HESI RN
Mental Health HESI
1. A client with depression remains in bed most of the day, declines activities, and refuses meals. Which nursing problem has the greatest priority for this client?
- A. Loss of interest in diversional activities.
- B. Social isolation.
- C. Refusal to address nutritional needs.
- D. Low self-esteem.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Refusal to address nutritional needs.' In this scenario, the client's refusal to eat and address their nutritional needs poses an immediate threat to their physical health. Without proper nutrition, the client is at risk of malnutrition and its associated complications. While addressing social isolation, low self-esteem, and loss of interest in diversional activities are important aspects of holistic care for a client with depression, ensuring proper nutrition takes precedence due to the critical impact it has on the client's physical well-being. Therefore, the priority is to address the client's refusal to eat and address their nutritional needs to prevent further deterioration of their health.
2. The nurse is assessing a client who has schizophrenia and is exhibiting symptoms of paranoia. Which behavior would the nurse most likely observe?
- A. The client is seen as unmotivated and withdrawn.
- B. The client is preoccupied with a fear of being harmed.
- C. The client displays a blunted affect and lacks emotional response.
- D. The client avoids group activities and shows decreased appetite.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In clients with paranoia, they typically exhibit an intense fear of being harmed, persecuted, or targeted by others. This fear often dominates their thoughts and can significantly impact their daily functioning and interactions. Choice A, being unmotivated and withdrawn, is more indicative of negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as avolition and social withdrawal. Choice C, displaying a blunted affect and lacking emotional response, is associated with flat affect, a symptom commonly seen in schizophrenia but not specific to paranoia. Choice D, avoiding group activities and showing decreased appetite, may be related to various symptoms or side effects, but it is not a defining characteristic of paranoia in schizophrenia.
3. The occupational health nurse is working with a female employee who was just notified that her child was involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) and taken to the hospital. The employee states, “I can’t believe this. What should I do?†Which response is best for the nurse to provide in this crisis?
- A. Tell me what you think should be done.
- B. How serious was the collision?
- C. What do you think you should do?
- D. Call for transportation to the hospital.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In a crisis situation where the female employee's child is involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) and taken to the hospital, the most appropriate response for the nurse is to provide immediate practical assistance. Calling for transportation to the hospital ensures that the employee can quickly reach her child in need of urgent medical attention. The other options (A, B, and C) do not address the immediate need for assistance and may not provide the necessary support required in such a critical situation.
4. A male client with schizophrenia is demonstrating echolalia, which is becoming annoying to other clients on the unit. What intervention is best for the nurse to implement?
- A. Avoid acknowledging the behavior.
- B. Isolate the client from other clients.
- C. Administer a PRN sedative.
- D. Escort the client to his room.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The best intervention for a male client with schizophrenia displaying echolalia, which is disruptive to others, is for the nurse to escort the client to his room. Echolalia, the constant repetition of others' words, can be disruptive in a communal setting. By guiding the client to a private space like his room, the nurse helps manage the behavior without isolating or medicating the client unnecessarily. Avoiding acknowledging the behavior (Choice A) does not address the issue, isolating the client (Choice B) may exacerbate feelings of exclusion, and administering a PRN sedative (Choice C) should be reserved for situations where there is imminent risk or severe agitation, not for managing echolalia.
5. A client in the emergency department presents with confusion, disorientation, and agitation after drinking alcohol. Which diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate to assess for potential complications?
- A. Complete blood count (CBC)
- B. Electrolyte panel
- C. Liver function tests
- D. Urinalysis
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is an electrolyte panel. When a client presents with confusion, disorientation, and agitation after drinking alcohol, it indicates potential complications such as electrolyte imbalances. Monitoring electrolyte levels is crucial in these cases to detect and address abnormalities that may result from alcohol intake. While a complete blood count (choice A) may provide some valuable information, it is not the primary test to assess for alcohol-related complications presenting with these symptoms. Liver function tests (choice C) are more specific for assessing liver damage due to chronic alcohol use rather than immediate complications. Urinalysis (choice D) may help detect some issues but is not the most appropriate initial test to assess for potential complications in this scenario.
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