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HESI CAT Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A nurse is caring for a client who is anxious before surgery. Which nursing action demonstrates the use of therapeutic communication?
- “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
- “You should relax and think positively.”
- “Other clients have gone through this too.”
✔✔B. “Tell me what concerns you most about the surgery.”
A client diagnosed with depression has lost interest in daily activities. Which intervention is most therapeutic?
- Encourage the client to isolate for rest
- Assign the client multiple complex tasks
- Suggest the client “snap out of it”
✔✔B. Engage the client in small, simple activities
A nurse is teaching stress management techniques. Which strategy promotes relaxation? 1 / 4
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- Watching television
- Drinking coffee
- Talking rapidly
✔✔B. Deep breathing exercises
A client expresses hopelessness and states, “There’s no reason to live anymore.” What is the nurse’s first action?
- Encourage the client to focus on positive thoughts
- Distract the client with a new activity
- Notify the family to provide support
✔✔B. Ask the client directly about suicidal thoughts
A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices. What is the nurse’s best response?
- “Those voices are not real.”
- “Ignore the voices and focus on me.”
- “The medication will make the voices go away.”
- / 4
✔✔B. “What are the voices saying to you?”
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A client is crying after receiving a cancer diagnosis. What is the most therapeutic nursing action?
- Leave the room to give privacy
- Offer a distraction to cheer the client up
- Change the subject to future treatment options
✔✔C. Sit quietly and offer a tissue
A client is experiencing severe anxiety. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
- Provide detailed teaching about the diagnosis
- Ask the client to make important decisions
- Encourage the client to talk about childhood
✔✔B. Remain calm and use short, simple statements
A nurse is caring for a client with PTSD. Which statement indicates progress in therapy?
- “I avoid talking about what happened.”
- “I don’t remember anything from the trauma.”
- “I still have nightmares every night.”
- / 4
✔✔B. “I can now describe the event without panicking.”
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A client refuses to take prescribed psychiatric medication. What is the nurse’s best initial response?
- Insist the client take the medication
- Document the refusal without discussion
- Call the provider immediately
✔✔C. Ask the client to share concerns about the medication
A nurse is providing health teaching to reduce stress. Which lifestyle change is most effective?
- Increase caffeine intake to stay alert
- Skip meals during stressful days
- Sleep less to increase productivity
✔✔B. Engage in regular physical exercise
A client with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
- Encourage long group discussions
- Allow unlimited activities to release energy
- Challenge the client’s unrealistic beliefs
- / 4
✔✔B. Provide a safe, low-stimulation environment