HESI Critical Care Exam Questions
and correct Answers
Question 1
Prior to a cardiac catheterization, which activity should the nurse have the client
practice?
A. Remain motionless for 5 minutes
B. Flexing hips and knees bilaterally
C. Valsalva's maneuver and coughing
D. Talking while walking on a treadmill
Answer: C
Question 2
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
Answer: B
Question 3
A client is receiving atenolol (Tenormin) 25 mg PO after a myocardial infarction. The
nurse determines the client's apical pulse is 65 beats per minute. What action should
the nurse implement next?
A. Measure the blood pressure
B. Reassess the apical pulse
,C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Administer the medication
Answer: D
Question 4
The nurse is assessing a client and identifies a bruit over the thyroid. This finding is
consistent with which interpretation?
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Thyroid cyst
C. Thyroid cancer
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: D
Question 5
A 16-year-old male client is admitted to the hospital after falling off a bike and
sustaining a fractured bone. The healthcare provider explains the surgery needed to
immobilize the fracture. Which action should be implemented to obtain a valid
informed consent?
A. Obtain the permission of the custodial parent for the surgery
B. Notify the non-custodial parent to also sign a consent form
C. Instruct the client sign the consent before giving medications
D. Obtain the signature of the client's stepfather for the surgery
Answer: A
Question 6
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
Answer: B
Question 7
A 6-year-old child is alert but quiet when brought to the emergency center with
periorbital ecchymosis and ecchymosis behind the ears. The nurse suspects
potential child abuse and continues to assess the child for additional manifestations
of a basilar skull fracture. What assessment finding would be consistent with a
basilar skull fracture?
A. Hematemesis and abdominal distention
B. Asymmetry of the face and eye movements
C. Rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea with Halo sign
D. Abnormal position and movement of the arm
Answer: C
Question 8
A 63-year-old female client whose husband died one month ago is seen in the
psychiatric clinic. Her daughter tells the nurse that her mother is eating poorly, sleeps
very little at night, and continues to set the table for her deceased husband. What
nursing problem best describes this problem?
A. Confusion related to recent death of loved one
B. Unresolved anger related to death of husband
C. Delayed grief reaction related to death of husband
D. Denial related to the loss of a loved one
Answer: D
, Question 9
A 9-year-old is hospitalized for neutropenia and is placed in reverse isolation. The
child asks the nurse, "Why do you have to wear a gown and mask when you are in
my room?" How should the nurse respond?
A. "To protect you because you can get an infection very easily"
B. "Your condition could be spread to staff and other clients in the hospital"
C. "There are many forms of bacteria and germs in the hospital"
D. "After taking medication for 24 hours a gown and mask won't be needed"
Answer: A
Question 10
A child is receiving maintenance intravenous (IV) fluids at the rate of 1000 mL for the
first 10 kg of body weight, plus 50 mL/kg per day for each kilogram between 10 and
20. How many milliliters per hour should the nurse program the infusion pump for a
child who weighs 19.5 kg?
A. 24
B. 61
C. 73
D. 58
Answer: B
Question 11
A child with bacterial conjunctivitis receives a prescription for erythromycin eye
drops. Which information is most important for the nurse to include in the teaching
plan?
A. Apply warm compresses to reduce swelling
B. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for any eye discomfort
and correct Answers
Question 1
Prior to a cardiac catheterization, which activity should the nurse have the client
practice?
A. Remain motionless for 5 minutes
B. Flexing hips and knees bilaterally
C. Valsalva's maneuver and coughing
D. Talking while walking on a treadmill
Answer: C
Question 2
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
Answer: B
Question 3
A client is receiving atenolol (Tenormin) 25 mg PO after a myocardial infarction. The
nurse determines the client's apical pulse is 65 beats per minute. What action should
the nurse implement next?
A. Measure the blood pressure
B. Reassess the apical pulse
,C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Administer the medication
Answer: D
Question 4
The nurse is assessing a client and identifies a bruit over the thyroid. This finding is
consistent with which interpretation?
A. Hypothyroidism
B. Thyroid cyst
C. Thyroid cancer
D. Hyperthyroidism
Answer: D
Question 5
A 16-year-old male client is admitted to the hospital after falling off a bike and
sustaining a fractured bone. The healthcare provider explains the surgery needed to
immobilize the fracture. Which action should be implemented to obtain a valid
informed consent?
A. Obtain the permission of the custodial parent for the surgery
B. Notify the non-custodial parent to also sign a consent form
C. Instruct the client sign the consent before giving medications
D. Obtain the signature of the client's stepfather for the surgery
Answer: A
Question 6
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
Answer: B
Question 7
A 6-year-old child is alert but quiet when brought to the emergency center with
periorbital ecchymosis and ecchymosis behind the ears. The nurse suspects
potential child abuse and continues to assess the child for additional manifestations
of a basilar skull fracture. What assessment finding would be consistent with a
basilar skull fracture?
A. Hematemesis and abdominal distention
B. Asymmetry of the face and eye movements
C. Rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea with Halo sign
D. Abnormal position and movement of the arm
Answer: C
Question 8
A 63-year-old female client whose husband died one month ago is seen in the
psychiatric clinic. Her daughter tells the nurse that her mother is eating poorly, sleeps
very little at night, and continues to set the table for her deceased husband. What
nursing problem best describes this problem?
A. Confusion related to recent death of loved one
B. Unresolved anger related to death of husband
C. Delayed grief reaction related to death of husband
D. Denial related to the loss of a loved one
Answer: D
, Question 9
A 9-year-old is hospitalized for neutropenia and is placed in reverse isolation. The
child asks the nurse, "Why do you have to wear a gown and mask when you are in
my room?" How should the nurse respond?
A. "To protect you because you can get an infection very easily"
B. "Your condition could be spread to staff and other clients in the hospital"
C. "There are many forms of bacteria and germs in the hospital"
D. "After taking medication for 24 hours a gown and mask won't be needed"
Answer: A
Question 10
A child is receiving maintenance intravenous (IV) fluids at the rate of 1000 mL for the
first 10 kg of body weight, plus 50 mL/kg per day for each kilogram between 10 and
20. How many milliliters per hour should the nurse program the infusion pump for a
child who weighs 19.5 kg?
A. 24
B. 61
C. 73
D. 58
Answer: B
Question 11
A child with bacterial conjunctivitis receives a prescription for erythromycin eye
drops. Which information is most important for the nurse to include in the teaching
plan?
A. Apply warm compresses to reduce swelling
B. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for any eye discomfort
