HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care ·
300 Q&A · 2026-2027
Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri 7th Edition – Pass First Attempt
Instant PDF Download
300 exam-style questions · Full rationales · Why wrong explanations · 2026-2027 updated
Written by CriticalCarePro, RN, CCRN, MSN – 15 years Critical Care & HESI Exam
Specialist
HESI Critical Thinking: 99% | Verified: 2026-2027 Academic Year
Description
This comprehensive HESI Critical Thinking RN & Critical Care Exit Exam Guide contains 300 practice questions that
mirror the HESI exam in content, difficulty, and structure. Each question is paired with a verified correct answer, a
detailed rationale, and a "Why Wrong" breakdown for every incorrect option. Updated for the 2026-2027 academic
year and based on the 7th Edition by Sandra Upchurch, Kim Moore, and Linda Silvestri, this guide covers all core
critical thinking and critical care nursing content including clinical judgment, prioritization, hemodynamic monitoring,
mechanical ventilation, shock states, cardiac emergencies, neurological emergencies, and multisystem organ failure.
Key Features
300 exam-style questions with verified correct answers
Detailed rationales and nursing implications for each question
"Why Wrong" sections for every incorrect option (A, B, C, D)
Covers all HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care content areas with accurate weight distribution
Includes clinical judgment, prioritization, hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilation, shock states, cardiac
emergencies, neurological emergencies, and multisystem organ failure
Based on Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's 7th Edition
High-yield content for nursing students and healthcare professionals
Latest Updates
Updated for the 2026-2027 HESI Critical Thinking testing cycle
Reflects current critical care guidelines and evidence-based practice
Includes new questions on clinical judgment, prioritization, and emerging critical care treatments
Aligns with the latest NCLEX-RN test plan and HESI exam blueprint
Keywords
, HESI Critical Thinking, critical care nursing, HESI exit exam, clinical judgment, prioritization, hemodynamic monitoring,
mechanical ventilation, shock states, cardiac emergencies, neurological emergencies, multisystem organ failure,
nursing exam, nursing study guide, 2026-2027 nursing exam, verified answers, graded A+.
Answer Format
Each question includes four answer choices (A, B, C, D)
Correct answer is clearly marked and highlighted
Rationale explains the clinical reasoning behind the correct answer
"Why Wrong" section provides a targeted explanation for each incorrect option
References are included for each question to support evidence-based practice
Section Questions Weight
Clinical Judgment & Prioritization 50 17%
Hemodynamic Monitoring 40 13%
Mechanical Ventilation & Respiratory 40 13%
Shock States & Sepsis 35 12%
Cardiac Emergencies & EKG 35 12%
Neurological Emergencies 30 10%
Multisystem Organ Failure 35 12%
Pharmacology & Critical Care Medications 35 12%
Clinical Judgment & Prioritization (260 questions)
,Q1. A nurse is caring for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A A patient with chest pain and diaphoresis
B A patient with a fever and cough
C A patient with a wound infection
D A patient with nausea and vomiting
Correct answer: A. A patient with chest pain and diaphoresis
Rationale: Chest pain and diaphoresis may indicate a myocardial infarction; assess first.
Why wrong:
B: Fever and cough are less urgent.
C: Wound infection is less urgent.
D: Nausea and vomiting are less urgent.
Reference: Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care, 7th Edition · AACN
Essentials of Critical Care Nursing.
Q2. A patient with a head injury has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. What is the
priority action?
A Intubation and ventilation
B CT scan
C ICP monitoring
D Seizure prophylaxis
Correct answer: A. Intubation and ventilation
Rationale: GCS 8 indicates severe injury; intubation is needed to protect the airway.
Why wrong:
B: CT scan is important but not first.
C: ICP monitoring is important but not first.
D: Seizure prophylaxis is secondary.
Reference: Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care, 7th Edition · AACN
Essentials of Critical Care Nursing.
, Q3. A nurse receives a telephone order for a medication. What is the correct procedure?
A Read back the order to the provider
B Write the order and sign it
C Administer the medication immediately
D Ask another nurse to verify
Correct answer: A. Read back the order to the provider
Rationale: Read-back confirms accuracy and prevents errors.
Why wrong:
B: Writing without read-back is unsafe.
C: Immediate administration is unsafe.
D: Another nurse is not required.
Reference: Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care, 7th Edition · AACN
Essentials of Critical Care Nursing.
Q4. A patient is refusing a blood transfusion. The nurse's response should be based on
which principle?
A Patient autonomy
B Beneficence
C Nonmaleficence
D Justice
Correct answer: A. Patient autonomy
Rationale: Patient autonomy means respecting the patient's decision.
Why wrong:
B: Beneficence is not overriding.
C: Nonmaleficence is do no harm.
D: Justice is fairness.
Reference: Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care, 7th Edition · AACN
Essentials of Critical Care Nursing.
300 Q&A · 2026-2027
Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri 7th Edition – Pass First Attempt
Instant PDF Download
300 exam-style questions · Full rationales · Why wrong explanations · 2026-2027 updated
Written by CriticalCarePro, RN, CCRN, MSN – 15 years Critical Care & HESI Exam
Specialist
HESI Critical Thinking: 99% | Verified: 2026-2027 Academic Year
Description
This comprehensive HESI Critical Thinking RN & Critical Care Exit Exam Guide contains 300 practice questions that
mirror the HESI exam in content, difficulty, and structure. Each question is paired with a verified correct answer, a
detailed rationale, and a "Why Wrong" breakdown for every incorrect option. Updated for the 2026-2027 academic
year and based on the 7th Edition by Sandra Upchurch, Kim Moore, and Linda Silvestri, this guide covers all core
critical thinking and critical care nursing content including clinical judgment, prioritization, hemodynamic monitoring,
mechanical ventilation, shock states, cardiac emergencies, neurological emergencies, and multisystem organ failure.
Key Features
300 exam-style questions with verified correct answers
Detailed rationales and nursing implications for each question
"Why Wrong" sections for every incorrect option (A, B, C, D)
Covers all HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care content areas with accurate weight distribution
Includes clinical judgment, prioritization, hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilation, shock states, cardiac
emergencies, neurological emergencies, and multisystem organ failure
Based on Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's 7th Edition
High-yield content for nursing students and healthcare professionals
Latest Updates
Updated for the 2026-2027 HESI Critical Thinking testing cycle
Reflects current critical care guidelines and evidence-based practice
Includes new questions on clinical judgment, prioritization, and emerging critical care treatments
Aligns with the latest NCLEX-RN test plan and HESI exam blueprint
Keywords
, HESI Critical Thinking, critical care nursing, HESI exit exam, clinical judgment, prioritization, hemodynamic monitoring,
mechanical ventilation, shock states, cardiac emergencies, neurological emergencies, multisystem organ failure,
nursing exam, nursing study guide, 2026-2027 nursing exam, verified answers, graded A+.
Answer Format
Each question includes four answer choices (A, B, C, D)
Correct answer is clearly marked and highlighted
Rationale explains the clinical reasoning behind the correct answer
"Why Wrong" section provides a targeted explanation for each incorrect option
References are included for each question to support evidence-based practice
Section Questions Weight
Clinical Judgment & Prioritization 50 17%
Hemodynamic Monitoring 40 13%
Mechanical Ventilation & Respiratory 40 13%
Shock States & Sepsis 35 12%
Cardiac Emergencies & EKG 35 12%
Neurological Emergencies 30 10%
Multisystem Organ Failure 35 12%
Pharmacology & Critical Care Medications 35 12%
Clinical Judgment & Prioritization (260 questions)
,Q1. A nurse is caring for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A A patient with chest pain and diaphoresis
B A patient with a fever and cough
C A patient with a wound infection
D A patient with nausea and vomiting
Correct answer: A. A patient with chest pain and diaphoresis
Rationale: Chest pain and diaphoresis may indicate a myocardial infarction; assess first.
Why wrong:
B: Fever and cough are less urgent.
C: Wound infection is less urgent.
D: Nausea and vomiting are less urgent.
Reference: Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care, 7th Edition · AACN
Essentials of Critical Care Nursing.
Q2. A patient with a head injury has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. What is the
priority action?
A Intubation and ventilation
B CT scan
C ICP monitoring
D Seizure prophylaxis
Correct answer: A. Intubation and ventilation
Rationale: GCS 8 indicates severe injury; intubation is needed to protect the airway.
Why wrong:
B: CT scan is important but not first.
C: ICP monitoring is important but not first.
D: Seizure prophylaxis is secondary.
Reference: Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care, 7th Edition · AACN
Essentials of Critical Care Nursing.
, Q3. A nurse receives a telephone order for a medication. What is the correct procedure?
A Read back the order to the provider
B Write the order and sign it
C Administer the medication immediately
D Ask another nurse to verify
Correct answer: A. Read back the order to the provider
Rationale: Read-back confirms accuracy and prevents errors.
Why wrong:
B: Writing without read-back is unsafe.
C: Immediate administration is unsafe.
D: Another nurse is not required.
Reference: Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care, 7th Edition · AACN
Essentials of Critical Care Nursing.
Q4. A patient is refusing a blood transfusion. The nurse's response should be based on
which principle?
A Patient autonomy
B Beneficence
C Nonmaleficence
D Justice
Correct answer: A. Patient autonomy
Rationale: Patient autonomy means respecting the patient's decision.
Why wrong:
B: Beneficence is not overriding.
C: Nonmaleficence is do no harm.
D: Justice is fairness.
Reference: Upchurch, Moore, & Silvestri's HESI Critical Thinking & Critical Care, 7th Edition · AACN
Essentials of Critical Care Nursing.
