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HESI Mental Health Practice Questions
1. A female client refuses to take an oral hypoglycemic agent because she believes that the drug is being administered as part of an elaborate plan by the Mafia to harm her. Which nursing intervention is most important to include in this client's plan of care?
- A. Reassure the client that no one will harm her while she is in the hospital.
- B. Ask the healthcare provider to give the client the medication.
- C. Explain the importance of taking the diabetic medication.
- D. Reassess the client's mental status for thought processes and content.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Reassessing the client's mental status is the most important intervention as it is crucial to address the client's delusional thinking. By assessing the client's thought processes and content, the nurse can gain insight into the client's beliefs and tailor interventions accordingly. Reassuring the client that no harm will come to her, asking the healthcare provider to give the medication, or simply explaining the importance of taking the medication may not effectively address the underlying issue of delusional beliefs.
2. On admission to a residential care facility, an elderly female client tells the nurse that she enjoys cooking, quilting, and watching television. Twenty-four hours after admission, the nurse notes that the client is withdrawn and isolated. It is best for the nurse to encourage this client to become involved in which activity?
- A. Clean the unit kitchen cabinets.
- B. Participate in a group quilting project.
- C. Watch television in the activity room.
- D. Bake a cake for a resident's birthday.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Peer interaction in a group activity (B) such as participating in a group quilting project will help to prevent social isolation and withdrawal. This will provide the elderly client with an opportunity to engage with others, share experiences, and feel a sense of belonging. Choices (A, C, and D) are activities that can be accomplished alone, without peer interaction, which may not effectively address the client's feelings of withdrawal and isolation.
3. A male client with schizophrenia tells the nurse that the FBI is monitoring his phone calls. What is the nurse's best response?
- A. Let's talk about your feelings of being monitored.
- B. There is no evidence that the FBI is monitoring your calls.
- C. Why do you think the FBI is interested in your phone calls?
- D. I can assure you that your phone calls are not being monitored.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct response is to choose A: 'Let's talk about your feelings of being monitored.' This response shows empathy and encourages the client to express his feelings. Engaging the client in a discussion about his feelings can help address underlying fears without directly challenging the delusion. Choice B is incorrect because directly denying the delusion may lead to increased distrust or agitation in the client. Choice C may come across as confrontational, which can exacerbate the client's paranoia. Choice D offers a false sense of assurance and does not address the client's concerns effectively.
4. A nurse working in a psychiatric unit is assessing a client who appears to be responding to internal stimuli. The client is laughing and talking to himself. What is the nurse's best initial response?
- A. Approach the client and ask if he is hearing voices.
- B. Ignore the behavior as it is common in psychiatric settings.
- C. Encourage the client to express his thoughts verbally.
- D. Observe the client's behavior from a distance.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Approaching the client and asking if he is hearing voices is the best initial response by the nurse. This action can help assess the situation and determine if the client is experiencing hallucinations that may require immediate intervention. Choice B is incorrect because ignoring the behavior could lead to missing important signs of distress or potential risks. Choice C may not address the immediate concern of assessing for hallucinations. Choice D is also not ideal as observing from a distance may not provide the necessary information for immediate assessment and intervention.
5. A young adult male client, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, believes that the world is trying to poison him. What intervention should the nurse include in this client's plan of care?
- A. Remind the client that his suspicions are not true
- B. Ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily
- C. Encourage the client to participate in group activities
- D. Assign the client to a room closest to the activity room
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct intervention for a client diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia who believes in paranoid delusions is to ask one nurse to spend time with the client daily. Establishing a trusting relationship with a consistent caregiver can help reduce anxiety and foster a sense of security. Choice A is incorrect because directly challenging the client's beliefs may increase distress. Choice C might overwhelm the client with paranoia in a group setting. Choice D does not address the need for a trusting relationship with a specific caregiver.
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