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Mental Health (PSYCH) HESI Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A client with depression states, “Nothing will ever get better for me.” What is the nurse’s most therapeutic response?
- “You should not think that way.”
- “Why do you feel that way?”
- “Things will improve soon.”
✔✔B. “It sounds like you are feeling hopeless.”
A client with bipolar disorder is seen pacing, talking rapidly, and refusing meals. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- Allow the client to skip meals.
- Ask the client to stop pacing.
- Encourage the client to rest.
✔✔B. Offer high-calorie finger foods.
A client prescribed lithium reports nausea, vomiting, and tremors. What should the nurse suspect? 1 / 4
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- Normal medication effects.
- Withdrawal symptoms.
- Depression relapse.
✔✔B. Lithium toxicity.
A client says, “The voices tell me to hurt myself.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
- Distract the client with activities.
- Ignore the statement.
- Ask the family to stay with the client.
✔✔B. Assess the command hallucination further.
A nurse notices a client rocking back and forth silently for long periods. This behavior is most
consistent with:
- Paranoia
- Delusion of control
- Flight of ideas
- / 4
✔✔B. Catatonia
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A client on clozapine reports fever and sore throat. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
- Administer acetaminophen.
- Encourage rest and fluids.
- Provide reassurance.
✔✔B. Obtain a white blood cell count.
A client with alcohol withdrawal is sweating, anxious, and has tremors. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
- Begin teaching about relapse prevention.
- Offer caffeinated drinks.
- Leave the client alone to rest.
✔✔B. Administer prescribed benzodiazepines.
A client with schizophrenia states, “The FBI has cameras watching me in this room.” What is the nurse’s best response?
- “That’s not true.”
- “Why would the FBI be watching you?” 3 / 4
✔✔B. “That sounds frightening. I do not see cameras here.”
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- “Try to ignore those thoughts.”
A client prescribed an SSRI suddenly develops muscle rigidity, fever, and confusion. What should the nurse suspect?
- Withdrawal syndrome
- Catatonia
- Hallucination
✔✔B. Serotonin syndrome
A client in mania is demanding, intrusive, and aggressive toward staff. What should the nurse do?
- Ignore the behavior.
- Encourage the client to join group debates.
- Offer caffeinated drinks for energy.
✔✔B. Set firm, consistent limits.
A client with schizophrenia repeats everything the nurse says. What is this behavior called?
- Perseveration
- / 4