HESI Comprehensive Review for
NCLEX-RN Exam Psychiatric
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Distract the client with activities
B. Tell the client the voices are not real
✔✔C. Ask the client directly about safety and suicidal intent
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
A client with major depressive disorder says, “I don’t want to live anymore.” What is the best
nursing response?
A. “You have so much to live for.”
✔✔B. “Are you thinking of harming yourself?”
C. “Don’t talk like that, you will upset others.”
D. “You just need to focus on positive thoughts.”
1
,A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase. Which intervention is most
therapeutic?
A. Encourage group therapy sessions
✔✔B. Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation
C. Offer multiple choices for meals and activities
D. Allow the client to lead the unit’s activities
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends hours handwashing. What is the best
nursing intervention?
A. Stop the client from handwashing immediately
✔✔B. Allow limited handwashing while setting time boundaries
C. Ignore the behavior since it relieves anxiety
D. Encourage the client to wash hands more frequently
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client on fluoxetine. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A. “I will feel better within 24 hours.”
✔✔B. “It may take several weeks before my mood improves.”
C. “I should stop the medication if I feel sleepy.”
2
,D. “I can drink alcohol with this medication.”
A client with generalized anxiety disorder is restless and pacing. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
✔✔B. Stay with the client and offer reassurance
C. Ask the client to describe feelings in detail
D. Suggest the client go to the lounge area
A client with schizophrenia is withdrawn and does not make eye contact. What is the best
nursing intervention?
A. Force the client to attend group therapy
✔✔B. Sit quietly with the client and offer simple statements
C. Ignore the client’s withdrawal
D. Use complex explanations to encourage conversation
A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has frequent nightmares. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Tell the client to avoid sleep during the day
3
, ✔✔B. Encourage relaxation techniques before bedtime
C. Suggest avoiding all conversations about the trauma
D. Provide extra caffeinated drinks to promote wakefulness
A client taking lithium reports nausea, tremors, and excessive thirst. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Encourage increased fluid intake
✔✔B. Assess for lithium toxicity and notify the provider
C. Reassure the client these are expected effects
D. Hold the evening dose only
A client states, “The FBI is controlling my thoughts.” What is the best nursing response?
A. “That is not possible.”
✔✔B. “That must feel very frightening for you.”
C. “You must ignore those thoughts.”
D. “I agree with you.”
A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat. Which nursing intervention is best?
4
NCLEX-RN Exam Psychiatric
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Distract the client with activities
B. Tell the client the voices are not real
✔✔C. Ask the client directly about safety and suicidal intent
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
A client with major depressive disorder says, “I don’t want to live anymore.” What is the best
nursing response?
A. “You have so much to live for.”
✔✔B. “Are you thinking of harming yourself?”
C. “Don’t talk like that, you will upset others.”
D. “You just need to focus on positive thoughts.”
1
,A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase. Which intervention is most
therapeutic?
A. Encourage group therapy sessions
✔✔B. Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation
C. Offer multiple choices for meals and activities
D. Allow the client to lead the unit’s activities
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends hours handwashing. What is the best
nursing intervention?
A. Stop the client from handwashing immediately
✔✔B. Allow limited handwashing while setting time boundaries
C. Ignore the behavior since it relieves anxiety
D. Encourage the client to wash hands more frequently
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client on fluoxetine. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A. “I will feel better within 24 hours.”
✔✔B. “It may take several weeks before my mood improves.”
C. “I should stop the medication if I feel sleepy.”
2
,D. “I can drink alcohol with this medication.”
A client with generalized anxiety disorder is restless and pacing. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Teach relaxation techniques
✔✔B. Stay with the client and offer reassurance
C. Ask the client to describe feelings in detail
D. Suggest the client go to the lounge area
A client with schizophrenia is withdrawn and does not make eye contact. What is the best
nursing intervention?
A. Force the client to attend group therapy
✔✔B. Sit quietly with the client and offer simple statements
C. Ignore the client’s withdrawal
D. Use complex explanations to encourage conversation
A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has frequent nightmares. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Tell the client to avoid sleep during the day
3
, ✔✔B. Encourage relaxation techniques before bedtime
C. Suggest avoiding all conversations about the trauma
D. Provide extra caffeinated drinks to promote wakefulness
A client taking lithium reports nausea, tremors, and excessive thirst. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Encourage increased fluid intake
✔✔B. Assess for lithium toxicity and notify the provider
C. Reassure the client these are expected effects
D. Hold the evening dose only
A client states, “The FBI is controlling my thoughts.” What is the best nursing response?
A. “That is not possible.”
✔✔B. “That must feel very frightening for you.”
C. “You must ignore those thoughts.”
D. “I agree with you.”
A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat. Which nursing intervention is best?
4
