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HESI Case Study - Psychiatric/Mental Health Practice Exam Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client with major depressive disorder expresses hopelessness and lack of energy. What is the nurse’s best initial action?
- Encourage the client to exercise
- Provide opportunities for social interaction
- Suggest a change in diet
✔✔C. Assess for suicidal ideation
A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices that are telling them to harm themselves. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- Encourage journaling of thoughts
- Explain that the voices are not real
- Teach relaxation techniques
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✔✔B. Ensure the client’s safety and initiate suicide precautions
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A client with generalized anxiety disorder experiences a panic attack. Which intervention is most appropriate?
- Explain the attack will pass in time
- Encourage the client to perform a physical task immediately
- Ignore the client to prevent reinforcement of anxiety
✔✔B. Use a calm, reassuring approach and guide slow breathing
A nurse is caring for a client with borderline personality disorder who is angry and threatening staff. What is the best approach?
- Confront the client firmly
- Avoid interacting with the client
- Give in to demands to reduce conflict
✔✔B. Set clear, consistent limits and maintain safety
A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase and pacing the unit. What is the priority nursing action?
- Encourage long group discussions
- Allow unlimited access to stimulation
✔✔C. Ensure safety and provide a low-stimulation environment 2 / 4
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- Assign the client to teach a class
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder spends hours washing hands. What is the most therapeutic nursing action?
- Force the client to stop immediately
- Ignore the behavior
- Criticize the client for excessive washing
✔✔C. Set reasonable time limits while providing support
A client with PTSD has nightmares and avoids discussing trauma. What is the best nursing intervention?
- Encourage avoidance of triggering topics
- Force the client to recount the trauma
- Suggest medication only without supportive care
✔✔B. Provide a safe environment and allow the client to share at their own pace
A client with schizophrenia is withdrawn and does not speak. How should the nurse respond?
- Leave the client alone until they speak 3 / 4
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✔✔B. Approach quietly, provide simple communication, and be patient
- Pressure the client to speak immediately
- Ask another patient to interact with them
A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat during mealtime. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
- Allow the client to skip meals
- Punish the client for refusing food
- Ignore refusal to avoid confrontation
✔✔C. Offer structured support and monitor intake
A client with alcohol use disorder is experiencing tremors and agitation. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- Encourage verbal reassurance
- Allow the client to drink water freely
- Leave the client alone to rest
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✔✔B. Monitor vital signs and implement seizure precautions