HESI Critical Care Questions and Answers for
the year 2023/2024
pt. long history of smoking; sob; ABG pH7.25, PCO2 50, HCO3 24 - ANS - respiratory acidosis (if CO2 is
high it will always be resp. acidosis)
"heart is pounding outside of her chest" client is in SVT; intervention - ANS - coach client in relaxation
and deep breathing
insulin protocol; pt. insulin is infused at 5 units/hr and her current glucose reading is 165. what to do? -
ANS - increase drip by 1 unit/hr
calculate; 1,500,000 IU in 500 mL of 0.9% NS - ANS - 33
DKA math question - ANS - 1000 mL NS with 30 mEq of sodium
older client comes in with CAP and SpO2 89%. what is priority intervention? - ANS - assist client with
turning, coughing, and deep breathing
pt. received ETT 7 days ago and is currently on 50% O2. Pt is currently anxious and hyperventilating.
what is the priority intervention? - ANS - auscultate lungs
client has not been taking cortisone for either 2 weeks or 2 months and husband bring her into ED; not
feeling well. SIADH. what to do? - ANS - initiate fall precautions (SIADH causes seizures)
UAP assisting nurse in situation where pt is having SVT and nurse has to prepare for cardioversion. what
task for UAP - ANS - bring resuscitation cart to the bedside
pt has cardioversion due to uncontrolled a fib. what vital shows that the cardioversion was successful? -
ANS - normal sinus rhythm with HR 84
, pt. has ortho surgery and 12 hrs after surgery is anxious with SOB; intervention - ANS - position client on
the left side
pt. receiving dopamine. monitor for what - ANS - monitor urinary output
during insertion of swan gans, what should nurse do - ANS - monitor for dysrhythmias
which vital signs are contraindicative of ICP? - ANS - PaCO2 of 55 (normal PaCO2 should be between 35-
45; when increased it will cause more ICP)
SIADH with normal lab values associated with this - ANS - hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
pt. glasgow coma scale of 14. what should the nurse do - ANS - document the findings
when caring for a client on a ventilator which finding shows the airway is open? - ANS - bilateral breath
sounds can be auscultated
pt. is in the ICU after a colon resection. vitals are HR 135, temp 103, BP 88/65, urine output 10 mL/hr.
intervention? - ANS - give a 500 mL IV bolus challenge (another question similar with low BP and same
answer)
client with syncopal episodes due to 3rd degree block. receives transcutaneous pacemaker; several fails
- ANS - increase the sensitivity
which of these drugs are the strongest for most effective vasodilators - ANS - lidocaine
mcg to mg; 4mcg/kg and client weighs 165 lbs - ANS - 3.5 mL/hr
female falls down a flight of stairs and is having trouble walking and bearing weight. prescription for
hydrocodone for pain and an x-ray. intervention - ANS - have the client take a urine pregnancy test
the year 2023/2024
pt. long history of smoking; sob; ABG pH7.25, PCO2 50, HCO3 24 - ANS - respiratory acidosis (if CO2 is
high it will always be resp. acidosis)
"heart is pounding outside of her chest" client is in SVT; intervention - ANS - coach client in relaxation
and deep breathing
insulin protocol; pt. insulin is infused at 5 units/hr and her current glucose reading is 165. what to do? -
ANS - increase drip by 1 unit/hr
calculate; 1,500,000 IU in 500 mL of 0.9% NS - ANS - 33
DKA math question - ANS - 1000 mL NS with 30 mEq of sodium
older client comes in with CAP and SpO2 89%. what is priority intervention? - ANS - assist client with
turning, coughing, and deep breathing
pt. received ETT 7 days ago and is currently on 50% O2. Pt is currently anxious and hyperventilating.
what is the priority intervention? - ANS - auscultate lungs
client has not been taking cortisone for either 2 weeks or 2 months and husband bring her into ED; not
feeling well. SIADH. what to do? - ANS - initiate fall precautions (SIADH causes seizures)
UAP assisting nurse in situation where pt is having SVT and nurse has to prepare for cardioversion. what
task for UAP - ANS - bring resuscitation cart to the bedside
pt has cardioversion due to uncontrolled a fib. what vital shows that the cardioversion was successful? -
ANS - normal sinus rhythm with HR 84
, pt. has ortho surgery and 12 hrs after surgery is anxious with SOB; intervention - ANS - position client on
the left side
pt. receiving dopamine. monitor for what - ANS - monitor urinary output
during insertion of swan gans, what should nurse do - ANS - monitor for dysrhythmias
which vital signs are contraindicative of ICP? - ANS - PaCO2 of 55 (normal PaCO2 should be between 35-
45; when increased it will cause more ICP)
SIADH with normal lab values associated with this - ANS - hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
pt. glasgow coma scale of 14. what should the nurse do - ANS - document the findings
when caring for a client on a ventilator which finding shows the airway is open? - ANS - bilateral breath
sounds can be auscultated
pt. is in the ICU after a colon resection. vitals are HR 135, temp 103, BP 88/65, urine output 10 mL/hr.
intervention? - ANS - give a 500 mL IV bolus challenge (another question similar with low BP and same
answer)
client with syncopal episodes due to 3rd degree block. receives transcutaneous pacemaker; several fails
- ANS - increase the sensitivity
which of these drugs are the strongest for most effective vasodilators - ANS - lidocaine
mcg to mg; 4mcg/kg and client weighs 165 lbs - ANS - 3.5 mL/hr
female falls down a flight of stairs and is having trouble walking and bearing weight. prescription for
hydrocodone for pain and an x-ray. intervention - ANS - have the client take a urine pregnancy test
