Hesi Pn Mental Health Practice Exam
Questions With Verified Answers And
Rationales For Guaranteed Pass | Latest
Update 2025
1. A client with schizophrenia says, "The voices are telling me to hurt myself."
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Tell the client to ignore the voices
B. Document the statement in the chart
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Distract the client with a board game
Correct Answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: This statement indicates command hallucinations, which may lead to
self-harm. The nurse must act immediately to ensure client safety by notifying
the healthcare provider.
2. A client with depression states, "I don't want to live anymore." What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “You don’t really mean that.”
B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
C. “Let’s talk about something positive.”
D. “You should be grateful for what you have.”
,Correct Answer: B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: The nurse must directly assess the risk of suicide to ensure safety.
Asking directly does not increase risk and is essential in crisis intervention.
3. A client is pacing, has clenched fists, and yells angrily. What is the nurse’s
priority?
A. Ask the client to calm down
B. Offer the client a PRN medication
C. Call for assistance and stay at a safe distance
D. Take the client to the quiet room alone
Correct Answer: C. Call for assistance and stay at a safe distance
Rationale: These are signs of escalating aggression. Ensuring safety is the top
priority. The nurse should not approach alone and should maintain a safe
distance.
4. A client with OCD washes their hands 40 times a day. What is the best nursing
intervention?
A. Ask the client to stop immediately
B. Allow time for rituals and gradually limit frequency
C. Provide gloves to avoid skin breakdown
D. Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcing it
Correct Answer: B. Allow time for rituals and gradually limit frequency
Rationale: Rituals reduce anxiety. Initially allowing the behavior provides
comfort; limits should be set gradually through behavioral therapy.
5. A nurse observes a client with bipolar disorder laughing loudly and talking
excessively. What phase is this?
A. Depressive
B. Hypomanic
,C. Manic
D. Mixed
Correct Answer: C. Manic
Rationale: Symptoms of mania include excessive talking, loud laughter, and
hyperactivity. These behaviors interfere with functioning.
6. A client with PTSD avoids discussing a traumatic event. What is the best
nursing action?
A. Encourage the client to discuss the event
B. Tell the client to forget the past
C. Respect the client’s readiness to share
D. Ask the client’s family for more details
Correct Answer: C. Respect the client’s readiness to share
Rationale: Forcing discussion can retraumatize. The nurse must be supportive
and allow the client to share at their own pace.
7. Which statement by a client with borderline personality disorder reflects
impulsivity?
A. “I’m so fat even though I’m underweight.”
B. “I just spent all my money on shoes I don’t need.”
C. “I heard voices last night.”
D. “I can’t remember anything from last night.”
Correct Answer: B. “I just spent all my money on shoes I don’t need.”
Rationale: Impulsivity in borderline personality disorder often includes reckless
spending or risky behaviors.
8. A client newly prescribed sertraline (Zoloft) asks when it will start working.
What should the nurse say?
, A. “You’ll feel better in 24 hours.”
B. “You should see improvement within 1–2 weeks.”
C. “It may take 4–6 weeks to feel full effects.”
D. “It won’t help unless you go to therapy too.”
Correct Answer: C. “It may take 4–6 weeks to feel full effects.”
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline often take several weeks to reach therapeutic
levels. Education helps with adherence.
9. What is the priority when caring for a client experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
A. Provide diversional activities
B. Ask what the voices are saying
C. Reassure the client the voices aren't real
D. Tell the client to ignore the hallucinations
Correct Answer: B. Ask what the voices are saying
Rationale: Assessing content helps determine risk of harm to self or others. This
guides the nurse’s interventions.
10. A client is admitted with alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom requires
immediate attention?
A. Tremors
B. Nausea
C. Diaphoresis
D. Hallucinations
Correct Answer: D. Hallucinations
Rationale: Hallucinations can indicate alcohol withdrawal delirium (delirium
tremens), a life-threatening condition needing urgent intervention.
Questions With Verified Answers And
Rationales For Guaranteed Pass | Latest
Update 2025
1. A client with schizophrenia says, "The voices are telling me to hurt myself."
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Tell the client to ignore the voices
B. Document the statement in the chart
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Distract the client with a board game
Correct Answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: This statement indicates command hallucinations, which may lead to
self-harm. The nurse must act immediately to ensure client safety by notifying
the healthcare provider.
2. A client with depression states, "I don't want to live anymore." What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “You don’t really mean that.”
B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
C. “Let’s talk about something positive.”
D. “You should be grateful for what you have.”
,Correct Answer: B. “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Rationale: The nurse must directly assess the risk of suicide to ensure safety.
Asking directly does not increase risk and is essential in crisis intervention.
3. A client is pacing, has clenched fists, and yells angrily. What is the nurse’s
priority?
A. Ask the client to calm down
B. Offer the client a PRN medication
C. Call for assistance and stay at a safe distance
D. Take the client to the quiet room alone
Correct Answer: C. Call for assistance and stay at a safe distance
Rationale: These are signs of escalating aggression. Ensuring safety is the top
priority. The nurse should not approach alone and should maintain a safe
distance.
4. A client with OCD washes their hands 40 times a day. What is the best nursing
intervention?
A. Ask the client to stop immediately
B. Allow time for rituals and gradually limit frequency
C. Provide gloves to avoid skin breakdown
D. Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcing it
Correct Answer: B. Allow time for rituals and gradually limit frequency
Rationale: Rituals reduce anxiety. Initially allowing the behavior provides
comfort; limits should be set gradually through behavioral therapy.
5. A nurse observes a client with bipolar disorder laughing loudly and talking
excessively. What phase is this?
A. Depressive
B. Hypomanic
,C. Manic
D. Mixed
Correct Answer: C. Manic
Rationale: Symptoms of mania include excessive talking, loud laughter, and
hyperactivity. These behaviors interfere with functioning.
6. A client with PTSD avoids discussing a traumatic event. What is the best
nursing action?
A. Encourage the client to discuss the event
B. Tell the client to forget the past
C. Respect the client’s readiness to share
D. Ask the client’s family for more details
Correct Answer: C. Respect the client’s readiness to share
Rationale: Forcing discussion can retraumatize. The nurse must be supportive
and allow the client to share at their own pace.
7. Which statement by a client with borderline personality disorder reflects
impulsivity?
A. “I’m so fat even though I’m underweight.”
B. “I just spent all my money on shoes I don’t need.”
C. “I heard voices last night.”
D. “I can’t remember anything from last night.”
Correct Answer: B. “I just spent all my money on shoes I don’t need.”
Rationale: Impulsivity in borderline personality disorder often includes reckless
spending or risky behaviors.
8. A client newly prescribed sertraline (Zoloft) asks when it will start working.
What should the nurse say?
, A. “You’ll feel better in 24 hours.”
B. “You should see improvement within 1–2 weeks.”
C. “It may take 4–6 weeks to feel full effects.”
D. “It won’t help unless you go to therapy too.”
Correct Answer: C. “It may take 4–6 weeks to feel full effects.”
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline often take several weeks to reach therapeutic
levels. Education helps with adherence.
9. What is the priority when caring for a client experiencing auditory
hallucinations?
A. Provide diversional activities
B. Ask what the voices are saying
C. Reassure the client the voices aren't real
D. Tell the client to ignore the hallucinations
Correct Answer: B. Ask what the voices are saying
Rationale: Assessing content helps determine risk of harm to self or others. This
guides the nurse’s interventions.
10. A client is admitted with alcohol withdrawal. Which symptom requires
immediate attention?
A. Tremors
B. Nausea
C. Diaphoresis
D. Hallucinations
Correct Answer: D. Hallucinations
Rationale: Hallucinations can indicate alcohol withdrawal delirium (delirium
tremens), a life-threatening condition needing urgent intervention.
