ICU EXAM PRACTICE GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS VERIFIED
◉ 2) A nurse must position the patient prone after his diagnosis of
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which of the following
is a benefit of using this position? Select all that apply.
A)Decreased atelectasis
B)Reduced need for endotracheal intubation
c)Mobilization of secretions
d)Decreased pleural pressure
e)Increased response to corticosteroid therapy. Answer: a, c, d
Decreased atelectasis", "Mobilization of secretions" and "Decreased
pleural pressure" are correct. Prone positioning, or placing the
patient face down with the head turned to the side, helps with
pulmonary function in the patient diagnosed with ARDS. When the
patient is placed in a prone position, the heart and diaphragm are
not pressing against the lungs, which means that pleural pressure is
reduced. When there is less pressure exerted on the lungs,
atelectasis decreases. Studies have shown that many patients in the
prone position have increased lung secretions, which improves
oxygenation.
,-"Reduced need for endotracheal intubation" is incorrect. The prone
position has not been shown to decrease the likelihood of
intubation.
-"Increased response to corticosteroid therapy" is incorrect because
positioning does not change the body's response to steroid therapy.
◉ 3) A 25-year-old patient in the ICU is being treated for acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The patient is on a ventilator
and requires 80 percent FiO2. Which information would the nurse
most likely need to report about the patient to the respiratory
therapist working with her?
a)The patient needs endotracheal suctioning
b)The patient needs more oxygen because of his saturation
c)The patient needs an arterial blood gas drawn
d)The patient needs a hemoglobin level drawn. Answer: c
◉ 4) A patient who has recovered from ARDS in the ICU is now
malnourished and has lost a significant amount of weight. The
physician orders TPN to add nutrition for the patient, who then
develops re-feeding syndrome. Which of the following signs or
symptoms would the nurse expect to see with re-feeding syndrome?
Select all that apply.
a. Impaired mental status
,b. Insulin resistance
c. Seizures
d. Persistent weight loss
e. Constipation. Answer: a,b,c
impaired mental status", "Insulin resistance" and "Seizures" are
correct. Re-feeding syndrome can occur as a response to nutrient
reintroduction after a period of starvation. When an extremely
malnourished patient receives TPN, the body has to adjust to
receiving nutrients again, which can cause shifts in electrolytes in
the body. These shifts in electrolytes can result in sudden and often
fatal complications. Signs and symptoms of re-feeding syndrome
include confusion and impaired mental status, insulin resistance,
seizures, coma and death.
-"Persistent weight loss" is incorrect because by the time a patient
develops re-feeding syndrome, the onset of symptoms is so sudden
that weight loss cannot be measured as part of the syndrome.
-"Constipation" is incorrect, as it is not a symptom of refeeding
syndrome.
◉ 5) A nurse is caring for a patient with ARDS. Which of the
following clinical indicators would signify that this client is in
respiratory failure? Select all that apply.
a. Pulse oximetry of 94% on room air
, b. A PaO2 level below 60 mmHg
c. An ABG pH level of 7.35
d. A pCO2 level over 50 mmHg
e. A respiratory rate of over 16/minute. Answer: b, d
Respiratory diseases can cause such compromise that the patient
will suffer symptoms; however, there are certain clinical indicators
that can clarify whether the patient is actually in respiratory failure.
Clinical indicators of respiratory failure include pulse oximetry of
less than 91% on room air, PaO2 level less than 60 mmHg, and a
pCO2 level of over 50 mmHg.
◉ 6) A nurse is caring for a patient who is in respiratory distress
because of ARDS. Which of the following nursing diagnoses would
most likely be associated with this condition?
a. Ineffective thermoregulation
b. Impaired urinary elimination
c. Ineffective tissue perfusion
d. Disturbed personal identity. Answer: c
◉ 7) A nurse walks into a client who is in respiratory distress. The
client has a tracheal deviation to the right side. The nurse knows to
prepare for which of the following emergent procedures?
AND ANSWERS VERIFIED
◉ 2) A nurse must position the patient prone after his diagnosis of
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which of the following
is a benefit of using this position? Select all that apply.
A)Decreased atelectasis
B)Reduced need for endotracheal intubation
c)Mobilization of secretions
d)Decreased pleural pressure
e)Increased response to corticosteroid therapy. Answer: a, c, d
Decreased atelectasis", "Mobilization of secretions" and "Decreased
pleural pressure" are correct. Prone positioning, or placing the
patient face down with the head turned to the side, helps with
pulmonary function in the patient diagnosed with ARDS. When the
patient is placed in a prone position, the heart and diaphragm are
not pressing against the lungs, which means that pleural pressure is
reduced. When there is less pressure exerted on the lungs,
atelectasis decreases. Studies have shown that many patients in the
prone position have increased lung secretions, which improves
oxygenation.
,-"Reduced need for endotracheal intubation" is incorrect. The prone
position has not been shown to decrease the likelihood of
intubation.
-"Increased response to corticosteroid therapy" is incorrect because
positioning does not change the body's response to steroid therapy.
◉ 3) A 25-year-old patient in the ICU is being treated for acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The patient is on a ventilator
and requires 80 percent FiO2. Which information would the nurse
most likely need to report about the patient to the respiratory
therapist working with her?
a)The patient needs endotracheal suctioning
b)The patient needs more oxygen because of his saturation
c)The patient needs an arterial blood gas drawn
d)The patient needs a hemoglobin level drawn. Answer: c
◉ 4) A patient who has recovered from ARDS in the ICU is now
malnourished and has lost a significant amount of weight. The
physician orders TPN to add nutrition for the patient, who then
develops re-feeding syndrome. Which of the following signs or
symptoms would the nurse expect to see with re-feeding syndrome?
Select all that apply.
a. Impaired mental status
,b. Insulin resistance
c. Seizures
d. Persistent weight loss
e. Constipation. Answer: a,b,c
impaired mental status", "Insulin resistance" and "Seizures" are
correct. Re-feeding syndrome can occur as a response to nutrient
reintroduction after a period of starvation. When an extremely
malnourished patient receives TPN, the body has to adjust to
receiving nutrients again, which can cause shifts in electrolytes in
the body. These shifts in electrolytes can result in sudden and often
fatal complications. Signs and symptoms of re-feeding syndrome
include confusion and impaired mental status, insulin resistance,
seizures, coma and death.
-"Persistent weight loss" is incorrect because by the time a patient
develops re-feeding syndrome, the onset of symptoms is so sudden
that weight loss cannot be measured as part of the syndrome.
-"Constipation" is incorrect, as it is not a symptom of refeeding
syndrome.
◉ 5) A nurse is caring for a patient with ARDS. Which of the
following clinical indicators would signify that this client is in
respiratory failure? Select all that apply.
a. Pulse oximetry of 94% on room air
, b. A PaO2 level below 60 mmHg
c. An ABG pH level of 7.35
d. A pCO2 level over 50 mmHg
e. A respiratory rate of over 16/minute. Answer: b, d
Respiratory diseases can cause such compromise that the patient
will suffer symptoms; however, there are certain clinical indicators
that can clarify whether the patient is actually in respiratory failure.
Clinical indicators of respiratory failure include pulse oximetry of
less than 91% on room air, PaO2 level less than 60 mmHg, and a
pCO2 level of over 50 mmHg.
◉ 6) A nurse is caring for a patient who is in respiratory distress
because of ARDS. Which of the following nursing diagnoses would
most likely be associated with this condition?
a. Ineffective thermoregulation
b. Impaired urinary elimination
c. Ineffective tissue perfusion
d. Disturbed personal identity. Answer: c
◉ 7) A nurse walks into a client who is in respiratory distress. The
client has a tracheal deviation to the right side. The nurse knows to
prepare for which of the following emergent procedures?
