PROGRESSIVE CARE RN A EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE
2025/2026
1. A patient with atrial fibrillation is at greatest risk for:
A. Bradycardia
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Thromboembolism
D. Cardiac tamponade
Answer: C
Rationale: A-fib causes blood pooling in the atria, increasing clot risk.
2. Which rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Sinus tachycardia
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Atrial flutter
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: B
Rationale: V-fib is a pulseless, lethal rhythm.
3. A heart rate of 38 bpm with dizziness indicates:
A. Stable bradycardia
B. Symptomatic bradycardia
C. Normal aging
D. Sinus arrhythmia
Answer: B
Rationale: Low HR with symptoms requires intervention.
4. Which medication is commonly used to control rate in atrial fibrillation?
,A. Dopamine
B. Metoprolol
C. Epinephrine
D. Atropine
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers slow AV conduction.
5. ST elevation on ECG most strongly indicates:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Heart failure
D. Pericarditis only
Answer: B
Rationale: ST elevation signals acute myocardial injury.
6. The priority assessment for chest pain is:
A. Pain scale
B. Oxygen saturation
C. Cardiac rhythm
D. Vital signs and ECG
Answer: D
Rationale: Life-threatening causes must be identified first.
7. A patient on heparin therapy should be monitored for:
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count only
D. Potassium
Answer: B
Rationale: aPTT measures heparin effectiveness.
, 8. A widened QRS complex is commonly seen in:
A. Ventricular rhythms
B. Sinus rhythm
C. Atrial flutter
D. PACs
Answer: A
Rationale: Ventricular conduction delays widen QRS.
9. Which finding suggests worsening heart failure?
A. Weight gain of 2 kg in 48 hours
B. Dry cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Decreased urine output for 2 hours
Answer: A
Rationale: Rapid weight gain reflects fluid retention.
10. The most accurate indicator of fluid status is:
A. Blood pressure
B. Intake and output
C. Daily weight
D. Lung sounds
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weight best reflects fluid changes.
RESPIRATORY
11. A patient with COPD should receive oxygen to maintain SpO₂:
A. 100%
B. 95–100%
C. 88–92%
D. 80–85%
(VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE
2025/2026
1. A patient with atrial fibrillation is at greatest risk for:
A. Bradycardia
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Thromboembolism
D. Cardiac tamponade
Answer: C
Rationale: A-fib causes blood pooling in the atria, increasing clot risk.
2. Which rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Sinus tachycardia
B. Ventricular fibrillation
C. Atrial flutter
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: B
Rationale: V-fib is a pulseless, lethal rhythm.
3. A heart rate of 38 bpm with dizziness indicates:
A. Stable bradycardia
B. Symptomatic bradycardia
C. Normal aging
D. Sinus arrhythmia
Answer: B
Rationale: Low HR with symptoms requires intervention.
4. Which medication is commonly used to control rate in atrial fibrillation?
,A. Dopamine
B. Metoprolol
C. Epinephrine
D. Atropine
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers slow AV conduction.
5. ST elevation on ECG most strongly indicates:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Heart failure
D. Pericarditis only
Answer: B
Rationale: ST elevation signals acute myocardial injury.
6. The priority assessment for chest pain is:
A. Pain scale
B. Oxygen saturation
C. Cardiac rhythm
D. Vital signs and ECG
Answer: D
Rationale: Life-threatening causes must be identified first.
7. A patient on heparin therapy should be monitored for:
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count only
D. Potassium
Answer: B
Rationale: aPTT measures heparin effectiveness.
, 8. A widened QRS complex is commonly seen in:
A. Ventricular rhythms
B. Sinus rhythm
C. Atrial flutter
D. PACs
Answer: A
Rationale: Ventricular conduction delays widen QRS.
9. Which finding suggests worsening heart failure?
A. Weight gain of 2 kg in 48 hours
B. Dry cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Decreased urine output for 2 hours
Answer: A
Rationale: Rapid weight gain reflects fluid retention.
10. The most accurate indicator of fluid status is:
A. Blood pressure
B. Intake and output
C. Daily weight
D. Lung sounds
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weight best reflects fluid changes.
RESPIRATORY
11. A patient with COPD should receive oxygen to maintain SpO₂:
A. 100%
B. 95–100%
C. 88–92%
D. 80–85%
