NUR 1290 – CRITICAL CARE NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT DOWNLOAD
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Core Domains
Hemodynamic Monitoring and Assessment
Respiratory Critical Care and Ventilator Management
Shock States and Fluid Resuscitation
Cardiovascular Critical Care
Neurological Critical Care
Renal Failure and Critical Care Nutrition
Ethical/Legal Issues in Critical Care
Pharmacology in Critical Settings
Sepsis and Infectious Critical Illness
Post-Resuscitation Care and Multi-System Failure
,Introduction
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to assess critical care nursing knowledge and decision-making
skills essential for managing critically ill patients. The assessment covers multiple-choice and scenario-based
questions that evaluate foundational theory, applied professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and
real-world clinical judgment. Questions emphasize critical thinking, prioritization, and evidence-based
decision-making in acute care settings. This study guide prepares nursing students and practicing nurses for
critical care certification and clinical practice by testing competency in hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator
management, shock management, cardiovascular instability, neurological emergencies, and multi-system care.
Success requires understanding both theoretical concepts and practical application in high-stakes clinical
situations.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A patient in the ICU has a central venous pressure (CVP) of 2 mmHg. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Administer IV bolus of 500 mL normal saline
B. Administer IV furosemide 40 mg
C. Initiate norepinephrine infusion
D. Place patient in high-Fowler position
🟢 Correct answer: A
,🔴 RATIONALE: A CVP of 2 mmHg indicates hypovolemia (normal range 4-12 mmHg). The priority
intervention is fluid resuscitation with IV bolus. Furosemide would worsen hypovolemia, norepinephrine is for
vasodilatory shock, and high-Fowler position doesn't address the volume deficit.
Question 2
Which finding in a patient with mechanical ventilation requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Peak airway pressure of 28 cmH2O
B. Saturation of 92% on 40% O2
C. Disconnected ventilator circuit alarm
D. Tube guarantee (ET) depth at 22 cm
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: A disconnected ventilator circuit is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate
reconnection and assessment. Peak pressure 28 is acceptable (normal <40), saturation 92% is acceptable, and
ET tube at 22 cm is appropriate depth.
Question 3
A patient with septic shock has a lactate level of 6.5 mmol/L. What does this indicate?
A. Adequate tissue perfusion
B. Early compensatory stage
C. Severe tissue hypoperfusion
D. Overwhelming renal failure
, 🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Lactate >4 mmol/L indicates severe tissue hypoperfusion and anaerobic metabolism. Normal
lactate is 0.5-2 mmol/L. Elevated lactate is a marker of shock severity and guides resuscitation efforts.
Question 4
Which hemodynamic parameter is most indicative of cardiogenic shock?
A. CVP 3 mmHg, CI 4.5 L/min/m²
B. CVP 18 mmHg, CI 1.8 L/min/m²
C. CVP 5 mmHg, CI 2.0 L/min/m²
D. CVP 12 mmHg, CI 3.8 L/min/m²
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Cardiogenic shock shows elevated CVP (>12 mmHg) due to backup of blood and decreased
cardiac index (<2.2 L/min/m²) from pump failure. Option B demonstrates both findings.
Question 5
A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requires which ventilator strategy?
A. High tidal volumes (10-12 mL/kg)
B. Low tidal volumes (6-8 mL/kg) with PEEP
C. Constant high-frequency ventilation
D. No PEEP to prevent barotrauma
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Core Domains
Hemodynamic Monitoring and Assessment
Respiratory Critical Care and Ventilator Management
Shock States and Fluid Resuscitation
Cardiovascular Critical Care
Neurological Critical Care
Renal Failure and Critical Care Nutrition
Ethical/Legal Issues in Critical Care
Pharmacology in Critical Settings
Sepsis and Infectious Critical Illness
Post-Resuscitation Care and Multi-System Failure
,Introduction
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to assess critical care nursing knowledge and decision-making
skills essential for managing critically ill patients. The assessment covers multiple-choice and scenario-based
questions that evaluate foundational theory, applied professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and
real-world clinical judgment. Questions emphasize critical thinking, prioritization, and evidence-based
decision-making in acute care settings. This study guide prepares nursing students and practicing nurses for
critical care certification and clinical practice by testing competency in hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator
management, shock management, cardiovascular instability, neurological emergencies, and multi-system care.
Success requires understanding both theoretical concepts and practical application in high-stakes clinical
situations.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A patient in the ICU has a central venous pressure (CVP) of 2 mmHg. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Administer IV bolus of 500 mL normal saline
B. Administer IV furosemide 40 mg
C. Initiate norepinephrine infusion
D. Place patient in high-Fowler position
🟢 Correct answer: A
,🔴 RATIONALE: A CVP of 2 mmHg indicates hypovolemia (normal range 4-12 mmHg). The priority
intervention is fluid resuscitation with IV bolus. Furosemide would worsen hypovolemia, norepinephrine is for
vasodilatory shock, and high-Fowler position doesn't address the volume deficit.
Question 2
Which finding in a patient with mechanical ventilation requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. Peak airway pressure of 28 cmH2O
B. Saturation of 92% on 40% O2
C. Disconnected ventilator circuit alarm
D. Tube guarantee (ET) depth at 22 cm
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: A disconnected ventilator circuit is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate
reconnection and assessment. Peak pressure 28 is acceptable (normal <40), saturation 92% is acceptable, and
ET tube at 22 cm is appropriate depth.
Question 3
A patient with septic shock has a lactate level of 6.5 mmol/L. What does this indicate?
A. Adequate tissue perfusion
B. Early compensatory stage
C. Severe tissue hypoperfusion
D. Overwhelming renal failure
, 🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Lactate >4 mmol/L indicates severe tissue hypoperfusion and anaerobic metabolism. Normal
lactate is 0.5-2 mmol/L. Elevated lactate is a marker of shock severity and guides resuscitation efforts.
Question 4
Which hemodynamic parameter is most indicative of cardiogenic shock?
A. CVP 3 mmHg, CI 4.5 L/min/m²
B. CVP 18 mmHg, CI 1.8 L/min/m²
C. CVP 5 mmHg, CI 2.0 L/min/m²
D. CVP 12 mmHg, CI 3.8 L/min/m²
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Cardiogenic shock shows elevated CVP (>12 mmHg) due to backup of blood and decreased
cardiac index (<2.2 L/min/m²) from pump failure. Option B demonstrates both findings.
Question 5
A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requires which ventilator strategy?
A. High tidal volumes (10-12 mL/kg)
B. Low tidal volumes (6-8 mL/kg) with PEEP
C. Constant high-frequency ventilation
D. No PEEP to prevent barotrauma
