HESI PSYCHIATRIC/MENTAL HEALTH EXAM
2025/2026 WITH 100% ACCURATE ANSWERS
1. What is the primary goal of cognitive restructuring in nursing interventions?
To encourage clients to ignore their symptoms.
To help clients reframe negative thoughts and beliefs.
To assess the physical health of clients.
To provide medication for mental health issues.
2. A client on the psych unit is in an uncontrollable rage and is threatening
other clients and staff. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to
take?
Call security for assistance and prepare to sedate the client
Leave the client alone until he calms down
Tell the client to calm down and ask him if he would like to play
cards
Tell the client that if he continues his behavior will be punished
3. What is the recommended approach for a practical nurse to take when
working with a socially withdrawn client diagnosed with schizophrenia?
Use therapeutic touch by placing a hand on the client's arm
occasionally.
Ask the client questions about the thoughts that he is having.
Sit with the client in silence several times a day.
Read to the client from the daily newspaper to promote orientation.
,4. What nursing diagnosis should the practical nurse consider for a client who
is terrified of leaving home and experiences panic symptoms?
Altered thought processes related to panic attacks when she thinks
of leaving the house.
Fear related to physiologic responses to leaving the home.
Social isolation related to avoidance behavior as evidenced by
inability to go out of doors.
Self-esteem disturbance related to inability to leave home.
5. After observing parental behavior that leads the nurse to suspect child
abuse, when should the nurse report the abuse?
When the type of abuse can be determined
Whenever maltreatment of a child is suspected
If the child admits to being abused
If the parent confesses to child abuse
6. How would you explain the significance of documenting neologisms in a
client with schizophrenia?
Documenting neologisms helps in understanding the client's
thought process and tailoring interventions accordingly.
Neologisms are a sign of improvement in the client's condition.
Documenting neologisms is not relevant to nursing care.
Neologisms indicate that the client is not responding to treatment.
7. Why is it important for a practical nurse to ask for permission before
touching a client who is hallucinating?
, It prevents the client from becoming more agitated.
It ensures that the nurse can provide immediate physical assistance.
It allows the nurse to assert control over the situation.
It respects the client's autonomy and helps to reduce anxiety.
8. Why is dental enamel erosion considered a significant indicator of bulimia in
patients?
Dental enamel erosion is unrelated to eating disorders and is caused
by poor oral hygiene.
Dental enamel erosion is a sign of dehydration rather than purging
behaviors.
Dental enamel erosion occurs due to the acid from vomit, which
damages teeth over time.
Dental enamel erosion is a temporary condition that resolves with
better nutrition.
9. The nurse is admitting a client with a history of aggression. Which
information is most important for the nurse to collect during the
assessment?
Currently prescribed psychotropic medication
Presence of suicidal or homicidal ideations
Pattern of drug or alcohol abuse or dependence
History of psychiatric illness and treatment
10. In a scenario where a client presents with anxiety related to job loss, which
approach should a practical nurse take to effectively gather information?
, Explore the client's biopsychosocial responses to understand the
full impact of the job loss.
Focus only on the client's emotional responses to the job loss.
Assess only the physiological symptoms the client is experiencing.
Gather information solely about the client's financial situation.
11. A client is experiencing command hallucinations and appears to be
frightened. Which of the following actions are appropriate nursing
interventions?
Ignore the clients feelings in response to altered perceptions
Inform the client that their hallucinations are just bad dreams
Keep the clients physically safe
Assure the client that they are not experiencing something real
12. The nurse is caring for clients recovering from alcohol abuse in a treatment
center. Which nursing diagnosis would be considered the priority?
Altered Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
Self-Esteem Disturbance
High Risk of Violence: Self-Directed or Directed at Others
Self-Care Deficit
13. What is one intervention a practical nurse can implement for a client who
believes their food is poisoned?
Provide foods in the original closed containers.
Obtain a prescription for nasogastric nutrition.
2025/2026 WITH 100% ACCURATE ANSWERS
1. What is the primary goal of cognitive restructuring in nursing interventions?
To encourage clients to ignore their symptoms.
To help clients reframe negative thoughts and beliefs.
To assess the physical health of clients.
To provide medication for mental health issues.
2. A client on the psych unit is in an uncontrollable rage and is threatening
other clients and staff. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to
take?
Call security for assistance and prepare to sedate the client
Leave the client alone until he calms down
Tell the client to calm down and ask him if he would like to play
cards
Tell the client that if he continues his behavior will be punished
3. What is the recommended approach for a practical nurse to take when
working with a socially withdrawn client diagnosed with schizophrenia?
Use therapeutic touch by placing a hand on the client's arm
occasionally.
Ask the client questions about the thoughts that he is having.
Sit with the client in silence several times a day.
Read to the client from the daily newspaper to promote orientation.
,4. What nursing diagnosis should the practical nurse consider for a client who
is terrified of leaving home and experiences panic symptoms?
Altered thought processes related to panic attacks when she thinks
of leaving the house.
Fear related to physiologic responses to leaving the home.
Social isolation related to avoidance behavior as evidenced by
inability to go out of doors.
Self-esteem disturbance related to inability to leave home.
5. After observing parental behavior that leads the nurse to suspect child
abuse, when should the nurse report the abuse?
When the type of abuse can be determined
Whenever maltreatment of a child is suspected
If the child admits to being abused
If the parent confesses to child abuse
6. How would you explain the significance of documenting neologisms in a
client with schizophrenia?
Documenting neologisms helps in understanding the client's
thought process and tailoring interventions accordingly.
Neologisms are a sign of improvement in the client's condition.
Documenting neologisms is not relevant to nursing care.
Neologisms indicate that the client is not responding to treatment.
7. Why is it important for a practical nurse to ask for permission before
touching a client who is hallucinating?
, It prevents the client from becoming more agitated.
It ensures that the nurse can provide immediate physical assistance.
It allows the nurse to assert control over the situation.
It respects the client's autonomy and helps to reduce anxiety.
8. Why is dental enamel erosion considered a significant indicator of bulimia in
patients?
Dental enamel erosion is unrelated to eating disorders and is caused
by poor oral hygiene.
Dental enamel erosion is a sign of dehydration rather than purging
behaviors.
Dental enamel erosion occurs due to the acid from vomit, which
damages teeth over time.
Dental enamel erosion is a temporary condition that resolves with
better nutrition.
9. The nurse is admitting a client with a history of aggression. Which
information is most important for the nurse to collect during the
assessment?
Currently prescribed psychotropic medication
Presence of suicidal or homicidal ideations
Pattern of drug or alcohol abuse or dependence
History of psychiatric illness and treatment
10. In a scenario where a client presents with anxiety related to job loss, which
approach should a practical nurse take to effectively gather information?
, Explore the client's biopsychosocial responses to understand the
full impact of the job loss.
Focus only on the client's emotional responses to the job loss.
Assess only the physiological symptoms the client is experiencing.
Gather information solely about the client's financial situation.
11. A client is experiencing command hallucinations and appears to be
frightened. Which of the following actions are appropriate nursing
interventions?
Ignore the clients feelings in response to altered perceptions
Inform the client that their hallucinations are just bad dreams
Keep the clients physically safe
Assure the client that they are not experiencing something real
12. The nurse is caring for clients recovering from alcohol abuse in a treatment
center. Which nursing diagnosis would be considered the priority?
Altered Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
Self-Esteem Disturbance
High Risk of Violence: Self-Directed or Directed at Others
Self-Care Deficit
13. What is one intervention a practical nurse can implement for a client who
believes their food is poisoned?
Provide foods in the original closed containers.
Obtain a prescription for nasogastric nutrition.
