ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
All of the patient’s children are distressed by the possibility of removing life-support treatments. The child who is most upset tells the nurse, “T his is the same as killing! I thought you were supposed to help!” What response would the nur se provide to the family?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: 1. Acknowledges the child's distress and concerns. 2. Explains the concept of allowing natural death after serious injuries. 3. Helps the family understand the ethical and medical reasoning behind removing life support. 4. Shows empathy and provides education to address misconceptions. Summary of other choices: B: Incorrect - Avoids addressing the family's concerns and provides a vague response. C: Incorrect - Contains a typo and does not directly address the child's distress or misunderstanding. D: Incorrect - Irrelevant response that does not address the ethical dilemma at hand.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse recognizes that which patient is likely to benefit most from patient-controlled analgesia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, the 21-year-old with a C4 fracture and quadriplegia. This patient is likely to benefit most from patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) due to the inability to self-administer traditional pain medications. With quadriplegia, the patient may have limited mobility and sensation, making it challenging to communicate pain levels effectively. PCA allows the patient to control their pain relief within preset limits, enhancing autonomy and optimizing pain management. Summary: - Choice B: The 45-year-old with femur fracture and closed head injury may benefit from PCA, but the severity of the head injury could affect their ability to use the device effectively. - Choice C: The 59-year-old postoperative elective bariatric surgery patient can typically manage pain with traditional methods postoperatively. - Choice D: The 70-year-old postoperative cardiac surgery patient with mild dementia may have the cognitive ability to use PCA but could potentially benefit more from other pain management strategies due
Question 3 of 9
A patient nearing death experiences increased secretions and noisy breathing. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer anticholinergic medications as prescribed. Anticholinergic medications can help dry up secretions and improve breathing in a patient nearing death. This intervention targets the underlying cause of increased secretions. Suctioning (choice A) may provide temporary relief but does not address the root issue. Elevating the head of the bed and repositioning (choice C) can help with comfort but do not directly address the secretions. Restricting oral intake (choice D) may lead to dehydration and discomfort without effectively managing the secretions. Administering anticholinergic medications is the priority as it directly targets the symptom of increased secretions, improving the patient's comfort and quality of life.
Question 4 of 9
Many critically ill patients experience anxiety. The nurse can reduce anxiety with which approach?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it addresses the patient's anxiety by providing clear communication and involving the patient in the care process. By explaining the turning procedure, inspecting the skin, and providing comfort through lotion application, the nurse establishes trust and promotes a sense of control for the patient. This approach helps alleviate anxiety by keeping the patient informed and engaged in their care. Choice A is incorrect because limiting family visitation may not directly address the patient's anxiety. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on routine information rather than directly addressing the patient's anxiety. Choice D is incorrect because suctioning the endotracheal tube may cause discomfort and does not address the underlying anxiety issue.
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
The nurse is a member of a committee to design a critical care unit in a new building. Which design trend would best be implemented to facilitate famil y-centered care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: 1. Family-centered care promotes involvement of family members in patient care. 2. A sleeper sofa in the patient's room allows family members to stay overnight, enhancing support for the patient. 3. Storage for personal belongings ensures families can have essentials close by, increasing comfort and convenience. 4. These design elements facilitate family presence, communication, and participation in care, aligning with family-centered care principles. Summary of Incorrect Choices: B. Having a diagnostic suite nearby is convenient but not directly related to family-centered care principles. C. A waiting room with amenities is beneficial but does not directly involve families in patient care. D. Access to a garden for meditation is helpful for relaxation but does not emphasize family involvement in care.
Question 7 of 9
The urgent care center protocol for tick bites includes the following actions. Which action will the nurse take first when caring for a patient with a tick bite?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Use tweezers to remove any remaining ticks. The first step is to remove the tick to prevent further transmission of any potential pathogens. This is crucial in preventing tick-borne illnesses. Checking vital signs (B) can be done after the tick is removed. Administering doxycycline (C) should be based on guidelines and individual factors. Obtaining information about recent outdoor activities (D) is important but not the immediate priority.
Question 8 of 9
A patient’s ventilator settings are adjusted to treat hypoxemia. The fraction of inspired oxygen is increased from.60 to.70, and the positive end-expiratory pressure is increased from 10 to 15 cm H O. Shortly after these adjustments, the nurse notes that the patient’s blood pressure drops from 120/76 mm Hg to 90/60 mm Hg. What is the m ost likely cause of this decrease in blood pressure?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypovolemia. When the ventilator settings are adjusted to treat hypoxemia by increasing FiO2 and PEEP, it can lead to increased oxygenation but also potentially decrease venous return to the heart, causing a decrease in blood pressure. This decrease in blood pressure is most likely due to hypovolemia, as the increased PEEP can increase intrathoracic pressure, reducing venous return and preload, leading to a decrease in cardiac output and subsequent decrease in blood pressure. This choice is the most likely cause as the other options (A: Decrease in cardiac output, C: Increase in venous return, D: Oxygen toxicity) do not directly correlate with the changes in ventilator settings described in the question.
Question 9 of 9
A 100-kg patient gets hemodialysis 3 days a week. In planning the care for this patient, the nurse recommends
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: a diet of 2500 to 3500 kcal per day. During hemodialysis, the patient loses nutrients and energy, so a high-calorie diet is necessary to maintain proper nutrition and energy levels. 2500-3500 kcal/day is a suitable range for a 100-kg patient. Choice B is incorrect because protein intake should be adequate to prevent malnutrition in hemodialysis patients, typically 1.2g/kg body weight/day. Choice C is incorrect as potassium intake should be restricted in hemodialysis patients due to impaired kidney function. Choice D is incorrect because fluid intake should be individualized based on the patient's fluid status and should not be limited to less than 500 mL per day.