Critical Care Hesi Practice Questions

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Critical Care Hesi Practice Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

A patient on mechanical ventilation suddenly develops high peak pressures. What is the nurse’s first action?

• Check the IV line.

✔✔B. Assess for kinks or obstruction in the tubing.

• Increase the ventilator rate.
• Call respiratory therapy immediately.

Which rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?

• Sinus tachycardia

✔✔B. Ventricular fibrillation

• Atrial flutter
• First-degree AV block

What is the priority intervention for a patient in septic shock?✔✔A. Begin IV fluid resuscitation 1 / 4

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• Administer oral antibiotics
• Provide oxygen at 2L nasal cannula
• Insert a Foley catheter

A patient with chest trauma has absent breath sounds on the right side and tracheal deviation to the left. What does this indicate?

• Pulmonary embolism

✔✔B. Tension pneumothorax

• Hemothorax
• Atelectasis

Which medication is given for symptomatic bradycardia?

• Epinephrine

✔✔B. Atropine

• Amiodarone
• Lidocaine

What is the priority nursing action when a patient’s arterial line waveform becomes dampened? 2 / 4

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✔✔A. Flush the system and check for air bubbles

• Remove the catheter
• Increase IV fluids
• Silence the alarm

Which lab value is most critical in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

• Sodium

✔✔B. Potassium

• Calcium
• Hemoglobin

A patient in cardiogenic shock is receiving dobutamine. The nurse should monitor for which therapeutic effect?✔✔A. Increased cardiac output

• Decreased urine output
• Lowered heart rate
• Decreased contractility
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Which sign indicates hypovolemic shock?✔✔A. Tachycardia with hypotension

• Bradycardia with hypertension
• Pink warm skin
• Elevated urine output

A patient is on propofol infusion for sedation. Which priority intervention should the nurse perform?✔✔A. Monitor for hypotension and respiratory depression

• Administer only through a central line
• Titrate rapidly to achieve effect
• Withhold if patient is intubated

What is the initial treatment for pulseless ventricular tachycardia?✔✔A. Defibrillation

• Cardioversion
• Adenosine
• Atropine
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