1
NGN Mental Health HESI Exams 2024
(Versions A & B) – Actual Questions,
Correct Answers & Rationales |
Graded A+
Version A: Mental Health HESI Exam 2024 (40 Questions)
1. A client with major depressive disorder (MDD) reports feeling hopeless and
expresses suicidal ideation. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer prescribed antidepressant
B. Assess the client’s suicide plan and means
C. Encourage participation in group therapy
D. Provide a high-calorie diet
Correct Answer: B (Assess the client’s suicide plan and means)
Rationale: Suicide risk assessment is the priority to determine the immediacy and
severity of the threat, guiding immediate safety interventions. HESI Mental Health, 2024,
p. 82.
2. Which symptom is most indicative of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Excessive worry for 6 months
C. Manic behavior
D. Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: B (Excessive worry for 6 months)
Rationale: GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worry lasting at least 6 months,
per DSM-5 criteria. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 94.
3. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Administer an antipsychotic
B. Engage the client in reality-based conversation
C. Place the client in seclusion
D. Assess the content of the hallucinations
Correct Answer: D (Assess the content of the hallucinations)
Rationale: Assessing the content and intent of hallucinations is critical to evaluate risk
and plan interventions. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 112.
4. A client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase exhibits grandiosity and
sleeplessness. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage high-energy activities
, 2
B. Provide a quiet, structured environment
C. Increase social interactions
D. Allow unrestricted sleep
Correct Answer: B (Provide a quiet, structured environment)
Rationale: A calm environment reduces stimulation, helping stabilize mood in mania.
HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 102.
5. Which medication is first-line for acute mania in bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Alprazolam
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: B (Lithium)
Rationale: Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for acute mania, per APA guidelines.
HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 124.
6. A client with MDD refuses to eat, stating, “I don’t deserve food.” What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “You need to eat to stay healthy.”
B. “Can you tell me more about why you feel this way?”
C. “I’ll get you a snack you like.”
D. “You’re being unreasonable.”
Correct Answer: B (Can you tell me more about why you feel this way?)
Rationale: Exploring feelings encourages therapeutic communication and assesses
underlying issues. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 88.
7. What is a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Weight loss
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Hypertension
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B (Sexual dysfunction)
Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause sexual dysfunction, affecting up to 70% of patients.
HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 126.
8. A client with panic disorder experiences palpitations and shortness of breath. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Teach deep breathing techniques
C. Give a PRN benzodiazepine
D. Restrain the client
Correct Answer: B (Teach deep breathing techniques)
Rationale: Non-pharmacological interventions like deep breathing help manage acute
panic symptoms safely. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 96.
9. Which tool is used to screen for depression in a primary care setting?
A. GAD-7
B. PHQ-9
C. MMSE
D. CAGE
Correct Answer: B (PHQ-9)
, 3
Rationale: PHQ-9 is a validated tool for assessing depression severity and monitoring
treatment. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 80.
10. A client with schizophrenia exhibits negative symptoms like flat affect. What is the
best nursing intervention?
A. Encourage competitive activities
B. Promote simple, structured social interactions
C. Administer a stimulant
D. Ignore the behavior
Correct Answer: B (Promote simple, structured social interactions)
Rationale: Structured interactions support socialization without overwhelming the client.
HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 114.
11. What is a key feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
A. Stable interpersonal relationships
B. Fear of abandonment
C. Chronic euphoria
D. Auditory hallucinations
Correct Answer: B (Fear of abandonment)
Rationale: BPD is characterized by intense fear of abandonment and unstable
relationships, per DSM-5. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 108.
12. A client with alcohol use disorder is at risk for which complication during
withdrawal?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Delirium tremens
C. Hypernatremia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B (Delirium tremens)
Rationale: Delirium tremens is a severe, potentially fatal withdrawal symptom requiring
medical intervention. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 132.
13. Which medication requires monitoring for agranulocytosis?
A. Sertraline
B. Clozapine
C. Lithium
D. Lorazepam
Correct Answer: B (Clozapine)
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, necessitating regular white blood cell
monitoring. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 128.
14. A client with GAD reports muscle tension and irritability. What is the best non-
pharmacological intervention?
A. Progressive muscle relaxation
B. High-intensity exercise
C. Social isolation
D. Dietary restrictions
Correct Answer: A (Progressive muscle relaxation)
Rationale: Progressive muscle relaxation reduces physical tension and anxiety symptoms
effectively. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 95.
NGN Mental Health HESI Exams 2024
(Versions A & B) – Actual Questions,
Correct Answers & Rationales |
Graded A+
Version A: Mental Health HESI Exam 2024 (40 Questions)
1. A client with major depressive disorder (MDD) reports feeling hopeless and
expresses suicidal ideation. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer prescribed antidepressant
B. Assess the client’s suicide plan and means
C. Encourage participation in group therapy
D. Provide a high-calorie diet
Correct Answer: B (Assess the client’s suicide plan and means)
Rationale: Suicide risk assessment is the priority to determine the immediacy and
severity of the threat, guiding immediate safety interventions. HESI Mental Health, 2024,
p. 82.
2. Which symptom is most indicative of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
A. Auditory hallucinations
B. Excessive worry for 6 months
C. Manic behavior
D. Social withdrawal
Correct Answer: B (Excessive worry for 6 months)
Rationale: GAD is characterized by persistent, excessive worry lasting at least 6 months,
per DSM-5 criteria. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 94.
3. A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Administer an antipsychotic
B. Engage the client in reality-based conversation
C. Place the client in seclusion
D. Assess the content of the hallucinations
Correct Answer: D (Assess the content of the hallucinations)
Rationale: Assessing the content and intent of hallucinations is critical to evaluate risk
and plan interventions. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 112.
4. A client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase exhibits grandiosity and
sleeplessness. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage high-energy activities
, 2
B. Provide a quiet, structured environment
C. Increase social interactions
D. Allow unrestricted sleep
Correct Answer: B (Provide a quiet, structured environment)
Rationale: A calm environment reduces stimulation, helping stabilize mood in mania.
HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 102.
5. Which medication is first-line for acute mania in bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium
C. Alprazolam
D. Sertraline
Correct Answer: B (Lithium)
Rationale: Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for acute mania, per APA guidelines.
HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 124.
6. A client with MDD refuses to eat, stating, “I don’t deserve food.” What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “You need to eat to stay healthy.”
B. “Can you tell me more about why you feel this way?”
C. “I’ll get you a snack you like.”
D. “You’re being unreasonable.”
Correct Answer: B (Can you tell me more about why you feel this way?)
Rationale: Exploring feelings encourages therapeutic communication and assesses
underlying issues. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 88.
7. What is a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A. Weight loss
B. Sexual dysfunction
C. Hypertension
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: B (Sexual dysfunction)
Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause sexual dysfunction, affecting up to 70% of patients.
HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 126.
8. A client with panic disorder experiences palpitations and shortness of breath. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Teach deep breathing techniques
C. Give a PRN benzodiazepine
D. Restrain the client
Correct Answer: B (Teach deep breathing techniques)
Rationale: Non-pharmacological interventions like deep breathing help manage acute
panic symptoms safely. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 96.
9. Which tool is used to screen for depression in a primary care setting?
A. GAD-7
B. PHQ-9
C. MMSE
D. CAGE
Correct Answer: B (PHQ-9)
, 3
Rationale: PHQ-9 is a validated tool for assessing depression severity and monitoring
treatment. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 80.
10. A client with schizophrenia exhibits negative symptoms like flat affect. What is the
best nursing intervention?
A. Encourage competitive activities
B. Promote simple, structured social interactions
C. Administer a stimulant
D. Ignore the behavior
Correct Answer: B (Promote simple, structured social interactions)
Rationale: Structured interactions support socialization without overwhelming the client.
HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 114.
11. What is a key feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
A. Stable interpersonal relationships
B. Fear of abandonment
C. Chronic euphoria
D. Auditory hallucinations
Correct Answer: B (Fear of abandonment)
Rationale: BPD is characterized by intense fear of abandonment and unstable
relationships, per DSM-5. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 108.
12. A client with alcohol use disorder is at risk for which complication during
withdrawal?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Delirium tremens
C. Hypernatremia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B (Delirium tremens)
Rationale: Delirium tremens is a severe, potentially fatal withdrawal symptom requiring
medical intervention. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 132.
13. Which medication requires monitoring for agranulocytosis?
A. Sertraline
B. Clozapine
C. Lithium
D. Lorazepam
Correct Answer: B (Clozapine)
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, necessitating regular white blood cell
monitoring. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 128.
14. A client with GAD reports muscle tension and irritability. What is the best non-
pharmacological intervention?
A. Progressive muscle relaxation
B. High-intensity exercise
C. Social isolation
D. Dietary restrictions
Correct Answer: A (Progressive muscle relaxation)
Rationale: Progressive muscle relaxation reduces physical tension and anxiety symptoms
effectively. HESI Mental Health, 2024, p. 95.
