HESI Comprehensive Review for

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HESI Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN Exam Psychiatric Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

A client with schizophrenia reports hearing voices commanding self-harm. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• Distract the client with activities
• Tell the client the voices are not real

✔✔C. Ask the client directly about safety and suicidal intent

• Encourage increased fluid intake

A client with major depressive disorder says, “I don’t want to live anymore.” What is the best nursing response?

• “You have so much to live for.”

✔✔B. “Are you thinking of harming yourself?”

• “Don’t talk like that, you will upset others.”
• “You just need to focus on positive thoughts.”
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A nurse is caring for a client with bipolar disorder in a manic phase. Which intervention is most therapeutic?

• Encourage group therapy sessions

✔✔B. Provide a quiet environment with minimal stimulation

• Offer multiple choices for meals and activities
• Allow the client to lead the unit’s activities

A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spends hours handwashing. What is the best nursing intervention?

• Stop the client from handwashing immediately

✔✔B. Allow limited handwashing while setting time boundaries

• Ignore the behavior since it relieves anxiety
• Encourage the client to wash hands more frequently

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client on fluoxetine. Which statement indicates correct understanding?

• “I will feel better within 24 hours.”

✔✔B. “It may take several weeks before my mood improves.”

• “I should stop the medication if I feel sleepy.” 2 / 4

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• “I can drink alcohol with this medication.”

A client with generalized anxiety disorder is restless and pacing. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• Teach relaxation techniques

✔✔B. Stay with the client and offer reassurance

• Ask the client to describe feelings in detail
• Suggest the client go to the lounge area

A client with schizophrenia is withdrawn and does not make eye contact. What is the best nursing intervention?

• Force the client to attend group therapy

✔✔B. Sit quietly with the client and offer simple statements

• Ignore the client’s withdrawal
• Use complex explanations to encourage conversation

A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has frequent nightmares. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

• Tell the client to avoid sleep during the day 3 / 4

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✔✔B. Encourage relaxation techniques before bedtime

• Suggest avoiding all conversations about the trauma
• Provide extra caffeinated drinks to promote wakefulness

A client taking lithium reports nausea, tremors, and excessive thirst. What should the nurse do first?

• Encourage increased fluid intake

✔✔B. Assess for lithium toxicity and notify the provider

• Reassure the client these are expected effects
• Hold the evening dose only

A client states, “The FBI is controlling my thoughts.” What is the best nursing response?

• “That is not possible.”

✔✔B. “That must feel very frightening for you.”

• “You must ignore those thoughts.”
• “I agree with you.”

A client with anorexia nervosa refuses to eat. Which nursing intervention is best?

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