ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing NCLEX Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which statement is true regarding the impact of culture on end-of-life decision making?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: 1. Culture and religious beliefs can significantly impact end-of-life decision making by influencing values, beliefs, and preferences. 2. These factors may affect choices related to treatment options, quality of life, and spiritual aspects. 3. Different cultural backgrounds may lead to varying perspectives on autonomy, family involvement, and medical interventions. 4. Option A and B make generalizations based on race, which is not accurate as preferences can vary widely within any racial group. 5. Option D is incorrect as perspectives on end-of-life care can vary even within the same religious group due to individual beliefs and interpretations.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse in the ICU is responding to a patient who has just gone into cardiac arrest. A moment later, the nurse is notified that another patient has just gone into anaphylactic shock due to a drug allergy. She is conflicted as to what to do, as she is the only nurse available at the moment to tend to both patients. Which component of a healthy work environment is lacking in this scenario?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Appropriate staffing. In this scenario, the nurse is conflicted because she is the only nurse available to tend to both critical patients. Appropriate staffing ensures that there are enough healthcare professionals to provide timely and effective care to patients in need. In this situation, the lack of adequate staffing is evident as the nurse is overwhelmed and unable to give proper attention to both patients simultaneously. Effective decision making (choice A) can be hindered by inadequate staffing but is not the primary issue here. Authentic leadership (choice C) and meaningful recognition (choice D) are important components of a healthy work environment but are not directly related to the lack of staffing in this scenario.
Question 3 of 9
As the nurse admits a patient with end-stage kidney disease to the hospital, the patient tells the nurse, 'If my heart or breathing stops, I do not want to be resuscitated.' Which action is best for the nurse to take?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Asking if these wishes have been discussed with the healthcare provider is important to ensure that the patient's wishes are documented and considered in the care plan. Step 2: The healthcare provider needs to be aware of the patient's preferences regarding resuscitation to provide appropriate care. Step 3: This step helps in clarifying the patient's preferences and ensures that the healthcare team follows the patient's wishes. Step 4: Placing a DNR notation without consulting the healthcare provider may not align with the patient's overall care plan and may lead to potential legal and ethical issues. Step 5: Informing the patient about notarized advance directives and designating a person for healthcare decisions are important but not the immediate step needed in this scenario. In summary, choice A is correct as it prioritizes communication with the healthcare provider to ensure the patient's wishes are properly documented and followed. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not involve confirming the patient's wishes
Question 4 of 9
Ideally, by whom and when should an advance directive be developed?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for choice C: 1. Advance directives should be made by the patient to reflect their wishes. 2. Developing it before illness ensures clarity and avoids confusion. 3. Patients may not be able to make informed decisions in critical conditions. 4. Family or surrogates may not accurately represent the patient's wishes. Summary: A - Family in critical condition may not know the patient's wishes. B - Hospital admission process may be too late for clear decision-making. D - Healthcare surrogate may not fully understand the patient's preferences.
Question 5 of 9
A patient is transferred to the ICU from the Birth Center of the hospital in the middle of the night after experiencing complications during delivery of her baby. The patients husband is anxious and explains to the ICU nurse that he doesnt understand why his wife has been moved to the ICU. She is going to die, isnt she? he asks the nurse. What is the nurses best response?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it addresses the husband's concern directly by assuring him that every measure will be taken to provide the best care for his wife. This response shows empathy and provides reassurance, which is crucial in such a stressful situation. It helps to alleviate the husband's anxiety and fear by emphasizing the hospital's commitment to his wife's well-being. Explanation for why the other choices are incorrect: B: This response does not address the husband's immediate concern about his wife's well-being and may come across as dismissive. C: Offering a place to relax does not address the husband's specific question and does not provide the information he is seeking. D: Discussing health insurance is not appropriate at this moment of crisis and does not address the husband's fears about his wife's condition.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is assessing a client who complains of weight loss, racing heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. The nurse determines the client has moist skin with fine hair, prominent eyes, lid retraction, and a staring expression. These findings are consistent with which disorder?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Symptoms of weight loss, racing heart rate, and difficulty sleeping are common in hyperthyroidism. Step 2: Presence of moist skin, fine hair, prominent eyes, lid retraction, and staring expression are classic signs of Grave's disease, a type of hyperthyroidism. Step 3: Grave's disease is an autoimmune disorder where the thyroid gland is overactive, leading to excessive production of thyroid hormones. Step 4: Excess thyroid hormones increase metabolic rate, causing weight loss, racing heart rate, and insomnia. Step 5: Therefore, the findings described in the question are consistent with Grave's disease.
Question 7 of 9
The patient has elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels with a normal BUN/creatinine ratio. These levels most likely indicate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The elevated BUN and creatinine levels with a normal BUN/creatinine ratio indicate impaired kidney function. This pattern is commonly seen in acute kidney injury, such as acute tubular necrosis (ATN). In ATN, there is damage to the renal tubules leading to decreased excretion of waste products, resulting in elevated BUN and creatinine levels. The normal BUN/creatinine ratio suggests that the impairment is due to renal tubular dysfunction rather than prerenal causes like hypovolemia or postrenal causes like urinary obstruction. Increased nitrogen intake would not produce this specific pattern of results. Fluid resuscitation would likely result in dilution of BUN and creatinine levels, leading to lower values.
Question 8 of 9
Which strategy is important to addressing issues associated with the aging workforce? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Allowing nurses to work flexible shift durations. This strategy is important in addressing issues associated with the aging workforce because it acknowledges the changing needs and preferences of older nurses. By offering flexible shift durations, older nurses can better manage their work-life balance, reduce physical strain, and continue contributing to the workforce effectively. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly address the specific needs of the aging workforce. Encouraging older nurses to transfer to a less stressful outpatient setting may not align with their career goals. Hiring nurse technicians to assist with patient care may not address the unique experience and expertise of older nurses. Developing a staffing model, while important, does not specifically cater to the needs of aging nurses in terms of flexibility and support.
Question 9 of 9
Which nursing actions are most important for a patient witahb irab .croigmh/tte srta dial arterial line? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Checking circulation to the right hand is crucial for assessing perfusion and detecting potential complications. Step 2: Arterial line placement can compromise blood flow, leading to ischemia if circulation is impaired. Step 3: Monitoring circulation every 2 hours allows for early detection of issues and prompt intervention. Step 4: This action ensures patient safety and prevents complications. Summary: - Choice B is incorrect as pressurized flush solution can increase the risk of complications. - Choice C is incorrect as monitoring the waveform is important but not the most critical action. - Choice D is incorrect as limb restraints can impede circulation and are unnecessary in this scenario.