Psych / Mental Health Hesi Questions
and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
Which communication technique is most therapeutic when a patient expresses hopelessness?
A. Giving personal advice
B. Changing the subject
✔✔C. Active listening and reflecting feelings
D. Ignoring the statement
Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most associated with schizophrenia?
A. Low serotonin
✔✔B. Excess dopamine
C. Low acetylcholine
D. High norepinephrine
What is the priority nursing action for a patient experiencing command hallucinations?
A. Distract with activities
✔✔B. Assess the content of the hallucinations for safety
1
,C. Encourage the patient to rest
D. Offer food or drink
Which defense mechanism is being used when a patient attributes their own unacceptable
feelings to someone else?
A. Regression
✔✔B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Displacement
Which nursing intervention helps reduce anxiety during a panic attack?
A. Encourage deep intellectual discussion
✔✔B. Use calm, simple, reassuring statements
C. Ask the patient to analyze triggers
D. Leave the patient alone until it passes
Which finding is a common side effect of antipsychotic medications?
A. Hypertension
2
,✔✔B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hyperglycemia only
D. Skin rash
Which therapeutic approach helps patients with borderline personality disorder manage
emotions?
A. Psychoanalysis
✔✔B. Dialectical behavior therapy
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Aversion therapy
Which nursing action best supports a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Prevent ritualistic behaviors completely
B. Encourage long discussions of fears
✔✔C. Allow rituals initially, then gradually limit
D. Force patient to confront fears immediately
Which statement by a patient with depression indicates improved coping?
3
, A. "I have no reason to live."
B. "I want to stay in bed all day."
✔✔C. "I think I can manage a short walk today."
D. "I don’t need my medication anymore."
Which type of therapy is most effective for patients with phobias?
A. Interpersonal therapy
B. Family therapy
✔✔C. Exposure therapy
D. Psychodynamic therapy
What is the priority nursing action if a bipolar patient is in a manic phase?
A. Encourage group therapy sessions
✔✔B. Provide a safe, low-stimulation environment
C. Offer complex tasks to occupy energy
D. Allow unlimited caffeine
Which lab value should be monitored for a patient taking lithium?
4
and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
Which communication technique is most therapeutic when a patient expresses hopelessness?
A. Giving personal advice
B. Changing the subject
✔✔C. Active listening and reflecting feelings
D. Ignoring the statement
Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most associated with schizophrenia?
A. Low serotonin
✔✔B. Excess dopamine
C. Low acetylcholine
D. High norepinephrine
What is the priority nursing action for a patient experiencing command hallucinations?
A. Distract with activities
✔✔B. Assess the content of the hallucinations for safety
1
,C. Encourage the patient to rest
D. Offer food or drink
Which defense mechanism is being used when a patient attributes their own unacceptable
feelings to someone else?
A. Regression
✔✔B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Displacement
Which nursing intervention helps reduce anxiety during a panic attack?
A. Encourage deep intellectual discussion
✔✔B. Use calm, simple, reassuring statements
C. Ask the patient to analyze triggers
D. Leave the patient alone until it passes
Which finding is a common side effect of antipsychotic medications?
A. Hypertension
2
,✔✔B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hyperglycemia only
D. Skin rash
Which therapeutic approach helps patients with borderline personality disorder manage
emotions?
A. Psychoanalysis
✔✔B. Dialectical behavior therapy
C. Electroconvulsive therapy
D. Aversion therapy
Which nursing action best supports a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder?
A. Prevent ritualistic behaviors completely
B. Encourage long discussions of fears
✔✔C. Allow rituals initially, then gradually limit
D. Force patient to confront fears immediately
Which statement by a patient with depression indicates improved coping?
3
, A. "I have no reason to live."
B. "I want to stay in bed all day."
✔✔C. "I think I can manage a short walk today."
D. "I don’t need my medication anymore."
Which type of therapy is most effective for patients with phobias?
A. Interpersonal therapy
B. Family therapy
✔✔C. Exposure therapy
D. Psychodynamic therapy
What is the priority nursing action if a bipolar patient is in a manic phase?
A. Encourage group therapy sessions
✔✔B. Provide a safe, low-stimulation environment
C. Offer complex tasks to occupy energy
D. Allow unlimited caffeine
Which lab value should be monitored for a patient taking lithium?
4
