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
Which statement about resuscitation is true?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it accurately states that withholding "extraordinary" resuscitation is legal and should be based on specified criteria in advance directives and physician orders. This is in line with medical ethics and patient autonomy. A is incorrect because family presence during resuscitation can be beneficial for emotional support and decision-making. B is incorrect as it is still necessary for a physician to document "do not resuscitate" orders even with a healthcare surrogate. C is incorrect as "slow codes" are not ethical and go against the principle of beneficence.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is assessing pain levels in a critically ill patient . The nurse recognizes that which patient action as indicatin g the greatest level of pain?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C (Grimacing) Rationale: 1. Grimacing is a universal nonverbal sign of pain. 2. It involves facial muscles, indicating a high level of discomfort. 3. Brow lowering and eyelid closing are subtle signs, less indicative of severe pain. 4. Staring may signify concentration, not necessarily pain. Summary: Grimacing is the correct choice as it directly correlates with pain intensity, unlike the other options which are less specific or relevant indicators of severe pain.
Question 4 of 9
The nurse is caring for an elderly patient who was admitted with renal insufficiency. An expected laboratory finding for this patient may be
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: a normal serum creatinine level. In renal insufficiency, the kidneys are not able to filter waste products effectively, leading to an increase in serum creatinine levels. This is a common indicator of renal dysfunction. A: An increased GFR would not be expected in renal insufficiency, as it signifies improved kidney function. C: Increased ability to excrete drugs is not a typical finding in renal insufficiency, as impaired kidney function can lead to drug accumulation. D: Hypokalemia is not directly related to renal insufficiency. It is more commonly associated with factors like diuretic use or gastrointestinal losses.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse assesses a patient who is admitted for an overdo se of sedatives. The nurse expects to find which acid-base alteration?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis. When a patient overdoses on sedatives, it can lead to respiratory depression causing hypoventilation. Hypoventilation results in retention of CO2, leading to respiratory acidosis. This is because the body is not effectively exhaling CO2, causing an increase in carbonic acid levels and a decrease in blood pH. The other choices are incorrect because hyperventilation would lead to respiratory alkalosis (Choice A), hypoventilation does not cause respiratory alkalosis (Choice C), and normal oxygen levels do not indicate the acid-base imbalance caused by sedative overdose (Choice D).
Question 6 of 9
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.
Question 7 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 8 of 9
The nurse caring for a mechanically ventilated patient note s the high pressure alarm sounding but cannot quickly identify the cause of the alarm. The nurasbeir bn.cootme/ste stht e patient’s oxygen saturation is decreasing and heart rate and respiratory rate are increasing. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The nurse's priority is to ensure the patient's safety and well-being. Calling the rapid response team will allow for immediate assessment by a team of healthcare professionals to address the deteriorating condition. This step takes precedence over troubleshooting the ventilator or manually ventilating the patient. Asking for a new ventilator (A) or manually ventilating the patient (D) does not address the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment and intervention. Continuing to troubleshoot the alarm (C) can delay critical interventions needed for the patient's worsening condition. Thus, calling the rapid response team is the most appropriate action to address the escalating clinical situation promptly.
Question 9 of 9
A 65-year-old patient with a history of metastatic lung car cinoma has been unresponsive to chemotherapy. The medical team has determined that ther e are no additional treatments available that will prolong life or improve the quality of lifaebi ribn.c oamn/yte smt eaningful way. Despite the poor prognosis, the patient continues to receive chemotherapy and full nutrition support. This is an example of what end-of-life concept?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Medical futility. In this scenario, the patient's condition is terminal with no treatment options left. Continuing chemotherapy offers no benefit and may even harm the patient. Medical futility refers to interventions that are unlikely to achieve the desired outcome. B: Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, which is not being addressed in this case. C: Terminal weaning involves gradually removing life-support measures, which is not happening here. D: Withdrawal of treatment would be appropriate if the treatments were no longer beneficial, but the issue here is the continued provision of futile treatment.