ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Questions and Answers PDF Questions
Question 1 of 9
The nurse is counseling a family about end-of-life care for their loved one. Which statement by the family indicates understanding of palliative care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because palliative care indeed focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms, enhancing quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. This aligns with the essence of palliative care, which is to provide holistic support to improve comfort and well-being. The other choices are incorrect: B is wrong because palliative care does not aim to cure the underlying disease but rather to alleviate suffering; C is incorrect as palliative care can be initiated earlier in the disease trajectory, not just during the final days; and D is inaccurate because patients can continue receiving treatments alongside palliative care to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated patient an d is charting outside the patient’s room when the ventilator alarm sounds. What is the priorit y order for the nurse to complete these actions? (Put a comma and space between each answer choice.)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice C is correct: 1. Going to the patient’s bedside is the priority as it allows the nurse to assess the patient's condition directly. 2. By being at the bedside, the nurse can quickly evaluate the patient's breathing, vital signs, and other indicators for immediate action. 3. Direct assessment enables timely intervention and avoids delays in addressing potential life-threatening situations. 4. Checking for possible causes of the alarm and reconnection to the ventilator can follow, but assessing the patient's immediate needs takes precedence. In summary, choice C is correct because direct patient assessment is the fundamental step in responding to a ventilator alarm to ensure patient safety and timely intervention. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they focus on troubleshooting and technical aspects before directly assessing the patient's condition.
Question 3 of 9
The patient has been admitted to the hospital with nausea and vomiting that started 5 days earlier. Blood pressure is 80/44 mm Hg and heart rate is 122 beats/min; the patient has not voided in 8 hours, and the bladder is not distended. The nurse anticipates a prescription for “stat” administration of
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: fluid replacement with 0.45% saline. The patient's low blood pressure, tachycardia, and lack of urine output indicate hypovolemia. Fluid replacement with saline will help restore circulating volume, improve blood pressure, and support renal perfusion. A: Blood transfusion is not indicated as the primary issue is hypovolemia, not anemia. C: Inotropic agents are used to increase cardiac contractility but are not the initial treatment for hypovolemia. D: Antiemetics may help with symptoms but do not address the underlying issue of fluid loss and hypovolemia.
Question 4 of 9
The nurse is caring for a very seriously ill patient in the CCU. The family visits sporadically, stays for only a short time, and does not ask many questions. How could the nurse best begin to involve the family in the patients care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ask the family to complete the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. This tool helps assess the family's needs and concerns, enabling the nurse to tailor care accordingly. By understanding the family's specific needs, the nurse can provide appropriate support and information, fostering better involvement and understanding. A: Asking one family member to assist with the patient's bath may not address the overall family's needs or involvement in care. B: Encouraging family members to stay longer does not necessarily address their specific needs or facilitate effective communication. C: Focusing solely on the legal next of kin may exclude important family members who also need support and involvement in the patient's care.
Question 5 of 9
After the return of spontaneous circulation following the resuscitation of a patient who had a cardiac arrest, therapeutic hypothermia is ordered. Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Apply external cooling device. Therapeutic hypothermia is a treatment used to protect the brain after cardiac arrest by lowering the body temperature. The nurse should use external cooling devices, such as cooling blankets or ice packs, to achieve and maintain the desired temperature. This method allows for precise temperature control and monitoring. Checking mental status every 15 minutes (choice B) is not the priority as maintaining the temperature is crucial. Avoiding sedative medications (choice C) may be necessary to accurately assess the patient's neurological status. Rewarming if the temperature is <91°F (32.8°C) (choice D) is incorrect as the goal is to maintain hypothermia for a specific duration before gradual rewarming.
Question 6 of 9
Two unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are arguing on the unit about who deserves to take a break first. What is the most important basic guideline that the nurse should follow in resolving the conflict?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Deal with issues and not personalities. This guideline is important because it focuses on resolving the conflict based on the actual problem at hand, rather than personal biases or emotions. By addressing the issues causing the argument, the nurse can help the UAPs find a fair and logical solution. A: Requiring the UAPs to reach a compromise may not address the root cause of the conflict and could lead to further disagreements. B: Weighing the consequences is important but may not be as effective in resolving the conflict as directly addressing the issues. C: Encouraging humor may temporarily diffuse the situation but may not lead to a lasting resolution.
Question 7 of 9
What does pulse oximetry measure?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pulse oximetry measures oxygen saturation in the blood by analyzing the absorption of light by hemoglobin. Oxygen saturation indicates the percentage of hemoglobin molecules carrying oxygen. This is essential for assessing respiratory function and oxygen delivery to tissues. Arterial blood gases (Choice A) directly measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, not specifically oxygen saturation. Hemoglobin values (Choice B) provide information about the amount of hemoglobin present but not its oxygen-carrying capacity. Oxygen consumption (Choice C) is a measure of how much oxygen is used by tissues, not what pulse oximetry directly measures.
Question 8 of 9
When caring for a patient with a pulmonary artery (PA) pressure catheter, the nurse observes that the PA waveform indicates that the catheter is in the wedged position. Which action should the nurse take next?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Notify the health care provider. When the PA waveform indicates the catheter is in the wedged position, it means the catheter tip is in the pulmonary artery, potentially causing complications. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider immediately to assess and reposition the catheter to prevent further issues. Zero balancing the transducer (A) or activating the fast flush system (B) are not appropriate actions for this situation. Deflating and reinflating the PA balloon (D) could exacerbate the issue and should only be done under the guidance of the healthcare provider.
Question 9 of 9
What is the primary mode of action of a neuromuscular bl ocking agent?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Paralysis. Neuromuscular blocking agents work by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle paralysis. This paralysis helps facilitate intubation, surgical procedures, and mechanical ventilation. A: Analgesia - Neuromuscular blocking agents do not provide pain relief; they primarily induce muscle paralysis without affecting pain sensation. B: Anticonvulsant - Neuromuscular blocking agents do not prevent or treat seizures; their mechanism of action is not related to controlling convulsions. D: Sedation - Neuromuscular blocking agents do not induce sedation; they specifically target the neuromuscular junction to cause muscle paralysis.