Test Bank– Critical Care Nursing: AHolistic Approach, 12th Edition, Authors: Patricia Gonce Morton, Dorrie Fontaine Questions and Answer With Rationales 2026/2027 Sure Pass

Test Bank – Critical Care Nursing:
A Holistic Approach, 12th Edition,
Authors: Patricia Gonce Morton,
Dorrie Fontaine Questions and
Answer With Rationales
2026/2027 Sure Pass

Chapter 01: Overview of Critical Care Nursing
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following professional organizations best
supports critical care nursing practice?
a. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
b. American Heart Association
c. American Nurses Association
d. Society of Critical Care Medicine
Correct Answer: A
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is the
specialty organization that supports and represents critical
care nurses. The American Heart Association supports
cardiovascular initiatives. The American Nurses
Association supports all nurses. The Society of Critical
Care Medicine represents the multiprofessional critical
care team under the direction of an intensivist.


2. A nurse has been working as a staff nurse in the
surgical intensive care unit for 2 years and is interested in
certification. Which credential would be most applicable
for the nurse to seek?
a. ACNPC-AG
b. CNML
c. CCRN
d. PCCN

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,Correct Answer: C
The CCRN certification is appropriate for nurses in
bedside practice who care for critically ill patients. The
ACNPC-AG certification is for acute care nurse
practitioners. The CNML is for critical care nurse
managers or leaders. The PCCN certification is for staff
nurses working in progressive care, intermediate care, or
step-down unit settings.


3. The main purpose of certification is to
a. assure the consumer that you will not make a mistake.
b. prepare for graduate school.
c. promote magnet status for your facility.
d. validate knowledge of critical care nursing.
Correct Answer: D
Certification assists in validating knowledge of the field,
promotes excellence in the profession, and helps nurses
to maintain their knowledge of critical care nursing.
Certification helps to assure the consumer that the nurse
has a minimum level of knowledge; however, it does not
ensure that care will be mistake-free. Certification does
not prepare one for graduate school; however, achieving
certification demonstrates motivation for achievement and
professionalism. Magnet facilities are rated on the number
of certified nurses; however, that is not the purpose of
certification.


4. The synergy model of practice focuses on
a. allowing unrestricted visiting for the patient 24 hours a
day.
b. holistic and alternative therapies.
c. the needs of patients and their families, which drive
nursing competency.
d. patients' needs for energy and support.
Correct Answer: C


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,The synergy model of practice states that the needs of
patients and families influence and drive competencies of
nurses. Nursing practice based on the synergy model
would involve tailored visiting to meet the patient's and
family's needs and the application of alternative therapies
if desired by the patient, but that is not the primary focus
of the model.


5. The family of your critically ill patient tells you that they
have not spoken with the physician in over 24 hours and
that they have some questions they want clarified. During
morning rounds, you convey this concern to the attending
intensivist and arrange a meeting with the family at 4:00
PM. Which competency of critical care nursing does this
represent?
a. Advocacy and moral agency in solving ethical issues
b. Clinical judgment and clinical reasoning skills
c. Collaboration with patients, families, and team members
d. Facilitation of learning for patients, families, and team
members
Correct Answer: C
Although one might consider that all of these
competencies are being addressed, communication and
collaboration with the family and physician best exemplify
the competency of collaboration.


6. The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care
Nursing Practice use what framework to guide critical care
nursing practice?
a. Evidence-based practice
b. Healthy work environment
c. National Patient Safety Goals
d. Nursing process
Correct Answer: D



3

, The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing
Practice delineate the nursing process as applied to
critically ill patients: collect data, determine diagnoses,
identify expected outcomes, develop a plan of care,
implement interventions, and evaluate care. AACN
promotes a healthy work environment, but this is not
included in its standards. The Joint Commission has
established National Patient Safety Goals, but these are
not the AACN standards.


7. The charge nurse is responsible for making the patient
assignments on the critical care unit. An experienced,
certified nurse is assigned to care for the acutely ill patient
with sepsis who also requires continuous renal
replacement therapy and mechanical ventilation. The
nurse with less than 1 year of experience is assigned to
two patients who are more stable. This assignment
reflects implementation of the
a. crew resource management model.
b. National Patient Safety Goals.
c. Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) model.
d. synergy model of practice.
Correct Answer: D
This assignment demonstrates nursing care to meet the
needs of the patient. The synergy model notes that the
nurse competencies are matched to the patient
characteristics. Crew resource management concepts are
related to team training; National Patient Safety Goals are
specified by The Joint Commission to promote safe care
but do not incorporate the synergy model. The Quality and
Safety Education for Nurses initiative involves targeted
education of undergraduate and graduate nursing
students on quality and safety concepts.




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