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HESI Mental Health Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client with depression states, “I have no reason to live.” What is the nurse’s best response?
- “Don’t say that, your family loves you.”
- “You just need to focus on the positives.”
- “Why do you feel that way?”
✔✔B. “You sound like you are feeling hopeless right now.”
A client prescribed lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and tremors. What should the nurse do first?
- Encourage oral fluids.
- Give an antiemetic.
- Reassure the client.
✔✔B. Assess for lithium toxicity.
A client experiencing alcohol withdrawal begins to have tremors and sweating. What is the nurse’s priority action? 1 / 4
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- Offer small meals.
- Provide a quiet environment.
- Teach the client about relapse prevention.
✔✔B. Monitor for seizures and administer benzodiazepines.
A client with schizophrenia says, “The FBI is controlling my mind.” How should the nurse respond?
- “That’s not true.”
- “You should stop thinking that way.”
- “Why do you think they are controlling you?”
✔✔B. “That must feel very frightening for you.”
A client on clozapine reports fever and sore throat. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- Give acetaminophen.
- Offer warm fluids.
- Encourage rest.
- / 4
✔✔B. Obtain a white blood cell count.
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A nurse observes a client talking rapidly and jumping from one topic to another. How should this be documented?
- Tangential speech
- Perseveration
- Word salad
✔✔B. Flight of ideas
A client in a manic state refuses to sit down for meals. What is the best nursing action?
- Skip meals until the client calms.
- Offer caffeine-containing drinks.
- Withhold snacks until compliance.
✔✔C. Provide high-calorie finger foods.
A client in panic reports palpitations and chest pain. What is the nurse’s priority?
- Leave the client alone.
- Teach about coping skills.
- Ask the client to explain the fear. 3 / 4
✔✔B. Stay with the client and speak calmly.
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A client with OCD repeatedly checks the door lock. What should the nurse do?
- Remove the client from the room.
- Stop the ritual immediately.
- Ignore the behavior.
✔✔B. Allow checking but set reasonable time limits.
A client with schizophrenia refuses meals saying food is poisoned. What is the best action?
- Convince the client the food is safe.
- Restrict meals until compliance.
- Ask family to feed the client.
✔✔B. Offer packaged or sealed foods.
A client on sertraline asks when the drug will work. What should the nurse say?
- “It works immediately.”
- “You may feel relief in 1 or 2 days.”
- “You can stop once you feel better.”
- / 4
✔✔C. “It may take several weeks for full effect.”