NCLEX-RN Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack Part
2 | 50 Questions with Detailed Rationales | Code Blue,
BLS/ACLS Basics, Airway Management, Trauma Care &
Rapid Response | HESI ATI Nursing Exit Exam Study
Guide | 2026
Part 2: Questions 51-100
Code Situations, BLS/ACLS Basics, Airway Management, Trauma Care, and
Rapid Response Scenarios
Includes:
50 exam-style questions
Detailed rationales
Key terms explained
Emergency prioritization and clinical judgment practice
Educational use only. Follow local facility policy, instructor guidance, and current resuscitation protocols.
Page 1
,Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 2
Table of Contents
Question Range Main Focus
51-60 Code blue response, CPR priorities, shockable and non-shockable rhythms, post-arrest ca
61-70 Airway emergencies, tracheostomy care, ventilator alarms, ABG interpretation, aspiratio
71-80 Trauma primary survey, spinal precautions, chest trauma, hemorrhage, burn airway risk
81-90 Rapid response, sepsis, shock recognition, anaphylaxis, unstable tachyarrhythmias
91-100 Defibrillation vs cardioversion, airway adjuncts, oxygen devices, PEEP, severe trauma sc
Study note: This part continues the Emergency & Critical Care question bank and focuses on
immediate life threats, airway compromise, rhythm recognition, shock patterns, trauma priorities, and
rapid response escalation.
Page 2
,Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 2
Question 51
A client collapses in the hallway. The nurse approaches, confirms the area is safe, and finds that the
client is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and has no carotid pulse. What action should the nurse
take first?
[ ] A. Call the provider and wait for prescriptions.
[x] B. Begin high-quality chest compressions and activate the emergency response system.
[ ] C. Place the client in high Fowler position and apply oxygen by nasal cannula.
[ ] D. Obtain a full set of vital signs before starting resuscitation.
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE
The client is in cardiac arrest. The priority is immediate activation of the emergency response system
and high-quality CPR. Delaying compressions to obtain routine vital signs or call the provider
separately decreases the chance of survival. In adult basic life support, early recognition, CPR, and
rapid defibrillation are core priorities.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
- Cardiac arrest = absence of effective heart activity and circulation.
- High-quality CPR = effective chest compressions with correct rate, depth, recoil, and minimal
interruptions.
- Emergency response system = facility process for activating a code team.
- Carotid pulse = pulse site commonly checked in adult emergencies.
Page 3
, Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 2
Question 52
During a code blue, the nurse is assigned to perform chest compressions on an adult client. Which
action demonstrates correct technique?
[ ] A. Compress the chest at a rate of 60 to 80/minute.
[x] B. Allow complete chest recoil after each compression.
[ ] C. Pause compressions for 30 seconds every minute to assess rhythm.
[ ] D. Compress only when the client is being ventilated.
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE
Complete chest recoil allows venous return to the heart and supports effective circulation during CPR.
Adult compressions should be performed rapidly, with minimal interruptions. Long pauses reduce
coronary and cerebral perfusion and should be avoided.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
- Chest recoil = return of the chest wall to its normal position after compression.
- Venous return = blood flow back to the heart.
- Perfusion = delivery of oxygenated blood to tissues.
- Compression interruption = pause in compressions that reduces CPR effectiveness.
Page 4
2 | 50 Questions with Detailed Rationales | Code Blue,
BLS/ACLS Basics, Airway Management, Trauma Care &
Rapid Response | HESI ATI Nursing Exit Exam Study
Guide | 2026
Part 2: Questions 51-100
Code Situations, BLS/ACLS Basics, Airway Management, Trauma Care, and
Rapid Response Scenarios
Includes:
50 exam-style questions
Detailed rationales
Key terms explained
Emergency prioritization and clinical judgment practice
Educational use only. Follow local facility policy, instructor guidance, and current resuscitation protocols.
Page 1
,Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 2
Table of Contents
Question Range Main Focus
51-60 Code blue response, CPR priorities, shockable and non-shockable rhythms, post-arrest ca
61-70 Airway emergencies, tracheostomy care, ventilator alarms, ABG interpretation, aspiratio
71-80 Trauma primary survey, spinal precautions, chest trauma, hemorrhage, burn airway risk
81-90 Rapid response, sepsis, shock recognition, anaphylaxis, unstable tachyarrhythmias
91-100 Defibrillation vs cardioversion, airway adjuncts, oxygen devices, PEEP, severe trauma sc
Study note: This part continues the Emergency & Critical Care question bank and focuses on
immediate life threats, airway compromise, rhythm recognition, shock patterns, trauma priorities, and
rapid response escalation.
Page 2
,Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 2
Question 51
A client collapses in the hallway. The nurse approaches, confirms the area is safe, and finds that the
client is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and has no carotid pulse. What action should the nurse
take first?
[ ] A. Call the provider and wait for prescriptions.
[x] B. Begin high-quality chest compressions and activate the emergency response system.
[ ] C. Place the client in high Fowler position and apply oxygen by nasal cannula.
[ ] D. Obtain a full set of vital signs before starting resuscitation.
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE
The client is in cardiac arrest. The priority is immediate activation of the emergency response system
and high-quality CPR. Delaying compressions to obtain routine vital signs or call the provider
separately decreases the chance of survival. In adult basic life support, early recognition, CPR, and
rapid defibrillation are core priorities.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
- Cardiac arrest = absence of effective heart activity and circulation.
- High-quality CPR = effective chest compressions with correct rate, depth, recoil, and minimal
interruptions.
- Emergency response system = facility process for activating a code team.
- Carotid pulse = pulse site commonly checked in adult emergencies.
Page 3
, Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 2
Question 52
During a code blue, the nurse is assigned to perform chest compressions on an adult client. Which
action demonstrates correct technique?
[ ] A. Compress the chest at a rate of 60 to 80/minute.
[x] B. Allow complete chest recoil after each compression.
[ ] C. Pause compressions for 30 seconds every minute to assess rhythm.
[ ] D. Compress only when the client is being ventilated.
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE
Complete chest recoil allows venous return to the heart and supports effective circulation during CPR.
Adult compressions should be performed rapidly, with minimal interruptions. Long pauses reduce
coronary and cerebral perfusion and should be avoided.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
- Chest recoil = return of the chest wall to its normal position after compression.
- Venous return = blood flow back to the heart.
- Perfusion = delivery of oxygenated blood to tissues.
- Compression interruption = pause in compressions that reduces CPR effectiveness.
Page 4
