Critical Care HESI Practice
Questions and Answers Latest
2026&2027(Critical Care HESI test
bank graded A)
Course
Critical Care HESI Practice
Question 1. A client in the intensive care unit develops severe dyspnea, hypotension, and absent
breath sounds on the right side. The trachea appears deviated to the left. Which condition should
the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Atelectasis
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: B. Tension pneumothorax
Rationale: Sudden respiratory distress, hypotension, unilateral absent breath sounds, and
tracheal deviation away from the affected side are classic findings of tension pneumothorax. This
is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.
,Question 2. A client with septic shock remains hypotensive after receiving an appropriate initial
fluid bolus. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Furosemide
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Digoxin
Correct Answer: A. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the preferred first-line vasopressor for persistent hypotension
associated with septic shock after adequate fluid resuscitation. It increases vascular tone and
helps restore adequate mean arterial pressure.
Question 3. A client receiving mechanical ventilation suddenly triggers a high-pressure alarm.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Disconnect the ventilator and leave the client unassisted
B. Assess the airway for obstruction or secretions
C. Decrease the oxygen concentration immediately
D. Increase the tidal volume
Correct Answer: B. Assess the airway for obstruction or secretions
Rationale: A high-pressure alarm indicates increased resistance or decreased lung compliance.
Common causes include secretions, bronchospasm, a kinked tube, or biting the endotracheal
tube. The airway should be assessed immediately.
,Question 4. A client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is mechanically
ventilated. Which intervention is most appropriate for reducing ventilator-induced lung injury?
A. Use very large tidal volumes
B. Use low tidal volumes based on predicted body weight
C. Eliminate all PEEP
D. Maintain prolonged inspiratory holds for every breath
Correct Answer: B. Use low tidal volumes based on predicted body weight
Rationale: Lung-protective ventilation using low tidal volumes reduces alveolar overdistention
and helps limit ventilator-induced lung injury in clients with ARDS.
Question 5. A client with an acute myocardial infarction develops hypotension, cool clammy
skin, and pulmonary crackles. Which type of shock is most likely?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Anaphylactic shock
Correct Answer: B. Cardiogenic shock
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock results from inadequate cardiac pumping ability. Hypotension,
poor peripheral perfusion, and pulmonary congestion are characteristic findings.
Question 6. A client with hypovolemic shock has a blood pressure of 78/46 mmHg, tachycardia,
and cool clammy skin. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
Questions and Answers Latest
2026&2027(Critical Care HESI test
bank graded A)
Course
Critical Care HESI Practice
Question 1. A client in the intensive care unit develops severe dyspnea, hypotension, and absent
breath sounds on the right side. The trachea appears deviated to the left. Which condition should
the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Atelectasis
D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: B. Tension pneumothorax
Rationale: Sudden respiratory distress, hypotension, unilateral absent breath sounds, and
tracheal deviation away from the affected side are classic findings of tension pneumothorax. This
is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate intervention.
,Question 2. A client with septic shock remains hypotensive after receiving an appropriate initial
fluid bolus. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Norepinephrine
B. Furosemide
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Digoxin
Correct Answer: A. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the preferred first-line vasopressor for persistent hypotension
associated with septic shock after adequate fluid resuscitation. It increases vascular tone and
helps restore adequate mean arterial pressure.
Question 3. A client receiving mechanical ventilation suddenly triggers a high-pressure alarm.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Disconnect the ventilator and leave the client unassisted
B. Assess the airway for obstruction or secretions
C. Decrease the oxygen concentration immediately
D. Increase the tidal volume
Correct Answer: B. Assess the airway for obstruction or secretions
Rationale: A high-pressure alarm indicates increased resistance or decreased lung compliance.
Common causes include secretions, bronchospasm, a kinked tube, or biting the endotracheal
tube. The airway should be assessed immediately.
,Question 4. A client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is mechanically
ventilated. Which intervention is most appropriate for reducing ventilator-induced lung injury?
A. Use very large tidal volumes
B. Use low tidal volumes based on predicted body weight
C. Eliminate all PEEP
D. Maintain prolonged inspiratory holds for every breath
Correct Answer: B. Use low tidal volumes based on predicted body weight
Rationale: Lung-protective ventilation using low tidal volumes reduces alveolar overdistention
and helps limit ventilator-induced lung injury in clients with ARDS.
Question 5. A client with an acute myocardial infarction develops hypotension, cool clammy
skin, and pulmonary crackles. Which type of shock is most likely?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Anaphylactic shock
Correct Answer: B. Cardiogenic shock
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock results from inadequate cardiac pumping ability. Hypotension,
poor peripheral perfusion, and pulmonary congestion are characteristic findings.
Question 6. A client with hypovolemic shock has a blood pressure of 78/46 mmHg, tachycardia,
and cool clammy skin. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
