MENTAL HEALTH HESI EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which characteristic is commonly associated with adolescent depression? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Exercising daily
B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
D. Having poor muscle tone
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships - ANS B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships
Which characteristic of adolescence is exemplified by risk-taking behavior without fear of
consequences?
A. Animism
B. Personal fable
C. Imaginery audience
D. Sense of invulnerability - ANS D. Sense of invulnerability
A client does not take their medication regularly and is depressed. Which inference can the
nurse make about the client's motivational level?
A. Not motivated
B. Intrinsically motivated
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,C. Extrinsically motivated with self-determination
D. Extrinsically motivated without self-determination - ANS A. Not motivated
Which action would the nurse take for a withdrawn client who suddenly screams, bursts into
tears, and runs from the room to the far end of the hallway?
A. Walk to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
B. Accept the action as the impulsive behavior of a sick person
C. Ask another client in the dayroom why the client acted in this way
D. Document objectively the incident in the client's record immediately - ANS A. Walk to the
end of the hallway where the client is standing
This lets the client know that the nurse is available. It also demonstrates an acceptance of the
client.
Which consistent approach would the nurse use for a client diagnosed with an antisocial
personality disorder?
A. Warm and firm without being punitive
B. Indifferent and detached but nonjudgemental
C. Confidentiality acquiescent to client demands
D. Clearly communicative of personal disapproval - ANS A. Warm and firm without being
punitive
Which technique would be appropriate for clients who exhibit mild neurocognitive
impairment?
A. Reality orientation
B. Behavioral confrontation
C. Reflective communication
D. Reminiscence group therapy - ANS A. Reality orientation
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,Which characteristic is most essential for the nurse to have in caring for clients with mental
health disorders?
A. Empathy
B. Sympathy
C. Organization
D. Authoritarianism - ANS A. Empathy
Empathy - understanding and, to some extent, sharing the emotions of another- encourages
the expression of feelings. Sympathy, or feeling sorry for someone, may further decrease the
client's feelings of self-worth.
Which stage is a terminally ill client displaying by gradually moving towards resolution of
feelings about impending death according to Kubler-Ross' theory of death and dying?
A. Anger stage
B. Denial stage
C. Bargaining stage
D. Acceptance stage - ANS D. Acceptance stage
When acceptance is reached. the individual is beginning to withdraw from life; communication
is simple, concise, and most often nonverbal. Kubler-Ross' research has shown that at this
stage, verbal communication is typically less important, and touch and presence are most
important. The client has moved past the anger, denial, and bargaining stages.
Which action would the nurse take for a client with an obsessive-compulsive disorder who
continually walks up and down the hall, touching every other and becomes upset if
interrupted?
A. Distract the client, which will help the client forget about touching the chairs.
B. Encourage the client to continue touching the chairs as long as the client wants until fatigue
sets in
C. Remove chairs from the hall, thereby relieving the client of the necessity of touching every
other one
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, D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client help set the time limits
to be imposed - ANS D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client
help set the time limits to be imposed
Place the five stages of grievingidentified and described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in order of
progression from first to last.
1. Anger
2. Denial
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
5. Bargaining - ANS 2. Denial
1. Anger
5. Bargaining
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
Which assessment finding would the nurse observe in a client with bipolar disorder, manic
phase?
A. Constant singing
B. Ritualistic behavior
C. Flat affect
D. Apathetic demeanor - ANS A. Constant singing
Which reason would be likely for a client's anger and acting out when the nurse interrupts the
hand-washing ritual of a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
B. Resents the nurse's authoritarian manner
C. Is clashing with the nurse's personality
D. Reflects and aggressive characteristic - ANS A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Which characteristic is commonly associated with adolescent depression? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Exercising daily
B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
D. Having poor muscle tone
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships - ANS B. Having suicidal ideation
C. Exhibiting tearfulness
E. Avoiding previously enjoyed activities and relationships
Which characteristic of adolescence is exemplified by risk-taking behavior without fear of
consequences?
A. Animism
B. Personal fable
C. Imaginery audience
D. Sense of invulnerability - ANS D. Sense of invulnerability
A client does not take their medication regularly and is depressed. Which inference can the
nurse make about the client's motivational level?
A. Not motivated
B. Intrinsically motivated
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,C. Extrinsically motivated with self-determination
D. Extrinsically motivated without self-determination - ANS A. Not motivated
Which action would the nurse take for a withdrawn client who suddenly screams, bursts into
tears, and runs from the room to the far end of the hallway?
A. Walk to the end of the hallway where the client is standing
B. Accept the action as the impulsive behavior of a sick person
C. Ask another client in the dayroom why the client acted in this way
D. Document objectively the incident in the client's record immediately - ANS A. Walk to the
end of the hallway where the client is standing
This lets the client know that the nurse is available. It also demonstrates an acceptance of the
client.
Which consistent approach would the nurse use for a client diagnosed with an antisocial
personality disorder?
A. Warm and firm without being punitive
B. Indifferent and detached but nonjudgemental
C. Confidentiality acquiescent to client demands
D. Clearly communicative of personal disapproval - ANS A. Warm and firm without being
punitive
Which technique would be appropriate for clients who exhibit mild neurocognitive
impairment?
A. Reality orientation
B. Behavioral confrontation
C. Reflective communication
D. Reminiscence group therapy - ANS A. Reality orientation
2 Copyright ©2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,Which characteristic is most essential for the nurse to have in caring for clients with mental
health disorders?
A. Empathy
B. Sympathy
C. Organization
D. Authoritarianism - ANS A. Empathy
Empathy - understanding and, to some extent, sharing the emotions of another- encourages
the expression of feelings. Sympathy, or feeling sorry for someone, may further decrease the
client's feelings of self-worth.
Which stage is a terminally ill client displaying by gradually moving towards resolution of
feelings about impending death according to Kubler-Ross' theory of death and dying?
A. Anger stage
B. Denial stage
C. Bargaining stage
D. Acceptance stage - ANS D. Acceptance stage
When acceptance is reached. the individual is beginning to withdraw from life; communication
is simple, concise, and most often nonverbal. Kubler-Ross' research has shown that at this
stage, verbal communication is typically less important, and touch and presence are most
important. The client has moved past the anger, denial, and bargaining stages.
Which action would the nurse take for a client with an obsessive-compulsive disorder who
continually walks up and down the hall, touching every other and becomes upset if
interrupted?
A. Distract the client, which will help the client forget about touching the chairs.
B. Encourage the client to continue touching the chairs as long as the client wants until fatigue
sets in
C. Remove chairs from the hall, thereby relieving the client of the necessity of touching every
other one
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, D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client help set the time limits
to be imposed - ANS D. Allow the behavior to continue for a specified time, letting the client
help set the time limits to be imposed
Place the five stages of grievingidentified and described by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in order of
progression from first to last.
1. Anger
2. Denial
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
5. Bargaining - ANS 2. Denial
1. Anger
5. Bargaining
3. Depression
4. Acceptance
Which assessment finding would the nurse observe in a client with bipolar disorder, manic
phase?
A. Constant singing
B. Ritualistic behavior
C. Flat affect
D. Apathetic demeanor - ANS A. Constant singing
Which reason would be likely for a client's anger and acting out when the nurse interrupts the
hand-washing ritual of a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
B. Resents the nurse's authoritarian manner
C. Is clashing with the nurse's personality
D. Reflects and aggressive characteristic - ANS A. Has overwhelming feelings of anxiety
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