HESI RN
Mental Health HESI
1. During the admission assessment, a female client requests that her husband be allowed to stay in the room. When the RN notes a discrepancy between the client’s verbal and nonverbal communication, what action should the RN take?
- A. Pay close attention to and document the nonverbal messages.
- B. Ask the client’s husband to interpret the discrepancy.
- C. Ignore the nonverbal behavior and focus solely on the client’s verbal messages.
- D. Integrate the verbal and nonverbal messages and interpret them together.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: During a client assessment, noting and documenting nonverbal messages is important as it captures the full context of the client’s communication. Nonverbal cues can often reveal underlying emotions or issues that may not be expressed verbally. Asking the client’s husband to interpret the discrepancy (Choice B) may not be appropriate as it could potentially breach the client's privacy and trust. Ignoring nonverbal behavior (Choice C) can result in missing important cues that could impact the care provided. Integrating verbal and nonverbal messages (Choice D) is beneficial, but the initial step should be to pay close attention and document the nonverbal messages to fully understand the client's communication.
2. A male client comes to the emergency center with an erection that will not resolve. The client reports that he is taking trazodone (Desyrel) for insomnia. Which information is most important for the nurse to ask this client?
- A. Have you taken any medication for erectile dysfunction?
- B. Are you experiencing any other sexual dysfunctions or problems?
- C. When was the last time you consumed alcohol?
- D. Do you have a history of angina or high blood pressure?
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the most important question for the nurse to ask the client is whether he is experiencing any other sexual dysfunctions or problems. This inquiry is crucial as it can help in determining if the persistent erection is a side effect of trazodone. Asking about medication for erectile dysfunction (Choice A) may not provide relevant information in this case, as the focus is on the potential side effects of trazodone. Inquiring about the last time the client consumed alcohol (Choice C) is not directly related to the situation at hand. Questioning about a history of angina or high blood pressure (Choice D) is important for overall assessment but is not as directly relevant to the immediate concern of the persistent erection potentially caused by trazodone.
3. A client who has agoraphobia (a fear of crowds) is starting desensitization therapy with the therapist, and the nurse is reinforcing the process. Which intervention has the highest priority for this client's plan of care?
- A. Encourage the substitution of positive thoughts for negative ones.
- B. Establish trust by providing a calm, safe environment.
- C. Gradually expose the client to larger crowds.
- D. Encourage deep breathing when anxiety escalates in a crowd.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Establishing trust by providing a calm and safe environment is crucial for the success of desensitization therapy in clients with agoraphobia. This approach helps the client feel safe and secure, allowing them to gradually confront their fear of crowds. Encouraging positive thoughts (choice A) is beneficial but not as immediately critical as creating a safe space. Progressively exposing the client to larger crowds (choice C) should occur after trust is established and in a controlled manner. Encouraging deep breathing (choice D) is helpful, but creating a safe environment takes precedence to build a foundation for successful desensitization.
4. To provide effective care for a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia, what associated condition should the nurse frequently assess for? Select all that apply.
- A. Alcohol use disorder
- B. Major depressive disorder
- C. Stomach cancer
- D. Polydipsia
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol use disorder is commonly associated with schizophrenia, leading to a dual diagnosis. Assessing for alcohol use disorder is crucial in managing the patient's overall well-being and treatment plan. Major depressive disorder can co-occur with schizophrenia but is not the most commonly associated condition. Stomach cancer is not typically associated with schizophrenia. Polydipsia, excessive thirst, can be a symptom in some individuals with schizophrenia due to medication side effects, but it is not an associated condition that requires frequent assessment compared to alcohol use disorder.
5. The RN is admitting a male client who takes lithium carbonate (Eskalith) twice a day. Which information should the RN report to the HCP immediately?
- A. Short-term memory loss.
- B. Five-pound weight gain.
- C. Decreased affect.
- D. Nausea and vomiting.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are signs of potential lithium toxicity, which is a serious condition requiring immediate attention. These symptoms can indicate a dangerous level of lithium in the body that can lead to severe complications. Short-term memory loss (A), five-pound weight gain (B), and decreased affect (C) are important to monitor but are not as immediately concerning as symptoms of potential toxicity like nausea and vomiting.
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