ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Exam Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
When preparing to cool a patient who is to begin therapeutic hypothermia, which intervention will the nurse plan to do (select all that apply)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Continuous cardiac monitoring is crucial during therapeutic hypothermia to monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm and detect any arrhythmias promptly. This intervention allows for immediate intervention if any cardiac issues arise. Explanation of other choices: A: Assisting with endotracheal intubation may be necessary for airway management but is not directly related to cooling the patient for therapeutic hypothermia. B: Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter may be needed for urine output monitoring but is not a priority intervention for cooling the patient. D: Restraining the patient is unnecessary and not indicated for therapeutic hypothermia; it may cause unnecessary distress and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary for patient safety.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is assessing a client and identifies a bruit over the thyroid. This finding is consistent with which interpretation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The presence of a bruit over the thyroid indicates increased blood flow, characteristic of hyperthyroidism. This excess blood flow is due to the hypermetabolic state in hyperthyroidism, leading to turbulent blood flow and the audible bruit. A bruit is not typically associated with hypothyroidism, thyroid cysts, or thyroid cancer, as these conditions do not cause increased blood flow. Therefore, the correct interpretation is hyperthyroidism.
Question 3 of 9
An Ethiopian man with AIDS has recently been admitted to the ICU with a case of pneumonia. The man is new to the U.S. and has no health insurance. He would likely be eligible for the states Medicaid coverage, but does not understand how to access this coverage. Which competency or competencies are most needed in this situation? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Advocacy and moral agency. In this scenario, the Ethiopian man with AIDS is in a vulnerable position due to lack of health insurance and understanding of Medicaid coverage. Advocacy skills are crucial to help him navigate the complex healthcare system and access the necessary resources. Moral agency involves advocating for the patient's rights and well-being, ensuring that he receives appropriate care despite his socioeconomic status. Clinical judgment, collaboration, and systems thinking are important competencies but not as directly relevant in this specific situation of advocating for the patient's access to Medicaid coverage.
Question 4 of 9
A hospice nurse who has become close to a terminally ill patient is present in the home when the patient dies and feels saddened and tearful as the family members begin to cry. Which action should the nurse take at this time?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cry along with the patient’s family members. This action demonstrates empathy and support for the family's grief, showing that the nurse acknowledges and shares their feelings. It can help the family feel understood and supported during a difficult time. By crying with the family, the nurse can validate their emotions and provide comfort without intruding on their personal space. This approach fosters a sense of connection and trust between the nurse and the family, enhancing the quality of care provided. Incorrect Choices: A: Contact a grief counselor as soon as possible - This choice may be premature and could come across as impersonal or distancing in the immediate aftermath of the patient’s death. C: Leave the home as soon as possible - This choice would be insensitive and could make the family feel abandoned in their time of need. D: Consider whether working in hospice is desirable because patient losses are common - This choice is inappropriate as it suggests the nurse should reconsider their career choice based on emotional reactions,
Question 5 of 9
After attending an educational program, the nurse understaanbidrbs.c othma/tte swt hich the following situations would require an ethics consultation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step 1: The correct answer is D because the situation involves a patient with multiple trauma who is not responding to treatment and has no known family members. This indicates a complex ethical dilemma where the medical team may be unsure about the appropriate course of action. Step 2: In this scenario, an ethics consultation is necessary to help guide decision-making regarding the care of the patient. The lack of available family members complicates decision-making, and the consideration of care as futile adds another layer of complexity. Step 3: An ethics consultation can provide a structured framework for evaluating the situation, considering ethical principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. It can help the healthcare team navigate the ethical considerations and make a well-informed decision in the best interest of the patient. Summary: Choice A: While conflicts between the primary care provider and family may warrant discussions, the agreement on a treatment plan does not necessarily require an ethics consultation. Choice B: Disagreement
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is in card iogenic shock and has failed to respond to medical treatment. The primary care provider conducts a conference to explain that they have exhausted treatment options and suggest that the patient be made a “do not resuscitate” status. This scenario illustrates what medical concept?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Futility. In this scenario, the primary care provider suggests making the patient a "do not resuscitate" status because further medical treatment is deemed futile. Futility refers to situations where medical interventions are unlikely to achieve the desired outcome. This decision is made when the benefits of continuing treatment do not outweigh the burdens on the patient. Summary: A: Brain death does not apply here as the patient is not brain dead. C: Incompetence refers to the patient's ability to make decisions, not the medical concept being illustrated. D: Life-prolonging procedures are not being discussed; the focus is on the futility of further treatment.
Question 7 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.
Question 8 of 9
Intrapulmonary shunting refers to what outcome?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice C is correct: 1. Intrapulmonary shunting refers to blood bypassing the normal oxygenation process in the lungs. 2. Choice C describes blood being shunted from the right side of the heart (deoxygenated blood) to the left side without oxygenation, leading to systemic circulation without oxygenation. 3. Choices A, B, and D do not accurately describe intrapulmonary shunting as they focus on other concepts like alveolar perfusion, heart failure, and unilateral lung blood supply, respectively.
Question 9 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.