HESI RN
Mental Health HESI
1. During a group session on anger management, a male adolescent client is fidgety, interrupts peers, and talks about his pets at home. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Allow the client to leave and return in 10 minutes.
- B. Explore the client’s feelings about his pets and home life.
- C. Encourage his peers to help involve him in the activity.
- D. Redirect him by encouraging him to read from the handout.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The best nursing action in this scenario is to redirect the client by encouraging him to read from the handout. This approach helps refocus the client's attention on the topic being discussed, which is anger management. Choice A is not appropriate as it may disrupt the group session and does not address the client's behavior. Choice B, while important in understanding the client's background, does not address the immediate disruptive behavior. Choice C involves others to manage the client's behavior instead of direct intervention by the nurse, which may not be effective in this situation.
2. The RN is providing education about strategies for a safety plan for a female client who is a victim of intimate partner violence. Which strategies should be included in the safety plan? (SOA)
- A. Purchase a gun for protection.
- B. Establish a code with family and friends to signal violence.
- C. Take a self-defense course focused on protection.
- D. Prepare a bag with extra clothes for self and children.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Establishing a code with family and friends is crucial in situations of intimate partner violence as it allows discreet communication for help without alerting the abuser. Having a pre-prepared bag with essentials like extra clothes is important to facilitate a quick exit if necessary. Purchasing a gun is not a recommended safety strategy as it can escalate violence and pose more danger. While taking a self-defense course focused on protection is beneficial, it is essential to avoid courses that emphasize retaliation, as they can increase the risk and escalate violence.
3. A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed lithium carbonate. Which finding should the RN report to the healthcare provider?
- A. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
- B. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 16 mg/dL
- C. Serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L
- D. Urine output of 800 mL in 24 hours
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Elevated BUN levels may indicate renal impairment, which is crucial to report for clients on lithium due to its potential kidney effects. Option A, a serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L, is within the therapeutic range for lithium and does not require immediate reporting. Option C, a serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L, is within the normal range and not directly related to lithium therapy. Option D, urine output of 800 mL in 24 hours, may indicate a need for further assessment but is not the most critical finding to report compared to potential renal impairment indicated by an elevated BUN level.
4. A young adult male is hospitalized due to depression and an attempted suicide. The client reports that he lost his job and was angry with his employer for firing him when he took an overdose of pain medications. Which behavior best indicates to the nurse that his condition is improving?
- A. Initiates interactions with other clients.
- B. Describes verbally when he is angry.
- C. Participates in a job search with a social worker.
- D. Denies plans to harm himself or others.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The best indicator of improvement in a client with depression is initiating interactions with others. This behavior demonstrates that the client is becoming less withdrawn and more self-directed, showing an improvement in social engagement and coping mechanisms. Choice B, describing anger verbally, may show some progress in emotional expression but does not necessarily indicate overall improvement in depression. Choice C, participating in a job search with a social worker, may be positive but does not directly address social interactions, which are crucial for improving depression. Choice D, denying plans to harm himself or others, is important for safety but does not directly reflect improvement in the client's social functioning or coping skills.
5. A client who refuses antipsychotic medications disrupts group activities, talks with nonsensical words, and wanders into other clients' rooms. The nurse decides that the client needs constant observation based on which of these assessment findings?
- A. Wanders into clients' rooms.
- B. Refuses antipsychotic medication.
- C. Talks with nonsensical words.
- D. Disrupts group activities.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Disrupting group activities is a significant behavior that can pose risks to both the client and others. When combined with talking nonsensically and wandering into other clients' rooms, it indicates a need for constant observation to prevent harm or injury. Choices A, B, and C, although concerning, do not directly address the immediate safety concerns presented by disruptive behavior during group activities, which can lead to unpredictable situations and potential harm.
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