Critical Care HESI Exam Questions and
Verified Answers
pt. long history of smoking; sob; ABG pH7.25, PCO2 50, HCO3 24 - ✔✔respiratory acidosis (if
CO2 is high it will always be resp. acidosis)
"heart is pounding outside of her chest" client is in SVT; intervention - ✔✔coach client in
relaxation and deep breathing
insulin protocol; pt. insulin is infused at 5 units/hr and her current glucose reading is 165. what
to do? - ✔✔increase drip by 1 unit/hr
calculate; 1,500,000 IU in 500 mL of 0.9% NS - ✔✔33
DKA math question - ✔✔1000 mL NS with 30 mEq of sodium
older client comes in with CAP and SpO2 89%. what is priority intervention? - ✔✔assist client
with turning, coughing, and deep breathing
pt. received ETT 7 days ago and is currently on 50% O2. Pt is currently anxious and
hyperventilating. what is the priority intervention? - ✔✔auscultate lungs
client has not been taking cortisone for either 2 weeks or 2 months and husband bring her into
ED; not feeling well. SIADH. what to do? - ✔✔initiate fall precautions (SIADH causes seizures)
UAP assisting nurse in situation where pt is having SVT and nurse has to prepare for
cardioversion. what task for UAP - ✔✔bring resuscitation cart to the bedside
, pt has cardioversion due to uncontrolled a fib. what vital shows that the cardioversion was
successful? - ✔✔normal sinus rhythm with HR 84
pt. has ortho surgery and 12 hrs after surgery is anxious with SOB; intervention - ✔✔position
client on the left side
pt. receiving dopamine. monitor for what - ✔✔monitor urinary output
during insertion of swan gans, what should nurse do - ✔✔monitor for dysrhythmias
which vital signs are contraindicative of ICP? - ✔✔PaCO2 of 55 (normal PaCO2 should be
between 35-45; when increased it will cause more ICP)
SIADH with normal lab values associated with this - ✔✔hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
pt. glasgow coma scale of 14. what should the nurse do - ✔✔document the findings
when caring for a client on a ventilator which finding shows the airway is open? - ✔✔bilateral
breath sounds can be auscultated
pt. is in the ICU after a colon resection. vitals are HR 135, temp 103, BP 88/65, urine output 10
mL/hr. intervention? - ✔✔give a 500 mL IV bolus challenge (another question similar with low
BP and same answer)
client with syncopal episodes due to 3rd degree block. receives transcutaneous pacemaker;
several fails - ✔✔increase the sensitivity
which of these drugs are the strongest for most effective vasodilators - ✔✔lidocaine
Verified Answers
pt. long history of smoking; sob; ABG pH7.25, PCO2 50, HCO3 24 - ✔✔respiratory acidosis (if
CO2 is high it will always be resp. acidosis)
"heart is pounding outside of her chest" client is in SVT; intervention - ✔✔coach client in
relaxation and deep breathing
insulin protocol; pt. insulin is infused at 5 units/hr and her current glucose reading is 165. what
to do? - ✔✔increase drip by 1 unit/hr
calculate; 1,500,000 IU in 500 mL of 0.9% NS - ✔✔33
DKA math question - ✔✔1000 mL NS with 30 mEq of sodium
older client comes in with CAP and SpO2 89%. what is priority intervention? - ✔✔assist client
with turning, coughing, and deep breathing
pt. received ETT 7 days ago and is currently on 50% O2. Pt is currently anxious and
hyperventilating. what is the priority intervention? - ✔✔auscultate lungs
client has not been taking cortisone for either 2 weeks or 2 months and husband bring her into
ED; not feeling well. SIADH. what to do? - ✔✔initiate fall precautions (SIADH causes seizures)
UAP assisting nurse in situation where pt is having SVT and nurse has to prepare for
cardioversion. what task for UAP - ✔✔bring resuscitation cart to the bedside
, pt has cardioversion due to uncontrolled a fib. what vital shows that the cardioversion was
successful? - ✔✔normal sinus rhythm with HR 84
pt. has ortho surgery and 12 hrs after surgery is anxious with SOB; intervention - ✔✔position
client on the left side
pt. receiving dopamine. monitor for what - ✔✔monitor urinary output
during insertion of swan gans, what should nurse do - ✔✔monitor for dysrhythmias
which vital signs are contraindicative of ICP? - ✔✔PaCO2 of 55 (normal PaCO2 should be
between 35-45; when increased it will cause more ICP)
SIADH with normal lab values associated with this - ✔✔hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
pt. glasgow coma scale of 14. what should the nurse do - ✔✔document the findings
when caring for a client on a ventilator which finding shows the airway is open? - ✔✔bilateral
breath sounds can be auscultated
pt. is in the ICU after a colon resection. vitals are HR 135, temp 103, BP 88/65, urine output 10
mL/hr. intervention? - ✔✔give a 500 mL IV bolus challenge (another question similar with low
BP and same answer)
client with syncopal episodes due to 3rd degree block. receives transcutaneous pacemaker;
several fails - ✔✔increase the sensitivity
which of these drugs are the strongest for most effective vasodilators - ✔✔lidocaine
