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HESI Specialty Test Review: Psychiatric/Mental
Health Nursing | Certified Exam Questions
With Answers
Which nursing intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement for a male
client who is actively hallucinating?
A) Use an authoritative stand to confront the client.
B) Ask for permission before touching the client.
C) Inform the client that no one else is in the room.
D) Place the client in soft restraints if he is violent. - Correct-answer-B) Ask for
permission before touching the client.
An adolescent female who is admitted with bulimia tells the practical nurse (PN)
that she does not have an eating disorder. Which finding should the PN report
that is most indicative of long-standing purging behaviors?
A) Polyuria.
B) Excessive facial hair.
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C) Dental enamel erosion.
D) Elevated blood pressure. - Correct-answer-C) Dental enamel erosion.
The practical nurse (PN) is collecting admission data for a young man with a
history of chronic mental illness who is admitted to the mental health unit. What
client information is most important in guiding the PN in data collection?
A) Displays aggressive and assaultive behavior.
B) Expresses denial to comply with treatment.
C) Requests to leave against medical advice.
D) States he knows how to fit his diagnosis. - Correct-answer-A) Displays
aggressive and assaultive behavior.
A female client admits that she has been battered frequently by her live-in
boyfriend over the last year. She tells the practical nurse (PN) they plan to be
married and she thinks things will be better since he is always sorry after the
battering. What is the best action for the PN to take?
A) Assist the client in enrolling in a self-defense class
B) Provide information to develop an emergency plan.
C) Support the client's hope that the battering will end.
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D) Emphasize battering patterns usually remains the same. - Correct-answer-B)
Provide information to develop an emergency plan.
A 35-year-old male client is admitted after a suicide attempt. Which action should
the practical nurse (PN) implement when interacting with the client?
A) Redirect conversations that focus on the topic of suicide.
B) Recommend that the client focus on peers rather than self-absorption.
C) Encourage the client to express feelings rather than suppress them.
D) Discuss the impact that suicidal behaviors have on his family. - Correct-answer-
C) Encourage the client to express feelings rather than suppress them.
A male client who learns his results for HIV is seropositive tells the practical nurse
that he is experiencing constant heart palpitations, cannot concentrate, and walks
around trembling. What reaction to the diagnosis is the client demonstrating?
A) Guilt.
B) Acute anxiety.
C) Suicidal ideations.
D) Disappointment. - Correct-answer-B) Acute anxiety.
HESI Specialty Test Review: Psychiatric/Mental
Health Nursing | Certified Exam Questions
With Answers
Which nursing intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement for a male
client who is actively hallucinating?
A) Use an authoritative stand to confront the client.
B) Ask for permission before touching the client.
C) Inform the client that no one else is in the room.
D) Place the client in soft restraints if he is violent. - Correct-answer-B) Ask for
permission before touching the client.
An adolescent female who is admitted with bulimia tells the practical nurse (PN)
that she does not have an eating disorder. Which finding should the PN report
that is most indicative of long-standing purging behaviors?
A) Polyuria.
B) Excessive facial hair.
,2|Page
C) Dental enamel erosion.
D) Elevated blood pressure. - Correct-answer-C) Dental enamel erosion.
The practical nurse (PN) is collecting admission data for a young man with a
history of chronic mental illness who is admitted to the mental health unit. What
client information is most important in guiding the PN in data collection?
A) Displays aggressive and assaultive behavior.
B) Expresses denial to comply with treatment.
C) Requests to leave against medical advice.
D) States he knows how to fit his diagnosis. - Correct-answer-A) Displays
aggressive and assaultive behavior.
A female client admits that she has been battered frequently by her live-in
boyfriend over the last year. She tells the practical nurse (PN) they plan to be
married and she thinks things will be better since he is always sorry after the
battering. What is the best action for the PN to take?
A) Assist the client in enrolling in a self-defense class
B) Provide information to develop an emergency plan.
C) Support the client's hope that the battering will end.
, 3|Page
D) Emphasize battering patterns usually remains the same. - Correct-answer-B)
Provide information to develop an emergency plan.
A 35-year-old male client is admitted after a suicide attempt. Which action should
the practical nurse (PN) implement when interacting with the client?
A) Redirect conversations that focus on the topic of suicide.
B) Recommend that the client focus on peers rather than self-absorption.
C) Encourage the client to express feelings rather than suppress them.
D) Discuss the impact that suicidal behaviors have on his family. - Correct-answer-
C) Encourage the client to express feelings rather than suppress them.
A male client who learns his results for HIV is seropositive tells the practical nurse
that he is experiencing constant heart palpitations, cannot concentrate, and walks
around trembling. What reaction to the diagnosis is the client demonstrating?
A) Guilt.
B) Acute anxiety.
C) Suicidal ideations.
D) Disappointment. - Correct-answer-B) Acute anxiety.
