ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient on mechanical ventilation is experiencing severe agitation due to being on the ventilator. Which nursing intervention would be best?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Offering the patient a patient-controlled analgesic device. This intervention allows the patient to self-administer pain relief, which can help alleviate discomfort associated with mechanical ventilation and reduce agitation. Breathing exercises (choice A) may not address the root cause of agitation. Asking for antianxiety medication (choice C) may not be immediate or ideal due to potential side effects. Offering an MP3 player (choice D) may provide distraction but may not effectively address the agitation caused by the ventilator.
Question 2 of 5
The patient is undergoing a necessary but painful procedure that is greatly increasing her anxiety. The nurse decides to use guided imagery to help alleviate the patients anxiety. What is a key part of this technique?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because guided imagery involves using the patient's imagination to focus on pleasant sensory experiences. This helps distract the patient from the current situation and reduces anxiety. By remembering tactile sensations of a pleasant experience, the patient can create a calming mental image. Choice A is incorrect because guided imagery does not require an external focus point like a picture. Choice B is incorrect because the technique does not involve staring at a focus point but rather focusing on mental images. Choice D is incorrect because while relaxation is beneficial, guided imagery specifically focuses on visualization of positive experiences to reduce anxiety.
Question 3 of 5
A nurse needs to communicate with a patients family regarding consent to treat an unconscious patient in the ICU. Which member of the group should the nurse approach first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: A woman who originally escorted the patient in. This choice is correct because she is most likely the person responsible for the patient's care and thus likely has legal authority to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient. The other choices are incorrect because simply being recognized as the patient's brother (A), being a teenage boy who approaches the nurse (B), or being a woman whom the others look at and call over (D) does not necessarily indicate that they have the legal authority to make medical decisions for the unconscious patient.
Question 4 of 5
A family of a young girl who has been diagnosed with leukemia has travelled 12 hours by car to admit her to the ICU and be with her during her treatment. Which aspect of the critical care family assistance program would most likely be needed by this family initially?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hospitality programs. Given the family's long journey and the stressful situation of having a child diagnosed with leukemia, their immediate need would likely be for accommodations and support services provided by hospitality programs, such as lodging, meals, transportation assistance, and emotional support. This would help alleviate the burden of their travel and allow them to focus on being with their daughter in the ICU. Incorrect answers: A: Educational materials - While education is crucial for families, it may not be the most immediate need in this situation. B: Weekly group family information sessions - These sessions may be helpful for support and information-sharing, but they are not as urgent as addressing the family's immediate needs. D: Pet therapy - While pet therapy can provide emotional support, it may not be the most pressing need for this family at the moment.
Question 5 of 5
On their first visit to a critically ill patient, family members stand in the doorway of the room, making no effort to approach the patient. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because instructing the family on where the patient can be touched and what to say helps empower them to interact appropriately with the patient. This action promotes the family's involvement in the patient's care, encourages communication, and fosters a supportive environment. Choice B is incorrect as engaging in social conversation may not address the family's hesitance to approach the patient directly. Choice C is incorrect because waiting for visiting hours to provide information may delay necessary support for the family. Choice D is incorrect as leaving the family without guidance may perpetuate their discomfort and hinder their ability to provide emotional support to the patient.