HESI MENTAL HEALTH EXAM PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE 2026/2027 – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
100% VERIFIED | DETAILED RATIONALES – PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
Core Domains
• Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Client Relationship
• Psychopharmacology & Medication Safety
• Crisis Intervention, Suicide & Violence Risk
• Mood Disorders & Depression
• Psychotic Disorders & Schizophrenia
• Anxiety, OCD & Trauma-Related Disorders
• Substance Use & Withdrawal
• Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination assesses the
knowledge required for the HESI Mental Health RN exam. It
evaluates therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology,
crisis intervention, and management of major psychiatric
disorders. Questions emphasize clinical judgment, safety, and
evidence-based practice. The examination prepares nursing
students for the HESI RN Exit and specialty exams.
1. A client recently diagnosed with a terminal illness
expresses frustration to the nurse, stating, "I'm going to die,
,and I wish my family would stop hoping for a cure! I get so
angry when they carry on like this. After all, I'm the one
who's dying." Which therapeutic response by the nurse is
most appropriate?
A. "Have you shared your feelings with your family?"
B. "I think we should talk more about your anger with your
family."
C. "You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for
you to be cured."
D. "Well, it sounds like you're being pretty pessimistic. After all,
years ago, people died of pneumonia."
Correct answer: C. "You're feeling angry that your family
continues to hope for you to be cured."
RATIONALE: The therapeutic response validates the
client's feelings through reflection and demonstrates empathy.
Option C accurately acknowledges the client's expressed
emotion of anger while validating the source of that feeling
without judgment. Option A deflects from the client's expressed
feelings and places responsibility on the client. Option B focuses
on the nurse's agenda. Option D dismisses the client's feelings
and minimizes legitimate concerns .
2. A nurse reviews a client's medical record and notes that
the admission was voluntary. Based on this information,
which client behavior should the nurse anticipate?
,A. Fearfulness regarding treatment measures
B. Anger and aggressiveness directed towards others
C. An understanding of the pathology and symptoms of the
diagnosis
D. A willingness to participate in the planning of care and
treatment plan
Correct answer: D. A willingness to participate in the
planning of care and treatment plan
RATIONALE: Clients who are admitted voluntarily have
made the decision to seek treatment and typically demonstrate a
willingness to engage in their care planning and treatment.
Fearfulness and aggression are not expected behaviors
associated with voluntary status .
3. A nurse is preparing a client for the termination phase of
the nurse-client relationship. Which nursing task is most
appropriate for this phase?
A. Planning short-term goals
B. Making appropriate referrals
C. Developing realistic solutions
D. Identifying expected outcomes
Correct answer: B. Making appropriate referrals
RATIONALE: The termination phase involves concluding
the therapeutic relationship and ensuring continuity of care
through appropriate referrals and follow-up planning. Options
, A, C, and D are activities more appropriately associated with the
working phase .
4. A nurse calls security and has physical restraints applied
when a client who was admitted voluntarily becomes both
physically and verbally abusive while demanding to be
discharged. Which legal ramifications may be associated
with these interventions? (Select all that apply.)
A. Libel
B. Battery
C. Assault
D. Slander
E. False imprisonment
Correct answer: B, C, E
RATIONALE: Applying restraints without proper
authorization or in a non-emergent situation may constitute
battery (unlawful touching), assault (causing fear of harmful
contact), and false imprisonment (unlawful restriction of
movement). Libel involves written defamation, and slander
involves spoken defamation, neither of which apply here .
5. A nurse is working with a client who sought counseling
after unsuccessfully attempting to rescue a neighbor from a
house fire. Despite the client's efforts, the neighbor died.
Which action should the nurse engage in during the working
phase of the nurse-client relationship?
COMPREHENSIVE 2026/2027 – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
100% VERIFIED | DETAILED RATIONALES – PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
Core Domains
• Therapeutic Communication & Nurse-Client Relationship
• Psychopharmacology & Medication Safety
• Crisis Intervention, Suicide & Violence Risk
• Mood Disorders & Depression
• Psychotic Disorders & Schizophrenia
• Anxiety, OCD & Trauma-Related Disorders
• Substance Use & Withdrawal
• Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Nursing
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination assesses the
knowledge required for the HESI Mental Health RN exam. It
evaluates therapeutic communication, psychopharmacology,
crisis intervention, and management of major psychiatric
disorders. Questions emphasize clinical judgment, safety, and
evidence-based practice. The examination prepares nursing
students for the HESI RN Exit and specialty exams.
1. A client recently diagnosed with a terminal illness
expresses frustration to the nurse, stating, "I'm going to die,
,and I wish my family would stop hoping for a cure! I get so
angry when they carry on like this. After all, I'm the one
who's dying." Which therapeutic response by the nurse is
most appropriate?
A. "Have you shared your feelings with your family?"
B. "I think we should talk more about your anger with your
family."
C. "You're feeling angry that your family continues to hope for
you to be cured."
D. "Well, it sounds like you're being pretty pessimistic. After all,
years ago, people died of pneumonia."
Correct answer: C. "You're feeling angry that your family
continues to hope for you to be cured."
RATIONALE: The therapeutic response validates the
client's feelings through reflection and demonstrates empathy.
Option C accurately acknowledges the client's expressed
emotion of anger while validating the source of that feeling
without judgment. Option A deflects from the client's expressed
feelings and places responsibility on the client. Option B focuses
on the nurse's agenda. Option D dismisses the client's feelings
and minimizes legitimate concerns .
2. A nurse reviews a client's medical record and notes that
the admission was voluntary. Based on this information,
which client behavior should the nurse anticipate?
,A. Fearfulness regarding treatment measures
B. Anger and aggressiveness directed towards others
C. An understanding of the pathology and symptoms of the
diagnosis
D. A willingness to participate in the planning of care and
treatment plan
Correct answer: D. A willingness to participate in the
planning of care and treatment plan
RATIONALE: Clients who are admitted voluntarily have
made the decision to seek treatment and typically demonstrate a
willingness to engage in their care planning and treatment.
Fearfulness and aggression are not expected behaviors
associated with voluntary status .
3. A nurse is preparing a client for the termination phase of
the nurse-client relationship. Which nursing task is most
appropriate for this phase?
A. Planning short-term goals
B. Making appropriate referrals
C. Developing realistic solutions
D. Identifying expected outcomes
Correct answer: B. Making appropriate referrals
RATIONALE: The termination phase involves concluding
the therapeutic relationship and ensuring continuity of care
through appropriate referrals and follow-up planning. Options
, A, C, and D are activities more appropriately associated with the
working phase .
4. A nurse calls security and has physical restraints applied
when a client who was admitted voluntarily becomes both
physically and verbally abusive while demanding to be
discharged. Which legal ramifications may be associated
with these interventions? (Select all that apply.)
A. Libel
B. Battery
C. Assault
D. Slander
E. False imprisonment
Correct answer: B, C, E
RATIONALE: Applying restraints without proper
authorization or in a non-emergent situation may constitute
battery (unlawful touching), assault (causing fear of harmful
contact), and false imprisonment (unlawful restriction of
movement). Libel involves written defamation, and slander
involves spoken defamation, neither of which apply here .
5. A nurse is working with a client who sought counseling
after unsuccessfully attempting to rescue a neighbor from a
house fire. Despite the client's efforts, the neighbor died.
Which action should the nurse engage in during the working
phase of the nurse-client relationship?
