ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Questions and Answers PDF Questions
Question 1 of 5
The critical care unit environment is very stressful for patients, families, and staff. What nursing action is directed at reducing environmental stress?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Maintaining quiet during hours of sleep. This action is essential in reducing environmental stress in the critical care unit as it promotes a restful environment for patients and allows for better sleep quality. Noise can disrupt sleep patterns and increase stress levels. Constant evaluation of patient status (A) is important but does not directly address environmental stress. Limiting visits to immediate family (B) can be beneficial in some cases but may not always reduce environmental stress. Bathing all patients during hours of sleep (C) may actually increase stress as it can be disruptive and uncomfortable for patients. Overall, maintaining a quiet environment during sleep hours is the most effective nursing action to reduce environmental stress in the critical care unit.
Question 2 of 5
A patient in a critical care unit has increased stress from the constant noise and light levels. What nursing intervention best attenuates these sources of stress?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dimming lights during the night. This intervention helps reduce stress by creating a more calming environment, promoting rest and sleep. Constant observation (choice A) may increase stress due to lack of privacy. Frequent group rounds (choice C) may disrupt rest. Use of tile floors (choice D) is unrelated to addressing noise and light stress.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is using presence to reduce the anxiety of a critically ill patient. What nursing behavior demonstrates an effective use of presence?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because maintaining eye contact with the patient during explanations is a non-verbal way to show attentiveness and empathy, which can help reduce the patient's anxiety. This behavior demonstrates active listening and engagement, making the patient feel heard and understood. A: Staying in the patient's room to complete documentation is not an effective use of presence as it does not involve direct interaction with the patient. B: Having a conversation in the patient's room that excludes the patient is also not an effective use of presence as it does not involve engaging with the patient. D: Focusing on specific nursing care tasks while in the patient's room, although important, may not necessarily demonstrate presence in reducing the patient's anxiety.
Question 4 of 5
A patient has just been admitted to the ICU after being in a severe auto accident and losing one of her legs. Her husband has his hand over his heart and complains of a rapid heart rate. The nurse recognizes his condition as a sign of which stage of the general adaptation syndrome to stress?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alarm stage. The husband's rapid heart rate indicates the initial alarm reaction to stress, characterized by physiological arousal. This stage involves the body's fight-or-flight response to a stressor. In this scenario, the husband is experiencing the physiological effects of the stressful situation, such as the auto accident and loss of a limb. The other choices are incorrect because: B: Exhaustion stage occurs if stress continues without relief, leading to depletion of resources and increased vulnerability to illness. C: Resistance stage is the body's attempt to adapt and cope with the stressor after the initial alarm reaction. D: Adaptation stage is not a recognized stage in the general adaptation syndrome model.
Question 5 of 5
The sister of a patient in the ICU has been at the patients bedside non-stop for 48 hours. The nurse suggests to her that she return home to rest. Which of the following is the proper rationale for the nurse making such a suggestion?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The sister needs to maintain her own health during this time. It is essential for the sister to take care of her own health and well-being to be able to provide the best support to the patient. Continuous stress and lack of rest can negatively impact her ability to support the patient effectively. Encouraging her to rest will ensure she remains physically and mentally well to continue supporting the patient in the long run. Incorrect Choices: A: The sister is in the way of the health care providers - This is incorrect as the primary concern is the well-being of the sister and her ability to provide support. B: The patient may become annoyed by her continual presence - This is not the main reason for suggesting the sister to rest, as the focus is on her own health. C: The patient will recover more easily in peace and quiet - While peace and quiet can be beneficial for the patient, the main focus here is on the sister's well-being.