CRITICAL CARE HESI PRACTICE QBANK
2026 EXAM SCRIPT TESTED QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED SOLUTIONS
⩥ 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
⩥ Norepinephrine (Levophed). Answer: - Uses: treatment of severe
hypotension and shock
-MOA: increase blood pressure and cardiac output by stimulating alpha-
adrenergic receptors in the blood vessels to cause *vasoconstriction*
⩥ Sodium Nitroprusside (Nitropress). Answer: Very potent vasodilator
*drug of choice for hypotensive emergencies
- nitrO--> vessels dilate like the O
⩥ The nurse suspects that a client with ESKD has developed uremic
syndrome. What did the nurse assess to support this clinical
determination?. Answer: pericardial friction rub; increased bleeding;
hepatic encephalopathy, asterixis, peripheral neuroapthy
2026 EXAM SCRIPT TESTED QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED SOLUTIONS
⩥ 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
⩥ Norepinephrine (Levophed). Answer: - Uses: treatment of severe
hypotension and shock
-MOA: increase blood pressure and cardiac output by stimulating alpha-
adrenergic receptors in the blood vessels to cause *vasoconstriction*
⩥ Sodium Nitroprusside (Nitropress). Answer: Very potent vasodilator
*drug of choice for hypotensive emergencies
- nitrO--> vessels dilate like the O
⩥ The nurse suspects that a client with ESKD has developed uremic
syndrome. What did the nurse assess to support this clinical
determination?. Answer: pericardial friction rub; increased bleeding;
hepatic encephalopathy, asterixis, peripheral neuroapthy
