Mental Health (PSYCH) HESI - Exam: Practice Questions and
Answers |Fall 2025/2026 Update | 100% Correct Latest
Question 1
A highly agitated client paces the unit and states. "I could buy and sell this place." The client's mood fluctuates rom fits of
laughter to outbursts of anger. Which is the most accurate documentation of this client's behavior?
A. "Rates mood 8/10. Exhibiting looseness of association. Euphoric."
B. "Mood euthymic. Exhibiting magical thinking. Restless."
C. "Mood labile. Exhibiting delusions of reference. Hyperactive."
D. "Agitated and pacing. Exhibiting grandiosity. Mood labile."
Correct Answer
Answer:
D. "Agitated and pacing. Exhibiting grandiosity. Mood labile."
Page 1 of 44
,Question 2
The head nurse in a psychiatric unit in the county emergency department is assigning client to the staff nurses. Which
client should be assigned to the most experienced nurse?
1. The client who is crying and upset because she was raped.
2. The client diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is agitated.
3. The client who was found wandering the streets in a daze.
4. The client diagnosed with schizophrenia who is hallucinating.
Correct Answer
Answer:
3. The client who was found wandering the streets in a daze. (when the Q asks "who are you going to give to the most
experienced nurse" what they are really asking is "who is the most unstable." "who requires the most in-depth
assessment and teaching?" we know what is wrong with all of these patients, besides #3., we only know the client was
found walking in a daze, we don't know anything about them)
Question 3
When counseling a client diagnosed with bulimia nervosa, a nurse explains that the client's teeth will deteriorate because:
A. The emesis produced during purging is acidic and corrodes the tooth enamel.
B. Purging causes the depletion of dietary calcium.
C. Food is rapidly ingested without proper mastication.
D. Poor dental and oral hygiene leads to dental caries.
Correct Answer
Answer:
A. The emesis produced during purging is acidic and corrodes the tooth enamel.
Page 2 of 44
,Question 4
Which components should a nurse recognize as an integral part of a rehabilitative program when planning care for clients
diagnosed with schizophrenia? (select all that apply)
A. Group therapy
B. Medication management
C. Deterrent therapy
D. Supportive family therapy
E. Social skills training
Correct Answer
Answer:
A., B., D., E.
Question 5
If clozapine (Clozaril) therapy is being considered, which laboratory test should a nurse review to establish a baseline for
comparison to evaluate a potentially life-threatening side effect?
A. White blood cell count
B. Liver function studies
C. Creatinine clearance
D. Blood urea nitrogen
Correct Answer
Answer:
A. White blood cell count
(Adverse effect is agranulocytosis)
Page 3 of 44
, Question 6
The client diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia is imminently aggressive and is dangerous to himself, the other clients,
and the psychiatric staff members. The client is placed in a seclusion room. Which interventions should the psychiatric
nurse implement? Select all that apply.
1. Assess the client every 2 hours for side effects of medication.
2. Tell the client what behavior will prompt the release from seclusion.
3. Do not notify the client's family of the initiation of seclusion.
4. Explain that the client will be in seclusion room for 24 hours.
5. Instruct the MHW to check the client every 10-15 minutes.
Correct Answer
Answer:
1. Assess the client every 2 hours for side effects of the medication., 2. Tell the client what behavior will prompt the
release from seclusion., 5. Instruct the MHW to check the client every 10-15 minutes.
Question 7
The client in the psychiatric unit tells a nurse, "Someone just put a bomb under the couch in the lobby." Which action
should the nurse implement first?
1. Look under the couch for a bomb.
2. Implement the bomb scare protocol.
3. Have the staff evacuate the unit.
4. Tell the client there is not a bomb.
Correct Answer
Answer:
1. Look under the couch for a bomb. (Assess)
Page 4 of 44
Answers |Fall 2025/2026 Update | 100% Correct Latest
Question 1
A highly agitated client paces the unit and states. "I could buy and sell this place." The client's mood fluctuates rom fits of
laughter to outbursts of anger. Which is the most accurate documentation of this client's behavior?
A. "Rates mood 8/10. Exhibiting looseness of association. Euphoric."
B. "Mood euthymic. Exhibiting magical thinking. Restless."
C. "Mood labile. Exhibiting delusions of reference. Hyperactive."
D. "Agitated and pacing. Exhibiting grandiosity. Mood labile."
Correct Answer
Answer:
D. "Agitated and pacing. Exhibiting grandiosity. Mood labile."
Page 1 of 44
,Question 2
The head nurse in a psychiatric unit in the county emergency department is assigning client to the staff nurses. Which
client should be assigned to the most experienced nurse?
1. The client who is crying and upset because she was raped.
2. The client diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is agitated.
3. The client who was found wandering the streets in a daze.
4. The client diagnosed with schizophrenia who is hallucinating.
Correct Answer
Answer:
3. The client who was found wandering the streets in a daze. (when the Q asks "who are you going to give to the most
experienced nurse" what they are really asking is "who is the most unstable." "who requires the most in-depth
assessment and teaching?" we know what is wrong with all of these patients, besides #3., we only know the client was
found walking in a daze, we don't know anything about them)
Question 3
When counseling a client diagnosed with bulimia nervosa, a nurse explains that the client's teeth will deteriorate because:
A. The emesis produced during purging is acidic and corrodes the tooth enamel.
B. Purging causes the depletion of dietary calcium.
C. Food is rapidly ingested without proper mastication.
D. Poor dental and oral hygiene leads to dental caries.
Correct Answer
Answer:
A. The emesis produced during purging is acidic and corrodes the tooth enamel.
Page 2 of 44
,Question 4
Which components should a nurse recognize as an integral part of a rehabilitative program when planning care for clients
diagnosed with schizophrenia? (select all that apply)
A. Group therapy
B. Medication management
C. Deterrent therapy
D. Supportive family therapy
E. Social skills training
Correct Answer
Answer:
A., B., D., E.
Question 5
If clozapine (Clozaril) therapy is being considered, which laboratory test should a nurse review to establish a baseline for
comparison to evaluate a potentially life-threatening side effect?
A. White blood cell count
B. Liver function studies
C. Creatinine clearance
D. Blood urea nitrogen
Correct Answer
Answer:
A. White blood cell count
(Adverse effect is agranulocytosis)
Page 3 of 44
, Question 6
The client diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia is imminently aggressive and is dangerous to himself, the other clients,
and the psychiatric staff members. The client is placed in a seclusion room. Which interventions should the psychiatric
nurse implement? Select all that apply.
1. Assess the client every 2 hours for side effects of medication.
2. Tell the client what behavior will prompt the release from seclusion.
3. Do not notify the client's family of the initiation of seclusion.
4. Explain that the client will be in seclusion room for 24 hours.
5. Instruct the MHW to check the client every 10-15 minutes.
Correct Answer
Answer:
1. Assess the client every 2 hours for side effects of the medication., 2. Tell the client what behavior will prompt the
release from seclusion., 5. Instruct the MHW to check the client every 10-15 minutes.
Question 7
The client in the psychiatric unit tells a nurse, "Someone just put a bomb under the couch in the lobby." Which action
should the nurse implement first?
1. Look under the couch for a bomb.
2. Implement the bomb scare protocol.
3. Have the staff evacuate the unit.
4. Tell the client there is not a bomb.
Correct Answer
Answer:
1. Look under the couch for a bomb. (Assess)
Page 4 of 44
