ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
What were identified as the first critical care units? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Burn units. Burn units were identified as the first critical care units due to the complex and intensive care required by burn patients. These units were established to provide specialized care for burn victims, including wound management, infection control, and fluid resuscitation. Summary: - Burn units were the first critical care units due to the specialized care needed for burn patients. - Coronary care units focus on cardiac conditions, not the first identified critical care units. - Recovery rooms are for post-operative care, not specifically for critical care. - Neonatal intensive care units are specialized for newborns, not the first critical care units.
Question 2 of 9
A patient presents to the emergency department in acute re spiratory failure secondary to community-acquired pneumonia. The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The nurse anticipates which treatment to facilitate ventilation?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube. In acute respiratory failure, especially in the setting of pneumonia and COPD, mechanical ventilation is often necessary to support breathing. Endotracheal intubation allows for precise control of airway patency, oxygenation, and ventilation. Emergency tracheostomy (choice A) is typically reserved for long-term ventilatory support. Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (choice C) may not provide sufficient support in severe cases. Oxygen via bag-valve-mask (choice D) may not be adequate for ventilatory support in acute respiratory failure.
Question 3 of 9
Which therapeutic interventions may be withdrawn or withabhirebl.dco mfr/otemst the terminally ill client? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dialysis. In the context of terminally ill clients, withdrawing dialysis is appropriate as it can be burdensome without providing significant benefit towards the end of life. Dialysis does not cure terminal conditions and can prolong suffering unnecessarily. Antibiotics (A) may be necessary for managing infections in terminally ill clients. Nutrition (C) is important for comfort and quality of life. Pain medications (D) are essential for managing pain and should not be withdrawn unless no longer beneficial or requested by the patient.
Question 4 of 9
The VALUE mnemonic is a helpful strategy to enhance communication with family members of critically ill patients. Which of the following statements describes a VALUE strategy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Acknowledge family emotions. This is a key component of the VALUE strategy as it emphasizes empathy and understanding towards the emotions that family members may be experiencing during a difficult time. By acknowledging their emotions, healthcare providers can build trust and establish a supportive relationship with the family. Choice A is incorrect because the VALUE strategy focuses on treating family members as integral members of the care team, not just as guests. Choice C is incorrect as learning about family structure and function is important but not specifically part of the VALUE strategy. Choice D is incorrect as using a trained interpreter is important for effective communication but is not specific to the VALUE mnemonic.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse understands that a patient being cared for in a critical care unit experiences anacute stress response. What nursing action best demonstrates understanding of the physiological parts of the initial stress response?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Treatment for elevated blood pressure. In the initial stress response, the body releases adrenaline and cortisol, leading to increased heart rate and blood pressure. Treating elevated blood pressure is crucial to prevent complications like heart attack or stroke. Adequate pain control (A) and intravenous sedation (B) may help manage symptoms but do not directly address the physiological response to stress. Ignoring an elevated glucose level (D) is not recommended as stress can impact blood sugar levels. Treatment for elevated blood pressure directly targets the physiological response to stress, making it the best nursing action in this scenario.
Question 6 of 9
A patient who has been declared brain dead is considered a potential organ donor. In order to proceed with donation, the nurse must understand that applicable concept?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because after brain death is confirmed, maintaining perfusion and oxygenation of organs is crucial to ensure their viability for donation. This process allows organs to be retrieved in optimal condition during the operation. Choice A is incorrect because a signed donor card is not a legal mandate for organ retrieval. Choice C is incorrect as the healthcare proxy's consent is typically required for organ donation. Choice D is incorrect because life support is not immediately withdrawn upon brain death confirmation; instead, organ preservation measures are initiated.
Question 7 of 9
A patient with hypotension and an elevated temperature after working outside on a hot day is treated in the emergency department (ED). The nurse determines that discharge teaching has been effective when the patient makes which statement?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: "I should drink sports drinks when working outside in hot weather." This statement is correct because hypotension and elevated temperature could indicate dehydration and electrolyte imbalance due to excessive sweating in hot weather. Drinking sports drinks can help replenish electrolytes lost through sweating and prevent dehydration. Incorrect choices: A: Taking salt tablets can lead to an imbalance in electrolytes and worsen the condition. B: Acetaminophen can lower fever but does not address dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. D: Moving to a cool environment when feeling confused is important but does not address the underlying issue of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Question 8 of 9
All of the patient’s children are distressed by the possibility of removing life-support treatments. The child who is most upset tells the nurse, “T his is the same as killing! I thought you were supposed to help!” What response would the nur se provide to the family?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A Rationale: 1. Acknowledges the child's distress and concerns. 2. Explains the concept of allowing natural death after serious injuries. 3. Helps the family understand the ethical and medical reasoning behind removing life support. 4. Shows empathy and provides education to address misconceptions. Summary of other choices: B: Incorrect - Avoids addressing the family's concerns and provides a vague response. C: Incorrect - Contains a typo and does not directly address the child's distress or misunderstanding. D: Incorrect - Irrelevant response that does not address the ethical dilemma at hand.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is on a committee that is trying to reduce the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections in the ICU. Her role is to conduct research to find which interventions have been shown to be most effective in reducing these infections. She consults many different sources and finds conflicting information. Which of the following sources should she consider the most authoritative?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in the American Journal of Nursing. 1. Meta-analyses provide a comprehensive overview of multiple studies, increasing the reliability of the findings. 2. Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard in research design for assessing intervention effectiveness. 3. The American Journal of Nursing is a reputable source in the field of nursing, ensuring the credibility of the study. 4. By synthesizing data from various trials, the meta-analysis can offer a more robust and generalizable conclusion compared to a single trial or qualitative studies. Incorrect choices: A: AACN expert panel report - Expert opinions may vary and lack the empirical evidence provided by research studies. C: A systematic review of qualitative studies in the Journal of Advanced Nursing - Qualitative studies may provide valuable insights but may not offer concrete evidence on intervention effectiveness like quantitative studies. D: A single randomized controlled trial in the American Journal of Critical Care - Single trials may not capture the full picture and