ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is educating a group of nursing students about end-of-life care. Which statement by a student indicates the need for further teaching?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because maintaining hydration and nutrition until the patient dies is not always appropriate in end-of-life care, as some patients may be unable to tolerate oral intake or may be close to the end of life where artificial nutrition and hydration may not provide benefit and may even cause discomfort. Explanation: A: A is correct because terminally ill patients may indeed benefit from continuous pain management to ensure comfort. B: B is correct because hospice care is typically initiated when curative treatment is no longer effective and focuses on providing comfort and quality of life. D: D is correct because emotional support is crucial in end-of-life care to address the patient's psychological well-being and provide comfort. In summary, choice C is incorrect as it does not consider individual patient needs and preferences in end-of-life care.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a terminally ill patient who has 20-second periods of apnea followed by periods of deep and rapid breathing. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the patient is exhibiting Cheyne-Stokes breathing pattern characterized by periods of apnea followed by deep and rapid breathing. The nurse should document this pattern accurately. Option A is incorrect as suctioning is not indicated. Option B may worsen the respiratory pattern. Option C is not specifically related to addressing the breathing pattern.
Question 3 of 5
The family of a terminally ill patient is concerned about administering increasing doses of opioids for pain management. What is the nurse’s best response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because opioids are essential for effective pain management in terminally ill patients, improving their quality of life. Alternative methods may not provide sufficient pain relief. Choice A is incorrect as opioids do not necessarily hasten death when used appropriately for pain control. Choice C is incorrect because reducing opioid dose may lead to inadequate pain management. Choice D is incorrect as consulting a pain specialist to reduce medication may not be appropriate for terminally ill patients needing effective pain relief.
Question 4 of 5
A nurse is caring for a patient in the final stages of dying. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Provide emotional support and comfort measures. In the final stages of dying, the focus shifts from curative treatment to providing comfort and dignity. Emotional support helps alleviate anxiety and fear, promoting a peaceful transition. Comfort measures like pain management improve quality of life. Encouraging the patient to eat may be futile as the body shuts down. Performing frequent assessments for recovery signs is not appropriate in this situation. Implementing aggressive interventions could go against the patient's wishes for a natural death.
Question 5 of 5
The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice uses what framework to guide critical care nursing practice?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Evidence-based practice. The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice emphasize the use of evidence-based practice to guide critical care nursing. This framework ensures that nursing interventions are based on the best available evidence, leading to improved patient outcomes. Healthy work environment (B) and National Patient Safety Goals (C) are important but not specific frameworks for critical care nursing. The nursing process (D) is a systematic approach to delivering patient care but is not the primary guiding framework in critical care nursing practice.