HESI Critical Care Exam Questions with
Answers and Rationales
1. A client with asthma receives a prescription for high blood pressure during a clinic
... [Show More] visit.
Which prescription should the nurse anticipate the client to receive that is least likely to
exacerbate asthma?
A. Carteolol (Ocupress).
B. Propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal).
nonselective beta blocker action. Propranolol (D) also blocks the beta2 receptors in the lungs,
causing bronchoconstriction, and is not indicated in clients with asthma and other obstructive
pulmonary disorders.
2. A male client who has been taking propranolol (Inderal) for 18 months tells the nurse that the
healthcare provider discontinued the medication because his blood pressure has been normal for
the past three months. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Obtain another antihypertensive prescription to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
B. Stop the medication and keep an accurate record of blood pressure.
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C. Report any uncomfortable symptoms after stopping the medication.
D. Ask the healthcare provider about tapering the drug dose over the next week. Correct
Although the healthcare provider discontinued the propranolol, measures to prevent rebound
cardiac excitation, such as progressively reducing the dose over one to two weeks (C), should be
recommended to prevent rebound tachycardia, hypertension, and ventricular dysrhythmias.
Abrupt cessation (A and B) of the beta-blocking agent may precipitate tachycardia and rebound
hypertension, so gradual weaning should be recommended. (D) is not indicated.
becomes less intense, so the length of time the client has been on the medication (A) provides
information to direct additional instruction. (B, C, and D) are not relevant.
4.ID: 6974873590
The nurse is preparing to administer atropine, an anticholinergic, to a client who is scheduled for
a cholecystectomy. The client asks the nurse to explain the reason for the prescribed medication.
What response is best for the nurse to provide?
A. Provide a more rapid induction of anesthesia.
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B. Induce relaxation before induction of anesthesia.
C. Decrease the risk of bradycardia during surgery. Correct
D. Minimize the amount of analgesia needed postoperatively.
Atropine may be prescribed preoperatively to increase the automaticity of the sinoatrial node and
prevent a dangerous reduction in heart rate (B) during surgical anesthesia. (A, C and D) do not
address the therapeutic action of atropine use perioperatively.
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Drugs with anticholinergic properties, such as tricyclic antidepressants (C), can exacerbate
urinary retention associated with opioids in the older client. Although tricyclic antidepressants
and antihistamines with opioids can exacerbate urinary retention, the concurrent use of (A and B)
with opioids do not. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (D) can increase the risk for bleeding,
but do not increase urinary retention with opioids (D).
6.ID: 6974873559
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A client with osteoarthritis is given a new prescription for a nonsteroidal antiinflammat [Show Less]