CRITICAL CARE HESI TEST PAPER 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ What is the preferred treatment of an acute MI within 12 hours of
symptom onset? Answer: PCI; places a stent in the affected coronary
artery
◉ How often must a PCI pressure dressing site be assessed? Answer:
q30min for 4 hours
qh thereafter
◉ Central Venous Pressure (CVP). Answer: the pressure of blood in
the thoracic vena cava, near the right atrium of 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
◉ Sensitivity of a pacemaker. Answer: pacing devices ability to
detect what electrical activity is being generated by the patient's
heart to prevent any competition between the hearts intrinsic
activity
◉ Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN). Answer: A sudden
deterioration in renal function that is caused by intravascular
,administration of iodinated contrast medium; typically seen with
angiplasty/angiography
◉ Signs of tension pneumothorax. Answer: 1. affected side will have
decreased or absent lung sounds
2. cyanosis
3. Tracheal deviation (late sign)
4. distended neck veins
5. tachycardia, tachypnea
◉ Pneumatic Antishock Garment. Answer: An inflatable device that
covers the legs and abdomen; used to splint 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 pulmonary embolism?. Answer:
Tachypnea and tachycardia--> respiratory alkalosis
◉ A client is brought to the emergency department following a
motor vehicle 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?. Answer: The findings reveal Cushing's Triad
(hypertension with widening pulse pressure, bradycardia and
bradypnea); this indicates increased ICP
, ◉ Symptoms of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy. Answer: fatigue,
swelling, weakness, chest pain, SOB, dizziness
◉ The nurse is caring for a client who is being weaned from
mechanical ventilation. Which assessment finding indicates that the
client is ready to the the endotracheal tube removed?. Answer: -
pulse ox: 98% with a T piece
- evidence of reversal of the underlying cause of respiratory failure
-PEEP <8 and FiO2 <0.50
- hemodynamic stability
- ability to initiate an inspiratory effort.
◉ A client with ARDS was endotracheally intubated and 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?. Answer: -
Place the patient in prone position
- administer prescribed Lasix
◉ Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure. Answer: placed in the
pulmonary artery to indirectly measure left atrial pressure; 4-12
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ What is the preferred treatment of an acute MI within 12 hours of
symptom onset? Answer: PCI; places a stent in the affected coronary
artery
◉ How often must a PCI pressure dressing site be assessed? Answer:
q30min for 4 hours
qh thereafter
◉ Central Venous Pressure (CVP). Answer: the pressure of blood in
the thoracic vena cava, near the right atrium of 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
◉ Sensitivity of a pacemaker. Answer: pacing devices ability to
detect what electrical activity is being generated by the patient's
heart to prevent any competition between the hearts intrinsic
activity
◉ Contrast Induced Nephropathy (CIN). Answer: A sudden
deterioration in renal function that is caused by intravascular
,administration of iodinated contrast medium; typically seen with
angiplasty/angiography
◉ Signs of tension pneumothorax. Answer: 1. affected side will have
decreased or absent lung sounds
2. cyanosis
3. Tracheal deviation (late sign)
4. distended neck veins
5. tachycardia, tachypnea
◉ Pneumatic Antishock Garment. Answer: An inflatable device that
covers the legs and abdomen; used to splint 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 pulmonary embolism?. Answer:
Tachypnea and tachycardia--> respiratory alkalosis
◉ A client is brought to the emergency department following a
motor vehicle 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?. Answer: The findings reveal Cushing's Triad
(hypertension with widening pulse pressure, bradycardia and
bradypnea); this indicates increased ICP
, ◉ Symptoms of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy. Answer: fatigue,
swelling, weakness, chest pain, SOB, dizziness
◉ The nurse is caring for a client who is being weaned from
mechanical ventilation. Which assessment finding indicates that the
client is ready to the the endotracheal tube removed?. Answer: -
pulse ox: 98% with a T piece
- evidence of reversal of the underlying cause of respiratory failure
-PEEP <8 and FiO2 <0.50
- hemodynamic stability
- ability to initiate an inspiratory effort.
◉ A client with ARDS was endotracheally intubated and 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?. Answer: -
Place the patient in prone position
- administer prescribed Lasix
◉ Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure. Answer: placed in the
pulmonary artery to indirectly measure left atrial pressure; 4-12
