CRITICAL CARE HESI EXIT EXAM 2 KEY
CONCEPTS AND ICU REVIEW NOTES 2026
◉ 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
◉ Trouble swallowing. Answer: Assess gag reflex or consider
thickening of fluids
◉ Disconnected chest tube. Answer: Get new saline bottle to stick
end into until reconnecting tube
CONCEPTS AND ICU REVIEW NOTES 2026
◉ 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
◉ Trouble swallowing. Answer: Assess gag reflex or consider
thickening of fluids
◉ Disconnected chest tube. Answer: Get new saline bottle to stick
end into until reconnecting tube
