HESI CRITICAL CARE EXAM TEST 2026
UPDATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIER ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED
A+ (BRAND NEW VISION)
Nursing care from a 58 year old female client with postoperative complication include
central venous pressure monitoring. What is the most important consideration a in
monitoring the CVP? - ans-The zero point on the manometer must be level with the
right atrium (4th intercostal space)
A male client is admitted to the cardiac ICU with chest pain that began 12 hours ago.
The nurse recognizes increased ventricular ectopy. Based on this assessment finding,
what action is most important for the nurse to implement? - ans-Initiate the units anti
arrhythmic protocol if symptomatic
A client is being treated for a MI that occurred less than 6 hours ago. The cardiologist
suspects 100% occlusion of the right coronary artery. The nurse is likely to find that the
clients 12 lead EKG on admission exhibits which finding? - ans-Sinus bradycardia, Q
waves and ST elevation in the inferior leads, QRS lengthening
Six hours after surgery for a ruptured appendix, the client has a WBC of 17,000 mm3,
abdominal tenderness, and abdominal rigidity. The nurse should recognize the client is
exhibiting symptoms of which condition? - ans-Peritonitis
The nurse assess the telemetry monitor of a client who is 24 hours postoperative for a
permanent pacemaker insertion. The nurse notes that the pacemaker spike is present
prior to each QRS complex in lead 2. What intervention should the nurse implement? -
ans-Document that the client is experiencing a paced rhythm
The nurse assess a female client following surgery for a gun shot wound to the
abdomen and determined that the dressing is saturated with blood and petechiae on the
extremities. Her current BP is 80/40, HR 130 bpm. Which laboratory finding confirms the
presence of disseminating intravascular regulation? - ans-Postive D Dimer
A clients ventilator has indicated progressively higher levels of pressure within the past
3 minutes. The pulse oximeter shows diminishing oxygenation saturation from 97% to
92% despite the maintenance of all settings: FiO2 50%, IMV 18, and PEEP 5 cm. The
ET tube is correctly placed and taped. What action should the nurse take? - ans-
Suction the ET Tube
A client arrives in the ER via ambulance with injuries that resulted from being hit by a
bus. Vital signs on admission are: BP 126/78, HR 100 bpm, RR 28, temperature 99F.
, Bloody drainage is noted at the clients left ear canal. What should the nurse do to
assess for possible basilar skull fracture and cerebral spinal fluid leak? - ans-Gently
dab blood from the ear with a sterile gauze and observe for Halo
When should the nurse conduct an Allen's test? - ans-Just before ABG are drawn
peripherally
The nurse administers a thrombolytic agent to a client who is experiencing angina and
ECG changes are indicative of an acute MI. Which assessment best indicates that the
medication has has the desired effect? - ans-Client reports cessation of angina
A male client with an implanted cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) reports to the home
health nurse that he feels dizzy when the device discharges. What intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement? - ans-Advise the client to lie down
immediately when dizziness occurs
A client diagnosed with acute pancreatitis is admitted to the ICU with a temperature of
102F, pulse rate 138, RR 32, and BP 80/40. Which finding should the nurse report to
the healthcare provider immediately? - ans-Hemorrhagic discoloration of the
umbilicus
The nurse caring for a client on a ventilator notes that the client has asymmetrical chest
excursion. What intervention should he nurse implement? - ans-Determine the clients
endotracheal tube placement
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV solution of isoproterenol (Isopernel) 1 mg in
250 mL of D5W at 300 mcg/hr. The nurse should program the infusion top to deliver
how many mL/hr? - ans-75
As the nurse is turning a client with a chest tube, the chest tube becomes dislodged
from the pleural space. What action should the nurse take first? - ans-have the client
exhale forcefully, and place a vaseline gauze over the insertion site
A client who sustained severe liver lacerations from a motorcycle collision is transported
to the ICU following a segmental resection of the liver. One hour later, the nurse notes
that the client is hemorrhaging from the surgical sit. What action should the nurse take?
- ans-Prepare the client to return to the OR
A male rescued from a house fire is admitted with ARDS related to severe smoke
inhalation. He is orally intubated and mechanically ventilated with 100% FiO2, but
breath sounds are faint and the peak inspiratory pressures are greater than 60 cm H2O.
What action should the nurse implement first? - ans-Provide manual ventilation
A female client who received second ad third degree burns over 40% of her body in a
house fire is admitted to the inpatient burn unit. What fluid should the nurse expect to
UPDATE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIER ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED
A+ (BRAND NEW VISION)
Nursing care from a 58 year old female client with postoperative complication include
central venous pressure monitoring. What is the most important consideration a in
monitoring the CVP? - ans-The zero point on the manometer must be level with the
right atrium (4th intercostal space)
A male client is admitted to the cardiac ICU with chest pain that began 12 hours ago.
The nurse recognizes increased ventricular ectopy. Based on this assessment finding,
what action is most important for the nurse to implement? - ans-Initiate the units anti
arrhythmic protocol if symptomatic
A client is being treated for a MI that occurred less than 6 hours ago. The cardiologist
suspects 100% occlusion of the right coronary artery. The nurse is likely to find that the
clients 12 lead EKG on admission exhibits which finding? - ans-Sinus bradycardia, Q
waves and ST elevation in the inferior leads, QRS lengthening
Six hours after surgery for a ruptured appendix, the client has a WBC of 17,000 mm3,
abdominal tenderness, and abdominal rigidity. The nurse should recognize the client is
exhibiting symptoms of which condition? - ans-Peritonitis
The nurse assess the telemetry monitor of a client who is 24 hours postoperative for a
permanent pacemaker insertion. The nurse notes that the pacemaker spike is present
prior to each QRS complex in lead 2. What intervention should the nurse implement? -
ans-Document that the client is experiencing a paced rhythm
The nurse assess a female client following surgery for a gun shot wound to the
abdomen and determined that the dressing is saturated with blood and petechiae on the
extremities. Her current BP is 80/40, HR 130 bpm. Which laboratory finding confirms the
presence of disseminating intravascular regulation? - ans-Postive D Dimer
A clients ventilator has indicated progressively higher levels of pressure within the past
3 minutes. The pulse oximeter shows diminishing oxygenation saturation from 97% to
92% despite the maintenance of all settings: FiO2 50%, IMV 18, and PEEP 5 cm. The
ET tube is correctly placed and taped. What action should the nurse take? - ans-
Suction the ET Tube
A client arrives in the ER via ambulance with injuries that resulted from being hit by a
bus. Vital signs on admission are: BP 126/78, HR 100 bpm, RR 28, temperature 99F.
, Bloody drainage is noted at the clients left ear canal. What should the nurse do to
assess for possible basilar skull fracture and cerebral spinal fluid leak? - ans-Gently
dab blood from the ear with a sterile gauze and observe for Halo
When should the nurse conduct an Allen's test? - ans-Just before ABG are drawn
peripherally
The nurse administers a thrombolytic agent to a client who is experiencing angina and
ECG changes are indicative of an acute MI. Which assessment best indicates that the
medication has has the desired effect? - ans-Client reports cessation of angina
A male client with an implanted cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) reports to the home
health nurse that he feels dizzy when the device discharges. What intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement? - ans-Advise the client to lie down
immediately when dizziness occurs
A client diagnosed with acute pancreatitis is admitted to the ICU with a temperature of
102F, pulse rate 138, RR 32, and BP 80/40. Which finding should the nurse report to
the healthcare provider immediately? - ans-Hemorrhagic discoloration of the
umbilicus
The nurse caring for a client on a ventilator notes that the client has asymmetrical chest
excursion. What intervention should he nurse implement? - ans-Determine the clients
endotracheal tube placement
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV solution of isoproterenol (Isopernel) 1 mg in
250 mL of D5W at 300 mcg/hr. The nurse should program the infusion top to deliver
how many mL/hr? - ans-75
As the nurse is turning a client with a chest tube, the chest tube becomes dislodged
from the pleural space. What action should the nurse take first? - ans-have the client
exhale forcefully, and place a vaseline gauze over the insertion site
A client who sustained severe liver lacerations from a motorcycle collision is transported
to the ICU following a segmental resection of the liver. One hour later, the nurse notes
that the client is hemorrhaging from the surgical sit. What action should the nurse take?
- ans-Prepare the client to return to the OR
A male rescued from a house fire is admitted with ARDS related to severe smoke
inhalation. He is orally intubated and mechanically ventilated with 100% FiO2, but
breath sounds are faint and the peak inspiratory pressures are greater than 60 cm H2O.
What action should the nurse implement first? - ans-Provide manual ventilation
A female client who received second ad third degree burns over 40% of her body in a
house fire is admitted to the inpatient burn unit. What fluid should the nurse expect to
