HESI PN MENTAL HEALTH EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF 300
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has generalized anxiety disorder. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A) Fear of specific objects
B) Persistent excessive worry
C) Sudden intense panic
D) Avoidance of social situations
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects
of life. Fear of specific objects indicates a phobia, sudden intense panic indicates panic disorder, and
social avoidance indicates social anxiety disorder.
Question 2
A client with panic disorder is experiencing hyperventilation. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A) Administer an anxiolytic.
B) Encourage the client to breathe into a paper bag.
C) Stay with the client and speak calmly.
D) Move the client to a quiet room.
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
The nurse's presence and calm reassurance help reduce anxiety during a panic attack. Breathing
techniques and medication may follow, but the first intervention is to stay with the client and provide a
calming presence.
,Question 3
Which statement by a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder indicates understanding of
the disorder?
A) "I know my rituals are excessive, but they reduce my anxiety."
B) "I do not have any problems."
C) "My rituals are normal religious practices."
D) "I cannot control my thoughts."
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Clients with OCD recognize that their rituals are excessive and unreasonable but perform them to
reduce anxiety. This insight distinguishes OCD from other disorders.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a client about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Which
instruction is most important?
A) "Take the medication at bedtime."
B) "It may take 2 to 4 weeks for full effect."
C) "Stop taking the medication if you feel better."
D) "Take with alcohol for better absorption."
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
SSRIs require 2 to 4 weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect. Clients should not stop medication
abruptly or take it with alcohol.
Question 5
Which finding indicates serotonin syndrome?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hyperthermia and agitation
2
,C) Hypotension
D) Constipation
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Serotonin syndrome presents with hyperthermia, agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, and altered
mental status. It is a medical emergency.
Question 6
A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which intervention is priority?
A) Encourage group activities.
B) Provide a stimulating environment.
C) Reduce environmental stimulation.
D) Encourage competitive games.
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Reducing stimulation helps decrease agitation and manic behavior. Competitive and stimulating
activities increase agitation.
Question 7
Which medication is used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder?
A) Sertraline
B) Lithium
C) Alprazolam
D) Haloperidol
Answer
Answer: B
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, Rationale
Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder. Sertraline is an antidepressant, alprazolam is
a benzodiazepine, and haloperidol is an antipsychotic.
Question 8
A nurse is monitoring a client taking lithium. Which finding indicates toxicity?
A) Serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B) Serum lithium level of 1.5 mEq/L
C) Serum lithium level of 0.6 mEq/L
D) Serum lithium level of 1.0 mEq/L
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Therapeutic lithium range is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. A level of 1.5 mEq/L indicates toxicity, requiring
immediate intervention.
Question 9
Which finding is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Flat affect
B) Hallucinations
C) Social withdrawal
D) Apathy
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech. Negative symptoms
include flat affect, social withdrawal, and apathy.
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PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF 300
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who has generalized anxiety disorder. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A) Fear of specific objects
B) Persistent excessive worry
C) Sudden intense panic
D) Avoidance of social situations
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects
of life. Fear of specific objects indicates a phobia, sudden intense panic indicates panic disorder, and
social avoidance indicates social anxiety disorder.
Question 2
A client with panic disorder is experiencing hyperventilation. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A) Administer an anxiolytic.
B) Encourage the client to breathe into a paper bag.
C) Stay with the client and speak calmly.
D) Move the client to a quiet room.
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
The nurse's presence and calm reassurance help reduce anxiety during a panic attack. Breathing
techniques and medication may follow, but the first intervention is to stay with the client and provide a
calming presence.
,Question 3
Which statement by a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder indicates understanding of
the disorder?
A) "I know my rituals are excessive, but they reduce my anxiety."
B) "I do not have any problems."
C) "My rituals are normal religious practices."
D) "I cannot control my thoughts."
Answer
Answer: A
Rationale
Clients with OCD recognize that their rituals are excessive and unreasonable but perform them to
reduce anxiety. This insight distinguishes OCD from other disorders.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a client about selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Which
instruction is most important?
A) "Take the medication at bedtime."
B) "It may take 2 to 4 weeks for full effect."
C) "Stop taking the medication if you feel better."
D) "Take with alcohol for better absorption."
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
SSRIs require 2 to 4 weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect. Clients should not stop medication
abruptly or take it with alcohol.
Question 5
Which finding indicates serotonin syndrome?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hyperthermia and agitation
2
,C) Hypotension
D) Constipation
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Serotonin syndrome presents with hyperthermia, agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, and altered
mental status. It is a medical emergency.
Question 6
A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which intervention is priority?
A) Encourage group activities.
B) Provide a stimulating environment.
C) Reduce environmental stimulation.
D) Encourage competitive games.
Answer
Answer: C
Rationale
Reducing stimulation helps decrease agitation and manic behavior. Competitive and stimulating
activities increase agitation.
Question 7
Which medication is used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder?
A) Sertraline
B) Lithium
C) Alprazolam
D) Haloperidol
Answer
Answer: B
3
, Rationale
Lithium is a first-line mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder. Sertraline is an antidepressant, alprazolam is
a benzodiazepine, and haloperidol is an antipsychotic.
Question 8
A nurse is monitoring a client taking lithium. Which finding indicates toxicity?
A) Serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B) Serum lithium level of 1.5 mEq/L
C) Serum lithium level of 0.6 mEq/L
D) Serum lithium level of 1.0 mEq/L
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Therapeutic lithium range is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. A level of 1.5 mEq/L indicates toxicity, requiring
immediate intervention.
Question 9
Which finding is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?
A) Flat affect
B) Hallucinations
C) Social withdrawal
D) Apathy
Answer
Answer: B
Rationale
Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech. Negative symptoms
include flat affect, social withdrawal, and apathy.
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