HESI CRITICAL CARE EXAM 2026
COMPREHENSIVE INTENSIVE CARE NURSING
REVIEW AND STUDY GUIDE
◉ Second degree heart block.
Answer: Telemetry pattern with prolonged PR interval and
decreased conduction time from SA node to AV junction
◉ Restless, intubated client.
Answer: Client on mechanical ventilation exhibiting restlessness and
breath sounds on right side only
◉ Train derailment triage.
Answer: Priority order: Middle-aged man wandering, Woman sitting
with blanket, Crying child, Mother and father just arrived
◉ Pneumonia with severe SOB.
Answer: Client with pneumonia admitted with pH 7.30, PaO2 60,
PaCO2 62, HCO3 35; Immediate communication to HCP for
drowsiness and difficulty in arousing
◉ Burn patient with serum potassium of 4.
, Answer: Patient with burn injuries and potassium level of 4;
Medication choice for potassium not provided
◉ Bedridden patient for 2 weeks.
Answer: Patient bedridden for 2 weeks with pH 7.37, PO2 90, PCO2
40, HCO3 25; Priority action is turning patient side to side q2h
◉ Assess 40-year-old with sickle cell crisis.
Answer: Priority assessment for a 40-year-old with sickle cell crisis
◉ Major disaster triage.
Answer: Priority order: Cut over eye, Move patient to medical
surgical unit, Patient with abnormal liver levels
◉ Carotid picture.
Answer: Pointing to the neck to indicate carotid artery
◉ Wound vac effectiveness.
Answer: Checking seal to ensure no leaks in wound vac
◉ Magnesium antidote.
Answer: Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium toxicity
COMPREHENSIVE INTENSIVE CARE NURSING
REVIEW AND STUDY GUIDE
◉ Second degree heart block.
Answer: Telemetry pattern with prolonged PR interval and
decreased conduction time from SA node to AV junction
◉ Restless, intubated client.
Answer: Client on mechanical ventilation exhibiting restlessness and
breath sounds on right side only
◉ Train derailment triage.
Answer: Priority order: Middle-aged man wandering, Woman sitting
with blanket, Crying child, Mother and father just arrived
◉ Pneumonia with severe SOB.
Answer: Client with pneumonia admitted with pH 7.30, PaO2 60,
PaCO2 62, HCO3 35; Immediate communication to HCP for
drowsiness and difficulty in arousing
◉ Burn patient with serum potassium of 4.
, Answer: Patient with burn injuries and potassium level of 4;
Medication choice for potassium not provided
◉ Bedridden patient for 2 weeks.
Answer: Patient bedridden for 2 weeks with pH 7.37, PO2 90, PCO2
40, HCO3 25; Priority action is turning patient side to side q2h
◉ Assess 40-year-old with sickle cell crisis.
Answer: Priority assessment for a 40-year-old with sickle cell crisis
◉ Major disaster triage.
Answer: Priority order: Cut over eye, Move patient to medical
surgical unit, Patient with abnormal liver levels
◉ Carotid picture.
Answer: Pointing to the neck to indicate carotid artery
◉ Wound vac effectiveness.
Answer: Checking seal to ensure no leaks in wound vac
◉ Magnesium antidote.
Answer: Calcium gluconate is the antidote for magnesium toxicity
