HESI Critical Care Exam Question and
correct answers (verified answers 100%)
Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A critical care nurse is caring for a patient with septic shock. Which assessment finding
indicates improved tissue perfusion?
A. Urine output of 10 mL/hr
B. Serum lactate level increasing
C. Urine output of 35 mL/hr
D. Cool, mottled extremities
Correct Answer: C. Urine output of 35 mL/hr
Rationale: Adequate urine output (at least 30 mL/hr in adults) suggests improved renal
perfusion and overall tissue perfusion.
2. Which hemodynamic parameter best reflects left ventricular preload?
A. Cardiac Output (CO)
B. Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
C. Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
D. Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
Correct Answer: C. Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
Rationale: PAWP estimates left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and is commonly used to
assess left ventricular preload.
,3. A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is receiving mechanical
ventilation. Which intervention helps improve oxygenation?
A. Decreasing PEEP
B. Prone positioning
C. Restricting oxygen therapy
D. Hyperventilation
Correct Answer: B. Prone positioning
Rationale: Prone positioning improves ventilation-perfusion matching and oxygenation in ARDS
patients.
4. Which laboratory value is most concerning in a patient with sepsis?
A. WBC 11,000/mm³
B. Lactate 5.2 mmol/L
C. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
D. Platelets 220,000/mm³
Correct Answer: B. Lactate 5.2 mmol/L
Rationale: Elevated lactate indicates tissue hypoperfusion and is associated with increased
mortality in sepsis.
5. A patient develops ventricular tachycardia without a pulse. What is the priority action?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Defibrillate immediately
D. Start IV fluids
Correct Answer: C. Defibrillate immediately
Rationale: Pulseless ventricular tachycardia is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate
defibrillation.
,6. Which electrolyte imbalance commonly causes peaked T waves on ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia characteristically produces tall, peaked T waves and may lead to lethal
arrhythmias.
7. A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. What does this finding indicate?
A. Mild neurological impairment
B. Moderate confusion
C. Severe neurological impairment
D. Normal neurological function
Correct Answer: C. Severe neurological impairment
Rationale: A GCS score of 8 or less indicates severe brain injury and often necessitates airway
protection.
8. Which finding is most indicative of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Tachycardia
D. Increased urine output
Correct Answer: A. Bradycardia
Rationale: Bradycardia is part of Cushing's triad, a classic sign of increased ICP.
, 9. A patient with heart failure has a BNP level of 1,200 pg/mL. What does this indicate?
A. Improved cardiac function
B. Fluid overload
C. Dehydration
D. Renal failure only
Correct Answer: B. Fluid overload
Rationale: Elevated BNP levels are associated with ventricular stretching and fluid overload in
heart failure.
10. Which arterial blood gas result indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
B. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg
C. pH 7.48, HCO₃ 32 mEq/L
D. pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg
Correct Answer: A. pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by low pH and elevated PaCO₂.
11. Which medication is commonly used as a vasopressor in septic shock?
A. Furosemide
B. Norepinephrine
C. Heparin
D. Digoxin
Correct Answer: B. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock according to current
guidelines.
correct answers (verified answers 100%)
Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A critical care nurse is caring for a patient with septic shock. Which assessment finding
indicates improved tissue perfusion?
A. Urine output of 10 mL/hr
B. Serum lactate level increasing
C. Urine output of 35 mL/hr
D. Cool, mottled extremities
Correct Answer: C. Urine output of 35 mL/hr
Rationale: Adequate urine output (at least 30 mL/hr in adults) suggests improved renal
perfusion and overall tissue perfusion.
2. Which hemodynamic parameter best reflects left ventricular preload?
A. Cardiac Output (CO)
B. Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
C. Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
D. Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
Correct Answer: C. Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)
Rationale: PAWP estimates left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and is commonly used to
assess left ventricular preload.
,3. A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is receiving mechanical
ventilation. Which intervention helps improve oxygenation?
A. Decreasing PEEP
B. Prone positioning
C. Restricting oxygen therapy
D. Hyperventilation
Correct Answer: B. Prone positioning
Rationale: Prone positioning improves ventilation-perfusion matching and oxygenation in ARDS
patients.
4. Which laboratory value is most concerning in a patient with sepsis?
A. WBC 11,000/mm³
B. Lactate 5.2 mmol/L
C. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
D. Platelets 220,000/mm³
Correct Answer: B. Lactate 5.2 mmol/L
Rationale: Elevated lactate indicates tissue hypoperfusion and is associated with increased
mortality in sepsis.
5. A patient develops ventricular tachycardia without a pulse. What is the priority action?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
C. Defibrillate immediately
D. Start IV fluids
Correct Answer: C. Defibrillate immediately
Rationale: Pulseless ventricular tachycardia is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate
defibrillation.
,6. Which electrolyte imbalance commonly causes peaked T waves on ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Correct Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia characteristically produces tall, peaked T waves and may lead to lethal
arrhythmias.
7. A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. What does this finding indicate?
A. Mild neurological impairment
B. Moderate confusion
C. Severe neurological impairment
D. Normal neurological function
Correct Answer: C. Severe neurological impairment
Rationale: A GCS score of 8 or less indicates severe brain injury and often necessitates airway
protection.
8. Which finding is most indicative of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Tachycardia
D. Increased urine output
Correct Answer: A. Bradycardia
Rationale: Bradycardia is part of Cushing's triad, a classic sign of increased ICP.
, 9. A patient with heart failure has a BNP level of 1,200 pg/mL. What does this indicate?
A. Improved cardiac function
B. Fluid overload
C. Dehydration
D. Renal failure only
Correct Answer: B. Fluid overload
Rationale: Elevated BNP levels are associated with ventricular stretching and fluid overload in
heart failure.
10. Which arterial blood gas result indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
B. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg
C. pH 7.48, HCO₃ 32 mEq/L
D. pH 7.36, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg
Correct Answer: A. pH 7.30, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is characterized by low pH and elevated PaCO₂.
11. Which medication is commonly used as a vasopressor in septic shock?
A. Furosemide
B. Norepinephrine
C. Heparin
D. Digoxin
Correct Answer: B. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock according to current
guidelines.
