HESI PN Mental Health Nursing Review – 2025–
2026 Focus: Psychiatric disorders, therapeutic
communication, crisis management, and mental
health interventions.
Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Client Relationship
1. A client says, "I'm just so worthless. No one would care if I died." What is the nurse's
best therapeutic response?
a) "That's not true. You have a family who loves you."
b) "You're feeling worthless and that others don't care about you?" ✓
c) "Have you been having thoughts of harming yourself?"
d) "You should try to think more positively."
2. A client is silent and withdrawn during a one-on-one session. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
a) Leave the client alone and try again later.
b) Use silence and remain present with the client. ✓
c) Ask a series of closed-ended questions to get them talking.
d) Tell the client that they must participate for their own good.
3. The nurse states, "You said you feel angry when your family visits. Tell me more about
that." This is an example of:
a) Reflecting
b) Exploring ✓
c) Restating
d) Presenting reality
4. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia says, "The voices are telling me I'm a bad person."
The nurse's best response is:
a) "I don't hear any voices. Those aren't real."
b) "I understand that you are hearing voices, but I do not hear them. I see a person who
is working hard in treatment." ✓
c) "Just ignore them, and they will go away."
d) "What exactly are the voices saying?"
, 5. Which statement by the nurse is an example of a therapeutic communication technique?
a) "Let's discuss your coping mechanisms for stress."
b) "Why did you stop taking your medication?"
c) "I notice you're pacing a lot. How are you feeling right now?" ✓
d) "You need to attend all your group therapy sessions."
6. Giving advice to a client is generally considered non-therapeutic because it:
a) Is too time-consuming for the nurse.
b) Undermines the client's right to self-determination and problem-solving. ✓
c) Is only appropriate for a client in crisis.
d) Prevents the nurse from documenting the conversation.
7. The orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship is characterized by:
a) The client expressing unresolved feelings about the nurse.
b) Establishing trust, roles, and goals for the relationship. ✓
c) The nurse summarizing progress made.
d) The client testing the nurse's limits.
8. A client asks the nurse personal questions about their marital status. The nurse's best
response is:
a) "I am married. Are you?"
b) "Let's keep the focus on your concerns and treatment." ✓
c) "That is an inappropriate question."
d) "Why do you want to know that?"
Anxiety and OCD-Related Disorders
9. A client experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating. The nurse should:
a) Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag. ✓
b) Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication.
c) Place the client in seclusion.
d) Have the client run in place to use up adrenaline.
10. The primary nursing goal for a client experiencing severe anxiety is to:
a) Help the client identify the cause of the anxiety.
b) Lower the client's anxiety to a manageable level. ✓
c) Ensure the client remains in their room.
d) Teach the client long-term coping strategies.
11. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends hours washing their hands.
The therapeutic approach is to:
, a) Forbid the client from using the sink.
b) Allow the ritual while setting reasonable limits. ✓
c) Encourage the client to focus on the irrationality of the behavior.
d) Ignore the behavior completely.
12. Which medication class is first-line for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
a) Typical Antipsychotics
b) SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) ✓
c) MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
d) Mood Stabilizers
13. A client with Panic Disorder is taught to use positive self-talk. This is an example of:
a) Cognitive-behavioral therapy. ✓
b) Psychoanalytic therapy.
c) Electroconvulsive therapy.
d) Milieu therapy.
14. A client performing a ritual (compulsion) is doing so to:
a) Annoy the nursing staff.
b) Reduce the overwhelming anxiety caused by an obsession. ✓
c) Gain attention from other clients.
d) Practice for a future career.
15. What is a priority intervention for a client having a panic attack?
a) Leave the client alone to maintain dignity.
b) Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice. ✓
c) Force the client to do deep breathing exercises.
d) Confront the client about their irrational fears.
Mood Disorders: Depression & Bipolar
16. The highest priority for a client with Major Depressive Disorder is:
a) Assessing and maintaining client safety from self-harm. ✓
b) Ensuring the client attends group therapy.
c) Improving the client's self-esteem.
d) Establishing a therapeutic relationship.
17. A client on Amitriptyline reports dry mouth and constipation. The nurse should:
a) Hold the next dose and notify the physician immediately.
b) Explain that these are common anticholinergic side effects. ✓
2026 Focus: Psychiatric disorders, therapeutic
communication, crisis management, and mental
health interventions.
Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Client Relationship
1. A client says, "I'm just so worthless. No one would care if I died." What is the nurse's
best therapeutic response?
a) "That's not true. You have a family who loves you."
b) "You're feeling worthless and that others don't care about you?" ✓
c) "Have you been having thoughts of harming yourself?"
d) "You should try to think more positively."
2. A client is silent and withdrawn during a one-on-one session. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
a) Leave the client alone and try again later.
b) Use silence and remain present with the client. ✓
c) Ask a series of closed-ended questions to get them talking.
d) Tell the client that they must participate for their own good.
3. The nurse states, "You said you feel angry when your family visits. Tell me more about
that." This is an example of:
a) Reflecting
b) Exploring ✓
c) Restating
d) Presenting reality
4. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia says, "The voices are telling me I'm a bad person."
The nurse's best response is:
a) "I don't hear any voices. Those aren't real."
b) "I understand that you are hearing voices, but I do not hear them. I see a person who
is working hard in treatment." ✓
c) "Just ignore them, and they will go away."
d) "What exactly are the voices saying?"
, 5. Which statement by the nurse is an example of a therapeutic communication technique?
a) "Let's discuss your coping mechanisms for stress."
b) "Why did you stop taking your medication?"
c) "I notice you're pacing a lot. How are you feeling right now?" ✓
d) "You need to attend all your group therapy sessions."
6. Giving advice to a client is generally considered non-therapeutic because it:
a) Is too time-consuming for the nurse.
b) Undermines the client's right to self-determination and problem-solving. ✓
c) Is only appropriate for a client in crisis.
d) Prevents the nurse from documenting the conversation.
7. The orientation phase of the nurse-client relationship is characterized by:
a) The client expressing unresolved feelings about the nurse.
b) Establishing trust, roles, and goals for the relationship. ✓
c) The nurse summarizing progress made.
d) The client testing the nurse's limits.
8. A client asks the nurse personal questions about their marital status. The nurse's best
response is:
a) "I am married. Are you?"
b) "Let's keep the focus on your concerns and treatment." ✓
c) "That is an inappropriate question."
d) "Why do you want to know that?"
Anxiety and OCD-Related Disorders
9. A client experiencing a panic attack is hyperventilating. The nurse should:
a) Instruct the client to breathe into a paper bag. ✓
b) Administer a PRN antipsychotic medication.
c) Place the client in seclusion.
d) Have the client run in place to use up adrenaline.
10. The primary nursing goal for a client experiencing severe anxiety is to:
a) Help the client identify the cause of the anxiety.
b) Lower the client's anxiety to a manageable level. ✓
c) Ensure the client remains in their room.
d) Teach the client long-term coping strategies.
11. A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) spends hours washing their hands.
The therapeutic approach is to:
, a) Forbid the client from using the sink.
b) Allow the ritual while setting reasonable limits. ✓
c) Encourage the client to focus on the irrationality of the behavior.
d) Ignore the behavior completely.
12. Which medication class is first-line for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
a) Typical Antipsychotics
b) SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) ✓
c) MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors)
d) Mood Stabilizers
13. A client with Panic Disorder is taught to use positive self-talk. This is an example of:
a) Cognitive-behavioral therapy. ✓
b) Psychoanalytic therapy.
c) Electroconvulsive therapy.
d) Milieu therapy.
14. A client performing a ritual (compulsion) is doing so to:
a) Annoy the nursing staff.
b) Reduce the overwhelming anxiety caused by an obsession. ✓
c) Gain attention from other clients.
d) Practice for a future career.
15. What is a priority intervention for a client having a panic attack?
a) Leave the client alone to maintain dignity.
b) Stay with the client and speak in a calm, reassuring voice. ✓
c) Force the client to do deep breathing exercises.
d) Confront the client about their irrational fears.
Mood Disorders: Depression & Bipolar
16. The highest priority for a client with Major Depressive Disorder is:
a) Assessing and maintaining client safety from self-harm. ✓
b) Ensuring the client attends group therapy.
c) Improving the client's self-esteem.
d) Establishing a therapeutic relationship.
17. A client on Amitriptyline reports dry mouth and constipation. The nurse should:
a) Hold the next dose and notify the physician immediately.
b) Explain that these are common anticholinergic side effects. ✓
