NCLEX-RN Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack Part 3 |
Questions 101-150 with Detailed Rationales | Shock, Code Blue,
Airway, Trauma & Rapid Response | HESI ATI Nursing Exit
Exam Study Guide
Part 3: Questions 101-150
Emergency & Critical Care Nursing Practice Questions with Answers, Rationales, and Key Terms
Coverage Shock, code situations, BLS/ACLS basics, airway management, trauma care,
ventilator alarms, and rapid response scenarios.
Format 50 multiple-choice questions. Each question includes four options, the correct
answer, a detailed rationale, and key terms explained.
Use Designed for nursing exit exam review and emergency-critical care clinical
judgment practice.
SEO Title
NCLEX-RN Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack Part 3 | 50 Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Shock, Code Blue, Airway Management, Trauma Care & Rapid Response | HESI ATI Nursing Exit
Exam Study Guide
Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 3 | Page 1
,Part 3 Blueprint
Question Range Main Focus
101-110 Septic shock, hypovolemic shock, cardiogenic shock, anaphylaxis,
neurogenic shock, code rhythms
111-120 Tracheostomy emergencies, ventilator alarms, stroke alerts, trauma
primary survey, burns
121-130 Head injury, spinal injury, chest tubes, CPR quality, airway obstruction,
opioid respiratory depression
131-140 Asthma crisis, DKA shock, vasopressors, pulmonary edema, SBAR rapid
response, internal bleeding
141-150 Post-extubation stridor, cardiogenic shock, chest trauma, ABG, PEEP,
acute deterioration
High-Yield Emergency & Critical Care Reminders
• Use airway, breathing, and circulation priorities for unstable clients.
• In cardiac arrest, start high-quality CPR and defibrillate shockable rhythms as soon as possible.
• Shock is suspected when hypotension or poor perfusion appears with tachycardia, mental status
change, cool or abnormal skin findings, oliguria, or elevated lactate.
• In trauma, the primary survey rapidly identifies life-threatening airway, breathing, circulation,
disability, and exposure problems.
• Rapid response is appropriate when a client acutely deteriorates before cardiac or respiratory arrest
occurs.
Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 3 | Page 2
,Question 101
A client with suspected sepsis has a temperature of 39.2 C, heart rate 126/min, respiratory rate 30/min,
blood pressure 82/46 mm Hg, new confusion, and a serum lactate level of 5.1 mmol/L. The nurse has
already obtained oxygen saturation and placed the client on continuous monitoring. Which action is the
priority to anticipate next?
A. Prepare to administer broad-spectrum antibiotics and rapid IV crystalloid fluid resuscitation as
prescribed.
B. Place the client in a private room and delay treatment until all cultures return.
C. Give an oral antipyretic and reassess vital signs in four hours.
D. Restrict fluids because the client may develop pulmonary edema.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
The findings are consistent with septic shock and tissue hypoperfusion. Sepsis care is time-sensitive;
treatment usually includes cultures when this does not delay therapy, early broad-spectrum antibiotics,
IV crystalloid resuscitation, lactate monitoring, and vasopressor support if hypotension persists.
Delaying treatment while waiting for culture results increases risk of deterioration.
Key Terms Explained
Septic shock Sepsis with persistent circulatory and metabolic abnormalities causing
high mortality risk.
Lactate A marker that may indicate tissue hypoperfusion.
Crystalloid IV fluid such as normal saline or lactated Ringer solution used for
resuscitation.
Broad-spectrum Antimicrobials that cover a wide range of possible organisms while
antibiotics awaiting culture data.
Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 3 | Page 3
, Question 102
A trauma client arrives after a motorcycle crash. The client is pale, restless, and diaphoretic. Blood
pressure is 78/42 mm Hg, heart rate is 142/min, and there is heavy bleeding from a thigh wound. Which
nursing action has the highest priority?
A. Apply direct pressure to control external bleeding while activating the trauma response.
B. Elevate the head of the bed to improve comfort.
C. Obtain a detailed history of the accident before intervening.
D. Offer oral fluids to improve blood pressure.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
The client shows signs of hypovolemic shock from blood loss. Controlling external hemorrhage is a
critical priority because ongoing bleeding worsens tissue hypoperfusion. Oral fluids are contraindicated
in unstable trauma clients, and a detailed history is delayed until life-threatening problems are
addressed.
Key Terms Explained
Hypovolemic shock Shock caused by loss of circulating volume.
Hemorrhage Excessive blood loss.
Direct pressure Immediate method used to control external bleeding.
Perfusion Delivery of oxygenated blood to tissues.
Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 3 | Page 4
Questions 101-150 with Detailed Rationales | Shock, Code Blue,
Airway, Trauma & Rapid Response | HESI ATI Nursing Exit
Exam Study Guide
Part 3: Questions 101-150
Emergency & Critical Care Nursing Practice Questions with Answers, Rationales, and Key Terms
Coverage Shock, code situations, BLS/ACLS basics, airway management, trauma care,
ventilator alarms, and rapid response scenarios.
Format 50 multiple-choice questions. Each question includes four options, the correct
answer, a detailed rationale, and key terms explained.
Use Designed for nursing exit exam review and emergency-critical care clinical
judgment practice.
SEO Title
NCLEX-RN Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack Part 3 | 50 Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Shock, Code Blue, Airway Management, Trauma Care & Rapid Response | HESI ATI Nursing Exit
Exam Study Guide
Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 3 | Page 1
,Part 3 Blueprint
Question Range Main Focus
101-110 Septic shock, hypovolemic shock, cardiogenic shock, anaphylaxis,
neurogenic shock, code rhythms
111-120 Tracheostomy emergencies, ventilator alarms, stroke alerts, trauma
primary survey, burns
121-130 Head injury, spinal injury, chest tubes, CPR quality, airway obstruction,
opioid respiratory depression
131-140 Asthma crisis, DKA shock, vasopressors, pulmonary edema, SBAR rapid
response, internal bleeding
141-150 Post-extubation stridor, cardiogenic shock, chest trauma, ABG, PEEP,
acute deterioration
High-Yield Emergency & Critical Care Reminders
• Use airway, breathing, and circulation priorities for unstable clients.
• In cardiac arrest, start high-quality CPR and defibrillate shockable rhythms as soon as possible.
• Shock is suspected when hypotension or poor perfusion appears with tachycardia, mental status
change, cool or abnormal skin findings, oliguria, or elevated lactate.
• In trauma, the primary survey rapidly identifies life-threatening airway, breathing, circulation,
disability, and exposure problems.
• Rapid response is appropriate when a client acutely deteriorates before cardiac or respiratory arrest
occurs.
Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 3 | Page 2
,Question 101
A client with suspected sepsis has a temperature of 39.2 C, heart rate 126/min, respiratory rate 30/min,
blood pressure 82/46 mm Hg, new confusion, and a serum lactate level of 5.1 mmol/L. The nurse has
already obtained oxygen saturation and placed the client on continuous monitoring. Which action is the
priority to anticipate next?
A. Prepare to administer broad-spectrum antibiotics and rapid IV crystalloid fluid resuscitation as
prescribed.
B. Place the client in a private room and delay treatment until all cultures return.
C. Give an oral antipyretic and reassess vital signs in four hours.
D. Restrict fluids because the client may develop pulmonary edema.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
The findings are consistent with septic shock and tissue hypoperfusion. Sepsis care is time-sensitive;
treatment usually includes cultures when this does not delay therapy, early broad-spectrum antibiotics,
IV crystalloid resuscitation, lactate monitoring, and vasopressor support if hypotension persists.
Delaying treatment while waiting for culture results increases risk of deterioration.
Key Terms Explained
Septic shock Sepsis with persistent circulatory and metabolic abnormalities causing
high mortality risk.
Lactate A marker that may indicate tissue hypoperfusion.
Crystalloid IV fluid such as normal saline or lactated Ringer solution used for
resuscitation.
Broad-spectrum Antimicrobials that cover a wide range of possible organisms while
antibiotics awaiting culture data.
Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 3 | Page 3
, Question 102
A trauma client arrives after a motorcycle crash. The client is pale, restless, and diaphoretic. Blood
pressure is 78/42 mm Hg, heart rate is 142/min, and there is heavy bleeding from a thigh wound. Which
nursing action has the highest priority?
A. Apply direct pressure to control external bleeding while activating the trauma response.
B. Elevate the head of the bed to improve comfort.
C. Obtain a detailed history of the accident before intervening.
D. Offer oral fluids to improve blood pressure.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale
The client shows signs of hypovolemic shock from blood loss. Controlling external hemorrhage is a
critical priority because ongoing bleeding worsens tissue hypoperfusion. Oral fluids are contraindicated
in unstable trauma clients, and a detailed history is delayed until life-threatening problems are
addressed.
Key Terms Explained
Hypovolemic shock Shock caused by loss of circulating volume.
Hemorrhage Excessive blood loss.
Direct pressure Immediate method used to control external bleeding.
Perfusion Delivery of oxygenated blood to tissues.
Emergency & Critical Care Exam Pack - Part 3 | Page 4
