lOMoARcPSD|12263423
Test bank for High Acuity Nursing 7th Edition
Wagner Pierce Welsh -latest-2023-2024
Chapter 1. High-Acuity Nursing
Question 1
Type: MCSA
The patient who had surgery yesterday reports his chest feels tight. Assessment reveals
respiratory rate of 29, inspiratory wheezes, stridor, and an oxygenation saturation of 80%. The
nurse would consider this patient to be which priority for transfer to the intensive care unit
(ICU)?
1. Priority 1
2. Priority 2
3. Priority 3
4. Priority 4
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: This patient is exhibiting signs of an acute respiratory event for which intubation or
other intensive treatment may be necessary. Priority 1 patients are acutely ill and need intensive
treatment and monitoring not provided outside of the ICU.
Rationale 2: Priority 2 refers to patients needing intensive monitoring and may potentially need
additional interventions. They are typically not evolving an acute event as is the case with this
patient.
Rationale 3: Priority 3 patients are critically ill but have little chance of recovery from their
illnesses. Limits are placed on therapeutic interventions and they can be cared for in areas other
than the ICU if necessary.
Rationale 4: Priority 4 patients have no signs or symptoms that indicate intensive monitoring or
treatment are necessary.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Planning
Learning Outcome: 1-1
Question 2
Type: MCSA
The daughter of a patient who is dying questions the placement of her father on the
medicalsurgical care unit (MSCU). She requests he be placed in the intensive care unit (ICU)
because of concern her father may not receive close observation on a busy hospital unit. Which
action is indicated by the nurse?
1. Notify the intensive care unit of an impending transfer.
2. Tell the daughter that her father does not meet criteria for placement in the more expensive
ICU.
3. Discuss the care that can be provided on the unit with the family member.
4. Contact the physician.
Correct Answer: 3
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Rationale 1: The nurse cannot make this transfer decision independently.
Rationale 2: Telling the daughter that her father does not meet criteria for transfer is not
therapeutic. Bringing up the issue of cost may cause the daughter to offer to pay the difference
between the costs of the two units. This would create a serious ethical dilemma.
Rationale 3: The best initial response is to help the daughter understand the level of care and
observation that will be provided on the MSCU so as to help her understand that her fathers care
will be a priority.
Rationale 4: The nurse should try to intervene in this situation before involving the physician.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 1-1
Question 3
Type: MCSA
A nurse who is contemplating taking a position in an intensive care unit is reviewing her
strengths and weaknesses. Which characteristics of the nurse will be of the greatest benefit in the
intensive care environment?
1. Feels comfortable in ever changing situations
2. Closely evaluates the pros and cons of each decision for a long period of time before making a
decision
3. Is quiet and introverted
4. Is excited about all new experiences
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The nurse in the intensive care unit must be open to ever-changing situations. The
nurse must be flexible.
Rationale 2: The rapid changes in the intensive care unit do not allow for extended time when
considering actions.
Rationale 3: A quiet and introverted nurse may not be a good match for the high paced high-
acuity care unit due to the need for teamwork and interaction.
Rationale 4: Excitement about all experiences is a beneficial characteristic in healthcare but is
not the most important factor for this particular care unit.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment
Learning Outcome: 1-2
Question 4
Type: MCSA
The registered nurse is working as charge nurse on a busy high-acuity care unit. Unexpectedly, a
coworker becomes ill and needs to leave. There is a period of time in which the unit is short
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staffed while the ill coworkers replacement travels in to work. What action by the charge nurse is
indicated?
1. Make no changes until the replacement nurse arrives.
2. Assign the less acute patients to be cared for by the unlicensed assistive personnel.
3. Assign the unlicensed assistive personnel to watch the monitors and call for help if a patient
gets into trouble.
4. Contact the house supervisor and ask for a float nurse to be sent to the unit.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: The unit is understaffed. Replacement help must be provided. It is inappropriate to
wait for the replacement nurse.
Rationale 2: The unlicensed assistive personnel are only able to provide care under the direct
supervision of the nurse.
Rationale 3: Watching monitors is not within the job description of the unlicensed assistive
personnel and is not appropriate. The manager would be putting both patient safety and the
unlicensed assistive personnel at risk.
Rationale 4: The manager should obtain help until the replacement nurse arrives. Contacting the
house supervisor and asking for a temporary float nurse is the best intervention.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 1-2
Question 5
Type: MCSA
A recent nursing school graduate reports having an interview with a magnet hospital. When
preparing for the interview, the graduate nurse researches the concept of magnet status. Which
perceptions by the nurse indicate an adequate understanding?
1. Magnet status is an accreditation from the National League for Nurses.
2. Magnet status facilities pay substantial recruitment bonuses.
3. Magnet status facilities promote the interests of professional nursing.
4. Magnet status hospitals must establish nurse-to-patient ratios.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Magnet status is a designation developed by the American Nurses Credentialing
Center.
Rationale 2: Facilities with magnet designation attract nurses because of their work environment.
Often there is no need to pay recruitment bonuses.
Rationale 3: Magnet status is awarded to hospitals that are able to prove their commitment to
professional nursing practices.
Rationale 4: Nurse-to-patient ratios are not part of the magnet hospital designation.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
, Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 1-2
Question 6
Type: MCSA
A team of nurses would like to research outcomes of intensive care that expand beyond those that
are normally studied. This team would recognize which outcome as most commonly studied?
1. Patient comfort
2. Patient perceived quality of life
3. Functional status
4. Mortality
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Patient comfort is a very important outcome, but is not the one most commonly
studied.
Rationale 2: Quality of life after intensive care is a very important outcome, but is not the one
most commonly studied.
Rationale 3: Functional status after treatment in the intensive care unit is a very important
outcome, but is not the one most commonly studied.
Rationale 4: Mortality is the most commonly studied outcome of intensive care treatment.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment
Learning Outcome: 1-2
Question 7
Type: MCSA
A newly employed nurse is working with an experienced registered nurse. During the shift, the
experienced nurse routinely uses her personal digital assistant. How would the nurse explain the
use of this device to the novice nurse?
1. I use my PDA as a reference tool several times every day.
2. I can access my patients old medical records on this PDA.
3. I use my PDA to let the pharmacy know when I need medications.
4. I use my PDA to write nursing notes.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The personal digital assistant (PDA) is used to provide quick bedside information to
the nurse.
Rationale 2: The patients personal medical records would not be accessible through the PDA.
Rationale 3: The PDA would not be useful for this application.
Rationale 4: The nurse should not record nursing notes on the PDA.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Test bank for High Acuity Nursing 7th Edition
Wagner Pierce Welsh -latest-2023-2024
Chapter 1. High-Acuity Nursing
Question 1
Type: MCSA
The patient who had surgery yesterday reports his chest feels tight. Assessment reveals
respiratory rate of 29, inspiratory wheezes, stridor, and an oxygenation saturation of 80%. The
nurse would consider this patient to be which priority for transfer to the intensive care unit
(ICU)?
1. Priority 1
2. Priority 2
3. Priority 3
4. Priority 4
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: This patient is exhibiting signs of an acute respiratory event for which intubation or
other intensive treatment may be necessary. Priority 1 patients are acutely ill and need intensive
treatment and monitoring not provided outside of the ICU.
Rationale 2: Priority 2 refers to patients needing intensive monitoring and may potentially need
additional interventions. They are typically not evolving an acute event as is the case with this
patient.
Rationale 3: Priority 3 patients are critically ill but have little chance of recovery from their
illnesses. Limits are placed on therapeutic interventions and they can be cared for in areas other
than the ICU if necessary.
Rationale 4: Priority 4 patients have no signs or symptoms that indicate intensive monitoring or
treatment are necessary.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Planning
Learning Outcome: 1-1
Question 2
Type: MCSA
The daughter of a patient who is dying questions the placement of her father on the
medicalsurgical care unit (MSCU). She requests he be placed in the intensive care unit (ICU)
because of concern her father may not receive close observation on a busy hospital unit. Which
action is indicated by the nurse?
1. Notify the intensive care unit of an impending transfer.
2. Tell the daughter that her father does not meet criteria for placement in the more expensive
ICU.
3. Discuss the care that can be provided on the unit with the family member.
4. Contact the physician.
Correct Answer: 3
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Rationale 1: The nurse cannot make this transfer decision independently.
Rationale 2: Telling the daughter that her father does not meet criteria for transfer is not
therapeutic. Bringing up the issue of cost may cause the daughter to offer to pay the difference
between the costs of the two units. This would create a serious ethical dilemma.
Rationale 3: The best initial response is to help the daughter understand the level of care and
observation that will be provided on the MSCU so as to help her understand that her fathers care
will be a priority.
Rationale 4: The nurse should try to intervene in this situation before involving the physician.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 1-1
Question 3
Type: MCSA
A nurse who is contemplating taking a position in an intensive care unit is reviewing her
strengths and weaknesses. Which characteristics of the nurse will be of the greatest benefit in the
intensive care environment?
1. Feels comfortable in ever changing situations
2. Closely evaluates the pros and cons of each decision for a long period of time before making a
decision
3. Is quiet and introverted
4. Is excited about all new experiences
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The nurse in the intensive care unit must be open to ever-changing situations. The
nurse must be flexible.
Rationale 2: The rapid changes in the intensive care unit do not allow for extended time when
considering actions.
Rationale 3: A quiet and introverted nurse may not be a good match for the high paced high-
acuity care unit due to the need for teamwork and interaction.
Rationale 4: Excitement about all experiences is a beneficial characteristic in healthcare but is
not the most important factor for this particular care unit.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment
Learning Outcome: 1-2
Question 4
Type: MCSA
The registered nurse is working as charge nurse on a busy high-acuity care unit. Unexpectedly, a
coworker becomes ill and needs to leave. There is a period of time in which the unit is short
, lOMoARcPSD|12263423
staffed while the ill coworkers replacement travels in to work. What action by the charge nurse is
indicated?
1. Make no changes until the replacement nurse arrives.
2. Assign the less acute patients to be cared for by the unlicensed assistive personnel.
3. Assign the unlicensed assistive personnel to watch the monitors and call for help if a patient
gets into trouble.
4. Contact the house supervisor and ask for a float nurse to be sent to the unit.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: The unit is understaffed. Replacement help must be provided. It is inappropriate to
wait for the replacement nurse.
Rationale 2: The unlicensed assistive personnel are only able to provide care under the direct
supervision of the nurse.
Rationale 3: Watching monitors is not within the job description of the unlicensed assistive
personnel and is not appropriate. The manager would be putting both patient safety and the
unlicensed assistive personnel at risk.
Rationale 4: The manager should obtain help until the replacement nurse arrives. Contacting the
house supervisor and asking for a temporary float nurse is the best intervention.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 1-2
Question 5
Type: MCSA
A recent nursing school graduate reports having an interview with a magnet hospital. When
preparing for the interview, the graduate nurse researches the concept of magnet status. Which
perceptions by the nurse indicate an adequate understanding?
1. Magnet status is an accreditation from the National League for Nurses.
2. Magnet status facilities pay substantial recruitment bonuses.
3. Magnet status facilities promote the interests of professional nursing.
4. Magnet status hospitals must establish nurse-to-patient ratios.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Magnet status is a designation developed by the American Nurses Credentialing
Center.
Rationale 2: Facilities with magnet designation attract nurses because of their work environment.
Often there is no need to pay recruitment bonuses.
Rationale 3: Magnet status is awarded to hospitals that are able to prove their commitment to
professional nursing practices.
Rationale 4: Nurse-to-patient ratios are not part of the magnet hospital designation.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
, Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 1-2
Question 6
Type: MCSA
A team of nurses would like to research outcomes of intensive care that expand beyond those that
are normally studied. This team would recognize which outcome as most commonly studied?
1. Patient comfort
2. Patient perceived quality of life
3. Functional status
4. Mortality
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Patient comfort is a very important outcome, but is not the one most commonly
studied.
Rationale 2: Quality of life after intensive care is a very important outcome, but is not the one
most commonly studied.
Rationale 3: Functional status after treatment in the intensive care unit is a very important
outcome, but is not the one most commonly studied.
Rationale 4: Mortality is the most commonly studied outcome of intensive care treatment.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
Client Need Sub: Management of Care
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment
Learning Outcome: 1-2
Question 7
Type: MCSA
A newly employed nurse is working with an experienced registered nurse. During the shift, the
experienced nurse routinely uses her personal digital assistant. How would the nurse explain the
use of this device to the novice nurse?
1. I use my PDA as a reference tool several times every day.
2. I can access my patients old medical records on this PDA.
3. I use my PDA to let the pharmacy know when I need medications.
4. I use my PDA to write nursing notes.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The personal digital assistant (PDA) is used to provide quick bedside information to
the nurse.
Rationale 2: The patients personal medical records would not be accessible through the PDA.
Rationale 3: The PDA would not be useful for this application.
Rationale 4: The nurse should not record nursing notes on the PDA.
Global Rationale:
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Safe Effective Care Environment
