CRITICAL CARE HESI PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
2025/2026
A nurse is caring for a client with severe burns. The nurse determines that this client is at risk for
hypovolemic shock. Which physiologic finding supports the nurse's conclusion?
a. Decreased rate of glomerular filtration
b. Excessive blood loss through the burned tissues
c. Plasma proteins moving out of the intravascular compartment
d. Sodium retention occurring as a result of the aldosterone mechanism
a
The nurse is caring for a client with burns and reviews the client's laboratory results: blood urea nitrogen
(BUN), 30 mg/dL (10.2 mmol/L); creatinine, 2.4 mg/dL (184 mcmol/L); serum potassium, 6.3 mEq/L (6.3
mmol/L); pH, 7.1; Po 2, 90 mm Hg; and hemoglobin (Hgb), 7.4 g/dL (74 mmol/L). Which condition does
the nurse suspect the client has based upon these findings?
a. Azotemia
b. Hypokalemia
c. Metabolic alkalosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis
d
,A nurse is caring for a client who experienced serious burns in a fire. Which relationship between a
client's burned body surface area and fluid loss should the nurse consider when evaluating fluid loss in a
client with burns?
a. Equal
b. Unrelated
c. Inversely related
d. Directly proportional
c
A burn client is receiving the open method for wound treatment. Which information will the nurse
explain to the client?
a. Bathing will not be permitted.
b. Dressings will be changed daily.
c. Personal protective equipment will be worn by staff.
d. Room temperature will be kept below 72° F (22.2° C).
a
A client presents to the emergency department with weakness and dizziness. The blood pressure is
90/60 mm Hg, pulse is 92 and weak, and body weight reflects a 3-pound (1.4 kilogram) loss in two days.
The weather has been hot. Which condition should the nurse conclude is the priority for this client?
a. Deficient fluid volume
b. Impaired skin integrity
c. Inadequate nutritional intake
d. Decreased participation in activities
b
A client is admitted with severe burns. The nurse is caring for the client 36 hours after the client's
admission and identifies the client's potassium level of 6.0 mEq/L (6.0 mmol/L). Which drink will the
nurse recommend be included in the client's diet?
a. Milk
, b. Tea
c. Orange juice
d. Tomato juice
a
A woman comes to the office of her healthcare provider reporting shortness of breath and epigastric
distress that is not relieved by antacids. To which question would a woman experiencing a myocardial
infarction respond differently than a man?
a. "Do you have chest pain?"
b. "Are you feeling anxious?"
c. "Do you have any palpitations?"
d. "Are you feeling short of breath?"
b
During a vertex vaginal birth the nurse notes meconium-stained amniotic fluid. What is the priority
nursing intervention for the newborn?
a. Stimulating crying
b. Suctioning the airway
c. Using an Ambu bag with oxygen support
d. Placing the infant in the reverse Trendelenburg position
c
While receiving a blood transfusion, the client suddenly shouts, "I feel like someone is lowering a heavy
weight on my chest. I feel like I'm going to die!" Which actions are priority?
a. Administer nitroglycerin and aspirin
b. Slow the rate and monitor the vital signs
c. Stop the transfusion and administer normal saline through new IV tubing
d. Ask the client to further describe the feeling and rate the pain
d
CORRECT ANSWERS
2025/2026
A nurse is caring for a client with severe burns. The nurse determines that this client is at risk for
hypovolemic shock. Which physiologic finding supports the nurse's conclusion?
a. Decreased rate of glomerular filtration
b. Excessive blood loss through the burned tissues
c. Plasma proteins moving out of the intravascular compartment
d. Sodium retention occurring as a result of the aldosterone mechanism
a
The nurse is caring for a client with burns and reviews the client's laboratory results: blood urea nitrogen
(BUN), 30 mg/dL (10.2 mmol/L); creatinine, 2.4 mg/dL (184 mcmol/L); serum potassium, 6.3 mEq/L (6.3
mmol/L); pH, 7.1; Po 2, 90 mm Hg; and hemoglobin (Hgb), 7.4 g/dL (74 mmol/L). Which condition does
the nurse suspect the client has based upon these findings?
a. Azotemia
b. Hypokalemia
c. Metabolic alkalosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis
d
,A nurse is caring for a client who experienced serious burns in a fire. Which relationship between a
client's burned body surface area and fluid loss should the nurse consider when evaluating fluid loss in a
client with burns?
a. Equal
b. Unrelated
c. Inversely related
d. Directly proportional
c
A burn client is receiving the open method for wound treatment. Which information will the nurse
explain to the client?
a. Bathing will not be permitted.
b. Dressings will be changed daily.
c. Personal protective equipment will be worn by staff.
d. Room temperature will be kept below 72° F (22.2° C).
a
A client presents to the emergency department with weakness and dizziness. The blood pressure is
90/60 mm Hg, pulse is 92 and weak, and body weight reflects a 3-pound (1.4 kilogram) loss in two days.
The weather has been hot. Which condition should the nurse conclude is the priority for this client?
a. Deficient fluid volume
b. Impaired skin integrity
c. Inadequate nutritional intake
d. Decreased participation in activities
b
A client is admitted with severe burns. The nurse is caring for the client 36 hours after the client's
admission and identifies the client's potassium level of 6.0 mEq/L (6.0 mmol/L). Which drink will the
nurse recommend be included in the client's diet?
a. Milk
, b. Tea
c. Orange juice
d. Tomato juice
a
A woman comes to the office of her healthcare provider reporting shortness of breath and epigastric
distress that is not relieved by antacids. To which question would a woman experiencing a myocardial
infarction respond differently than a man?
a. "Do you have chest pain?"
b. "Are you feeling anxious?"
c. "Do you have any palpitations?"
d. "Are you feeling short of breath?"
b
During a vertex vaginal birth the nurse notes meconium-stained amniotic fluid. What is the priority
nursing intervention for the newborn?
a. Stimulating crying
b. Suctioning the airway
c. Using an Ambu bag with oxygen support
d. Placing the infant in the reverse Trendelenburg position
c
While receiving a blood transfusion, the client suddenly shouts, "I feel like someone is lowering a heavy
weight on my chest. I feel like I'm going to die!" Which actions are priority?
a. Administer nitroglycerin and aspirin
b. Slow the rate and monitor the vital signs
c. Stop the transfusion and administer normal saline through new IV tubing
d. Ask the client to further describe the feeling and rate the pain
d
