HESI RN
RN HESI Mental Health 2023 Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
Which is the best approach for the nurse to use when interviewing a client about suicidal ideations?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beginning with less sensitive questions allows the client to gradually build trust and rapport with the nurse before addressing more sensitive topics like suicidal ideation. Sharing personal values may blur professional boundaries. Vague questions may not yield accurate information. Starting with difficult questions may overwhelm the client and hinder trust.
Question 2 of 5
During the admission assessment to the mental health unit, a client reports that the people at the office, where the client works, are antagonistic and the client is thinking of shooting the supervisor. The client asks the nurse not to reveal this to anyone else. The nurse immediately notifies the client's therapist and other team members of the client's thoughts. The therapist then calls the client's supervisor and shares the client's thoughts about shooting the supervisor. Which outcome is best based on the action of the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse appropriately shared the threat with the team to ensure safety, but the therapist's disclosure to the supervisor may breach confidentiality. Educating team members on appropriate information sharing balances safety and privacy. Reprimands are less constructive unless clear violations occurred.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is admitting a male client who takes lithium carbonate twice a day. Which information should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting could indicate lithium toxicity, requiring immediate attention to prevent serious complications. Memory loss and weight gain are common side effects but less urgent. Depressed affect may relate to the underlying condition but is not immediately life-threatening.
Question 4 of 5
A client who has agoraphobia is beginning desensitization with the therapist, and the nurse is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the highest priority for this client's plan of care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Establishing trust through a calm, safe environment is foundational for effective desensitization in agoraphobia, supporting the client's sense of security. Deep breathing and positive thoughts are secondary. Progressive exposure comes after trust is established.
Question 5 of 5
A client with depression does not want to communicate with friends, uses television watching as a means of escaping responsibilities, and describes the inability to handle personal circumstances. Which coping strategy should the nurse include in the plan of care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Focusing on small achievable tasks promotes a sense of accomplishment, counteracting helplessness and supporting behavioral activation for depression. Ventilating emotions may not address avoidance. Reducing effort may worsen helplessness. Shifting attention to others does not directly address depressive symptoms.