MENTAL HEALTH HESI EXAM COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE WITH
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS (LATEST 2025
EDITION)
Which characteristic is commonly associated with adolescent depression? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Exercising daily
B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
D. Having poor muscle tone
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships
B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships
Which explanation, when providing a change-of-shift report, would the nurse use
to describe a client diagnosed with schizophrenia who is experiencing opposing
emotions simultaneously?
A. Double bind
B. Ambivalence
C. Loose association
D. Inappropriate affect
B. Ambivalence
What is the term for inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found
enjoyable?
A. Tardive Dyskinesia
B. Avolition
C. Anhedonia
D. Anergia
C. Anhedonia
- Tardive dyskinesia - bizarre facial & tongue movements, stiff neck & dysphagia
- Avolition - loss of motivation
- Anergia - lack of energy
Which characteristic of adolescence is exemplified by risk-taking behavior without
fear of consequences?
A. Animism
B. Personal fable
,C. Imaginary audience
D. Sense of invulnerability
D. Sense of invulnerability
A client does not take their medication regularly and is depressed. Which inference
can the nurse make about the client's motivational level?
A. Not motivated
B. Intrinsically motivated
C. Extrinsically motivated with self-determination
D. Extrinsically motivated without self-determination
A. Not motivated
Which characteristic is most essential for the nurse to have in caring for clients
with mental health disorders?
A. Empathy
B. Sympathy
C. Organization
D. Authoritarianism
A. Empathy
Empathy - understanding and, to some extent, sharing the emotions of another-
encourages the expression of feelings. Sympathy, or feeling sorry for someone,
may further decrease the client's feelings of self-worth.
Which stage is a terminally ill client displaying by gradually moving towards
resolution of feelings about impending death according to Kubler-Ross' theory of
death and dying?
A. Anger stage
B. Denial stage
C. Bargaining stage
D. Acceptance stage
D. Acceptance stage
When acceptance is reached. the individual is beginning to withdraw from life;
communication is simple, concise, and most often nonverbal. Kubler-Ross'
research has shown that at this stage, verbal communication is typically less
important, and touch and presence are most important. The client has moved past
the anger, denial, and bargaining stages.
,Which action would the nurse take for a client with an obsessive-compulsive
disorder who continually walks up and down the hall, touching every other and
becomes upset if interrupted?
A. Distract the client, which will help the client forget about touching the chairs.
B. Encourage the client to continue touching the chairs as long as the client wants
until fatigue sets in
C. Remove chairs from the hall, thereby relieving the client of the necessity of
touching every other one
D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client help set
the time limits to be imposed
D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client help set
the time limits to be imposed
Place the five stages of grieving identified and described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
in order of progression from first to last.
1. Anger
2. Denial
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
5. Bargaining
2. Denial
1. Anger
5. Bargaining
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
Which assessment finding would the nurse observe in a client with bipolar
disorder, manic phase?
A. Constant singing
B. Ritualistic behavior
C. Flat affect
D. Apathetic demeanor
A. Constant singing
Which action would the nurse take for a withdrawn client who suddenly screams,
bursts into tears, and runs from the room to the far end of the hallway?
A. Walk to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
B. Accept the action as the impulsive behavior of a sick person
C. Ask another client in the dayroom why the client acted in this way
D. Document objectively the incident in the client's record immediately
, A. Walk to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
This lets the client know that the nurse is available. It also demonstrates an
acceptance of the client.
Which consistent approach would the nurse use for a client diagnosed with an
antisocial personality disorder?
A. Warm and firm without being punitive
B. Indifferent and detached but nonjudgemental
C. Confidentiality acquiescent to client demands
D. Clearly communicative of personal disapproval
A. Warm and firm without being punitive
Which technique would be appropriate for clients who exhibit mild neurocognitive
impairment?
A. Reality orientation
B. Behavioral confrontation
C. Reflective communication
D. Reminiscence group therapy
A. Reality orientation
Which reason would be likely for a client's anger and acting out when the nurse
interrupts the hand-washing ritual of a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
B. Resents the nurse's authoritarian manner
C. Is clashing with the nurse's personality
D. Reflects and aggressive characteristic
A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
Which response would the nurse make to a client who says, 'I feel so guilty. None
of this makes any sense. Everyone must really think I'm crazy,' after performing a
complex ritual?
A. 'Your behavior is bizarre, but it serves a useful purpose.'
B. 'You're concerned about what other people are thinking about you.'
C. 'I am sure people understand that you can't help this behavior right now.'
D. 'Guilt serves no useful purpose. It just helps you stay stuck where you are.'
B. 'You're concerned about what other people are thinking about you.'
Which characteristic of clients with antisocial personality disorder would the nurse
consider when planning care?
A. Engages in many rituals
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS (LATEST 2025
EDITION)
Which characteristic is commonly associated with adolescent depression? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Exercising daily
B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
D. Having poor muscle tone
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships
B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships
Which explanation, when providing a change-of-shift report, would the nurse use
to describe a client diagnosed with schizophrenia who is experiencing opposing
emotions simultaneously?
A. Double bind
B. Ambivalence
C. Loose association
D. Inappropriate affect
B. Ambivalence
What is the term for inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found
enjoyable?
A. Tardive Dyskinesia
B. Avolition
C. Anhedonia
D. Anergia
C. Anhedonia
- Tardive dyskinesia - bizarre facial & tongue movements, stiff neck & dysphagia
- Avolition - loss of motivation
- Anergia - lack of energy
Which characteristic of adolescence is exemplified by risk-taking behavior without
fear of consequences?
A. Animism
B. Personal fable
,C. Imaginary audience
D. Sense of invulnerability
D. Sense of invulnerability
A client does not take their medication regularly and is depressed. Which inference
can the nurse make about the client's motivational level?
A. Not motivated
B. Intrinsically motivated
C. Extrinsically motivated with self-determination
D. Extrinsically motivated without self-determination
A. Not motivated
Which characteristic is most essential for the nurse to have in caring for clients
with mental health disorders?
A. Empathy
B. Sympathy
C. Organization
D. Authoritarianism
A. Empathy
Empathy - understanding and, to some extent, sharing the emotions of another-
encourages the expression of feelings. Sympathy, or feeling sorry for someone,
may further decrease the client's feelings of self-worth.
Which stage is a terminally ill client displaying by gradually moving towards
resolution of feelings about impending death according to Kubler-Ross' theory of
death and dying?
A. Anger stage
B. Denial stage
C. Bargaining stage
D. Acceptance stage
D. Acceptance stage
When acceptance is reached. the individual is beginning to withdraw from life;
communication is simple, concise, and most often nonverbal. Kubler-Ross'
research has shown that at this stage, verbal communication is typically less
important, and touch and presence are most important. The client has moved past
the anger, denial, and bargaining stages.
,Which action would the nurse take for a client with an obsessive-compulsive
disorder who continually walks up and down the hall, touching every other and
becomes upset if interrupted?
A. Distract the client, which will help the client forget about touching the chairs.
B. Encourage the client to continue touching the chairs as long as the client wants
until fatigue sets in
C. Remove chairs from the hall, thereby relieving the client of the necessity of
touching every other one
D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client help set
the time limits to be imposed
D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client help set
the time limits to be imposed
Place the five stages of grieving identified and described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
in order of progression from first to last.
1. Anger
2. Denial
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
5. Bargaining
2. Denial
1. Anger
5. Bargaining
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
Which assessment finding would the nurse observe in a client with bipolar
disorder, manic phase?
A. Constant singing
B. Ritualistic behavior
C. Flat affect
D. Apathetic demeanor
A. Constant singing
Which action would the nurse take for a withdrawn client who suddenly screams,
bursts into tears, and runs from the room to the far end of the hallway?
A. Walk to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
B. Accept the action as the impulsive behavior of a sick person
C. Ask another client in the dayroom why the client acted in this way
D. Document objectively the incident in the client's record immediately
, A. Walk to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
This lets the client know that the nurse is available. It also demonstrates an
acceptance of the client.
Which consistent approach would the nurse use for a client diagnosed with an
antisocial personality disorder?
A. Warm and firm without being punitive
B. Indifferent and detached but nonjudgemental
C. Confidentiality acquiescent to client demands
D. Clearly communicative of personal disapproval
A. Warm and firm without being punitive
Which technique would be appropriate for clients who exhibit mild neurocognitive
impairment?
A. Reality orientation
B. Behavioral confrontation
C. Reflective communication
D. Reminiscence group therapy
A. Reality orientation
Which reason would be likely for a client's anger and acting out when the nurse
interrupts the hand-washing ritual of a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
B. Resents the nurse's authoritarian manner
C. Is clashing with the nurse's personality
D. Reflects and aggressive characteristic
A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
Which response would the nurse make to a client who says, 'I feel so guilty. None
of this makes any sense. Everyone must really think I'm crazy,' after performing a
complex ritual?
A. 'Your behavior is bizarre, but it serves a useful purpose.'
B. 'You're concerned about what other people are thinking about you.'
C. 'I am sure people understand that you can't help this behavior right now.'
D. 'Guilt serves no useful purpose. It just helps you stay stuck where you are.'
B. 'You're concerned about what other people are thinking about you.'
Which characteristic of clients with antisocial personality disorder would the nurse
consider when planning care?
A. Engages in many rituals
