ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A patient in the ICU is complaining that he is not sleeping well at night because of anxiety. Which of the following would be the most helpful intervention for the nurse to make?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: C: Providing the patient with 5 minutes of effleurage (gentle massage) and minimizing disruptions is the most helpful intervention. Effleurage can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, improving sleep quality. Minimizing disruptions creates a conducive environment for sleep. A: Providing a bath after REM sleep may disrupt the patient's sleep cycle, worsening anxiety. B: Increasing pain medication may not address the root cause of anxiety and could lead to dependency or side effects. D: Monitoring brain waves with polysomnography is an invasive procedure not typically indicated for managing anxiety-related sleep issues.
Question 2 of 9
The family of a critically ill patient has asked to discuss organ donation with the patient’s nurse. When preparing to answer the family’s questions, th e nurse understands which concern(s) most often influence a family’s decision to donate? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer A: Donor disfigurement influences on funeral care. Families often consider the impact of organ donation on the appearance of their loved one during funeral arrangements. This concern can significantly influence their decision to donate. Incorrect Answers: B: Fear of inferior medical care provided to donor. This is not a common concern as medical care for donors is typically of high quality. C: Age and location of all possible organ recipients. While important, this is not a primary concern for families when deciding on organ donation. D: Concern that donated organs will not be used. Families are generally more concerned about the impact on their loved one's appearance post-donation rather than the utilization of organs.
Question 3 of 9
The critical care environment is often stressful to a criticalalbyir bil.clo pma/tteiset nt. Identify stressors that are commonly stressful for the critically ill patient. (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alarms that sound from various devices. In the critical care environment, alarms often indicate changes in the patient's condition, causing stress. Bright fluorescent lighting (B) may be bothersome but not directly related to patient stress. Lack of day-night cues (C) may disrupt sleep patterns but is not a direct stressor. Sounds from the mechanical ventilator (D) are essential for patient care and not inherently stressful.
Question 4 of 9
A 65-year-old patient with a history of metastatic lung car cinoma has been unresponsive to chemotherapy. The medical team has determined that ther e are no additional treatments available that will prolong life or improve the quality of lifaebi ribn.c oamn/yte smt eaningful way. Despite the poor prognosis, the patient continues to receive chemotherapy and full nutrition support. This is an example of what end-of-life concept?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Medical futility. In this scenario, the patient's condition is terminal with no treatment options left. Continuing chemotherapy offers no benefit and may even harm the patient. Medical futility refers to interventions that are unlikely to achieve the desired outcome. B: Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, which is not being addressed in this case. C: Terminal weaning involves gradually removing life-support measures, which is not happening here. D: Withdrawal of treatment would be appropriate if the treatments were no longer beneficial, but the issue here is the continued provision of futile treatment.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse assesses a patient who is admitted for an overdo se of sedatives. The nurse expects to find which acid-base alteration?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis. When a patient overdoses on sedatives, it can lead to respiratory depression causing hypoventilation. Hypoventilation results in retention of CO2, leading to respiratory acidosis. This is because the body is not effectively exhaling CO2, causing an increase in carbonic acid levels and a decrease in blood pH. The other choices are incorrect because hyperventilation would lead to respiratory alkalosis (Choice A), hypoventilation does not cause respiratory alkalosis (Choice C), and normal oxygen levels do not indicate the acid-base imbalance caused by sedative overdose (Choice D).
Question 6 of 9
A client has been admitted after experiencing multiple trauma and is intubated and sedated. When the five members of the immediate family arrive, they are anxious, angry, and very demanding. They all speak loudly at once and ask for many services and answers. What is the best nursing response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Take them to a private area for initial explanations. This response is the best because it allows the nurse to address the family's concerns in a private and controlled environment. It promotes effective communication and enables the family to express their emotions and receive information without distractions. Choice A is incorrect because asking the family to leave may escalate the situation and not address their needs. Choice C is inappropriate as paging security to remove the family can worsen the family's distress and hinder communication. Choice D is not ideal as leaving the family alone may lead to misunderstandings and increased anxiety. Overall, choice B is the most therapeutic and effective approach in this situation.
Question 7 of 9
Which assessment finding obtained by the nurse when caring for a patient with a right radial arterial line indicates a need for the nurse to take immediate action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because a cooler right hand may indicate compromised circulation, potentially due to arterial occlusion or clot formation. This could lead to inadequate perfusion and tissue damage. Immediate action is needed to assess and address the cause. Choice B is incorrect because a MAP of 77 mm Hg is within the normal range for most patients and does not require immediate action. Choice C is incorrect as delivering 3 mL of flush solution per hour is an appropriate rate and does not indicate a need for immediate action. Choice D is incorrect as the flush bag and tubing being changed 3 days ago does not necessarily indicate an immediate issue with the arterial line function.
Question 8 of 9
What were identified as the first critical care units? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Burn units. Burn units were identified as the first critical care units due to the complex and intensive care required by burn patients. These units were established to provide specialized care for burn victims, including wound management, infection control, and fluid resuscitation. Summary: - Burn units were the first critical care units due to the specialized care needed for burn patients. - Coronary care units focus on cardiac conditions, not the first identified critical care units. - Recovery rooms are for post-operative care, not specifically for critical care. - Neonatal intensive care units are specialized for newborns, not the first critical care units.
Question 9 of 9
Which statement is consistent with societal views of dying in the United States?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is D because the purpose of the healthcare system in the United States is primarily focused on disease prevention and symptom management. This aligns with societal views as healthcare is geared towards improving health outcomes and quality of life. Incorrect choices: A: Dying is not viewed as a failure of the system or providers, rather as a natural part of life. B: Most Americans prefer to die at home or in hospice care rather than in a hospital. C: Illnesses are not always curable, and death can result from various complex conditions beyond treatment.