HESI Critical care practice with verified
answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
A client diagnosed with pancreatitis complains of severe epigastric pain. After administering a narcotic
analgesic, the client insists on sitting up and leaning forward. Which action should the nurse implement?
a. Provide a bedside table for client to lean across.
b. Encourage bed rest until analgesic takes effect.
c. Raise the head of the bed to a 90 degree angle.
d. Place the bed in the reverse Trendelenburg position.
- correct answer a. Provide a bedside table for client to lean across.
The Nurse is caring for a client admitted to the intensive care unit with shortness of breath and
abdominal pain one week after undergoing bariatric surgery. The client's current vital signs are rectal
temperature 101.5 F, heart rate 132 bpm, respirations 20 bpm, blood pressure 88/50 mmHg, and
oxygen saturation 94%. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Administer a prescribed PRN antipyretic.
b. Transport to radiology for an abdominal x-ray.
c. Apply oxygen at 2 liters per nasal cannula.
d. Infuse a 1,000 mL normal saline bolus.
- correct answer Infuse a 1,000 mL normal saline bolus.
The nurse is evaluating a client's central venous pressure (CVP) readings that are trending upwards.
Which nursing problem is supported by the pathophysiologic mechanism most likely causing the
increases?
a. Decreased cardiac output.
b. Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion.
c. Deficient fluid volume.
d. Ineffective airway clearance.
- correct answer Decreased cardiac output.
,A client who is admitted to the emergency room following a motorcycle accident is having difficulty
breathing. While assessing the client's chest and lungs, the nurse notes that there are no breath sounds
over the left fields. Which actions should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply)
a. Place client in Trendelenburg position.
b. Apply a high-flow oxygen by face mask
c. Elevate the head of the bed 45 degrees
d. Withhold narcotic pain medication.
e. Obtain a chest tube insertion kit.
- correct answer b. Apply a high-flow oxygen by face mask
c. Elevate the head of the bed 45 degrees
e. Obtain a chest tube insertion kit
Five days after admission to the intensive care unit, a client remains confused to time and place even
after frequent attempts at reorientation. Which intervention should the nurse implement to ensure the
client's safety?
a. Ask the family to obtain a 24-hour sitter.
b. Increase the frequency of direct observation.
c. Apply a vest restraint.
d. Administer a PRN sedative.
- correct answer Increase the frequency of direct observation.
A client with a pulmonary embolism is receiving streptokinase 100,000 international units (IU)/hour for
the next 24 hours. The pharmacy dispensed streptokinase 1,500,000 IU in 500 mL of 0.9% normal saline.
The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Enter numeric value only,
and round to the nearest whole number)
- correct answer 15
A client who experiences multiple traumatic injuries begins to ooze blood from an injection site. Which
additional finding should the nurse identify that supports an early indication of disseminated
intravascular coagulation (DIC)?
a. Negative D-dimer test.
b. Edema of the extremities.
, c. Shorter clotting times.
d. Bleeding from oral mucosa.
- correct answer Edema of the extremities.
The vital signs for a client with heart failure, who is admitted to the intensive care unit are temperature,
98.6F, heart rate 125 bpm, respirations 22 bpm, and blood pressure 140/50 mmHg. The nurse
determines the client's central venous pressure (CVP) and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) are
elevated. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Administer furosemide 40 mg IV.
b. Encourage a liberal PO fluid intake.
c. Titrate IV dopamine at 8 mcg/kg/minute.
d. Initiate IV bolus of 500 mL normal saline.
- correct answer Administer furosemide 40mg IV.
A client with diabetes is admitted to the intensive care unit with decreased level of consciousness,
nausea, vomiting, and fruity breath. Based on these assessment findings, which action should the nurse
take?
a. Assess serum glucose level.
b. Review the client's serum potassium level.
c. Evaluate the client's 24 hour intake and output.
d. Give an IV bolus of 50% glucose.
- correct answer a. Assess serum glucose level.
A client arrives in the emergency department complaining of chest pain. Which description should
prompt the nurse to suspect that the chest pain is originating from the myocardium?
a. Produces a chest heaviness along with left arm pain.
b. Worsens while at rest in Fowler's position.
c. Increases when any slow, deep breath is taken.
d. Creates a throbbing which is superficial in nature.
- correct answer Produces a chest heaviness along with left arm pain.
answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
A client diagnosed with pancreatitis complains of severe epigastric pain. After administering a narcotic
analgesic, the client insists on sitting up and leaning forward. Which action should the nurse implement?
a. Provide a bedside table for client to lean across.
b. Encourage bed rest until analgesic takes effect.
c. Raise the head of the bed to a 90 degree angle.
d. Place the bed in the reverse Trendelenburg position.
- correct answer a. Provide a bedside table for client to lean across.
The Nurse is caring for a client admitted to the intensive care unit with shortness of breath and
abdominal pain one week after undergoing bariatric surgery. The client's current vital signs are rectal
temperature 101.5 F, heart rate 132 bpm, respirations 20 bpm, blood pressure 88/50 mmHg, and
oxygen saturation 94%. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
a. Administer a prescribed PRN antipyretic.
b. Transport to radiology for an abdominal x-ray.
c. Apply oxygen at 2 liters per nasal cannula.
d. Infuse a 1,000 mL normal saline bolus.
- correct answer Infuse a 1,000 mL normal saline bolus.
The nurse is evaluating a client's central venous pressure (CVP) readings that are trending upwards.
Which nursing problem is supported by the pathophysiologic mechanism most likely causing the
increases?
a. Decreased cardiac output.
b. Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion.
c. Deficient fluid volume.
d. Ineffective airway clearance.
- correct answer Decreased cardiac output.
,A client who is admitted to the emergency room following a motorcycle accident is having difficulty
breathing. While assessing the client's chest and lungs, the nurse notes that there are no breath sounds
over the left fields. Which actions should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply)
a. Place client in Trendelenburg position.
b. Apply a high-flow oxygen by face mask
c. Elevate the head of the bed 45 degrees
d. Withhold narcotic pain medication.
e. Obtain a chest tube insertion kit.
- correct answer b. Apply a high-flow oxygen by face mask
c. Elevate the head of the bed 45 degrees
e. Obtain a chest tube insertion kit
Five days after admission to the intensive care unit, a client remains confused to time and place even
after frequent attempts at reorientation. Which intervention should the nurse implement to ensure the
client's safety?
a. Ask the family to obtain a 24-hour sitter.
b. Increase the frequency of direct observation.
c. Apply a vest restraint.
d. Administer a PRN sedative.
- correct answer Increase the frequency of direct observation.
A client with a pulmonary embolism is receiving streptokinase 100,000 international units (IU)/hour for
the next 24 hours. The pharmacy dispensed streptokinase 1,500,000 IU in 500 mL of 0.9% normal saline.
The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Enter numeric value only,
and round to the nearest whole number)
- correct answer 15
A client who experiences multiple traumatic injuries begins to ooze blood from an injection site. Which
additional finding should the nurse identify that supports an early indication of disseminated
intravascular coagulation (DIC)?
a. Negative D-dimer test.
b. Edema of the extremities.
, c. Shorter clotting times.
d. Bleeding from oral mucosa.
- correct answer Edema of the extremities.
The vital signs for a client with heart failure, who is admitted to the intensive care unit are temperature,
98.6F, heart rate 125 bpm, respirations 22 bpm, and blood pressure 140/50 mmHg. The nurse
determines the client's central venous pressure (CVP) and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) are
elevated. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Administer furosemide 40 mg IV.
b. Encourage a liberal PO fluid intake.
c. Titrate IV dopamine at 8 mcg/kg/minute.
d. Initiate IV bolus of 500 mL normal saline.
- correct answer Administer furosemide 40mg IV.
A client with diabetes is admitted to the intensive care unit with decreased level of consciousness,
nausea, vomiting, and fruity breath. Based on these assessment findings, which action should the nurse
take?
a. Assess serum glucose level.
b. Review the client's serum potassium level.
c. Evaluate the client's 24 hour intake and output.
d. Give an IV bolus of 50% glucose.
- correct answer a. Assess serum glucose level.
A client arrives in the emergency department complaining of chest pain. Which description should
prompt the nurse to suspect that the chest pain is originating from the myocardium?
a. Produces a chest heaviness along with left arm pain.
b. Worsens while at rest in Fowler's position.
c. Increases when any slow, deep breath is taken.
d. Creates a throbbing which is superficial in nature.
- correct answer Produces a chest heaviness along with left arm pain.
