NUR N179 HESI CRITICAL CARE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
LATEST UPDATE 2025\2026
A client who is taking clonidine (Catapres, Duraclon) reports drowsiness.
Which additional assessment should the nurse make?
A. Has the client experienced constipation recently?
B. Did the client miss any doses of the medication?
C. How long has the client been taking the medication? Correct
D. Does the client use any tobacco products?
Drowsiness can occur in the early weeks of treatment with clonidine and with
continued use
becomes less intense, so the length of time the client has been on the medication (A)
provides
information to direct additional instruction. (B, C, and D) are not relevant.
A client with asthma receives a prescription for high blood pressure during a
clinic visit.
Which prescription should the nurse anticipate the client to receive that is
least likely to exacerbate asthma?
, A. Carteolol (Ocupress).
B. Propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal).
C. Pindolol (Visken). Incorrect
D. Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor). Correct
The best antihypertensive agent for clients with asthma is metoprolol (Lopressor)
(C), a beta2
blocking agent which is also cardioselective and less likely to cause
bronchoconstriction.
Pindolol (A) is a beta2 blocker that can cause bronchoconstriction and increase
asthmatic
symptoms. Although carteolol (B) is a beta blocking agent and an effective
antihypertensive
agent used in managing angina, it can increase a client's risk for bronchoconstriction
due to its
nonselective beta blocker action. Propranolol (D) also blocks the beta2 receptors in
the lungs,
causing bronchoconstriction, and is not indicated in clients with asthma and other
,obstructive
pulmonary disorders.
A male client who has been taking propranolol (Inderal) for 18 months tells the
nurse that the healthcare provider discontinued the medication because his blood
pressure has been normal for the past three months. Which instruction should the
nurse provide?
A. Obtain another antihypertensive prescription to avoid withdrawal
symptoms.
B. Stop the medication and keep an accurate record of blood pressure.
, C. Report any uncomfortable symptoms after stopping the medication.
D. Ask the healthcare provider about tapering the drug dose over the next
week. Correct
Although the healthcare provider discontinued the propranolol, measures to prevent
rebound
cardiac excitation, such as progressively reducing the dose over one to two weeks
(C), should be
recommended to prevent rebound tachycardia, hypertension, and ventricular
dysrhythmias.
Abrupt cessation (A and B) of the beta-blocking agent may precipitate tachycardia
and rebound
hypertension, so gradual weaning should be recommended. (D) is not indicated.
4.ID: 6974873590
The nurse is preparing to administer atropine, an anticholinergic, to a client who is
scheduled for a cholecystectomy. The client asks the nurse to explain the reason
for the prescribed medication. What response is best for the nurse to provide?
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
LATEST UPDATE 2025\2026
A client who is taking clonidine (Catapres, Duraclon) reports drowsiness.
Which additional assessment should the nurse make?
A. Has the client experienced constipation recently?
B. Did the client miss any doses of the medication?
C. How long has the client been taking the medication? Correct
D. Does the client use any tobacco products?
Drowsiness can occur in the early weeks of treatment with clonidine and with
continued use
becomes less intense, so the length of time the client has been on the medication (A)
provides
information to direct additional instruction. (B, C, and D) are not relevant.
A client with asthma receives a prescription for high blood pressure during a
clinic visit.
Which prescription should the nurse anticipate the client to receive that is
least likely to exacerbate asthma?
, A. Carteolol (Ocupress).
B. Propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal).
C. Pindolol (Visken). Incorrect
D. Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor). Correct
The best antihypertensive agent for clients with asthma is metoprolol (Lopressor)
(C), a beta2
blocking agent which is also cardioselective and less likely to cause
bronchoconstriction.
Pindolol (A) is a beta2 blocker that can cause bronchoconstriction and increase
asthmatic
symptoms. Although carteolol (B) is a beta blocking agent and an effective
antihypertensive
agent used in managing angina, it can increase a client's risk for bronchoconstriction
due to its
nonselective beta blocker action. Propranolol (D) also blocks the beta2 receptors in
the lungs,
causing bronchoconstriction, and is not indicated in clients with asthma and other
,obstructive
pulmonary disorders.
A male client who has been taking propranolol (Inderal) for 18 months tells the
nurse that the healthcare provider discontinued the medication because his blood
pressure has been normal for the past three months. Which instruction should the
nurse provide?
A. Obtain another antihypertensive prescription to avoid withdrawal
symptoms.
B. Stop the medication and keep an accurate record of blood pressure.
, C. Report any uncomfortable symptoms after stopping the medication.
D. Ask the healthcare provider about tapering the drug dose over the next
week. Correct
Although the healthcare provider discontinued the propranolol, measures to prevent
rebound
cardiac excitation, such as progressively reducing the dose over one to two weeks
(C), should be
recommended to prevent rebound tachycardia, hypertension, and ventricular
dysrhythmias.
Abrupt cessation (A and B) of the beta-blocking agent may precipitate tachycardia
and rebound
hypertension, so gradual weaning should be recommended. (D) is not indicated.
4.ID: 6974873590
The nurse is preparing to administer atropine, an anticholinergic, to a client who is
scheduled for a cholecystectomy. The client asks the nurse to explain the reason
for the prescribed medication. What response is best for the nurse to provide?
