ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing NCLEX Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A young man has just arrived at the ICU from out of town and received news that his girlfriend, who is admitted there, likely only has a few days left to live. Which of the following would be the best approach for the nurse to take in caring for the needs of this young man?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Suggesting that he meet with the hospital chaplain. This approach is best as it addresses the young man's emotional and spiritual needs during a difficult time. The chaplain can provide comfort, support, and guidance in coping with his girlfriend's situation. This option focuses on holistic care and acknowledges the importance of emotional well-being. A: Recommending that he go home and rest is not the best approach as it dismisses the young man's emotional distress. B: Giving him unrestricted visiting hours with the patient may not be appropriate as it can be overwhelming and may not address his emotional needs effectively. D: Recommending that he ask the doctor to evaluate the patient's pain control measures is important but does not directly address the young man's emotional needs in this situation.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is caring for four patients on the progressive car e unit. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing delirium?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, the 86-year-old postoperative from colonic resection. This patient is at the greatest risk for delirium due to being elderly, having undergone surgery, and having a history of being from a nursing home. These factors contribute to an increased susceptibility to delirium. A: The 36-year-old with alcohol withdrawal may be at risk for delirium tremens, but the older age of the patient in choice C places them at higher risk. B: The 54-year-old with an elevated creatinine level postoperative is at risk for complications, but age and history of nursing home placement increase the risk for delirium in choice C. D: The 95-year-old with community-acquired pneumonia is at risk for delirium, but the combination of age, surgery, and nursing home history in choice C presents a greater risk.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who has chosen palliative care. Which goal should the nurse prioritize when planning care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Manage the patient's pain and symptoms. In palliative care, the primary goal is to provide comfort and improve quality of life for terminally ill patients. Managing pain and symptoms is crucial in achieving this goal. By addressing pain and symptoms, the nurse can help enhance the patient's comfort and well-being. Other choices are incorrect because palliative care focuses on improving quality of life rather than curing the underlying disease (A), prolonging life expectancy (C), or primarily addressing family concerns (D). Prioritizing pain and symptom management aligns with the holistic approach of palliative care.
Question 4 of 9
A client with cancer has a history of alcohol abuse and is taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. Which organ function is most important for the nurse to monitor?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Liver. The nurse should monitor liver function in this client because acetaminophen is primarily metabolized in the liver. Alcohol abuse can also contribute to liver damage, increasing the risk of liver toxicity from acetaminophen. Monitoring liver function tests like AST, ALT, and bilirubin levels can help detect any liver damage early. Choice A, cardiorespiratory, is not directly related to acetaminophen or alcohol abuse in this scenario. Choice C, sensory, is not relevant to monitoring organ function in this context. Choice D, kidney, is not the primary concern because acetaminophen is mainly metabolized in the liver, and kidney function is not typically affected by acetaminophen use.
Question 5 of 9
Upon entering the room of a patient with a right radial arte rial line, the nurse assesses the waveform to be slightly dampened and notices blood to bea bbirabc.ckoemd/te ustp into the pressure tubing. What is the best action by the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Disconnect the flush system from the arterial line catheter. This action is necessary to prevent air from entering the patient's bloodstream, which can lead to air embolism. By disconnecting the flush system, the nurse stops the flow of air and ensures patient safety. Checking the inflation volume of the pressurized bag (A) is not the immediate concern in this situation. Zero referencing the transducer system (C) is unrelated to the issue of air entering the arterial line. Reducing the number of stopcocks in the flush system tubing (D) does not address the immediate risk of air embolism.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is preparing to obtain a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) reading for a patient who is mechanically ventilated. Ensuring that the aaibri-rbf.lcuoimd/ teinstt erface is at the level of the phlebostatic axis, what is the best nursing action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because placing the patient with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees is the best position for obtaining an accurate PAOP reading. Elevating the head of the bed helps to align the phlebostatic axis with the atrium, ensuring an accurate measurement of PAOP. This position reduces the impact of hydrostatic pressure on the reading. Options A and D are incorrect because the supine position and recording during exhalation or just before the increase in pressures during inhalation can lead to inaccurate readings. Option B is incorrect because documenting the average PAOP after three measurements does not address the importance of positioning for accuracy.
Question 7 of 9
A young man has just arrived at the ICU from out of town and received news that his girlfriend, who is admitted there, likely only has a few days left to live. Which of the following would be the best approach for the nurse to take in caring for the needs of this young man?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Suggesting that he meet with the hospital chaplain. This approach is best as it addresses the young man's emotional and spiritual needs during a difficult time. The chaplain can provide comfort, support, and guidance in coping with his girlfriend's situation. This option focuses on holistic care and acknowledges the importance of emotional well-being. A: Recommending that he go home and rest is not the best approach as it dismisses the young man's emotional distress. B: Giving him unrestricted visiting hours with the patient may not be appropriate as it can be overwhelming and may not address his emotional needs effectively. D: Recommending that he ask the doctor to evaluate the patient's pain control measures is important but does not directly address the young man's emotional needs in this situation.
Question 8 of 9
When evaluating a patient with a central venous catheter, the nurse observes that the insertion site is red and tender to touch and the patient’s temperature is 101.8°F. What should the nurse plan to do next?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Discontinue the catheter and culture the tip. The patient's symptoms indicate a possible catheter-related infection. Discontinuing the catheter will prevent further infection spread. Culturing the tip will identify the specific pathogen causing the infection, guiding appropriate antibiotic therapy. Choice A is incorrect because giving analgesics alone will not address the underlying infection. Choice C is incorrect as changing the flush system is not a priority when infection is suspected. Choice D is incorrect as checking the site more frequently does not address the need for immediate action to address the infection.
Question 9 of 9
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) sponsors certification in critical care nursing for several critical care subspecialties. What is the most important benefit of such certification for the profession of nursing?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because certification validates nurses' expert knowledge and practice. This is important as it ensures that nurses have the necessary skills and competence to provide high-quality care in critical care settings. Certification is voluntary and not mandated by government regulations (Choice C). It goes beyond demonstrating basic knowledge (Choice D) by confirming specialized expertise. While certification may garner positive publicity (Choice A), the primary benefit is the validation of advanced skills and knowledge.