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Review HESI: Critical Care Questions
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A patient in septic shock is started on norepinephrine. What is the priority nursing assessment?
- Respiratory rate
- Urine output
- Bowel sounds
✔✔C. Blood pressure
Which cardiac rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
- Sinus tachycardia
- Atrial flutter
- First-degree heart block
✔✔B. Ventricular fibrillation
The nurse prepares to administer adenosine for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). How should it be given?
- Slowly over 2 minutes 1 / 4
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✔✔B. Rapid IV push followed by saline flush
- Mixed with 50 mL normal saline infusion
- Intramuscular injection
A patient on mechanical ventilation develops high-pressure alarms. What is the nurse’s first action?
- Silence the alarm and continue
- Increase oxygen concentration
- Call respiratory therapy immediately
✔✔B. Check for kinks or obstructions in the tubing
Which lab value requires immediate intervention in a patient receiving heparin?
- Platelets 180,000
- aPTT 65 seconds
- Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
✔✔B. Platelets 45,000
What is the antidote for magnesium sulfate toxicity? 2 / 4
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- Vitamin K
- Protamine sulfate
- Atropine
✔✔B. Calcium gluconate
A patient with increased intracranial pressure should be positioned:
- Flat supine
- Trendelenburg
- Side-lying with knees flexed
✔✔B. Head of bed elevated 30 degrees
Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with ARDS on a ventilator?
- Low tidal volume ventilation
- Minimal oxygen concentration
- Low respiratory rate
✔✔B. High positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Which vasopressor is most commonly used for septic shock? 3 / 4
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✔✔A. Norepinephrine
- Dopamine
- Epinephrine
- Phenylephrine
The nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube. Continuous bubbling in the water seal
chamber indicates:
✔✔A. Air leak
- Normal drainage
- Tube obstruction
- Expected function
Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?✔✔A. Hypokalemia
- Hypercalcemia
- Hypernatremia
- Hypomagnesemia
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