HESI Exit Exam: Mental Health Practice
Questions
Mental Health Practice Questions
This document contains 80 multiple-choice questions designed for the Men-
tal Health section of the HESI Exit Exam, covering therapeutic communica-
tion, common psychiatric disorders, crisis intervention, and safety. Each
question includes four answer options (A–D), with the correct answer in
bold.
Therapeutic Communication
1. A nurse is caring for a client who expresses feelings of hopelessness.
Which response by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic commu-
nication?
A. You shouldn’t feel that way; things will get better.
B. Why do you feel so hopeless?
C. It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed. Can you share
more about what’s been going on?
D. I’ve felt hopeless before, and it passes with time.
2. A client with depression states, “I’m a failure at everything.” Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. That’s not true; you’re good at many things.
B. It must be really hard to feel that way. What makes you feel
like a failure?
C. Let’s focus on something positive instead.
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, D. Everyone feels like that sometimes.
3. A client with anxiety says, “I can’t stop worrying about my job.” What
is the nurse’s best response?
A. You need to relax; worrying won’t help.
B. Have you tried distracting yourself with a hobby?
C. It sounds like your job is causing a lot of stress. Can you tell
me more about what’s happening?
D. I’m sure your job is secure; try not to worry.
4. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. Those voices aren’t real; just ignore them.
B. I don’t hear the voices, but I can see they’re distressing you.
Can you describe what they’re saying?
C. Let’s talk about something else to distract you.
D. The voices will go away if you take your medication.
5. A client says, “No one cares about me.” Which response by the nurse
best facilitates therapeutic communication?
A. That’s not true; your family loves you.
B. It sounds like you’re feeling very alone. Can you share more
about how you’re feeling?
C. You have so many people who care about you.
D. Why would you think that?
6. A nurse is speaking with a client who is withdrawn. Which approach
is most effective to engage the client?
A. Ask, “Why are you being so quiet today?”
B. Sit quietly with the client and say, “I’m here if you want to
talk about what’s on your mind.”
C. Tell the client, “You need to start talking to get better.”
D. Share a personal story to encourage the client to open up.
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, 7. A client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase is speaking rapidly.
What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “I notice you’re talking very quickly. Can we slow down and
focus on one thing at a time?”
B. “You need to calm down and speak more slowly.”
C. “Let’s take a break; you’re talking too much.”
D. “I’m having trouble keeping up; can you repeat that?”
8. A client says, “I don’t want to talk about my problems.” What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “You have to talk about them to get better.”
B. “That’s okay; I’m here when you’re ready to share.’’
C. “Why don’t you want to talk about it?’’
D. “Talking will help you feel less stressed.’’
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is angry and shouting. Which re-
sponse is most therapeutic?
A. “Please stop shouting; you’re scaring others.’’
B. “I can see you’re upset. Let’s sit down and talk about what’s
bothering you.’’
C. “You need to calm down right now.’’
D. “What’s making you so angry?’’
10. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears anxious
during a conversation. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Change the topic to avoid triggering the client.
B. Ask, “I notice you seem anxious. Is there something specific
bothering you right now?’’
C. Tell the client to take deep breaths and relax.
D. End the conversation and leave the client alone.
3
Questions
Mental Health Practice Questions
This document contains 80 multiple-choice questions designed for the Men-
tal Health section of the HESI Exit Exam, covering therapeutic communica-
tion, common psychiatric disorders, crisis intervention, and safety. Each
question includes four answer options (A–D), with the correct answer in
bold.
Therapeutic Communication
1. A nurse is caring for a client who expresses feelings of hopelessness.
Which response by the nurse best demonstrates therapeutic commu-
nication?
A. You shouldn’t feel that way; things will get better.
B. Why do you feel so hopeless?
C. It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed. Can you share
more about what’s been going on?
D. I’ve felt hopeless before, and it passes with time.
2. A client with depression states, “I’m a failure at everything.” Which
response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. That’s not true; you’re good at many things.
B. It must be really hard to feel that way. What makes you feel
like a failure?
C. Let’s focus on something positive instead.
1
, D. Everyone feels like that sometimes.
3. A client with anxiety says, “I can’t stop worrying about my job.” What
is the nurse’s best response?
A. You need to relax; worrying won’t help.
B. Have you tried distracting yourself with a hobby?
C. It sounds like your job is causing a lot of stress. Can you tell
me more about what’s happening?
D. I’m sure your job is secure; try not to worry.
4. A client with schizophrenia is experiencing auditory hallucinations.
Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A. Those voices aren’t real; just ignore them.
B. I don’t hear the voices, but I can see they’re distressing you.
Can you describe what they’re saying?
C. Let’s talk about something else to distract you.
D. The voices will go away if you take your medication.
5. A client says, “No one cares about me.” Which response by the nurse
best facilitates therapeutic communication?
A. That’s not true; your family loves you.
B. It sounds like you’re feeling very alone. Can you share more
about how you’re feeling?
C. You have so many people who care about you.
D. Why would you think that?
6. A nurse is speaking with a client who is withdrawn. Which approach
is most effective to engage the client?
A. Ask, “Why are you being so quiet today?”
B. Sit quietly with the client and say, “I’m here if you want to
talk about what’s on your mind.”
C. Tell the client, “You need to start talking to get better.”
D. Share a personal story to encourage the client to open up.
2
, 7. A client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase is speaking rapidly.
What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “I notice you’re talking very quickly. Can we slow down and
focus on one thing at a time?”
B. “You need to calm down and speak more slowly.”
C. “Let’s take a break; you’re talking too much.”
D. “I’m having trouble keeping up; can you repeat that?”
8. A client says, “I don’t want to talk about my problems.” What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “You have to talk about them to get better.”
B. “That’s okay; I’m here when you’re ready to share.’’
C. “Why don’t you want to talk about it?’’
D. “Talking will help you feel less stressed.’’
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is angry and shouting. Which re-
sponse is most therapeutic?
A. “Please stop shouting; you’re scaring others.’’
B. “I can see you’re upset. Let’s sit down and talk about what’s
bothering you.’’
C. “You need to calm down right now.’’
D. “What’s making you so angry?’’
10. A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appears anxious
during a conversation. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Change the topic to avoid triggering the client.
B. Ask, “I notice you seem anxious. Is there something specific
bothering you right now?’’
C. Tell the client to take deep breaths and relax.
D. End the conversation and leave the client alone.
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