ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Questions Questions
Question 1 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 2 of 9
A client has been admitted after experiencing multiple trauma and is intubated and sedated. When the five members of the immediate family arrive, they are anxious, angry, and very demanding. They all speak loudly at once and ask for many services and answers. What is the best nursing response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Take them to a private area for initial explanations. This response is the best because it allows the nurse to address the family's concerns in a private and controlled environment. It promotes effective communication and enables the family to express their emotions and receive information without distractions. Choice A is incorrect because asking the family to leave may escalate the situation and not address their needs. Choice C is inappropriate as paging security to remove the family can worsen the family's distress and hinder communication. Choice D is not ideal as leaving the family alone may lead to misunderstandings and increased anxiety. Overall, choice B is the most therapeutic and effective approach in this situation.
Question 3 of 9
When caring for a patient who has an arterial catheter in the left radial artery for arterial pressure-based cardiac output (APCO) monitoring, which information obtained by the nurse is most important to report to the health care provider?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: There is redness at the catheter insertion site. Redness at the catheter insertion site could indicate infection, which is a serious complication that requires immediate attention to prevent sepsis. Reporting this to the healthcare provider promptly is crucial for timely intervention. Choices A, C, and D are not as urgent. A positive Allen test (choice A) assesses collateral circulation and is important for assessing perfusion before arterial cannulation but does not require immediate intervention. Choice C (MAP is 86 mm Hg) falls within the normal range, so it does not indicate an urgent issue. The visibility of the dicrotic notch in the arterial waveform (choice D) is a normal finding and does not require immediate action.
Question 4 of 9
A patients family is exhibiting increasingly impaired coping as the patients condition deteriorates. The nurse asks the family to state the biggest concern from their perspective.What is the most important rationale for this question?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because asking the family to state their biggest concern clarifies the nurse's understanding of the current family needs. This step allows the nurse to assess the specific areas where the family may require support or assistance, leading to more tailored interventions. By identifying the primary concern, the nurse can better address the family's emotional, informational, or practical needs. Choice A is incorrect because the question is not solely about active listening; it serves a deeper purpose of assessment. Choice B is incorrect as the question goes beyond validating knowledge to understanding emotional and practical needs. Choice D is incorrect because the question focuses on identifying concerns rather than defining the degree of understanding.
Question 5 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 6 of 9
While caring for a patient with a small bowel obstruction, the nurse assesses a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) of 1 mm Hg and hourly urine output of 5 mL. The nurse anticipates which therapeutic intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Intravenous fluids. In the scenario of a small bowel obstruction, a PAOP of 1 mm Hg indicates hypovolemia requiring fluid resuscitation to improve cardiac output and tissue perfusion. The low urine output suggests inadequate renal perfusion, further supporting the need for fluids. Diuretics (choice A) would worsen the hypovolemia. Negative inotropic agents (choice C) decrease cardiac contractility, which is not indicated in this scenario. Vasopressors (choice D) are used for hypotension, not for hypovolemia. Therefore, the most appropriate intervention is to administer intravenous fluids to address the hypovolemia and improve tissue perfusion.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is on a committee that is trying to reduce the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections in the ICU. Her role is to conduct research to find which interventions have been shown to be most effective in reducing these infections. She consults many different sources and finds conflicting information. Which of the following sources should she consider the most authoritative?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in the American Journal of Nursing. 1. Meta-analyses provide a comprehensive overview of multiple studies, increasing the reliability of the findings. 2. Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard in research design for assessing intervention effectiveness. 3. The American Journal of Nursing is a reputable source in the field of nursing, ensuring the credibility of the study. 4. By synthesizing data from various trials, the meta-analysis can offer a more robust and generalizable conclusion compared to a single trial or qualitative studies. Incorrect choices: A: AACN expert panel report - Expert opinions may vary and lack the empirical evidence provided by research studies. C: A systematic review of qualitative studies in the Journal of Advanced Nursing - Qualitative studies may provide valuable insights but may not offer concrete evidence on intervention effectiveness like quantitative studies. D: A single randomized controlled trial in the American Journal of Critical Care - Single trials may not capture the full picture and
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 patient who has been declared brain dead is considered a potential organ donor. In order to proceed with donation, the nurse must understand that applicable concept?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because after brain death is confirmed, maintaining perfusion and oxygenation of organs is crucial to ensure their viability for donation. This process allows organs to be retrieved in optimal condition during the operation. Choice A is incorrect because a signed donor card is not a legal mandate for organ retrieval. Choice C is incorrect as the healthcare proxy's consent is typically required for organ donation. Choice D is incorrect because life support is not immediately withdrawn upon brain death confirmation; instead, organ preservation measures are initiated.