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Mental Health HESI Exam Version 4 –
2025 84 Actual Exam Questions with
Verified Answers and Expert Rationales
Depression (Questions 1–14)
1. A client with major depressive disorder reports feeling "hopeless" and "worthless."
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Encourage the client to make major life decisions
B) Validate the client’s feelings and offer presence
C) Tell the client their feelings are temporary and will pass
D) Suggest the client join group activities immediately
Rationale: Validating feelings builds trust and supports therapeutic communication,
while encouraging major decisions or dismissing feelings can increase distress. Group
activities may be overwhelming early in treatment.
2. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depressive disorder?
A) Auditory hallucinations
B) Persistent low mood and anhedonia
C) Rapid mood swings
D) Disorganized speech
Rationale: Persistent low mood and loss of interest (anhedonia) are hallmark symptoms
of depression, unlike hallucinations (schizophrenia), mood swings (bipolar), or
disorganized speech (schizophrenia).
3. A client with depression refuses to eat meals. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Social isolation
B) Risk for imbalanced nutrition
C) Low self-esteem
D) Disturbed sleep pattern
Rationale: Refusal to eat poses a risk for imbalanced nutrition, which is a priority due to
its impact on physical health. Other diagnoses are relevant but secondary.
4. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). What side effect should
the nurse monitor for?
A) Bradycardia
B) Insomnia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Hypertension
Rationale: Insomnia is a common side effect of SSRIs like sertraline, unlike the other
options, which are not typically associated.
5. A client with depression states, “I don’t see the point of living anymore.” What is
the nurse’s first action?
, 2
A) Encourage positive thinking
B) Assess for suicidal ideation
C) Offer a distraction activity
D) Discuss medication benefits
Rationale: Suicidal ideation requires immediate assessment to ensure client safety,
making it the priority over other interventions.
6. Which intervention supports a client with depression in a community setting?
A) Assign complex tasks to boost confidence
B) Encourage small, achievable goals
C) Recommend immediate return to work
D) Avoid discussing feelings
Rationale: Small, achievable goals promote success and self-esteem in depression, while
complex tasks or avoidance may worsen symptoms.
7. A client with depression is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). When should the nurse
administer this medication?
A) At bedtime
B) In the morning
C) With meals
D) Every 12 hours
Rationale: Fluoxetine is typically given in the morning to avoid insomnia, a common
side effect of SSRIs.
8. What is a key nursing responsibility when caring for a client with depression?
A) Limit client interactions
B) Monitor for changes in mood and behavior
C) Restrict family visits
D) Encourage isolation
Rationale: Monitoring mood and behavior changes is essential to assess treatment
effectiveness and safety, unlike limiting interactions or isolation.
9. A client with depression exhibits psychomotor retardation. What does the nurse
observe?
A) Rapid speech
B) Slowed movements and speech
C) Hyperactivity
D) Disorganized thoughts
Rationale: Psychomotor retardation in depression involves slowed physical movements
and speech, not hyperactivity or disorganized thoughts.
10. Which therapeutic communication technique is most effective for a client with
depression?
A) Giving advice
B) Active listening
C) Asking “why” questions
D) Offering reassurance
Rationale: Active listening fosters trust and encourages the client to express feelings,
while advice or “why” questions may hinder communication.
11. A client with depression is at risk for suicide. When is the highest risk period?
A) During severe depression
Mental Health HESI Exam Version 4 –
2025 84 Actual Exam Questions with
Verified Answers and Expert Rationales
Depression (Questions 1–14)
1. A client with major depressive disorder reports feeling "hopeless" and "worthless."
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Encourage the client to make major life decisions
B) Validate the client’s feelings and offer presence
C) Tell the client their feelings are temporary and will pass
D) Suggest the client join group activities immediately
Rationale: Validating feelings builds trust and supports therapeutic communication,
while encouraging major decisions or dismissing feelings can increase distress. Group
activities may be overwhelming early in treatment.
2. Which symptom is most characteristic of major depressive disorder?
A) Auditory hallucinations
B) Persistent low mood and anhedonia
C) Rapid mood swings
D) Disorganized speech
Rationale: Persistent low mood and loss of interest (anhedonia) are hallmark symptoms
of depression, unlike hallucinations (schizophrenia), mood swings (bipolar), or
disorganized speech (schizophrenia).
3. A client with depression refuses to eat meals. What is the priority nursing diagnosis?
A) Social isolation
B) Risk for imbalanced nutrition
C) Low self-esteem
D) Disturbed sleep pattern
Rationale: Refusal to eat poses a risk for imbalanced nutrition, which is a priority due to
its impact on physical health. Other diagnoses are relevant but secondary.
4. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). What side effect should
the nurse monitor for?
A) Bradycardia
B) Insomnia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Hypertension
Rationale: Insomnia is a common side effect of SSRIs like sertraline, unlike the other
options, which are not typically associated.
5. A client with depression states, “I don’t see the point of living anymore.” What is
the nurse’s first action?
, 2
A) Encourage positive thinking
B) Assess for suicidal ideation
C) Offer a distraction activity
D) Discuss medication benefits
Rationale: Suicidal ideation requires immediate assessment to ensure client safety,
making it the priority over other interventions.
6. Which intervention supports a client with depression in a community setting?
A) Assign complex tasks to boost confidence
B) Encourage small, achievable goals
C) Recommend immediate return to work
D) Avoid discussing feelings
Rationale: Small, achievable goals promote success and self-esteem in depression, while
complex tasks or avoidance may worsen symptoms.
7. A client with depression is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). When should the nurse
administer this medication?
A) At bedtime
B) In the morning
C) With meals
D) Every 12 hours
Rationale: Fluoxetine is typically given in the morning to avoid insomnia, a common
side effect of SSRIs.
8. What is a key nursing responsibility when caring for a client with depression?
A) Limit client interactions
B) Monitor for changes in mood and behavior
C) Restrict family visits
D) Encourage isolation
Rationale: Monitoring mood and behavior changes is essential to assess treatment
effectiveness and safety, unlike limiting interactions or isolation.
9. A client with depression exhibits psychomotor retardation. What does the nurse
observe?
A) Rapid speech
B) Slowed movements and speech
C) Hyperactivity
D) Disorganized thoughts
Rationale: Psychomotor retardation in depression involves slowed physical movements
and speech, not hyperactivity or disorganized thoughts.
10. Which therapeutic communication technique is most effective for a client with
depression?
A) Giving advice
B) Active listening
C) Asking “why” questions
D) Offering reassurance
Rationale: Active listening fosters trust and encourages the client to express feelings,
while advice or “why” questions may hinder communication.
11. A client with depression is at risk for suicide. When is the highest risk period?
A) During severe depression
