HESI MENTAL HEALTH EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | UPDA… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Mental Health Exam
Questions & Answers
2026-2027 | Updated
Psychiatric Nursing
Review
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
84 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 84 updated psychiatric nursing review questions with their correct
answers and rationales, covering essential mental health concepts. It is suitable for students to
study, review, and prepare for certification exams.
CONTENTS
Admission & Assessment Q1–Q18
Pharmacology: Antidepressants & Antipsychotics Q19–Q41
Therapeutic Interventions & Safety Q42–Q56
ECT & Psychosocial Concepts Q57–Q66
Substance Use & Detoxification Q67–Q84
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 84
The nurse completes a physical assessment. When asked what brought her to the hospital, the
client replies that things just aren't right and begins to cry. After further conversation, the client
describes her mood as very sad now. She rarely goes out or invites friends to visit. She admits that
she feels like strangers are saying bad things about her. Sometimes she hears a man's voice that is a
little bit scary.
What is the priority focused nursing assessment?
CORRECT ANSWER
Determine how long the client has been hearing the voice and what it is saying.
Rationale: Determining if voices are being heard and the type of voices are priority. The nurse must
assess the content of the auditory hallucinations for the presence of command hallucinations.
Command hallucinations may be telling the client to harm herself or others.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 84
The client is assessed by the nurse, a social worker, and the healthcare provider (HCP). Based on
their assessments, hospitalization is recommended for psychotic depression.
Which behavior is inconsistent with depression?
CORRECT ANSWER
Hearing a man's voice.
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations are inconsistent with depression and are more likely to occur with
psychoses. However, clients may experience a psychotic depression in which there is evidence of
psychosis.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 84
The nurse asks the client to sign the consent for treatment.
If the client refuses treatment, which behaviors justify short-term involuntary treatment? (Select all
that apply. One, some, or all options may be correct.)
Page 2
, CORRECT ANSWER
Unable to meet basic self-care needs.
Rationale: Involuntary treatment can be initiated if the client is unable to meet basic self-care needs in
such a way that he or she is a danger to self.
States she has a plan to harm herself.
Rationale: Short-term involuntary care may be initiated to protect the client if she has a plan to harm
herself. It can also be initiated if she presents an intentional danger to others.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 84
The client signs the treatment form and is admitted to the mental health unit. During the first days
of hospitalization, she begins antidepressant therapy with fluoxetine 10 mg.
In what classification of drugs is the antidepressant fluoxetine?
CORRECT ANSWER
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Rationale: Fluoxetine is an SSRI antidepressant.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 84
The nurse understands that a VDRL is routinely done on admission for which reason?
CORRECT ANSWER
It is a screening test for syphilis.
Rationale: A VDRL (RPR) is a serum screening test for syphilis, which can be undetected and dormant
and can cause cognitive impairment in later stages. If the screening serum test is positive, a more
specific test is required to make the diagnosis of syphilis.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 84
When the client awakens in the morning, she sits for periods of time at the edge of her bed. She
does not initiate combing her hair, getting dressed, or going to breakfast. Which intervention
should the nurse implement?
CORRECT ANSWER
Help the client with daily activities.
Rationale: When a client is very depressed, it is necessary to assist with daily activities because the
client has decreased energy. Physical care is more important with severe depression.
Page 3
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Mental Health Exam
Questions & Answers
2026-2027 | Updated
Psychiatric Nursing
Review
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
84 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 84 updated psychiatric nursing review questions with their correct
answers and rationales, covering essential mental health concepts. It is suitable for students to
study, review, and prepare for certification exams.
CONTENTS
Admission & Assessment Q1–Q18
Pharmacology: Antidepressants & Antipsychotics Q19–Q41
Therapeutic Interventions & Safety Q42–Q56
ECT & Psychosocial Concepts Q57–Q66
Substance Use & Detoxification Q67–Q84
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 84
The nurse completes a physical assessment. When asked what brought her to the hospital, the
client replies that things just aren't right and begins to cry. After further conversation, the client
describes her mood as very sad now. She rarely goes out or invites friends to visit. She admits that
she feels like strangers are saying bad things about her. Sometimes she hears a man's voice that is a
little bit scary.
What is the priority focused nursing assessment?
CORRECT ANSWER
Determine how long the client has been hearing the voice and what it is saying.
Rationale: Determining if voices are being heard and the type of voices are priority. The nurse must
assess the content of the auditory hallucinations for the presence of command hallucinations.
Command hallucinations may be telling the client to harm herself or others.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 84
The client is assessed by the nurse, a social worker, and the healthcare provider (HCP). Based on
their assessments, hospitalization is recommended for psychotic depression.
Which behavior is inconsistent with depression?
CORRECT ANSWER
Hearing a man's voice.
Rationale: Auditory hallucinations are inconsistent with depression and are more likely to occur with
psychoses. However, clients may experience a psychotic depression in which there is evidence of
psychosis.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 84
The nurse asks the client to sign the consent for treatment.
If the client refuses treatment, which behaviors justify short-term involuntary treatment? (Select all
that apply. One, some, or all options may be correct.)
Page 2
, CORRECT ANSWER
Unable to meet basic self-care needs.
Rationale: Involuntary treatment can be initiated if the client is unable to meet basic self-care needs in
such a way that he or she is a danger to self.
States she has a plan to harm herself.
Rationale: Short-term involuntary care may be initiated to protect the client if she has a plan to harm
herself. It can also be initiated if she presents an intentional danger to others.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 84
The client signs the treatment form and is admitted to the mental health unit. During the first days
of hospitalization, she begins antidepressant therapy with fluoxetine 10 mg.
In what classification of drugs is the antidepressant fluoxetine?
CORRECT ANSWER
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Rationale: Fluoxetine is an SSRI antidepressant.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 84
The nurse understands that a VDRL is routinely done on admission for which reason?
CORRECT ANSWER
It is a screening test for syphilis.
Rationale: A VDRL (RPR) is a serum screening test for syphilis, which can be undetected and dormant
and can cause cognitive impairment in later stages. If the screening serum test is positive, a more
specific test is required to make the diagnosis of syphilis.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 84
When the client awakens in the morning, she sits for periods of time at the edge of her bed. She
does not initiate combing her hair, getting dressed, or going to breakfast. Which intervention
should the nurse implement?
CORRECT ANSWER
Help the client with daily activities.
Rationale: When a client is very depressed, it is necessary to assist with daily activities because the
client has decreased energy. Physical care is more important with severe depression.
Page 3
