HESI RN
RN HESI Mental Health Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A young adult client with a recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder takes lithium carbonate daily. The client informed the school nurse of the desire to live away from home to attend college after graduating in one month. Which information is most important for the nurse to provide the client and his family?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring serum lithium levels is essential to ensure the medication remains within the therapeutic range and to prevent toxicity, critical for a newly diagnosed client.
Question 2 of 5
An antidepressant medication is prescribed for a client who reports sleeping only four hours in the past two days and a weight loss of nine pounds within the last month. Which client goal is most important to achieve within the first three days of treatment?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Improving sleep to at least six hours a night addresses the client's reported insomnia and supports their physical well-being, which is critical in the initial treatment phase. Understanding medication, describing hospitalization reasons, or meeting a dietitian are important but secondary to addressing sleep.
Question 3 of 5
When the nurse addresses questions to an adult female client who is depressed, the client's responses are delayed. Which intervention should the nurse include in this client's plan of care?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Spending time in silence with the client can create a safe and supportive environment, allowing the client to communicate at her own pace without feeling pressured. Exercise, describing depression, or observing for psychosis do not directly address delayed responses.
Question 4 of 5
Following the visit, what are appropriate actions for the nurse? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B,C,E
Rationale: Providing referrals for mental health services, following up with the client, and documenting verbatim statements about abuse are appropriate actions to support the client and ensure accurate records. Mailing items without consent or calling the police without an immediate threat are less appropriate.
Question 5 of 5
A client with a history of alcoholism is admitted for detoxification. Based on treatment protocol, the nurse gives the client a dose of lorazepam 6 mg. Which additional prescription should the nurse administer immediately?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin B1 (thiamine) supplementation is crucial during alcohol detoxification to prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome or other neurological complications. Other medications are not immediately indicated.