NGN HESI RN Critical Care Exam V2
(2025/2026) – Verified Actual Exam |
Graded A+ with Correct Questions
and Expert Answers
Shock (15 Questions)
Question 1: Multiple-Choice
A client in hypovolemic shock has a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg and a heart rate of 120 bpm.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer analgesics
B. Initiate IV fluid resuscitation
C. Encourage oral fluid intake
D. Apply a warm blanket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, restoring circulating volume with IV fluids (B) is the priority
to improve perfusion. Analgesics (A), oral fluids (C), and warming (D) are not priorities.
Question 2: Select-All-That-Apply
Which findings indicate cardiogenic shock in a client post-myocardial infarction? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Jugular vein distension
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperthermia
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock presents with pulmonary edema (A), jugular vein distension (B),
and hypotension (C) due to heart pump failure. Hyperthermia (D) is not typical.
Question 3: Multiple-Choice
A client in septic shock receives norepinephrine. What should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Blood glucose
B. Mean arterial pressure (MAP)
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Norepinephrine is used to maintain MAP in septic shock. Monitoring MAP (B)
ensures adequate perfusion. Other parameters are secondary.
Question 4: Case Study (Enhanced Hot Spot)
Scenario: A client in anaphylactic shock develops stridor and hypotension.
Question: Highlight the priority intervention.
A. Administer epinephrine IM
B. Provide supplemental oxygen
C. Start IV fluids
D. Apply a cold compress
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Epinephrine IM (A) reverses anaphylactic symptoms like stridor and hypotension.
Oxygen (B) and fluids (C) are supportive, and compresses (D) are inappropriate.
Question 5: Multiple-Choice
A client in distributive shock has a MAP of 55 mmHg. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer vasopressors
B. Encourage deep breathing
C. Restrict fluids
D. Apply a cooling blanket
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vasopressors (A) are the priority to increase MAP and restore perfusion in
distributive shock. Breathing (B), fluid restriction (C), and cooling (D) are not priorities.
Question 6: Multiple-Choice
Which laboratory finding is expected in a client with hypovolemic shock?
A. Elevated lactate
B. Decreased potassium
C. Elevated pH
D. Decreased hematocrit
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elevated lactate (A) indicates tissue hypoxia due to poor perfusion in hypovolemic
shock. Potassium (B), pH (C), and hematocrit (D) are not primarily affected.
Question 7: Select-All-That-Apply
Which interventions are appropriate for a client in septic shock? (Select all that apply.)
A. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
B. Monitor central venous pressure
C. Restrict IV fluids
D. Administer vasopressors
Correct Answers: A, B, D
, Rationale: Antibiotics (A), central venous pressure monitoring (B), and vasopressors (D)
manage septic shock. Fluid restriction (C) is contraindicated due to hypoperfusion.
Question 8: Multiple-Choice
A client in cardiogenic shock is prescribed dobutamine. What is the primary purpose of this
medication?
A. Increase heart rate
B. Improve cardiac contractility
C. Reduce preload
D. Decrease afterload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dobutamine (B) enhances cardiac contractility to improve cardiac output in
cardiogenic shock. Heart rate (A), preload (C), and afterload (D) are secondary.
Question 9: Multiple-Choice
A client in hypovolemic shock receives 2 L of normal saline. Which finding indicates effective
fluid resuscitation?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased MAP
C. Elevated lactate
D. Decreased heart rate variability
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Increased MAP (B) indicates improved perfusion from fluid resuscitation. Decreased
urine output (A), elevated lactate (C), and heart rate variability (D) suggest ongoing
hypoperfusion.
Question 10: Multiple-Choice
What is a hallmark sign of neurogenic shock?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hyperthermia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Neurogenic shock, due to spinal cord injury, causes bradycardia (A) from loss of
sympathetic tone. Tachycardia (B), hyperthermia (C), and hypertension (D) are not typical.
Question 11: Case Study (Drag-and-Drop)
Scenario: A client in septic shock is admitted to the ICU.
Question: Place the interventions in order of priority.
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Obtain blood cultures
C. Administer antibiotics
(2025/2026) – Verified Actual Exam |
Graded A+ with Correct Questions
and Expert Answers
Shock (15 Questions)
Question 1: Multiple-Choice
A client in hypovolemic shock has a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg and a heart rate of 120 bpm.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer analgesics
B. Initiate IV fluid resuscitation
C. Encourage oral fluid intake
D. Apply a warm blanket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In hypovolemic shock, restoring circulating volume with IV fluids (B) is the priority
to improve perfusion. Analgesics (A), oral fluids (C), and warming (D) are not priorities.
Question 2: Select-All-That-Apply
Which findings indicate cardiogenic shock in a client post-myocardial infarction? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Jugular vein distension
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperthermia
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock presents with pulmonary edema (A), jugular vein distension (B),
and hypotension (C) due to heart pump failure. Hyperthermia (D) is not typical.
Question 3: Multiple-Choice
A client in septic shock receives norepinephrine. What should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Blood glucose
B. Mean arterial pressure (MAP)
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Norepinephrine is used to maintain MAP in septic shock. Monitoring MAP (B)
ensures adequate perfusion. Other parameters are secondary.
Question 4: Case Study (Enhanced Hot Spot)
Scenario: A client in anaphylactic shock develops stridor and hypotension.
Question: Highlight the priority intervention.
A. Administer epinephrine IM
B. Provide supplemental oxygen
C. Start IV fluids
D. Apply a cold compress
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Epinephrine IM (A) reverses anaphylactic symptoms like stridor and hypotension.
Oxygen (B) and fluids (C) are supportive, and compresses (D) are inappropriate.
Question 5: Multiple-Choice
A client in distributive shock has a MAP of 55 mmHg. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer vasopressors
B. Encourage deep breathing
C. Restrict fluids
D. Apply a cooling blanket
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vasopressors (A) are the priority to increase MAP and restore perfusion in
distributive shock. Breathing (B), fluid restriction (C), and cooling (D) are not priorities.
Question 6: Multiple-Choice
Which laboratory finding is expected in a client with hypovolemic shock?
A. Elevated lactate
B. Decreased potassium
C. Elevated pH
D. Decreased hematocrit
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elevated lactate (A) indicates tissue hypoxia due to poor perfusion in hypovolemic
shock. Potassium (B), pH (C), and hematocrit (D) are not primarily affected.
Question 7: Select-All-That-Apply
Which interventions are appropriate for a client in septic shock? (Select all that apply.)
A. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
B. Monitor central venous pressure
C. Restrict IV fluids
D. Administer vasopressors
Correct Answers: A, B, D
, Rationale: Antibiotics (A), central venous pressure monitoring (B), and vasopressors (D)
manage septic shock. Fluid restriction (C) is contraindicated due to hypoperfusion.
Question 8: Multiple-Choice
A client in cardiogenic shock is prescribed dobutamine. What is the primary purpose of this
medication?
A. Increase heart rate
B. Improve cardiac contractility
C. Reduce preload
D. Decrease afterload
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dobutamine (B) enhances cardiac contractility to improve cardiac output in
cardiogenic shock. Heart rate (A), preload (C), and afterload (D) are secondary.
Question 9: Multiple-Choice
A client in hypovolemic shock receives 2 L of normal saline. Which finding indicates effective
fluid resuscitation?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased MAP
C. Elevated lactate
D. Decreased heart rate variability
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Increased MAP (B) indicates improved perfusion from fluid resuscitation. Decreased
urine output (A), elevated lactate (C), and heart rate variability (D) suggest ongoing
hypoperfusion.
Question 10: Multiple-Choice
What is a hallmark sign of neurogenic shock?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hyperthermia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Neurogenic shock, due to spinal cord injury, causes bradycardia (A) from loss of
sympathetic tone. Tachycardia (B), hyperthermia (C), and hypertension (D) are not typical.
Question 11: Case Study (Drag-and-Drop)
Scenario: A client in septic shock is admitted to the ICU.
Question: Place the interventions in order of priority.
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Obtain blood cultures
C. Administer antibiotics
