PYSCH HESI EXAM WITH ALL CORRECT & VERIFIED
ANSWERS (UPDATED TO PASS)
While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate documentation later. Which
statement is most accurate regarding note-taking during an interview?
A. The nurse' ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal communication is limited
with note taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased when the nurse breaks eye contact to take note to take note.
D. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client speak at normal pace.
Correct answer-A
An adolescent male receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug because he is exhibiting a
depressed affect. While the client is taking the antidepressant, which comparison of the client's
behavior before and after taking the drug is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
D. The interactions he has with others. Correct answer-B
A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female client who is a victim of
intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the safety plan? Select all that
apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children Correct answer-B C D
While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a male adolescent avoids eye contact, looks at
the floor, and talks softly when interacting verbally with the nurse. The two trade places, and the
nurse demonstrate the client's behavior. What is the main goal of this therapeutic techniques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his interactions.) Correct answer-B
A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines activities. Which nursing
problem has the greatest priority for this client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
D. Low self-esteem. Correct answer-C
The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder and notices that the client
discontinued antipsychotic medication for several days. Which medication should also be
discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia). Correct answer-B
,A female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the room during the admission
assessment. When interviewing the client, the RN notes a discrepancy between the client's verbal
and nonverbal communication. What action does the RN take?
A. Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the discrepancy.
C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and focus on the client's verbal messages.
D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and interpret them as one. Correct answer-A
A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face and raises his voice, saying
"My roommate is the most selfish, self-centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses his temper
one more time with me, I am going to punch him out!" The RN recognizes that the client is using
which defense mechanism?
A. Denial.
B. Projection.
C. Rationalization.
D. Splitting. Correct answer-B
A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking lithium carbonate five days ago is complaining
of excessive thirst, and the RN finds him attempting to drink water from the bathroom sink faucet.
Which intervention should the RN implement?
A. Report the client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
B. Encourage the client to suck on hard candy to relieve the symptoms.
C. No action is needed since polydipsia is a common side effect.
D. Tell the client that drinking from the faucet is not allowed. Correct answer-A
The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed abstinence therapy using disulfiram
(Antabuse). What information should the client acknowledge understanding?
A. Completely abstain from heroin or cocaine use.
B. Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
C. Attend monthly meetings of alcoholics anonymous.
D. Admit to others that he is a substance user. Correct answer-B
A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental health unit after abruptly stopping his
prescription for ziprasidone (Geodon) one month ago. Which question is most important for the RN
to ask the client?
A. Have you lost interest in the things that you used to enjoy?
B. Is your ability to think or concentrate decreased?
C. How many continuous hours do you sleep at night?
D. Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear? Correct answer-D
During an annual physical by the occupational RN working in a corporate clinic, a male employee tells
the RN that is high-stress job is causing trouble in his personal life. He further explains that he often
gets so angry while driving to and from work that he has considered "getting even" with other
drivers. How should the RN respond?
A. "Anger is contagious and could result in major confrontation."
B. "Try not to let your anger cause you to act impulsively."
C. "Expressing your anger to a stranger could result in an unsafe situation."
D. "It sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry." Correct answer-D
,A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is beginning desensitization with the therapist, and
the RN is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the highest priority for this client's plan of
care?
A. Encourage substitution of positive thoughts and negative ones.
B. Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
C. Progressively expose the client to larger crowds.
D. Encourage deep breathing when anxiety escalates in a crowd. Correct answer-B
Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self-esteem of a male client with modern
depression?
A. Ask the client what his long term goals are.
B. Discuss the challenges of his medical condition.
C. Include the client in determining treatment protocol.
D. Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
E. Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns. Correct answer-A D E
A male client is admitted to the psychiatric unit for recurrent negative symptoms of chronic
schizophrenia and medication adjustment of Risperidone (Risperdal). When the client walks to the
nurse's station in a laterally contracted position, he states that something has made his body contort
into a monster. What action should the RN take?
A. Medicate the client with the prescribed antipsychotic thioridazine (Mellaril).
B. Offer the client a prescribed physical therapy hot pack for muscle spasms.
C. Direct client to occupational therapy to distract him from somatic complaints.
D. Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine (Cogentin) for dystonia. Correct answer-D
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior. Which action by the
MHW warrant immediate intervention by the RN?
A. Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
B. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
C. Is using a loid voice to talk to the client.
D. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client. Correct answer-A
A client on the mental health unit is becoming more agitated, shouting at the staff, and pacing in the
hallway. When the PRN medication is offered, the client refuses the medication and defiantly sits on
the floor in the middle of the unit hallway. What nursing intervention should the RN implement first?
A. Transport of the client to the seclusion room.
B. Quietly approach the client with additional staff members.
C. Take other clients in the area to the client lounge.
D. Administer medication to chemically restrain the patient. Correct answer-C
A client is admitted to the mental health unit and reports taking extra antianxiety medication
because, "I'm so stressed out. I just want to go to sleep." The RN should plan one-on-one observation
of the client based on which statement?
A. "What should I do? Nothing seems to help."
B. "I have been so tired lately and needed to sleep."
C. "I really think that I don't need to be here."
D. "I don't want to walk. Nothing matters anymore." Correct answer-D
A male hospital employee is pushed out the way by a female employee because of an oncoming
gurney. The pushed employee becomes very angry and swings at the female employee. Both
, employees are referred for counseling with the staff psychiatric RN. Which factor in the pushed
employee's history is most related to the reaction that occurred?
A. Is worried about losing his job to a woman.
B. Tortured animals as a child.
C. Was physically abused by his mother.
D. Hates to be touched by anyone. Correct answer-C
The RN documents the mental status of a female client who has been hospitalized for several days by
court order. The client states, "I don't need to be here" and tells the RN that she believes the
television talks to her. The RN should document these assessment findings in which section of the
mental status exam/
A. Level of concentration.
B. Insightandjudgement.
C. Remotememory. D. Mood and affect. Correct answer-B
A client is admitted to the mental health unit reports shortness of breath and dizziness. The client
tells the RN, "I feel like I'm going to die". Which nursing problem should the RN include in this client's
plan of care?
A. Mood disturbance.
B. Moderate anxiety.
C. Alteredthoughts.
D. Social isolation. Correct answer-B
A female client who is wearing dirty clothes and has foul body odor, comes to the clinic reporting
feeling scared because she is being stalked. What action is most important for the RN to take?
A. Offer the client a safe place to relax before interviewing her.
B. Ask the client to describe why she is being stalked.
C. Recommend that the client talk with a social worker.
D. Assure the client that the HCP will see her today. Correct answer-A
The RN leading a group session of adolescent clients gives the members a handout about anger
management. One of the male clients is fidgety, interrupts peers when they try and talk, and talks
about his pets at home. What nursing action is best for the RN to take?
A. Explore the client's feelings about his pets and home life.
B. Encourage his peers to help involve him in the activity.
C. Give the client permission to leave and return in 10 minutes.
D. Redirect him by encouraging him to read from the handout. Correct answer-D
A male adolescent was admitted to the unit two days ago for depression. When the mental health
RN tries to interview the client to establish rapport, he becomes very irritated and sarcastic. Which
action is best for the RN to take?
A. Report the behavior to the next shift.
B. Offer to play a game of cards with the client.
C. Document the behavior in the chart.
D. Plan to talk with the client the next day. Correct answer-B
A male adult is admitted because of an acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose. After transfer to the
mental health unit, the client is told he has liver damage. Which information is most important for
the nurse to include in the client's discharge plan?
A. Do not take any over the counter meds.
B. Eat a high carb, low fat, low protein diet.
ANSWERS (UPDATED TO PASS)
While interviewing a client, the nurse takes notes to assist with accurate documentation later. Which
statement is most accurate regarding note-taking during an interview?
A. The nurse' ability to directly observe the client's nonverbal communication is limited
with note taking.
B. Taking notes during an interview is a legal obligation of the examining nurse.
C. The client's comfort level is increased when the nurse breaks eye contact to take note to take note.
D. The interview process is enhanced with note taking and allows the client speak at normal pace.
Correct answer-A
An adolescent male receives a prescription for an antidepressant drug because he is exhibiting a
depressed affect. While the client is taking the antidepressant, which comparison of the client's
behavior before and after taking the drug is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. His appetite.
B. The emotional quality of his attitude
C. His level of activity.
D. The interactions he has with others. Correct answer-B
A nurse is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female client who is a victim of
intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the safety plan? Select all that
apply.
A. Purchase a gun to use for protection
B. Establish a code with family and friends to signify violence.
C. Plan an escape route to use if the abuser blocks the main exit.
D. Have a bag ready that has extra clothes for self and children Correct answer-B C D
While sitting in the dayroom of the mental health unit, a male adolescent avoids eye contact, looks at
the floor, and talks softly when interacting verbally with the nurse. The two trade places, and the
nurse demonstrate the client's behavior. What is the main goal of this therapeutic techniques?
A. Discuss the client's feeling when he responds.
B. Allow the client to identify the way he interacts.
C. Initiate a non-threatening conversation with the client.
D. Dialog about the ineffectiveness of his interactions.) Correct answer-B
A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, and declines activities. Which nursing
problem has the greatest priority for this client?
A. Loss of interest in diversional activity.
B. Social isolation.
C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
D. Low self-esteem. Correct answer-C
The RN is preparing medications for a client with bipolar disorder and notices that the client
discontinued antipsychotic medication for several days. Which medication should also be
discontinued?
a. Lithium. (Lithotabs)
b. Benzotropine (Cogentin).
c. Alprazolam (Xanax).
d. Magnesium (Milk of Magnesia). Correct answer-B
,A female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the room during the admission
assessment. When interviewing the client, the RN notes a discrepancy between the client's verbal
and nonverbal communication. What action does the RN take?
A. Pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages.
B. Ask the client's husband to interpret the discrepancy.
C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and focus on the client's verbal messages.
D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and interpret them as one. Correct answer-A
A male client approaches the RN with an angry expression on his face and raises his voice, saying
"My roommate is the most selfish, self-centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses his temper
one more time with me, I am going to punch him out!" The RN recognizes that the client is using
which defense mechanism?
A. Denial.
B. Projection.
C. Rationalization.
D. Splitting. Correct answer-B
A male client with bipolar disorder who began taking lithium carbonate five days ago is complaining
of excessive thirst, and the RN finds him attempting to drink water from the bathroom sink faucet.
Which intervention should the RN implement?
A. Report the client's serum lithium level to the HCP.
B. Encourage the client to suck on hard candy to relieve the symptoms.
C. No action is needed since polydipsia is a common side effect.
D. Tell the client that drinking from the faucet is not allowed. Correct answer-A
The RN is teaching a client about the initiation of the prescribed abstinence therapy using disulfiram
(Antabuse). What information should the client acknowledge understanding?
A. Completely abstain from heroin or cocaine use.
B. Remain alcohol free for 12 hours prior to the first dose.
C. Attend monthly meetings of alcoholics anonymous.
D. Admit to others that he is a substance user. Correct answer-B
A male client with schizophrenia is admitted to the mental health unit after abruptly stopping his
prescription for ziprasidone (Geodon) one month ago. Which question is most important for the RN
to ask the client?
A. Have you lost interest in the things that you used to enjoy?
B. Is your ability to think or concentrate decreased?
C. How many continuous hours do you sleep at night?
D. Do you hear sounds or voices that others do not hear? Correct answer-D
During an annual physical by the occupational RN working in a corporate clinic, a male employee tells
the RN that is high-stress job is causing trouble in his personal life. He further explains that he often
gets so angry while driving to and from work that he has considered "getting even" with other
drivers. How should the RN respond?
A. "Anger is contagious and could result in major confrontation."
B. "Try not to let your anger cause you to act impulsively."
C. "Expressing your anger to a stranger could result in an unsafe situation."
D. "It sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry." Correct answer-D
,A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is beginning desensitization with the therapist, and
the RN is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the highest priority for this client's plan of
care?
A. Encourage substitution of positive thoughts and negative ones.
B. Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
C. Progressively expose the client to larger crowds.
D. Encourage deep breathing when anxiety escalates in a crowd. Correct answer-B
Which nursing actions are likely to help promote the self-esteem of a male client with modern
depression?
A. Ask the client what his long term goals are.
B. Discuss the challenges of his medical condition.
C. Include the client in determining treatment protocol.
D. Encourage the client to engage in recreational therapy.
E. Provide opportunities for the client to discuss his concerns. Correct answer-A D E
A male client is admitted to the psychiatric unit for recurrent negative symptoms of chronic
schizophrenia and medication adjustment of Risperidone (Risperdal). When the client walks to the
nurse's station in a laterally contracted position, he states that something has made his body contort
into a monster. What action should the RN take?
A. Medicate the client with the prescribed antipsychotic thioridazine (Mellaril).
B. Offer the client a prescribed physical therapy hot pack for muscle spasms.
C. Direct client to occupational therapy to distract him from somatic complaints.
D. Administer the prescribed anticholinergic benztropine (Cogentin) for dystonia. Correct answer-D
A mental health worker is caring for a client with escalating aggressive behavior. Which action by the
MHW warrant immediate intervention by the RN?
A. Is attempting to physically restrain the patient.
B. Tells the client to go to the quiet area of the unit.
C. Is using a loid voice to talk to the client.
D. Remains at a distance of 4 feet from the client. Correct answer-A
A client on the mental health unit is becoming more agitated, shouting at the staff, and pacing in the
hallway. When the PRN medication is offered, the client refuses the medication and defiantly sits on
the floor in the middle of the unit hallway. What nursing intervention should the RN implement first?
A. Transport of the client to the seclusion room.
B. Quietly approach the client with additional staff members.
C. Take other clients in the area to the client lounge.
D. Administer medication to chemically restrain the patient. Correct answer-C
A client is admitted to the mental health unit and reports taking extra antianxiety medication
because, "I'm so stressed out. I just want to go to sleep." The RN should plan one-on-one observation
of the client based on which statement?
A. "What should I do? Nothing seems to help."
B. "I have been so tired lately and needed to sleep."
C. "I really think that I don't need to be here."
D. "I don't want to walk. Nothing matters anymore." Correct answer-D
A male hospital employee is pushed out the way by a female employee because of an oncoming
gurney. The pushed employee becomes very angry and swings at the female employee. Both
, employees are referred for counseling with the staff psychiatric RN. Which factor in the pushed
employee's history is most related to the reaction that occurred?
A. Is worried about losing his job to a woman.
B. Tortured animals as a child.
C. Was physically abused by his mother.
D. Hates to be touched by anyone. Correct answer-C
The RN documents the mental status of a female client who has been hospitalized for several days by
court order. The client states, "I don't need to be here" and tells the RN that she believes the
television talks to her. The RN should document these assessment findings in which section of the
mental status exam/
A. Level of concentration.
B. Insightandjudgement.
C. Remotememory. D. Mood and affect. Correct answer-B
A client is admitted to the mental health unit reports shortness of breath and dizziness. The client
tells the RN, "I feel like I'm going to die". Which nursing problem should the RN include in this client's
plan of care?
A. Mood disturbance.
B. Moderate anxiety.
C. Alteredthoughts.
D. Social isolation. Correct answer-B
A female client who is wearing dirty clothes and has foul body odor, comes to the clinic reporting
feeling scared because she is being stalked. What action is most important for the RN to take?
A. Offer the client a safe place to relax before interviewing her.
B. Ask the client to describe why she is being stalked.
C. Recommend that the client talk with a social worker.
D. Assure the client that the HCP will see her today. Correct answer-A
The RN leading a group session of adolescent clients gives the members a handout about anger
management. One of the male clients is fidgety, interrupts peers when they try and talk, and talks
about his pets at home. What nursing action is best for the RN to take?
A. Explore the client's feelings about his pets and home life.
B. Encourage his peers to help involve him in the activity.
C. Give the client permission to leave and return in 10 minutes.
D. Redirect him by encouraging him to read from the handout. Correct answer-D
A male adolescent was admitted to the unit two days ago for depression. When the mental health
RN tries to interview the client to establish rapport, he becomes very irritated and sarcastic. Which
action is best for the RN to take?
A. Report the behavior to the next shift.
B. Offer to play a game of cards with the client.
C. Document the behavior in the chart.
D. Plan to talk with the client the next day. Correct answer-B
A male adult is admitted because of an acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose. After transfer to the
mental health unit, the client is told he has liver damage. Which information is most important for
the nurse to include in the client's discharge plan?
A. Do not take any over the counter meds.
B. Eat a high carb, low fat, low protein diet.
