ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
An elderly patient is admitted to the ICU with stage IV lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure. The health care team assembled to care for her is large and diverse, including an oncologist, a pulmonologist, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, and others. The patient is not expected to survive more than a few weeks, and her husband is overwhelmed with stress and grief. Which nurse competency or competencies are most needed in this situation? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Caring practices. In this situation, the patient and her husband are dealing with complex medical conditions and emotional distress. Caring practices involve providing compassionate, empathetic, and supportive care to the patient and her family members during this difficult time. The nurse needs to show sensitivity, understanding, and emotional support to help them cope with their situation. Clinical judgment (A) is important but not the primary focus in this scenario. Collaboration (C) is essential in the interdisciplinary team, but caring practices take precedence in addressing the emotional needs. Response to diversity (D) is also important, but in this case, the focus is more on providing compassionate care rather than addressing cultural or social diversity issues.
Question 2 of 5
A Muslim patient has been admitted to the critical care unit with complications after childbirth. Based on the Synergy Model, which nurse would be the most inappropriate to assign to care for this patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. The Synergy Model emphasizes matching nurse competencies with patient needs. 2. A male nurse may not be culturally appropriate for a Muslim female patient due to religious beliefs. 3. Gender segregation is important in Islamic culture, especially concerning intimate care. 4. Therefore, assigning a new graduate male nurse to care for a Muslim female patient in critical condition is the most inappropriate choice. Summary: - Choice A is incorrect because being a new graduate does not impact cultural competence. - Choice B is incorrect as experience does not necessarily make a nurse the best fit for a specific patient. - Choice D is incorrect as postpartum experience is relevant, but cultural considerations are more critical in this scenario.
Question 3 of 5
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 4 of 5
The nurse understands that a patient being cared for in a critical care unit experiences anacute stress response. What nursing action best demonstrates understanding of the physiological parts of the initial stress response?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Treatment for elevated blood pressure. In the initial stress response, the body releases adrenaline and cortisol, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure. Treating elevated blood pressure is crucial to prevent complications like heart attack or stroke. Adequate pain control (A) and intravenous sedation (B) may help manage symptoms but do not directly address the physiological response to stress. Ignoring an elevated glucose level (D) is not recommended as stress can impact blood sugar levels. Treatment for elevated blood pressure directly targets the physiological response to stress, making it the best nursing action in this scenario.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for a critically ill patient with a very concerned family. Given that the family is under high stress, what nursing intervention will best ameliorate their stress while preserving independence?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encourage the family to participate in patient care tasks. This intervention helps to alleviate stress by involving the family in care, promoting a sense of control and empowerment. It also fosters a collaborative relationship between the family and healthcare team. The other choices are incorrect because B only focuses on asking questions but doesn't actively involve the family in care. C may add pressure on the selected representative and exclude others. D limits family involvement and may increase stress by restricting visitation.