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CRITICAL CARE HESI – 55
QUESTIONS
Question 1: Patient with a long history of smoking
presents with shortness of breath; ABG shows pH 7.25, PCO2 50, HCO3 24. What is the diagnosis?
CORRECT ANSWER : respiratory acidosis (if CO2 is
high it will always be resp. acidosis)
Question 2: Client reports "heart is pounding outside of
her chest" and is diagnosed with SVT. What is the intervention?
CORRECT ANSWER : coach client in relaxation and
deep breathing
Question 3: Patient on insulin protocol; insulin is infused
at 5 units/hr and current glucose reading is 165. What should be done?
CORRECT ANSWER: increase drip by 1 unit/hr
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Question 4: Calculate the infusion rate for 1,500,000 IU
in 500 mL of 0.9% NS.
CORRECT ANSWER : 33
Question 5: DKA math question regarding fluid and
electrolyte replacement.
CORRECT ANSWER : 1000 mL NS with 30 mEq of
sodium
Question 6: Older client with community-acquired
pneumonia (CAP) and SpO2 89%. What is the priority intervention?
CORRECT ANSWER : assist client with turning,
coughing, and deep breathing
Question 7: Patient received endotracheal tube (ETT) 7
days ago, currently on 50% O2, and is anxious and hyperventilating. What is the priority intervention?
CORRECT ANSWER : auscultate lungs
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Question 8: Client has not been taking cortisone for either
- weeks or 2 months, and husband brings her to the ED.
What should be done?
CORRECT ANSWER : Initiate fall precautions (SIADH
causes seizures)
Question 9: UAP assisting nurse in a situation where
patient is having SVT and nurse prepares for cardioversion. What task should be assigned to the UAP?
CORRECT ANSWER : bring resuscitation cart to the
bedside
Question 10: Patient has cardioversion due to
uncontrolled atrial fibrillation. What vital sign indicates the cardioversion was successful?
CORRECT ANSWER : normal sinus rhythm with HR 84
Question 11: Patient had orthopedic surgery and 12 hours
later is anxious with shortness of breath. What is the intervention?
CORRECT ANSWER : Position client to the left side
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Question 12: Patient is receiving dopamine. What should
be monitored?
CORRECT ANSWER : monitor urinary output
Question 13: During insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter,
what should the nurse do?
CORRECT ANSWER : monitor for dysrhythmias
Question 14: Which vital signs are contraindicative of
increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
CORRECT ANSWER : PaCO2 of 55 (normal PaCO2
should be between 35-45; when increased it will cause more ICP)
Question 15: SIADH is associated with which normal lab
values?