Critical Care HESI Exam Questions and
Verified Answers
The nurses calculating fluid resuscitation for young adult male who was burned in a bloody
accident at 1200 and is seen in the ER at 1400. The HCP determines that the client has burn
over 30% of his body, mainly over his arms and chest. Using the Parkland formula for fluid
resuscitation, the client is to receive 7000 mL of fluid in 24 hours. Which goal should the nurse
establish for this clients plan of care? - ✔✔By 2000, the client will have received 3500 mL of
fluid
When caring for a client on a vent, which finding provides the greatest indication that the client
has an open airway? - ✔✔Bilateral breath sounds can be auscultated
The nurse performs a prescribed a neurological check at the beginning of the shift on a client
who was admitted with a subarachnoid brain attack (Stroke). The client's GCS is 9. What
information is most important for the nurse to determine? - ✔✔The client's previous GCS score
An adult female with a history of type 1 diabetes has been vomiting for the past 48 hours and is
admitted to the ICU with DKA. Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by
the nurse? - ✔✔Excessive thirst
A client admitted to the ICU after a colon resection with the formation of the loop colostomy.
The nurse determines that the clients abdominal dressing is clean and dry. Vital signs are: HR:
130, temperature: 100, BP: 88/65, and urine output of 10 mL/hr. What interventions should the
nurse implement? - ✔✔Give a 500 mL IV fluid bolus challenge
A client is admitted with syncopal episodes related to a third degree heart block. After the
placement of a transcutaneous pacemaker, the nurse observes several episodes the pacemaker
failure to sense. What action should the nurse take? - ✔✔Increase the sensitivity
A client is receiving CPR. After systole is confirmed in two leads and sending the transcutaneous
pacemaker, which IV medication should be administered? - ✔✔Epinephrine (adrenaline)
, A client has a chest tube connected to a closed water seal drainage system with suction. What
equipment should the nurse always have available at the clients bedside? - ✔✔Occlusive
dressing
Bretylium 1 mg/min via infusion is prescribed for a client and ventricular tachycardia. The
available solution is 500 mL D5W contains bretylium 1 gram. The nurse should program the
infusion time to deliver how many mL/hr? - ✔✔30
The client is receiving an infusion of nitroglycerin 100 mg and 500 mL D5W at 6 mL/hr. How
many mcg/min of nitroglycerin is infusing? - ✔✔20
A client arrives in the ER complaining of pain. What description of pain should prompt the nurse
to suspect it originated in the myocardium? - ✔✔Produces chest heaviness with left arm pain
Four days ago a chest tube was inserted into the second intercostal space of a client who has a
pneumothorax. Today the nurse notes that there is no fluctuation in the water-seal chamber of
the Pleuravac. Which intervention would be most appropriate for the nurse to implement? -
✔✔Assess the clients breath sounds of the affected lung
In developing a care plan for a client that has a chest tube due to a hemothorax, the nurse
should recognize which intervention is essential? - ✔✔Encourage the client to breathe deeply
and cough at frequent intervals
A postoperative client is admitted the ICU with an inflated pressure infuser containing solution
of heparin 2 units/mL attached to an intraarterial cannula. Which finding indicated that the
heparin infusion has achieved its therapeutic use? - ✔✔Intra-arterial cannula remain patent
The nurse suspects that a client with a central venous catheter in the left subclavian vein is
experiencing an embolism. What signs and symptoms are most indicative of this condition? -
✔✔Anxiety, confusion, lightheadedness, and loss consciousness
Verified Answers
The nurses calculating fluid resuscitation for young adult male who was burned in a bloody
accident at 1200 and is seen in the ER at 1400. The HCP determines that the client has burn
over 30% of his body, mainly over his arms and chest. Using the Parkland formula for fluid
resuscitation, the client is to receive 7000 mL of fluid in 24 hours. Which goal should the nurse
establish for this clients plan of care? - ✔✔By 2000, the client will have received 3500 mL of
fluid
When caring for a client on a vent, which finding provides the greatest indication that the client
has an open airway? - ✔✔Bilateral breath sounds can be auscultated
The nurse performs a prescribed a neurological check at the beginning of the shift on a client
who was admitted with a subarachnoid brain attack (Stroke). The client's GCS is 9. What
information is most important for the nurse to determine? - ✔✔The client's previous GCS score
An adult female with a history of type 1 diabetes has been vomiting for the past 48 hours and is
admitted to the ICU with DKA. Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by
the nurse? - ✔✔Excessive thirst
A client admitted to the ICU after a colon resection with the formation of the loop colostomy.
The nurse determines that the clients abdominal dressing is clean and dry. Vital signs are: HR:
130, temperature: 100, BP: 88/65, and urine output of 10 mL/hr. What interventions should the
nurse implement? - ✔✔Give a 500 mL IV fluid bolus challenge
A client is admitted with syncopal episodes related to a third degree heart block. After the
placement of a transcutaneous pacemaker, the nurse observes several episodes the pacemaker
failure to sense. What action should the nurse take? - ✔✔Increase the sensitivity
A client is receiving CPR. After systole is confirmed in two leads and sending the transcutaneous
pacemaker, which IV medication should be administered? - ✔✔Epinephrine (adrenaline)
, A client has a chest tube connected to a closed water seal drainage system with suction. What
equipment should the nurse always have available at the clients bedside? - ✔✔Occlusive
dressing
Bretylium 1 mg/min via infusion is prescribed for a client and ventricular tachycardia. The
available solution is 500 mL D5W contains bretylium 1 gram. The nurse should program the
infusion time to deliver how many mL/hr? - ✔✔30
The client is receiving an infusion of nitroglycerin 100 mg and 500 mL D5W at 6 mL/hr. How
many mcg/min of nitroglycerin is infusing? - ✔✔20
A client arrives in the ER complaining of pain. What description of pain should prompt the nurse
to suspect it originated in the myocardium? - ✔✔Produces chest heaviness with left arm pain
Four days ago a chest tube was inserted into the second intercostal space of a client who has a
pneumothorax. Today the nurse notes that there is no fluctuation in the water-seal chamber of
the Pleuravac. Which intervention would be most appropriate for the nurse to implement? -
✔✔Assess the clients breath sounds of the affected lung
In developing a care plan for a client that has a chest tube due to a hemothorax, the nurse
should recognize which intervention is essential? - ✔✔Encourage the client to breathe deeply
and cough at frequent intervals
A postoperative client is admitted the ICU with an inflated pressure infuser containing solution
of heparin 2 units/mL attached to an intraarterial cannula. Which finding indicated that the
heparin infusion has achieved its therapeutic use? - ✔✔Intra-arterial cannula remain patent
The nurse suspects that a client with a central venous catheter in the left subclavian vein is
experiencing an embolism. What signs and symptoms are most indicative of this condition? -
✔✔Anxiety, confusion, lightheadedness, and loss consciousness
