HESI CRITICAL CARE EXAM 2026 CORE
CARDIAC RESPIRATORY AND NEURO CRITICAL
CARE CONCEPTS STUDY MATERIALS
◉ 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
CARDIAC RESPIRATORY AND NEURO CRITICAL
CARE CONCEPTS STUDY MATERIALS
◉ 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
