Critical Care Hesi Exam Questions and Verified Answers
Question 1
A client is admitted to the intensive care unit after a sudden onset of sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. The
healthcare provider suspects a pulmonary embolism and prescribes a pulmonary angiogram. Which additional assessment
finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A.) Confusion and restlessness.
B.) Blood tinged sputum.
C.) Oxygen saturation 90 percent.
D.) Nausea with projectile emesis.
Correct Answer
A.) Confusion and restlessness
Signs of confusion and restlessness are critical indications that the client is hypoxic due to poor oxygenation or airway
occlusion.
Page 1 of 36
,Question 2
A client is admitted to the intensive care unit due to a sharp blow to the head after a fall while ice skating. Which
assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider that is consistent with increased intracranial
pressure?
A.) Papilledema.
B.) Lump at the site of injury.
C.) Unilateral ptosis.
D.) Onsert of a headache.
Correct Answer
A.) Papilledema.
Papilledema is observed via ophthalmoscopic view of swelling around the optic disc, which results from increased
intracranial pressure (ICP) in the cerebral vault. The nurse should report signs of increased ICP to the healthcare provider
immediately.
Page 2 of 36
,Question 3
The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas of a client who is mechanically ventilated. The ABG results are pH 7.32; paCO2
50 mmHg; HCO3 30mEq/liter. How should the nurse interpret this blood gas?
A.) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis.
B.) Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis.
C.) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis.
D.) Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis.
Correct Answer
A.) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
The normal arterial blood gas (ABG) levels are pH: 7.35-7.45; paCO2: 35-45 mmHg; HCO3: 22-26 mEq/liter. In partially
compensated respiratory acidosis because the pH is not within normal limits, compensation is attempting to correct the
pH. In compensation, the opposite of the disorder compensates to bring the pH to normal range. In this case, the HCO3
is elevated to compensate for the paCO2.
Page 3 of 36
, Question 4
A client in the intensive care unit (ICU) is receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) due to acute kidney injury
(AKI). The nurse detects blood leaking from the central venous catheter insertion site. Which action should the nurse
perform after receiving elevated clotting time results?
A.) Lower heparin dose.
B.) Position client on back.
C.) Decrease CRRT rate.
D.) Obtain serum electrolytes.
Correct Answer
A.) Lower heparin dose.
Dual-lumen temporary hemodialysis catheters for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are placed by ultrasound
guidance into the jugular vein and require anticoagulation therapy to maintain patency. If overt bleeding is observed at
the central venous catheter insertion site and clotting times are elevated, the nurse should decrease the heparin dose per
prescribed heparin protocol to maintain the vascular access and ensure efficient CRRT.
Question 5
A client is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Which intervention should the nurse perform prior to sending the client
for the procedure?
A.) Administer prescribed medications.
B.) Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
C.) Teach about the effects of anesthesia.
D.) Review total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Correct Answer
A.) Administer prescribed medications.
Prior to a cardiac catheterization, the nurse should administer the prescribed cardiac medications to prevent
complications during the procedure.
Page 4 of 36
Question 1
A client is admitted to the intensive care unit after a sudden onset of sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. The
healthcare provider suspects a pulmonary embolism and prescribes a pulmonary angiogram. Which additional assessment
finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A.) Confusion and restlessness.
B.) Blood tinged sputum.
C.) Oxygen saturation 90 percent.
D.) Nausea with projectile emesis.
Correct Answer
A.) Confusion and restlessness
Signs of confusion and restlessness are critical indications that the client is hypoxic due to poor oxygenation or airway
occlusion.
Page 1 of 36
,Question 2
A client is admitted to the intensive care unit due to a sharp blow to the head after a fall while ice skating. Which
assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider that is consistent with increased intracranial
pressure?
A.) Papilledema.
B.) Lump at the site of injury.
C.) Unilateral ptosis.
D.) Onsert of a headache.
Correct Answer
A.) Papilledema.
Papilledema is observed via ophthalmoscopic view of swelling around the optic disc, which results from increased
intracranial pressure (ICP) in the cerebral vault. The nurse should report signs of increased ICP to the healthcare provider
immediately.
Page 2 of 36
,Question 3
The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas of a client who is mechanically ventilated. The ABG results are pH 7.32; paCO2
50 mmHg; HCO3 30mEq/liter. How should the nurse interpret this blood gas?
A.) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis.
B.) Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis.
C.) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis.
D.) Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis.
Correct Answer
A.) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
The normal arterial blood gas (ABG) levels are pH: 7.35-7.45; paCO2: 35-45 mmHg; HCO3: 22-26 mEq/liter. In partially
compensated respiratory acidosis because the pH is not within normal limits, compensation is attempting to correct the
pH. In compensation, the opposite of the disorder compensates to bring the pH to normal range. In this case, the HCO3
is elevated to compensate for the paCO2.
Page 3 of 36
, Question 4
A client in the intensive care unit (ICU) is receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) due to acute kidney injury
(AKI). The nurse detects blood leaking from the central venous catheter insertion site. Which action should the nurse
perform after receiving elevated clotting time results?
A.) Lower heparin dose.
B.) Position client on back.
C.) Decrease CRRT rate.
D.) Obtain serum electrolytes.
Correct Answer
A.) Lower heparin dose.
Dual-lumen temporary hemodialysis catheters for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are placed by ultrasound
guidance into the jugular vein and require anticoagulation therapy to maintain patency. If overt bleeding is observed at
the central venous catheter insertion site and clotting times are elevated, the nurse should decrease the heparin dose per
prescribed heparin protocol to maintain the vascular access and ensure efficient CRRT.
Question 5
A client is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Which intervention should the nurse perform prior to sending the client
for the procedure?
A.) Administer prescribed medications.
B.) Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
C.) Teach about the effects of anesthesia.
D.) Review total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Correct Answer
A.) Administer prescribed medications.
Prior to a cardiac catheterization, the nurse should administer the prescribed cardiac medications to prevent
complications during the procedure.
Page 4 of 36
