HESI Critical Care Exam
Exam Coverage
The exam coverage includes advanced nursing concepts assessed in
the HESI Critical Care Exam. It focuses on the care of critically ill
patients with complex and unstable conditions involving major body
systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, renal, and
endocrine systems. The exam also evaluates understanding of
hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilation, emergency
interventions, pharmacologic therapies, and prevention of life-
threatening complications. Emphasis is placed on rapid assessment,
prioritization, clinical judgment, patient safety, and the application of
evidence-based critical care nursing practices in high-acuity settings.
,A 56-year-old female client is receiving intracavitary radiation via a
radium implant. Which
nurse should be assigned to care for this client?
A. The nurse who is caring for another client receiving intracavitary
radiation.
B. A nurse with Marfan's syndrome who is postmenopausal.
C. A nurse with oncology experience who may be pregnant.
D. The nurse who is caring for another client who has Clostridium
difficile.
B. A nurse with Marfan's syndrome who is postmenopausal.
RATIONALE:
A client receiving intracavity radiation poses a radiation hazard as long
as the intracavity
radiation source is in place. A nurse's ability to care of this client is not
,affected by Marfan's
syndrome (B), which is a hereditary disorder of connective tissues,
bones, muscles, ligaments
and skeletal structures. The goal is to limit any one staff member's
exposure to the calculated
time span based on the half-life of radium, such as the number of
minutes at the bedside per day,
so (A) should not be assigned. (C) should not be exposed to the
radiation due to the possible
effect on the fetus. A radiation exposure decreases the immune
response in the client who should
not be exposed to the potential inadvertent transmission of an
infectious organism (D).
, 1.A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the medical
unit. What action is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Fit the client with a respirator mask.
B. Assign the client to a negative air-flow room.
C. Don a clean gown for client care.
D. Place an isolation cart in the hallway
Assign the client to a negative air-flow room
RATIONALE:
Active tuberculosis requires implementation of airborne precautions,
so the client should be
assigned to a negative pressure air-flow room (D). Although (A and C)
should be implemented
for clients in isolation with contact precautions, it is most important
Exam Coverage
The exam coverage includes advanced nursing concepts assessed in
the HESI Critical Care Exam. It focuses on the care of critically ill
patients with complex and unstable conditions involving major body
systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, renal, and
endocrine systems. The exam also evaluates understanding of
hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilation, emergency
interventions, pharmacologic therapies, and prevention of life-
threatening complications. Emphasis is placed on rapid assessment,
prioritization, clinical judgment, patient safety, and the application of
evidence-based critical care nursing practices in high-acuity settings.
,A 56-year-old female client is receiving intracavitary radiation via a
radium implant. Which
nurse should be assigned to care for this client?
A. The nurse who is caring for another client receiving intracavitary
radiation.
B. A nurse with Marfan's syndrome who is postmenopausal.
C. A nurse with oncology experience who may be pregnant.
D. The nurse who is caring for another client who has Clostridium
difficile.
B. A nurse with Marfan's syndrome who is postmenopausal.
RATIONALE:
A client receiving intracavity radiation poses a radiation hazard as long
as the intracavity
radiation source is in place. A nurse's ability to care of this client is not
,affected by Marfan's
syndrome (B), which is a hereditary disorder of connective tissues,
bones, muscles, ligaments
and skeletal structures. The goal is to limit any one staff member's
exposure to the calculated
time span based on the half-life of radium, such as the number of
minutes at the bedside per day,
so (A) should not be assigned. (C) should not be exposed to the
radiation due to the possible
effect on the fetus. A radiation exposure decreases the immune
response in the client who should
not be exposed to the potential inadvertent transmission of an
infectious organism (D).
, 1.A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the medical
unit. What action is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Fit the client with a respirator mask.
B. Assign the client to a negative air-flow room.
C. Don a clean gown for client care.
D. Place an isolation cart in the hallway
Assign the client to a negative air-flow room
RATIONALE:
Active tuberculosis requires implementation of airborne precautions,
so the client should be
assigned to a negative pressure air-flow room (D). Although (A and C)
should be implemented
for clients in isolation with contact precautions, it is most important
