ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Cardiac Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
The family members of a patient who has just been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with multiple traumatic injuries have just arrived in the ICU waiting room. Which action should the nurse take next?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Explain ICU visitation policies and encourage family visits. This is the best course of action because it prioritizes the needs of the family members by providing them with information on visitation policies and encouraging them to visit the patient. This helps establish communication, support, and involvement in the patient's care. It also respects the family's emotional needs during a challenging time. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Immediately taking the family members to the patient's bedside may overwhelm them and disrupt the patient's care. C: Describing the patient's injuries and care being provided should be done in a more controlled environment to ensure the family's understanding and emotional readiness. D: Inviting the family to a multidisciplinary care conference may be premature without first addressing their immediate concerns and providing support.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is caring for a critically ill trauma patient who is expected to be hospitalized for an extended period of time. Which of the following nursing interventions would improve the patient’s well-being and reduce anxiety the most?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because pet therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve well-being in hospitalized patients. Interacting with therapy dogs can provide comfort, companionship, and a distraction from the hospital environment. Bringing in a therapy dog can help the trauma patient feel more relaxed and supported during their extended hospital stay. Choice A may be comforting but does not address the therapeutic benefits of pet therapy. Choice C may provide soothing music, but pet therapy has been specifically proven to reduce anxiety in patients. Choice D, observing fish in an aquarium, may be calming but does not involve the interactive benefits of pet therapy.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is preparing to measure the thermodilution cardaiabicrb o.cuomtp/tuest t (TdCO) in a patient being monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter. Which action by the nurse best ensures the safety of the patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Avoid infusing vasoactive agents in the port used to obtain the TdCO measurement. This action ensures patient safety by preventing the introduction of vasoactive agents directly into the bloodstream during the measurement process. Infusing vasoactive agents can lead to inaccurate TdCO readings and potentially harm the patient. Choice A is incorrect because zero referencing the transducer system at the level of the phlebostatic axis is important for accurate pressure monitoring but not directly related to TdCO measurement safety. Choice C is incorrect as maintaining a pressure of 300 mm Hg on the flush solution bag is not directly related to the safety of TdCO measurement. Choice D is incorrect as limiting the length of noncompliant pressure tubing is important for accurate pressure readings but not directly related to the safety of TdCO measurement.
Question 4 of 9
A patient with end-stage heart failure is experiencing consaibdirebr.caobmle/te dsty spnea. What is the appropriate pharmacological management of this symptom ?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administration of morphine, 5 mg IV bolus, and initiation of a continuous morphine infusion. Morphine is the preferred pharmacological management for severe dyspnea in end-stage heart failure due to its potent analgesic and anxiolytic properties. Step-by-step rationale: 1. Morphine is a potent opioid that helps relieve dyspnea by reducing anxiety, decreasing respiratory drive, and improving overall comfort. 2. The initial IV bolus of 5 mg provides rapid relief of dyspnea. 3. Initiating a continuous morphine infusion ensures sustained relief of dyspnea. 4. Midazolam (choice A) is a benzodiazepine used for sedation and anxiety, but it is not the first-line treatment for dyspnea in this scenario. 5. Increasing the midazolam (choice C) or morphine (choice D) infusions by 100% dose increments hourly is not appropriate as
Question 5 of 9
The nurse admits a terminally ill patient to the hospital. What is the first action that the nurse should complete when planning this patient care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because determining the patient's wishes regarding end-of-life care is crucial in providing patient-centered care and ensuring that the patient's preferences are respected. By understanding the patient's preferences, healthcare providers can tailor the care plan to align with the patient's values and goals. This helps in promoting autonomy, dignity, and quality of life for the patient. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because although addressing family issues, discussing grief, and encouraging the patient to express fears are important aspects of caring for a terminally ill patient, they are not the first action that should be completed. Prioritizing the patient's wishes ensures that the care plan is centered around the patient's needs and preferences, which is essential in providing holistic and patient-centered care.
Question 6 of 9
A client who is taking clonidine (Catapres, Duraclon) reports drowsiness. Which additional assessment should the nurse make?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Assessing how long the client has been taking clonidine is crucial as drowsiness is a common side effect that typically improves over time as the body adjusts to the medication. This information helps determine if the drowsiness is a temporary side effect or a more concerning issue. Choice A (constipation) is not directly related to drowsiness as a side effect of clonidine. Choice B (missed doses) may contribute to drowsiness but is not the primary assessment priority. Choice D (tobacco use) is not directly related to clonidine-induced drowsiness.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse is caring for a 100-kg patient being monitored with a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse assesses a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg, hear t rate 110 beats/min, respirations 36/min, oxygen saturation of 89% on 3 L of oxygen via nasal cannula. Bilateral crackles are audible upon auscultation. Which hemodynamic value reqaubiirrbe.sco imm/temste diate action by the nurse?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cardiac output (CO) of 4 L/min. In this scenario, the patient is presenting with signs of pulmonary congestion and hypoxemia, indicating possible cardiogenic pulmonary edema. As the cardiac output is a key indicator of how well the heart is functioning and delivering blood to the body, a low cardiac output can lead to inadequate tissue perfusion and worsen the patient's condition. Therefore, immediate action is required to address the low cardiac output to improve tissue perfusion and oxygenation. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly address the primary concern of inadequate cardiac output in this patient. Cardiac index, pulmonary vascular resistance, and systemic vascular resistance are important parameters to monitor, but in this case, the priority is to address the low cardiac output to improve the patient's condition.
Question 8 of 9
An unresponsive 79-year-old is admitted to the emergency department (ED) during a summer heat wave. The patient’s core temperature is 105.4°F (40.8°C), blood pressure (BP) 88/50, and pulse 112. The nurse initially will plan to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Apply wet sheets and a fan to the patient. This is the initial treatment for hyperthermia to aid in lowering the body temperature. Wet sheets help in evaporative cooling, while a fan enhances heat loss through convection. This approach is crucial in managing heat-related illnesses quickly. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly address the urgent need to reduce the patient's elevated core temperature. Providing O2, IV fluids, or acetaminophen can be considered later in the management, but the priority is to rapidly lower the body temperature in a hyperthermic patient to prevent further complications.
Question 9 of 9
Family members have a need for information. Which intervention best assists in meeting this need?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because providing a daily update of the patient's progress and facilitating communication with the intensivist directly addresses the family members' need for information in a timely and personalized manner. This intervention ensures that the family is kept informed about the patient's condition and treatment plan, fostering transparency and trust. It also allows for any questions or concerns to be addressed promptly, aiding in the family's understanding and involvement in the patient's care. Now, let's summarize why the other choices are incorrect: A: Handing out a pamphlet may provide information, but it lacks the personalized touch and real-time updates that are crucial for meeting the family's need for information. C: Restricting information and only allowing family members to be present at specific times may create frustration and hinder communication, not effectively meeting their information needs. D: Providing a list of medications is helpful, but it does not offer a comprehensive update on the patient's progress or facilitate direct communication with the medical team, which are