Critical Care HESI Exam | Questions and Answers |
2025/2026
A client recovering from a a. onset of chest pain
percutaneous coronary intervention
(PCI) after an acute myocardial This suggests the onset of another MI and reocclusion of a vessel.
infarction is being transferred from
the PACU to the Cardiac ICU. Which
assessment finding should the PACU
nurse inform the healthcare provider
of immediately?
a.onset of chest pain
b. need to apply pressure dressing
c. presence of occasional PVCs
d. absence of any urinary output
during PACU stay
What is the preferred treatment of an PCI; places a stent in the affected coronary artery
acute MI within 12 hours of symptom
onset?
How often must a PCI pressure q30min for 4
dressing site be assessed? hours qh
thereafter
the pressure of blood in the thoracic vena cava, near the right atrium of
Central Venous Pressure (CVP) the heart; reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and the
ability of the heart to pump the blood into the arterial system; normal is
2-6 mmHg
pacing devices ability to detect what electrical activity is being
Sensitivity of a pacemaker
generated by the patient's heart to prevent any competition between
the hearts intrinsic activity
A sudden deterioration in renal function that is caused by intravascular
Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN)
administration of iodinated contrast medium; typically seen with
angiplasty/angiography
1. affected side will have decreased or absent lung sounds
2. cyanosis
Signs of tension pneumothorax 3. Tracheal deviation (late sign)
4. distended neck veins
5.tachycardia, tachypnea
, An inflatable device that covers the legs and abdomen; used to splint
Pneumatic Antishock Garment the lower extremities or pelvis, or to control bleeding in the lower
extremities or pelvis.
- used for intraperitoneal hemorrhage
What is the expected ABG of a Tachypnea and tachycardia--> respiratory alkalosis
pulmonary embolism?
A client is brought to the emergency The findings reveal Cushing's Triad (hypertension with widening pulse
department following a motor vehicle pressure, bradycardia and bradypnea); this indicates increased ICP
accident. Initial assessment reveals
that the client is unconscious with a
blood pressure of 165/73 mmHg, HR
50 bpm, RR 8 and irregular,
temperature of 103 F. What do you
suspect is happening?
Symptoms of Right Ventricular fatigue, swelling, weakness, chest pain, SOB, dizziness
Hypertrophy
The nurse is caring for a client who - pulse ox: 98% with a T piece
is being weaned from mechanical - evidence of reversal of the underlying cause of respiratory failure
ventilation. Which assessment -PEEP <8 and FiO2 <0.50
finding indicates that the client is - hemodynamic stability
ready to the the endotracheal tube - ability to initiate an inspiratory effort.
removed?
A client with ARDS was - Place the patient in prone position
endotracheally intubated and - administer prescribed Lasix
transferred to the ICU 12 hours ago.
Upon assessment, the nurse notes
bilateral rales and diminished breath
sounds in the right middle lobe and
bilateral lower lobes, as well as bluish
nail beds. Based on the client's
presentation, which actions should
be taken?
Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure placed in the pulmonary artery to indirectly measure left atrial pressure; 4-12
- Uses: treatment of severe hypotension and shock
Norepinephrine (Levophed) -MOA: increase blood pressure and cardiac output by stimulating alpha-
adrenergic receptors in the blood vessels to cause vasoconstriction
Very potent vasodilator
Sodium Nitroprusside (Nitropress) *drug of choice for hypotensive emergencies
- nitrO--> vessels dilate like the O
The nurse suspects that a client pericardial friction rub; increased bleeding; hepatic encephalopathy,
with ESKD has developed uremic asterixis, peripheral neuroapthy
syndrome. What did the nurse
assess to support this clinical
determination?
Neurological degeneration of upper Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
and lower motor neurons resulting in
muscle atrophy, fasciculations,
hyperreflexia and spasticity is called:
When should stomas be emptied? before meals or 2 hours after eating
produced by the liver, pancreas and salivary glands; increases with
Amylase
pancreatitis; decreases with alcoholism and hepatitis
2025/2026
A client recovering from a a. onset of chest pain
percutaneous coronary intervention
(PCI) after an acute myocardial This suggests the onset of another MI and reocclusion of a vessel.
infarction is being transferred from
the PACU to the Cardiac ICU. Which
assessment finding should the PACU
nurse inform the healthcare provider
of immediately?
a.onset of chest pain
b. need to apply pressure dressing
c. presence of occasional PVCs
d. absence of any urinary output
during PACU stay
What is the preferred treatment of an PCI; places a stent in the affected coronary artery
acute MI within 12 hours of symptom
onset?
How often must a PCI pressure q30min for 4
dressing site be assessed? hours qh
thereafter
the pressure of blood in the thoracic vena cava, near the right atrium of
Central Venous Pressure (CVP) the heart; reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and the
ability of the heart to pump the blood into the arterial system; normal is
2-6 mmHg
pacing devices ability to detect what electrical activity is being
Sensitivity of a pacemaker
generated by the patient's heart to prevent any competition between
the hearts intrinsic activity
A sudden deterioration in renal function that is caused by intravascular
Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN)
administration of iodinated contrast medium; typically seen with
angiplasty/angiography
1. affected side will have decreased or absent lung sounds
2. cyanosis
Signs of tension pneumothorax 3. Tracheal deviation (late sign)
4. distended neck veins
5.tachycardia, tachypnea
, An inflatable device that covers the legs and abdomen; used to splint
Pneumatic Antishock Garment the lower extremities or pelvis, or to control bleeding in the lower
extremities or pelvis.
- used for intraperitoneal hemorrhage
What is the expected ABG of a Tachypnea and tachycardia--> respiratory alkalosis
pulmonary embolism?
A client is brought to the emergency The findings reveal Cushing's Triad (hypertension with widening pulse
department following a motor vehicle pressure, bradycardia and bradypnea); this indicates increased ICP
accident. Initial assessment reveals
that the client is unconscious with a
blood pressure of 165/73 mmHg, HR
50 bpm, RR 8 and irregular,
temperature of 103 F. What do you
suspect is happening?
Symptoms of Right Ventricular fatigue, swelling, weakness, chest pain, SOB, dizziness
Hypertrophy
The nurse is caring for a client who - pulse ox: 98% with a T piece
is being weaned from mechanical - evidence of reversal of the underlying cause of respiratory failure
ventilation. Which assessment -PEEP <8 and FiO2 <0.50
finding indicates that the client is - hemodynamic stability
ready to the the endotracheal tube - ability to initiate an inspiratory effort.
removed?
A client with ARDS was - Place the patient in prone position
endotracheally intubated and - administer prescribed Lasix
transferred to the ICU 12 hours ago.
Upon assessment, the nurse notes
bilateral rales and diminished breath
sounds in the right middle lobe and
bilateral lower lobes, as well as bluish
nail beds. Based on the client's
presentation, which actions should
be taken?
Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure placed in the pulmonary artery to indirectly measure left atrial pressure; 4-12
- Uses: treatment of severe hypotension and shock
Norepinephrine (Levophed) -MOA: increase blood pressure and cardiac output by stimulating alpha-
adrenergic receptors in the blood vessels to cause vasoconstriction
Very potent vasodilator
Sodium Nitroprusside (Nitropress) *drug of choice for hypotensive emergencies
- nitrO--> vessels dilate like the O
The nurse suspects that a client pericardial friction rub; increased bleeding; hepatic encephalopathy,
with ESKD has developed uremic asterixis, peripheral neuroapthy
syndrome. What did the nurse
assess to support this clinical
determination?
Neurological degeneration of upper Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
and lower motor neurons resulting in
muscle atrophy, fasciculations,
hyperreflexia and spasticity is called:
When should stomas be emptied? before meals or 2 hours after eating
produced by the liver, pancreas and salivary glands; increases with
Amylase
pancreatitis; decreases with alcoholism and hepatitis
