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Critical Care Hesi Practice Questions: Correct
and Verified Answers Graded A .
- The nurse applies external self-adhesive pacemaker pads to the chest of a client
who has symptomatic bradycardia that has been unresponsive to several doses of atropine sulfate (Atropine). The nurse is setting the pacemaker rate and level of energy. Which nursing intervention is most important when setting the pacemaker to obtain myocardial capture?A.) Slowly increase the mA setting until capture is present.B.) Set the mA an additional 2 mA above where capture began.C.) Put the pacemaker in the demand mode.D.) Program the pacemaker rate to match the client's intrinsic rate.
Correct Answer: A.) Slowly increase the mA setting until capture is present.
- While caring for a client with a transvenous pacemaker, the nurse observes a
sudden loss of myocardial capture. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement after notifying the healthcare provider?A.) Increase output on the generator to attempt recapture.B.) Flush the intravenous catheters to ensure patency.C.) Call for the emergency cart to be brought to the bedside.D.) Obtain a complete set of vital signs for healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: A.) Increase output on the generator to attempt recapture.
- The nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the critical care unit with a closed
head injury sustained in a motor vehicle collision. Which finding in the client's vital sign flowsheet indicates an increase in intracranial pressure?A.) Heart rate 45 beats per minute and blood pressure 180/80 mm Hg.B.) Heart rate 70 beats per minute and blood pressure 140/100 mm Hg.
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C.) Heart rate 90 beats per minute and blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg.D.) Heart rate 110 beats per minute and blood pressure 80/40 mm Hg Correct Answer: A.) Heart rate 45 beats per minute and blood pressure 180/80 mm Hg.
- A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with hepatic encephalopathy
secondary to cirrhosis. The client is lethargic and confused. The healthcare provider prescribes lactulose. Which finding indicates a positive response to the medication?A.) An increase in alertness and orientation.B.) Serum ammonia level 80 mcg/dL (47 mol/L).C.) Multiple diarrheal stools per day.D.) Decreased jaundice of skin and sclera.
Correct Answer: A.) An increase in alertness and orientation.
- The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) after
- The nurse is planning care for a client admitted to the intensive care unit with acute
undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care to minimize the risk for vomiting?A.) Maintain patency of nasogastric tube to low intermittent suction.B.) Provide a soft, bland diet with oral liquids, such as diluted juices.C.) Initiate Dextrose 5% in Lactated Ringer's (D 5LR) solution IV at 125 mL/hour.D.) Insert a rectal tube followed with progressive mobilization techniques.Correct Answer: A.) Maintain patency of nasogastric tube to low intermittent suction.
infected necrotizing pancreatitis. Which diagnostic procedure should the nurse prepare the client to expect the healthcare provider to prescribe?A.) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).B.) Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).C.) Abdominal radiography.D.) Abdominal ultrasound.
Correct Answer: A.) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT)
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- A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with hematemesis related to
esophageal varices. Which assessment finding should the nurse identify that is the result of an estimated blood loss at 35% of total blood volume?A.) Absent bowel sounds.B.) Coma.C.) Anuria.D.) Abdominal pain.
Correct Answer: A.) Absent bowel sounds.
- The critical care nurse is providing care for a client diagnosed clinically brain dead
and identified as an organ donor. Which are the nurse's priorities in providing care?(Select all that apply.) A.) Sustaining a state of hypothermia.B.) Maintaining a normal blood pressure.C.) Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.D.) Treating any coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia and anemia.E.) Monitoring arterial blood gases and serum electrolytes levels.
Correct Answers:
B.) Maintaining a normal blood pressure.C.) Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.D.) Treating any coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia and anemia.E.) Monitoring arterial blood gases and serum electrolytes levels.
- The nurse is assessing a burn victim who suffered destruction of the epidermis and
some of the dermis of the entire right arm and half the length of the right leg. How should the nurse document the burn assessment findings?A.) Superficial, 18% TBSA.B.) Superficial partial-thickness, 18% TBSA.C.) Deep-partial thickness, 27% TBSA.D.) Full-thickness, 27% TBSA.
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Correct Answer: B.) Superficial partial-thickness, 18% TBSA
- An intubated client is in the process of being weaned off ventilator support. The
client's baseline parameters are temperature 98.2 F (36.8 C), heart rate 88 beats/minute, respirations 14 breaths/minute, blood pressure 112/78 mmHg, and oxygen saturation 94%. Which assessment findings would indicate to the nurse that the client is tolerating the weaning procedure? (Select all that apply.) A.) Oxygen saturation is 91% B.) Slight nasal flaring is present.C.) Heart rate is 97 beats/minute.D.) Work of breathing is done by client E.) Respiratory rate is 36 breaths/minute.
Correct Answers:
A.) Oxygen saturation is 91% C.) Heart rate is 97 beats/minute.D.) Work of breathing is done by client
- A client who experienced an occlusive cerebral vascular accident is receiving
warfarin. Which international normalized ratio (INR) result is therapeutic for this client?A.) 2.0 to 3.0.B.) 0.05 to 1.0.C.) 5 times the control value.D.) Equal to the control value.
Correct Answer: A.) 2.0 to 3.0.
- A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is admitted to the intensive care unit.
Which arterial blood gases (ABG) reflect the client's Kussmaul respiratory pattern?A.) pH 7.22, CO 2 31, pO 2 138, HCO 3 14.B.) pH 7.58, CO 2 28, pO 2 128, HCO 3 25.C.) pH 7.40, CO 2 45, pO 2 138, HCO 3 25.
