AACN Critical Care Exam 1 2026 with correct
answers
Professional organizations that support critical care practice - correct answers American
Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Society of Critical Care Medicine
What is the mission of AACN? - correct answers assisting acute and critical care nurses to
attain knowledge and influence to deliver excellent care
What is the vision of AACN? - correct answers supports creating a healthcare system driven
by the needs of patients and families in which critical care nurses make their optimal
contributions...synergy
What are the values of AACN? - correct answers accountability, advocacy, integrity,
collaboration, leadership, stewardship, lifelong learning, quality, innovation, commitment
Explain the synergy model and recognize how it is used in practice - correct answers-
framework that aligns patient needs w nurse competencies
- needs of patient drive nurse competencies for patient care
What types of certifications are available for ICU nurses? - correct answers CCRN - critically
ill adult, pediatric or neonatal pts
PCCN - acute care in progressive care, telemetry
AACN - nurse managers and leaders
Why are certifications important? - correct answers validates knowledge of critical care
nursing, promotes professional excellence, helps nurses to maintain current knowledge base
What are three specific projects/organizations in place to assist nurses in providing safe care?
- correct answers Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
, Rapid response teams/joint commission (?)
What types of measures do safe care organizations implement? - correct answers Safety,
reduce infections, bundles of care
What is a bundle of care? Give an example. - correct answers Set of 3-5 EBPs that when put
together significantly improve pt outcomes
ex - ventilator bundle -- HOB elevated, DVT prophylaxis, holding a sedative to determine pt
readiness to get off vent
What are some barriers to effective handoff communication? - correct answers physical
setting, social setting, language, communication medium
ex - background noise, different languages, email vs text vs paper, status issues
What standardized measures have been implemented to help prevent communication
breakdown at shift change? - correct answers SBAR, checklists
What are examples of things you may need to communicate during multi-professional
rounds? - correct answersD/C needs, greatest safety risk, assessment and followup,
implementation of bundles, assess need for all ordered meds, identify whether central lines &
catheters can be removed, code status, family needs, advance directives, when to call MD, tx
goals
What types of things contribute to sensory overload/deprivation in a critical care
environment? - correct answersnoise level, environment different than surroundings causing
hallucinations, lighting
What types of interventions can nurses implement to combat sensory overload/deprivation?
- correct answersNoise: place pt in private room, soundproof ceiling tiles, sedative music,
quickly assess alarms
Hallucinations: post family photos, encourage visitation, interact w pt
Use natural lighting
answers
Professional organizations that support critical care practice - correct answers American
Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Society of Critical Care Medicine
What is the mission of AACN? - correct answers assisting acute and critical care nurses to
attain knowledge and influence to deliver excellent care
What is the vision of AACN? - correct answers supports creating a healthcare system driven
by the needs of patients and families in which critical care nurses make their optimal
contributions...synergy
What are the values of AACN? - correct answers accountability, advocacy, integrity,
collaboration, leadership, stewardship, lifelong learning, quality, innovation, commitment
Explain the synergy model and recognize how it is used in practice - correct answers-
framework that aligns patient needs w nurse competencies
- needs of patient drive nurse competencies for patient care
What types of certifications are available for ICU nurses? - correct answers CCRN - critically
ill adult, pediatric or neonatal pts
PCCN - acute care in progressive care, telemetry
AACN - nurse managers and leaders
Why are certifications important? - correct answers validates knowledge of critical care
nursing, promotes professional excellence, helps nurses to maintain current knowledge base
What are three specific projects/organizations in place to assist nurses in providing safe care?
- correct answers Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
, Rapid response teams/joint commission (?)
What types of measures do safe care organizations implement? - correct answers Safety,
reduce infections, bundles of care
What is a bundle of care? Give an example. - correct answers Set of 3-5 EBPs that when put
together significantly improve pt outcomes
ex - ventilator bundle -- HOB elevated, DVT prophylaxis, holding a sedative to determine pt
readiness to get off vent
What are some barriers to effective handoff communication? - correct answers physical
setting, social setting, language, communication medium
ex - background noise, different languages, email vs text vs paper, status issues
What standardized measures have been implemented to help prevent communication
breakdown at shift change? - correct answers SBAR, checklists
What are examples of things you may need to communicate during multi-professional
rounds? - correct answersD/C needs, greatest safety risk, assessment and followup,
implementation of bundles, assess need for all ordered meds, identify whether central lines &
catheters can be removed, code status, family needs, advance directives, when to call MD, tx
goals
What types of things contribute to sensory overload/deprivation in a critical care
environment? - correct answersnoise level, environment different than surroundings causing
hallucinations, lighting
What types of interventions can nurses implement to combat sensory overload/deprivation?
- correct answersNoise: place pt in private room, soundproof ceiling tiles, sedative music,
quickly assess alarms
Hallucinations: post family photos, encourage visitation, interact w pt
Use natural lighting
