HESI RN
Mental Health HESI
1. A client with an eating disorder tells the RN, 'I’ve been eating only 400 calories per day and have been taking diuretics to lose weight.' What is the RN’s best response?
- A. “Your diet is very harmful and needs to be changed immediately.”
- B. “It’s important to monitor your calorie intake carefully.”
- C. “Have you noticed any physical effects from this low-calorie diet?”
- D. “The diuretics could be causing your body to lose essential nutrients.”
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct response is D. By addressing the potential harm of diuretics and the low-calorie diet, the nurse effectively addresses both aspects of the client's disordered eating behavior. Choice A is too direct and does not provide information on the specific issue of diuretics. Choice B focuses solely on monitoring calorie intake without addressing the use of diuretics. Choice C inquires about physical effects but does not address the overall risks associated with diuretics and low-calorie intake.
2. A female client, who is wearing dirty clothes and has a foul body odor, comes to the clinic reporting feeling scared because she is being stalked. What action is most important for the nurse to take?
- A. Assure the client that she will be seen by a healthcare provider today.
- B. Recommend that the client speaks with a social worker.
- C. Ask the client if she feels comfortable sharing why she is being stalked.
- D. Offer the client a safe place to relax before interviewing her.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The most important action for the nurse to take in this scenario is to offer the client a safe place to relax before interviewing her. The client's disheveled appearance and foul body odor suggest she may be in distress or facing challenging circumstances. By providing her with a safe and comfortable environment to relax, the nurse can help alleviate some of her distress and establish trust. This approach is crucial as the client is already feeling scared due to being stalked, indicating underlying mental health concerns. Assuring the client that she will be seen by a healthcare provider today (choice A) may not address her immediate need for safety and comfort. Recommending she speaks with a social worker (choice B) may be beneficial later but does not address the immediate need for a safe space. Asking the client if she feels comfortable sharing why she is being stalked (choice C) is not appropriate as the priority is ensuring her safety and comfort first.
3. A female client on a psychiatric unit is sweating profusely while vigorously doing push-ups and then running the length of the corridor several times before crashing into furniture in the sitting room. Picking herself up, she begins to toss chairs aside, looking for a red one to sit in. When another client objects to the disturbance, the client shouts, “I am the boss here. I do what I want.” Which nursing problem best supports these observations?
- A. Deficient diversional activity related to excess energy level.
- B. Disturbed personal identity related to grandiosity.
- C. Risk for activity intolerance related to hyperactivity.
- D. Risk for other-directed violence related to disruptive behaviors.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The client's behavior of engaging in disruptive and aggressive actions, as well as claiming authority over others in the setting, indicates a risk for other-directed violence. This behavior poses a potential threat to the safety of others in the environment. Choice A is incorrect as the client's behavior is not solely indicative of a lack of diversional activities but rather a more serious issue. Choice B is incorrect as the behavior described does not primarily reflect disturbances in personal identity but rather displays of power and aggression. Choice C is incorrect as the client's actions do not suggest an intolerance to activity but rather an excessive and potentially harmful level of hyperactivity.
4. A client on the mental health unit is becoming more agitated, shouting at the staff, and pacing in the hallway. When a PRN medication is offered, the client refuses the medication and defiantly sits on the floor in the middle of the unit hallway. What nursing intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Transport the client to the seclusion room.
- B. Quietly approach the client with additional staff members.
- C. Take other clients in the area to the client lounge.
- D. Administer medication to chemically restrain the client.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In situations where a client is agitated and refusing medication, a non-confrontational approach with additional staff can help de-escalate the situation and address the client's behavior safely. Transporting the client to the seclusion room (Choice A) should not be the initial intervention unless the client poses an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. Taking other clients to the client lounge (Choice C) does not directly address the agitated client's behavior. Administering medication to chemically restrain the client (Choice D) should only be considered after other de-escalation attempts have been made and if there is a significant safety concern.
5. The RN is admitting a male client who takes lithium carbonate (Eskalith) twice a day. Which information should the RN report to the HCP immediately?
- A. Short-term memory loss.
- B. Five-pound weight gain.
- C. Decreased affect.
- D. Nausea and vomiting.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are signs of potential lithium toxicity, which is a serious condition requiring immediate attention. These symptoms can indicate a dangerous level of lithium in the body that can lead to severe complications. Short-term memory loss (A), five-pound weight gain (B), and decreased affect (C) are important to monitor but are not as immediately concerning as symptoms of potential toxicity like nausea and vomiting.
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