction is a chronic, incurable disease.B. Tolerance to the effects of drugs causes feelings of
depression.C. Feelings of depression frequently lead to drug abuse and addiction.D. Careful monitoring
should be provided during withdrawal from the drugs. - ANSWER careful monitoring should be
provided during withdrawal from the drugs: the priority is to teach the parents that their son will need
monitoring and support during withdrawal to ensure that he does not attempt suicide
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
A. It sounds like you're worried about your husband. Let's sit down and talkB. It is a chemical imbalance
in the brain that causes disorganized thinkingC. Your husband will be just fine if he takes his medication
regularlyD. I think you should talk to your husband's psychologist about this question - ANSWER it is a
chemical imbalance in the brain that causes disorganized thinking: the nurse should answer the clients
question with factual information and explain that schizophrenia is a chemical imbalance in the brain
a young adult male client, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, believes that the world is trying to
poison him.. what intervention should the nurse include in this clients 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 the group activities.D. Assign the client a room closest to
the activity room. - ANSWER ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily: a client with paranoid
schizophrenia has difficulty with trust and developing a trusting relationship with one nurse is likely to
be therapeutic for this client
the community health nurse talks to a male client who has bipolar disorder.. the client explains that he
sleeps 4-5 hours a night and is working with his partner to start two new businesses and build an
empire.. the client stopped taking his meds 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. - ANSWER medication mgmt: the most important nursing problem is medication mgmt
because compliance with the medication regimen will help prevent hospitalization
a female client with OCD is describing her obsessions and compulsions and asks the nurse why these
make her feel safer.. what information should the nurse include in this clients teaching plan
- Compulsions relieve anxiety.
- Anxiety is the key reason for OCD.
- Obsessions cause compulsions.
- Obsessive thoughts are linked to levels of neurochemicals.
- Antidepressant medications increase serotonin levels. - ANSWER - compulsions relieve anxiety
- anxiety is the key reason for OCD
- obsessive thoughts are linked to levels of neurochemicals
- antidepressant meds increase serotonin levels
to promote client understanding and compliance, the teaching plan should include explanations about
the origin and treatment options of OCD symptomology.. compulsions are behaviors that help relieve
anxiety, which is a vague feeling related to unknown fears, that motivate behavior to help the client
cope and feel secure.. all obsessions do not result in compulsive behavior.. OCD is supported by the
