Mental Health Practice HESI Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
At the first meeting of a group of older adults at a daycare center for the elderly,
the nurse asks one of the members what kinds of things she would like to do with
the group. The older woman shrugs her shoulders and says, "You tell me, you're
the leader." What is the best response for the nurse to make? - Correct answer-
"Yes, I will be leading this group. What would you like to accomplish during this
time?"
Over a period of several weeks, one male participant of a socialization group at a
community day care center for the elderly monopolizes most of the group's time
and interrupts others when they are talking. What is the best action for the nurse to
take in this situation? - Correct answer-Talk to the client outside the group about
his behavior during group meetings.
An 86-year-old female client with Alzheimer's disease is wandering the busy halls
of the extended care facility and asks the nurse, "Where should I stand for the
parade?" Which response is best for the nurse to provide? - Correct answer-
"Remember I told you that this is a nursing home and I am your nurse."
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,Physical examination of a 6-year-old reveals several bite marks in various
locations on his body. X-ray examination reveals healed fractures of the ribs. The
mother tells the nurse that her child is always having accidents. Which initial
response by the nurse is most appropriate? - Correct answer-"Tell me more
specifically about your child's accidents."
A child is brought to the emergency room with a broken arm. Because of other
injuries, the nurse suspects the child may be a victim of abuse. When the nurse
tries to give the child an injection, the child's mother becomes very loud and
shouts, "I won't leave my son! Don't you touch him! You'll hurt my child!" What is
the best interpretation of the mother's statements? The mother is - Correct answer-
projecting her feelings onto the nurse.
A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.
When her tray is brought to her, she refuses to eat and tells the nurse, "I know you
are trying to poison me with that food." Which response would be most appropriate
for the nurse to make? - Correct answer-"I'll leave your tray here. I am available if
you need anything else."
A 25-year-old female client has been particularly restless and the nurse finds her
trying to leave the psychiatric unit. She tells the nurse, "Please let me go! I must
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, leave because the secret police are after me." Which response is best for the nurse
to make? - Correct answer-"Come with me to your room and I will sit with you."
A 45-year-old male client tells the nurse that he used to believe that he was Jesus
Christ, but now he knows that he is not. Which response is best for the nurse to
make? - Correct answer-"I think you're getting well."
A nurse working in the emergency room of a children's hospital admits a child
whose injuries could have resulted from abuse. Which statement most accurately
describes the nurse's responsibility in cases of suspected child abuse? - Correct
answer-The nurse should report any case of suspected child abuse to the nurse in
charge.
A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder develops
diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action should the nurse take? - Correct
answer-Notify the healhcare provider immediately and prepare for administration
of an antidote.
A client on the psychiatric unit appears to imitate a certain nurse on the unit. The
client seeks out this particular nurse and imitates the nurse's mannerisms. The
nurse knows that the client is using which defense mechanism? - Correct answer-
Identification
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Questions and Answers
At the first meeting of a group of older adults at a daycare center for the elderly,
the nurse asks one of the members what kinds of things she would like to do with
the group. The older woman shrugs her shoulders and says, "You tell me, you're
the leader." What is the best response for the nurse to make? - Correct answer-
"Yes, I will be leading this group. What would you like to accomplish during this
time?"
Over a period of several weeks, one male participant of a socialization group at a
community day care center for the elderly monopolizes most of the group's time
and interrupts others when they are talking. What is the best action for the nurse to
take in this situation? - Correct answer-Talk to the client outside the group about
his behavior during group meetings.
An 86-year-old female client with Alzheimer's disease is wandering the busy halls
of the extended care facility and asks the nurse, "Where should I stand for the
parade?" Which response is best for the nurse to provide? - Correct answer-
"Remember I told you that this is a nursing home and I am your nurse."
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Physical examination of a 6-year-old reveals several bite marks in various
locations on his body. X-ray examination reveals healed fractures of the ribs. The
mother tells the nurse that her child is always having accidents. Which initial
response by the nurse is most appropriate? - Correct answer-"Tell me more
specifically about your child's accidents."
A child is brought to the emergency room with a broken arm. Because of other
injuries, the nurse suspects the child may be a victim of abuse. When the nurse
tries to give the child an injection, the child's mother becomes very loud and
shouts, "I won't leave my son! Don't you touch him! You'll hurt my child!" What is
the best interpretation of the mother's statements? The mother is - Correct answer-
projecting her feelings onto the nurse.
A 38-year-old female client is admitted with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.
When her tray is brought to her, she refuses to eat and tells the nurse, "I know you
are trying to poison me with that food." Which response would be most appropriate
for the nurse to make? - Correct answer-"I'll leave your tray here. I am available if
you need anything else."
A 25-year-old female client has been particularly restless and the nurse finds her
trying to leave the psychiatric unit. She tells the nurse, "Please let me go! I must
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, leave because the secret police are after me." Which response is best for the nurse
to make? - Correct answer-"Come with me to your room and I will sit with you."
A 45-year-old male client tells the nurse that he used to believe that he was Jesus
Christ, but now he knows that he is not. Which response is best for the nurse to
make? - Correct answer-"I think you're getting well."
A nurse working in the emergency room of a children's hospital admits a child
whose injuries could have resulted from abuse. Which statement most accurately
describes the nurse's responsibility in cases of suspected child abuse? - Correct
answer-The nurse should report any case of suspected child abuse to the nurse in
charge.
A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder develops
diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. What action should the nurse take? - Correct
answer-Notify the healhcare provider immediately and prepare for administration
of an antidote.
A client on the psychiatric unit appears to imitate a certain nurse on the unit. The
client seeks out this particular nurse and imitates the nurse's mannerisms. The
nurse knows that the client is using which defense mechanism? - Correct answer-
Identification
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