ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Cardiac Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nurse cares for an adolescent patient who is dying. The patient’s parents are interested in organ donation and ask the nurse how the decision about brain death is made. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Brain death has occurred if there is no breathing and certain reflexes are absent. Brain death is defined as the irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem. The absence of breathing and certain reflexes, such as no response to painful stimuli or no pupillary response to light, are key indicators of brain death. This definition is crucial for determining eligibility for organ donation. Incorrect choices: A: Brain death occurs if a person is flaccid and unresponsive. Flaccidity and unresponsiveness are not specific criteria for diagnosing brain death. B: If CPR is ineffective in restoring a heartbeat, the brain cannot function. The absence of a heartbeat alone does not indicate brain death. D: If respiratory efforts cease and no apical pulse is audible, brain death is present. Respiratory cessation and the absence of pulse are not definitive signs of brain death.
Question 2 of 9
Comparing the patient’s current (home) medications with those ordered during hospitalization and communicating a complete list of medications to the next care provider when the patient is transferred within an organization or to another setting a re strategies toward best achieving what patient related goal?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: Reconciling medications is essential for patient safety as it involves comparing current and ordered medications to ensure accuracy. Step 2: This process helps prevent medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and duplications across different care settings. Step 3: Communicating a complete list of medications to the next care provider ensures continuity of care and reduces the risk of medication discrepancies. Step 4: By reconciling medications across the continuum of care, healthcare providers can better coordinate patient care and optimize treatment outcomes. In summary, choice C is correct as it focuses on medication reconciliation to improve patient safety and care coordination. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not directly address the comprehensive process of reconciling medications across care settings.
Question 3 of 9
A patient with terminal cancer reports a sudden onset of severe pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess the patient’s pain using a standardized pain scale. The first step is to assess the severity and nature of the pain to determine the appropriate intervention. This allows the nurse to understand the pain intensity and characteristics, which guides the choice of analgesic and dosing. Administering analgesics (B) without proper assessment can lead to inappropriate treatment. Notifying the healthcare provider (C) is important but assessing the pain should come first. Repositioning the patient (D) may provide comfort but addressing the pain directly is the priority.
Question 4 of 9
The patient has a temporary percutaneous catheter in place for treatment of acute kidney injury. The catheter has been in place for 5 days. The nurse should
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because after 5 days, the risk of infection increases. Evaluating the patient for signs and symptoms of infection is crucial for early detection and treatment. Choice A is incorrect because routine dialysis catheter changes are not necessary after only 5 days. Choice C is incorrect as percutaneous catheters are for short-term use. Choice D is incorrect as using the catheter for fluid administration may increase the risk of infection.
Question 5 of 9
The patient’s significant other is terrified by the prospect o f removing life-sustaining treatments from the patient and asks why anyone would do that. What explanation should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it explains that the decision to remove life-sustaining treatments is based on the fact that these treatments are not helping the patient and may actually be causing discomfort. This rationale aligns with the principle of beneficence, which emphasizes doing good and avoiding harm to the patient. It also respects the patient's autonomy by prioritizing their well-being and quality of life. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on financial reasons rather than the patient's best interest. Choice B is incorrect because it prioritizes hospital resources over individual patient care. Choice D is incorrect as it lacks clarity and may come across as insensitive to the significant other's concerns.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient with acute respiratory dist ress syndrome who is hypoxemic despite mechanical ventilation. The primary care provider (PCP) orders a nontraditional ventilator mode as part of treatment. Despite sedation and aabnirba.lcgoems/tieas,t the patient remains restless and appears to be in discomfort. The nurse informs the PCP of this assessment and anticipates what order?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Neuromuscular blockade. 1. Neuromuscular blockade helps to achieve optimal ventilator synchrony by reducing patient-ventilator asynchrony and improving oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 2. Despite sedation, the patient's restlessness and discomfort suggest inadequate ventilator synchrony, which can be addressed by neuromuscular blockade. 3. Continuous lateral rotation therapy (A) and prone positioning (D) are interventions for improving ventilation and oxygenation in ARDS but do not directly address patient-ventilator synchrony. 4. Guided imagery (B) is a non-pharmacological technique for relaxation and pain management, which may not address the underlying issue of ventilator synchrony in this case.
Question 7 of 9
Which is likely the most common recollection from a patie nt who required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Difficulty communicating. When a patient undergoes endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, they are unable to speak normally. This leads to frustration and anxiety due to the inability to communicate effectively with healthcare providers and loved ones. The lack of communication can also impact their emotional well-being. Choices B, C, and D are less likely as the most common recollection because patients might not remember feeling uncomfortable, experiencing pain, or having sleep disruption during sedation and ventilation. Additionally, the inability to communicate is a primary concern for patients in this situation.
Question 8 of 9
Which of the following is (are) official journal(s) of the A merican Association of Critical-Care Nurses? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) publishes the American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC). 2. The AJCC is a peer-reviewed journal that covers critical care nursing practice, research, and education. 3. The content in AJCC aligns with AACN's mission and standards for critical care nursing. 4. Hence, AJCC is an official journal of AACN. Summary of other choices: - B: Critical Care Clinics of North America - Not an official journal of AACN. - C: Critical Care Nurse - Not an official journal of AACN. - D: Critical Care Nursing Quarterly - Not an official journal of AACN.
Question 9 of 9
A critically ill patient is not expected to survive this admission. The family asks the nurse how the patient is doing. When answering this question, what should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because providing specific information such as descending trends in parameters helps the family understand the patient's condition objectively. This allows them to prepare emotionally and make informed decisions. Option A is incorrect because false hope should not be given. Option B is not the best approach as the nurse should still provide some information to the family. Option D is inappropriate and insensitive as it focuses on funeral arrangements rather than addressing the family's concerns about the patient's condition.