HESI LPN
Mental Health HESI Practice Questions
1. The client with schizophrenia believes the news commentator is her lover and speaks to her. What is the best response for the nurse to make?
- A. What do you believe the news commentator said to you?
- B. Let's switch to a different news channel.
- C. Is the news commentator planning to harm you or others?
- D. The news commentator is not communicating with you.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct response is to ask the client what she believes the news commentator said, as it helps the nurse assess the client's perception and delve into her delusions without being confrontational. Choice B is not helpful in addressing the client's delusions. Choice C jumps to conclusions about potential harm without assessing the client's beliefs. Choice D is dismissive and does not address the client's reality.
2. 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.
3. The LPN/LVN is caring for a client who was recently diagnosed with a mental illness. The client asks, 'Will I be able to live a normal life?' What is the best response for the nurse to provide?
- A. Yes, you will be able to live a normal life.
- B. Many people with mental illness lead full and productive lives.
- C. It will depend on your treatment and the choices you make.
- D. There is no normal; everyone is unique in their own way.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The best response for the nurse is to provide the client with hope while acknowledging the importance of their treatment and choices. Choice C addresses the client's concern by highlighting the impact of their treatment and personal choices on their future. It encourages personal responsibility and active participation in their recovery. Choices A and B may sound reassuring, but they do not empower the client to take an active role in their well-being. Choice D, while promoting individuality, does not directly address the client's question about living a normal life after a mental illness diagnosis.
4. An 86-year-old female client with Alzheimer's disease is wandering the busy halls of the extended care facility and asks the nurse, "Where should I stand for the parade?" Which response is best for the LPN/LVN to provide?
- A. Anywhere you want to stand as long as you do not get hurt by those in the parade.
- B. You are confused because of all the activity in the hall. There is no parade.
- C. Let us go back to the activity room and see what is going on in there.
- D. Remember I told you that this is a nursing home and I am your nurse.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Redirecting the client to a less confusing environment can help reduce anxiety and reorient her to reality.
5. A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends several hours a day washing his hands. What is the best nursing intervention?
- A. Restrict the client's access to soap and water.
- B. Encourage the client to discuss their compulsions.
- C. Allow the client to continue the behavior until ready to stop.
- D. Schedule activities that distract the client from hand-washing.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging the client to discuss their compulsions is the best nursing intervention when caring for a client with OCD who spends excessive time on hand-washing. This approach can help the client identify underlying anxieties and triggers associated with the compulsive behavior. Restricting access to soap and water (Choice A) can lead to increased anxiety and worsen the obsession. Allowing the client to continue the behavior (Choice C) can perpetuate the compulsive cycle. Scheduling distracting activities (Choice D) may provide temporary relief but does not address the root cause of the behavior.
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