ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
The patient is in a progressive care unit following arteriovenous fistula implantation in his left upper arm, and is due to have blood drawn with his next set of vital signs and assessment. When the nurse assesses the patient, the nurse should
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because after arteriovenous fistula implantation, it is essential to assess for the presence of a bruit (audible sound caused by turbulent blood flow) and thrill (vibratory sensation) in the access site, which indicates proper functioning of the fistula. This assessment ensures that blood is flowing adequately through the newly created access for dialysis or other procedures. Drawing blood or taking blood pressures from the fistula arm can lead to complications such as clot formation or damage to the fistula. Starting a new IV line in the same arm is contraindicated to avoid compromising the newly created fistula. Thus, auscultating for a bruit and palpating for a thrill are the appropriate nursing actions in this scenario.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is preparing to obtain a right atrial pressure (RA P/CVP) reading. What are the most appropriate nursing actions? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because comparing measured pressures with other physiological parameters ensures accuracy and consistency. This step helps in interpreting the RA P/CVP reading correctly. Choice B is incorrect as flushing the catheter with saline is not necessary for obtaining the pressure reading. Choice C is incorrect as inflating the balloon with air is not part of the correct procedure. Choice D is incorrect because obtaining the measurement during exhalation can affect the accuracy of the reading.
Question 3 of 9
A patient receiving palliative care for advanced cancer reports fatigue and loss of appetite. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Provide rest periods to reduce fatigue. Prioritizing rest periods can help alleviate fatigue, a common symptom in patients with advanced cancer. Encouraging small, frequent meals (choice A) may not be effective if the patient has no appetite. Administering appetite stimulants (choice B) may not address the root cause of fatigue. Discussing parenteral nutrition (choice D) is not the priority as it does not directly address the fatigue and loss of appetite reported by the patient. Rest is essential for symptom management and overall well-being in palliative care.
Question 4 of 9
The nurse wishes to assess the quality of a patient’s pain. Which questions is appropriate to obtain this assessment if the patient is able to give a verbal response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking if the pain is sharp, dull, or crushing helps assess the quality of pain, providing specific information on the type of sensation felt. This is crucial for understanding the underlying cause and guiding appropriate treatment. A: Asking about pain being constant or intermittent addresses duration, not quality. C: Inquiring about what makes pain better or worse focuses on triggers, not quality. D: Asking when the pain started addresses onset time, not quality.
Question 5 of 9
What nursing delivery of care provides the nurse to plan and direct care of a group of clients over a 24-hour period?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Primary nursing. Primary nursing is a care delivery model where one nurse is responsible for the total care of a group of clients over a 24-hour period. This promotes continuity of care, individualized attention, and better nurse-client relationships. In primary nursing, the nurse plans and directs care, coordinates with other healthcare team members, and serves as the main point of contact for the clients. A: Case management involves coordinating care across different healthcare providers and services, not necessarily focusing on a specific group of clients over a 24-hour period. B: Team nursing involves a team of healthcare providers working together to deliver care, rather than one nurse being responsible for a specific group of clients over a 24-hour period. D: Functional nursing divides tasks among different healthcare team members based on their specific skills, which may not provide the same level of continuity and individualized care as primary nursing.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse wishes to increase the use of evidence-based practice in the critical care unit where he works. What is a significant barrier to the implementation of evidence-based practice?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is C because lack of knowledge about literature searches hinders the ability to find and utilize evidence-based practice guidelines. Nurses need to be skilled in conducting literature searches to access relevant research. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not directly impede the implementation of evidence-based practice in the critical care unit.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse who works in an intermediate care unit has experienced high nursing turnover. The nurse manager is often considered to be an autocratic leade r by staff members and that leadership style is contributing to turnover. The nurse asks to be involved in developing new guidelines to prevent pressure ulcers in the patient populat ion. The nurse manager suggests that the nurse has not yet had enough experience to be on tahbierb p.croemv/teenstt ion task force. This situation and setting is an example of what form of ineffec tive leadership?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Displaying ineffective decision making. In this scenario, the nurse manager's decision to exclude the nurse from participating in developing new guidelines is an example of ineffective decision making. By dismissing the nurse's request based on lack of experience rather than considering their input and involvement, the manager is not utilizing the nurse's expertise and potentially missing out on valuable insights. This decision reflects a lack of inclusivity, collaboration, and respect for the nurse's professional growth and potential contributions. The other choices are not directly applicable in this context as the core issue lies in the manager's decision-making process.
Question 8 of 9
What should a designated healthcare surrogate base healthcare decisions on?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the healthcare surrogate should base decisions on recommendations of the physician and healthcare team who have the expertise to provide medical advice. They are best positioned to understand the patient's condition and treatment options. Personal beliefs (A) may not align with medical best practices. Family and friends' recommendations (B) may not be informed by medical knowledge. Wishes previously expressed by the patient (D) are important but may need to be interpreted in the context of the current medical situation, which healthcare professionals can provide.
Question 9 of 9
Continuous venovenous hemofiltration is used to
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) primarily removes fluids and solutes through the process of convection. In CVVH, blood flows through a filter where hydrostatic pressure drives plasma water and solutes across a semipermeable membrane. This process mimics the natural filtration that occurs in the kidneys. Choice B is incorrect because CVVH does not specifically target plasma water only but also removes solutes. Choice C is incorrect because CVVH does not involve adding dialysate to remove plasma water and solutes. Choice D is incorrect because while CVVH may involve ultrafiltration and convection, it does not typically include dialysis as a primary mechanism for solute removal.