CRITICAL CARE HESI CERTIFICATION EXAM
2026 QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ 1.A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the
medical unit. What action is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Fit the client with a respirator mask.
B. Assign the client to a negative air-flow room.
C. Don a clean gown for client care.
D. Place an isolation cart in the hallway Answer: Assign the client to
a negative air-flow room
RATIONALE:
Active tuberculosis requires implementation of airborne
precautions, so the client should be
assigned to a negative pressure air-flow room (D). Although (A and
C) should be implemented
for clients in isolation with contact precautions, it is most important
that air flow from the room
is minimized when the client has TB. (B) should be implemented
when the client leaves the
isolation environment.
,◉ 2.A client is receiving atenolol (Tenormin) 25 mg PO after a
myocardial infarction. The nurse
determines the client's apical pulse is 65 beats per minute. What
action should the nurse
implement
next?
A. Measure the blood pressure.
B. Reassess the apical pulse.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Administer the medication. Answer: Administer the medication
RATIONALE:
Atenolol, a beta-blocker, blocks the beta receptors of the sinoatrial
node to reduce the heart rate,
so the medication should be administered (C) because the client's
apical pulse is greater than 60.
(A, B, and D) are not indicated at this time.
◉ 3.The nurse is assessing a client and identifies a bruit over the
thyroid. This finding is consistent
with which interpretation?
A. Hypothyroidism.
B. Thyroid cyst.
C. Thyroid cancer.
,D. Hyperthyroidism Answer: Hyperthyroidism
Rationale:Hyperthyroidism (D) is an enlargement of the thyroid
gland, often referred to as a goiter, and a
bruit may be auscultated over the goiter due to an increase in
glandular vascularity which
increases as the thyroid gland becomes hyperactive. A bruit is not
common with (A, B, and C).
◉ A 6-year-old child is alert but quiet when brought to the
emergency center with periorbital ecchymosis and ecchymosis
behind the ears. The nurse suspects potential child abuse and
continues to assess the child for additional manifestations of a
basilar skull fracture. What
assessment finding would be consistent with a basilar skull fracture?
A. Hematemesis and abdominal distention.
B. Asymmetry of the face and eye movements.
C. Rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea with Halo sign.
D. Abnormal position and movement of the arm. Answer:
Rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea with Halo sign.
RATIONALE:
Raccoon eyes (periorbital ecchymosis) and Battle's sign (ecchymosis
behind the ear over the
mastoid process) are both signs of a basilar skull fracture, so the
nurse should assess for possible
, meningeal tears that manifest as a Halo sign with CSF leakage from
the ears or nose (D). (A) is
consistent with orbital fractures. (B) occurs with wrenching traumas
of the shoulder or arm
fractures. (C) occurs with blunt abdominal injuries.
◉ The nurse is assessing a client who complains of weight loss,
racing heart rate, and difficulty
sleeping. The nurse determines the client has moist skin with fine
hair, prominent eyes, lid
retraction, and a staring expression. These findings are consistent
with which disorder?
A. Grave's disease.
B. Multiple sclerosis.
C. Addison's disease.
D. Cushing syndrome. Answer: Grave's disease
RATIONALE:
This client is exhibiting symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism
or Grave's disease (A),
which is an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid. (B, C, and
D) are not associated with
these symptoms.
2026 QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ 1.A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the
medical unit. What action is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Fit the client with a respirator mask.
B. Assign the client to a negative air-flow room.
C. Don a clean gown for client care.
D. Place an isolation cart in the hallway Answer: Assign the client to
a negative air-flow room
RATIONALE:
Active tuberculosis requires implementation of airborne
precautions, so the client should be
assigned to a negative pressure air-flow room (D). Although (A and
C) should be implemented
for clients in isolation with contact precautions, it is most important
that air flow from the room
is minimized when the client has TB. (B) should be implemented
when the client leaves the
isolation environment.
,◉ 2.A client is receiving atenolol (Tenormin) 25 mg PO after a
myocardial infarction. The nurse
determines the client's apical pulse is 65 beats per minute. What
action should the nurse
implement
next?
A. Measure the blood pressure.
B. Reassess the apical pulse.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Administer the medication. Answer: Administer the medication
RATIONALE:
Atenolol, a beta-blocker, blocks the beta receptors of the sinoatrial
node to reduce the heart rate,
so the medication should be administered (C) because the client's
apical pulse is greater than 60.
(A, B, and D) are not indicated at this time.
◉ 3.The nurse is assessing a client and identifies a bruit over the
thyroid. This finding is consistent
with which interpretation?
A. Hypothyroidism.
B. Thyroid cyst.
C. Thyroid cancer.
,D. Hyperthyroidism Answer: Hyperthyroidism
Rationale:Hyperthyroidism (D) is an enlargement of the thyroid
gland, often referred to as a goiter, and a
bruit may be auscultated over the goiter due to an increase in
glandular vascularity which
increases as the thyroid gland becomes hyperactive. A bruit is not
common with (A, B, and C).
◉ A 6-year-old child is alert but quiet when brought to the
emergency center with periorbital ecchymosis and ecchymosis
behind the ears. The nurse suspects potential child abuse and
continues to assess the child for additional manifestations of a
basilar skull fracture. What
assessment finding would be consistent with a basilar skull fracture?
A. Hematemesis and abdominal distention.
B. Asymmetry of the face and eye movements.
C. Rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea with Halo sign.
D. Abnormal position and movement of the arm. Answer:
Rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea with Halo sign.
RATIONALE:
Raccoon eyes (periorbital ecchymosis) and Battle's sign (ecchymosis
behind the ear over the
mastoid process) are both signs of a basilar skull fracture, so the
nurse should assess for possible
, meningeal tears that manifest as a Halo sign with CSF leakage from
the ears or nose (D). (A) is
consistent with orbital fractures. (B) occurs with wrenching traumas
of the shoulder or arm
fractures. (C) occurs with blunt abdominal injuries.
◉ The nurse is assessing a client who complains of weight loss,
racing heart rate, and difficulty
sleeping. The nurse determines the client has moist skin with fine
hair, prominent eyes, lid
retraction, and a staring expression. These findings are consistent
with which disorder?
A. Grave's disease.
B. Multiple sclerosis.
C. Addison's disease.
D. Cushing syndrome. Answer: Grave's disease
RATIONALE:
This client is exhibiting symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism
or Grave's disease (A),
which is an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid. (B, C, and
D) are not associated with
these symptoms.
