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Critical Care HESI Final 2026 DOWNLOAD
TO SCORE OUTSTANDING GRADE A
A client recovering from a percutaneous coronary intervention
(PCI) after an acute myocardial 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......ANSWER.......a. onset of chest pain
This suggests the onset of another MI and reocclusion of a vessel.
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
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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
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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
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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*
Critical Care HESI Final 2026 DOWNLOAD
TO SCORE OUTSTANDING GRADE A
A client recovering from a percutaneous coronary intervention
(PCI) after an acute myocardial 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......ANSWER.......a. onset of chest pain
This suggests the onset of another MI and reocclusion of a vessel.
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
,2|Page
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
,3|Page
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
, 4|Page
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*
