HERZING UNIVERSITY HESI MENTAL HEALTH
EXAM Q&A 2026 STUDY GUIDE FULL
SOLUTION GRADED A+
◉ Which characteristic of adolescence is exemplified by risk-taking
behavior without fear of consequences?
A. Animism
B. Personal fable
C. Imaginery audience
D. Sense of invulnerability. Answer: 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. Answer: A. Not
motivated
,◉ Which action would the nurse take for a withdrawn client who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.
Answer: 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. Answer: 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. Answer: A. Reality orientation
◉ 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. Answer: 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. Answer: 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. Answer: 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 grievingidentified and described by Elisabeth
Kubler-Ross in order of progression from first to last.
1. Anger
2. Denial
3. Depression
EXAM Q&A 2026 STUDY GUIDE FULL
SOLUTION GRADED A+
◉ Which characteristic of adolescence is exemplified by risk-taking
behavior without fear of consequences?
A. Animism
B. Personal fable
C. Imaginery audience
D. Sense of invulnerability. Answer: 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. Answer: A. Not
motivated
,◉ 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.
Answer: 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. Answer: 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. Answer: A. Reality orientation
◉ 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. Answer: 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. Answer: 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. Answer: 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 grievingidentified and described by Elisabeth
Kubler-Ross in order of progression from first to last.
1. Anger
2. Denial
3. Depression
