ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing NCLEX Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who has chosen palliative care. Which goal should the nurse prioritize when planning care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Manage the patient's pain and symptoms. In palliative care, the primary goal is to provide comfort and improve quality of life for terminally ill patients. Managing pain and symptoms is crucial in achieving this goal. By addressing pain and symptoms, the nurse can help enhance the patient's comfort and well-being. Other choices are incorrect because palliative care focuses on improving quality of life rather than curing the underlying disease (A), prolonging life expectancy (C), or primarily addressing family concerns (D). Prioritizing pain and symptom management aligns with the holistic approach of palliative care.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse uses the Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) format to communicate a change in patient status to a healthcare provider. In which order should the nurse make the following statements?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step 1: Start with Background - statement B provides relevant background information about the patient's current condition and why there is a need for communication. Step 2: Move on to Situation - statement D sets the current situation where the nurse expresses concern about the patient's symptom. Step 3: Next is Assessment - statement C details the nurse's assessment findings, highlighting the critical aspects of the patient's condition. Step 4: End with Recommendation - statement A suggests the necessary action to be taken based on the assessment findings. This order ensures a clear and structured communication process. Summary: - Choice A is incorrect as the recommendation should come after providing background, situation, and assessment. - Choice C is incorrect as assessment details should precede the patient's critical condition. - Choice D is incorrect as the situation should be explained before expressing concern.
Question 3 of 5
A patient in hospice care is experiencing dyspnea. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer oxygen as prescribed. Dyspnea in a hospice patient often indicates respiratory distress, and administering oxygen can help improve oxygenation and alleviate breathing difficulty. Positioning the patient flat on their back (A) may worsen dyspnea due to increased pressure on the diaphragm. Restricting fluid intake (C) is not appropriate as dehydration can exacerbate respiratory distress. Chest physiotherapy (D) may not be suitable for a hospice patient experiencing dyspnea as it can be physically taxing and may not address the underlying cause effectively.
Question 4 of 5
Which is the most important outcome for a patient receiving palliative care?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Improvement in symptoms and quality of life. In palliative care, the primary focus is on enhancing the patient's quality of life by managing symptoms and providing comfort. This is achieved through effective symptom control, psychosocial support, and improving overall well-being. Complete resolution of the underlying disease (A) is often not possible in palliative care as the focus shifts from curative treatments to comfort care. Increased adherence to curative treatments (C) may not be the main goal in palliative care, as the emphasis is on improving the patient's comfort rather than prolonging life. Achievement of long-term survival goals (D) is not typically the primary outcome in palliative care, as the focus is on providing support and care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Question 5 of 5
The family of your critically ill patient tells you that they h ave not spoken with the physician in over 24 hours and they have some questions that they w ant clarified. During morning rounds, you convey this concern to the attending intensivist and arrange for her to meet with the family at 4:00 PM in the conference room. Which com petency of critical care nursing does this represent?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Collaboration with patients, families, and team members. By addressing the family's concern about lack of communication with the physician and arranging a meeting between the intensivist and the family, the nurse is demonstrating collaboration skills in facilitating communication and ensuring the family's questions are addressed. This competency emphasizes the importance of working together with patients, families, and the healthcare team to provide optimal care. Incorrect choices: A: Advocacy and moral agency in solving ethical issues - While advocacy is important in nursing, in this scenario, the focus is on communication and collaboration rather than ethical issues. B: Clinical judgment and clinical reasoning skills - Although these skills are crucial in critical care nursing, the situation described does not primarily involve clinical judgment but rather communication and collaboration. D: Facilitation of learning for patients, families, and team members - While patient education is important, the main focus of the scenario is on addressing the family's concerns and facilitating communication, rather than educational aspects.