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HESI Mental Health Test Bank Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the primary goal of therapeutic communication in mental health nursing?
- To give direct advice
- To share personal experiences
- To control client behavior
✔✔B. To build trust and rapport with the client
A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices telling them to hurt themselves. What should the nurse do first?✔✔A. Assess the client for risk of self-harm
- Distract the client with activities
- Explain that the voices are not real
- Notify the family immediately
Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a client experiencing a panic attack?
- Encourage deep discussions about stressors 1 / 4
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✔✔B. Remain with the client and provide a calm presence
- Teach relaxation techniques immediately
- Encourage group therapy
What is a priority nursing intervention for a client on lithium therapy?
- Monitor for weight gain
- Teach about avoiding dairy products
- Encourage intake of grapefruit juice
✔✔C. Monitor serum lithium levels regularly
Which statement indicates a client understands sertraline therapy?
- “I can stop the medication once I feel better.”
- “I should take it only when I feel depressed.”
- “I can drink alcohol while on this medication.”
✔✔C. “It may take several weeks before I notice improvement.”
What is the therapeutic communication response to a client who says, “I feel hopeless and alone”? 2 / 4
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- “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
- “You just need to think positively.”
- “Other people have it worse than you.”
✔✔C. “It sounds like you are feeling very isolated. Tell me more.”
Which defense mechanism is being used when a student blames the teacher for failing an exam?✔✔A. Projection
- Regression
- Denial
- Sublimation
Which intervention is best for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder who washes hands repeatedly?
- Prevent the client from washing hands
- Ignore the behavior completely
- Joke about the habit to reduce anxiety
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✔✔B. Allow handwashing with gradual limits set
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What is the nurse’s priority action when a client expresses suicidal ideation with a specific plan?
- Teach relaxation techniques
- Ask family to supervise the client
- Encourage journaling
✔✔B. Implement suicide precautions immediately
Which side effect should the nurse monitor for in a client taking haloperidol?
- Hypertension
- Hyperglycemia
- Weight loss
✔✔C. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Which statement demonstrates use of therapeutic communication with a grieving client?
- “You need to be strong for your family.”
- “Time heals everything.”
- “Don’t cry; your loved one wouldn’t want that.”
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✔✔B. “I can see this is very painful for you. Would you like to talk?”