ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 22-year-old patient who experienced a near-drowning accident in a local pool, but now is awake and breathing spontaneously, is admitted for observation. Which assessment will be most important for the nurse to take during the observation period?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Auscultate breath sounds. After a near-drowning incident, the main concern is potential respiratory complications such as aspiration pneumonia or pulmonary edema. Auscultating breath sounds will help the nurse assess for any signs of respiratory distress or complications. This assessment is crucial for early detection and intervention. A: Auscultating heart sounds is important but not as crucial as assessing breath sounds in this scenario. B: Palpating peripheral pulses is important for circulation assessment but does not address the immediate concern of respiratory complications. D: Checking pupil reaction to light is more relevant for neurological assessment and not as critical as assessing breathing in this situation.
Question 2 of 5
The central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) is decreasing in a patient who has severe pancreatitis. To determine the possible cause of the decreased ScvO2, the nurse assesses the patient’s:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Temperature. Decreased ScvO2 in severe pancreatitis can be due to systemic inflammatory response leading to increased metabolic demand and decreased tissue oxygen delivery. Monitoring temperature helps assess for presence of infection or sepsis, which can further decrease tissue oxygenation. Lipase (A) is specific for pancreatitis diagnosis, not directly related to ScvO2. Urinary output (C) is important for assessing renal function, not directly related to ScvO2. Body mass index (D) does not provide information on tissue oxygenation status in this context.
Question 3 of 5
An Ethiopian man with AIDS has recently been admitted to the ICU with a case of pneumonia. The man is new to the U.S. and has no health insurance. He would likely be eligible for the states Medicaid coverage, but does not understand how to access this coverage. Which competency or competencies are most needed in this situation? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Advocacy and moral agency. In this scenario, the Ethiopian man with AIDS is in a vulnerable position due to lack of health insurance and understanding of Medicaid coverage. Advocacy skills are crucial to help him navigate the complex healthcare system and access the necessary resources. Moral agency involves advocating for the patient's rights and well-being, ensuring that he receives appropriate care despite his socioeconomic status. Clinical judgment, collaboration, and systems thinking are important competencies but not as directly relevant in this specific situation of advocating for the patient's access to Medicaid coverage.
Question 4 of 5
A patient who has been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and has a poor prognosis plans a trip across the country to settle some issues with their siblings. The nurse recognizes that the patient is manifesting which psychosocial response to death?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Anxiety about unfinished business. The patient's desire to settle issues with their siblings before death indicates a concern about unresolved matters. This response aligns with the concept of psychosocial responses to death, specifically the need for closure and resolution. Restlessness (choice A) may not necessarily indicate a specific focus on unfinished business. Yearning and protest (choice B) typically refer to the initial stages of grief, not specifically related to settling unresolved issues. Fear of the meaninglessness of one's life (choice D) is more existential and philosophical, whereas the patient's focus here is on addressing specific issues with their siblings.
Question 5 of 5
The charge nurse is supervising the care of four critical ca re patients being monitored using invasive hemodynamic modalities. Which patient should t he charge nurse evaluate first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the patient in cardiogenic shock with a cardiac output of 2.0 L/min is experiencing a life-threatening condition that requires immediate evaluation. Cardiogenic shock indicates poor cardiac function, which can lead to multi-organ failure. Monitoring cardiac output is crucial in managing these patients. Choice B is incorrect because a pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 20 mm Hg is within normal range and does not indicate an immediate life-threatening condition. Choice C is incorrect because a CVP of 6 mm Hg in a hypovolemic patient may indicate volume depletion, but it is not as urgent as the patient in cardiogenic shock. Choice D is incorrect because a PAOP of 10 mm Hg is within normal range and does not suggest an immediate critical condition.
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