HESI CAT CERTIFICATION EVALUATION
2026 EXAM Q&A STUDY SHEET
◉How do adolescents establish family identity during psychosocial
development? Select all that apply.
1
By acting independently to make his or her own decisions
2
By evaluating his or her own health with a feeling of well-being
3
By fostering his or her own development within a balanced family
structure
4
By building close peer relationships to achieve acceptance in the
society
5
By achieving marked physical changes. Answer: 13
An adolescent establishes family identity by acting independently
for taking important decisions about self. They also need to foster
their development along with maintaining a balanced family
structure. Health identity is associated with the evaluation of one's
,own health with a feeling of well-being. By building close peer
relationships, an adolescent develops a sense of belonging, approval,
and the opportunity to learn acceptable behavior. These actions
establish an adolescent's group identity. The sound and healthy
growth of the adolescent, with marked physical changes, helps to
build an adolescent's sexual identity.
◉A clinic nurse observes a 2-year-old client sitting alone, rocking
and staring at a small, shiny top that she is spinning. Later the father
relates his concerns, stating, "She pushes me away. She doesn't
speak, and she only shows feelings when I take her top away. Is it
something I've done?" What is the most therapeutic initial response
by the nurse?
1
Asking the father about his relationship with his wife
2
Asking the father how he held the child when she was an infant
3
Telling the father that it is nothing he has done and sharing the
nurse's observations of the child
4
Telling the father not to be concerned and stressing that the child
will outgrow this developmental phase. Answer: 3
The nurse provides support in a nonjudgmental way by sharing
information and observations about the child. This child exhibits
,symptoms of autism, which is not attributable to the actions of the
parents. Asking the father about his relationship with his wife or
how he held the child when she was an infant indirectly indicates
that the parent may be at fault; it negates the father's need for
support and increases his sense of guilt. Telling the father not to be
concerned and stressing that the child will outgrow this
developmental phase is false reassurance that does not provide
support; the father recognizes that something is wrong.
◉What is most appropriate for a nurse to say when interviewing a
newly admitted depressed client whose thoughts are focused on
feelings of worthlessness and failure?
1
"Tell me how you feel about yourself."
2
"Tell me what has been bothering you."
3
"Why do you feel so bad about yourself?"
4
"What can we do to help you while you're here?". Answer: 1
Because major depression is a result of the client's feelings of self-
rejection, it is important for the nurse to have the client initially
identify these feelings before developing a plan of care. Later
discussion should be focused on other topics to prevent
reinforcement of negative thoughts and feelings. "Tell me what has
, been bothering you" is asking the client to draw a conclusion; the
client may be unable to do so at this time. Also, depression may be
related not to external events but instead to a client's psychobiology.
Asking why does not let a client explore feelings; it usually elicits an
"I don't know" response. "What can we do to help you while you're
here?" is beyond the scope of the client's abilities at this time.
◉A client is admitted to the mental health unit with the diagnosis of
major depressive disorder. Which statement alerts the nurse to the
possibility of a suicide attempt?
1
"I don't feel too good today."
2
"I feel much better; today is a lovely day."
3
"I feel a little better, but it probably won't last."
4
"I'm really tired today, so I'll take things a little slower.". Answer: 2
A rapid mood upswing and psychomotor change may signal that the
client has made a decision and has developed a plan for suicide. "I
don't feel too good today"; "I feel a little better, but it probably won't
last"; and "I'm really tired today, so I'll take things a little slower" are
all typical of the depressed client; none of these statements signals a
change in mood.
2026 EXAM Q&A STUDY SHEET
◉How do adolescents establish family identity during psychosocial
development? Select all that apply.
1
By acting independently to make his or her own decisions
2
By evaluating his or her own health with a feeling of well-being
3
By fostering his or her own development within a balanced family
structure
4
By building close peer relationships to achieve acceptance in the
society
5
By achieving marked physical changes. Answer: 13
An adolescent establishes family identity by acting independently
for taking important decisions about self. They also need to foster
their development along with maintaining a balanced family
structure. Health identity is associated with the evaluation of one's
,own health with a feeling of well-being. By building close peer
relationships, an adolescent develops a sense of belonging, approval,
and the opportunity to learn acceptable behavior. These actions
establish an adolescent's group identity. The sound and healthy
growth of the adolescent, with marked physical changes, helps to
build an adolescent's sexual identity.
◉A clinic nurse observes a 2-year-old client sitting alone, rocking
and staring at a small, shiny top that she is spinning. Later the father
relates his concerns, stating, "She pushes me away. She doesn't
speak, and she only shows feelings when I take her top away. Is it
something I've done?" What is the most therapeutic initial response
by the nurse?
1
Asking the father about his relationship with his wife
2
Asking the father how he held the child when she was an infant
3
Telling the father that it is nothing he has done and sharing the
nurse's observations of the child
4
Telling the father not to be concerned and stressing that the child
will outgrow this developmental phase. Answer: 3
The nurse provides support in a nonjudgmental way by sharing
information and observations about the child. This child exhibits
,symptoms of autism, which is not attributable to the actions of the
parents. Asking the father about his relationship with his wife or
how he held the child when she was an infant indirectly indicates
that the parent may be at fault; it negates the father's need for
support and increases his sense of guilt. Telling the father not to be
concerned and stressing that the child will outgrow this
developmental phase is false reassurance that does not provide
support; the father recognizes that something is wrong.
◉What is most appropriate for a nurse to say when interviewing a
newly admitted depressed client whose thoughts are focused on
feelings of worthlessness and failure?
1
"Tell me how you feel about yourself."
2
"Tell me what has been bothering you."
3
"Why do you feel so bad about yourself?"
4
"What can we do to help you while you're here?". Answer: 1
Because major depression is a result of the client's feelings of self-
rejection, it is important for the nurse to have the client initially
identify these feelings before developing a plan of care. Later
discussion should be focused on other topics to prevent
reinforcement of negative thoughts and feelings. "Tell me what has
, been bothering you" is asking the client to draw a conclusion; the
client may be unable to do so at this time. Also, depression may be
related not to external events but instead to a client's psychobiology.
Asking why does not let a client explore feelings; it usually elicits an
"I don't know" response. "What can we do to help you while you're
here?" is beyond the scope of the client's abilities at this time.
◉A client is admitted to the mental health unit with the diagnosis of
major depressive disorder. Which statement alerts the nurse to the
possibility of a suicide attempt?
1
"I don't feel too good today."
2
"I feel much better; today is a lovely day."
3
"I feel a little better, but it probably won't last."
4
"I'm really tired today, so I'll take things a little slower.". Answer: 2
A rapid mood upswing and psychomotor change may signal that the
client has made a decision and has developed a plan for suicide. "I
don't feel too good today"; "I feel a little better, but it probably won't
last"; and "I'm really tired today, so I'll take things a little slower" are
all typical of the depressed client; none of these statements signals a
change in mood.
