HESI Case Study - Psychiatric/Mental
Health Practice Exam Questions and
Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 |
Correct & Verified
A client with major depressive disorder expresses hopelessness and lack of energy. What is the
nurse’s best initial action?
A. Encourage the client to exercise
B. Provide opportunities for social interaction
✔✔C. Assess for suicidal ideation
D. Suggest a change in diet
A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices that are telling them to harm themselves. What
is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage journaling of thoughts
✔✔B. Ensure the client’s safety and initiate suicide precautions
C. Explain that the voices are not real
D. Teach relaxation techniques
1
,A client with generalized anxiety disorder experiences a panic attack. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Explain the attack will pass in time
✔✔B. Use a calm, reassuring approach and guide slow breathing
C. Encourage the client to perform a physical task immediately
D. Ignore the client to prevent reinforcement of anxiety
A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who is angry and threatening
staff. What is the best approach?
A. Confront the client firmly
✔✔B. Set clear, consistent limits and maintain safety
C. Avoid interacting with the client
D. Give in to demands to reduce conflict
A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase and pacing the unit. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Encourage long group discussions
B. Allow unlimited access to stimulation
✔✔C. Ensure safety and provide a low-stimulation environment
2
,D. Assign the client to teach a class
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder spends hours washing hands. What is the most
therapeutic nursing action?
A. Force the client to stop immediately
B. Ignore the behavior
✔✔C. Set reasonable time limits while providing support
D. Criticize the client for excessive washing
A client with PTSD has nightmares and avoids discussing trauma. What is the best nursing
intervention?
A. Encourage avoidance of triggering topics
✔✔B. Provide a safe environment and allow the client to share at their own pace
C. Force the client to recount the trauma
D. Suggest medication only without supportive care
A client with schizophrenia is withdrawn and does not speak. How should the nurse respond?
A. Leave the client alone until they speak
3
, ✔✔B. Approach quietly, provide simple communication, and be patient
C. Pressure the client to speak immediately
D. Ask another patient to interact with them
A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat during mealtime. What is the most appropriate
nursing action?
A. Allow the client to skip meals
B. Punish the client for refusing food
✔✔C. Offer structured support and monitor intake
D. Ignore refusal to avoid confrontation
A client with alcohol use disorder is experiencing tremors and agitation. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A. Encourage verbal reassurance
✔✔B. Monitor vital signs and implement seizure precautions
C. Allow the client to drink water freely
D. Leave the client alone to rest
4
Health Practice Exam Questions and
Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 |
Correct & Verified
A client with major depressive disorder expresses hopelessness and lack of energy. What is the
nurse’s best initial action?
A. Encourage the client to exercise
B. Provide opportunities for social interaction
✔✔C. Assess for suicidal ideation
D. Suggest a change in diet
A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices that are telling them to harm themselves. What
is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Encourage journaling of thoughts
✔✔B. Ensure the client’s safety and initiate suicide precautions
C. Explain that the voices are not real
D. Teach relaxation techniques
1
,A client with generalized anxiety disorder experiences a panic attack. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Explain the attack will pass in time
✔✔B. Use a calm, reassuring approach and guide slow breathing
C. Encourage the client to perform a physical task immediately
D. Ignore the client to prevent reinforcement of anxiety
A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who is angry and threatening
staff. What is the best approach?
A. Confront the client firmly
✔✔B. Set clear, consistent limits and maintain safety
C. Avoid interacting with the client
D. Give in to demands to reduce conflict
A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase and pacing the unit. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Encourage long group discussions
B. Allow unlimited access to stimulation
✔✔C. Ensure safety and provide a low-stimulation environment
2
,D. Assign the client to teach a class
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder spends hours washing hands. What is the most
therapeutic nursing action?
A. Force the client to stop immediately
B. Ignore the behavior
✔✔C. Set reasonable time limits while providing support
D. Criticize the client for excessive washing
A client with PTSD has nightmares and avoids discussing trauma. What is the best nursing
intervention?
A. Encourage avoidance of triggering topics
✔✔B. Provide a safe environment and allow the client to share at their own pace
C. Force the client to recount the trauma
D. Suggest medication only without supportive care
A client with schizophrenia is withdrawn and does not speak. How should the nurse respond?
A. Leave the client alone until they speak
3
, ✔✔B. Approach quietly, provide simple communication, and be patient
C. Pressure the client to speak immediately
D. Ask another patient to interact with them
A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat during mealtime. What is the most appropriate
nursing action?
A. Allow the client to skip meals
B. Punish the client for refusing food
✔✔C. Offer structured support and monitor intake
D. Ignore refusal to avoid confrontation
A client with alcohol use disorder is experiencing tremors and agitation. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A. Encourage verbal reassurance
✔✔B. Monitor vital signs and implement seizure precautions
C. Allow the client to drink water freely
D. Leave the client alone to rest
4
