ENA Management of Critical Care Patients Study Guide 2026 | Emergency
Nursing & ICU Review
A patient presents to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of sepsis and a
blood pressure of 76/48 mm Hg. His blood pressure remains low despite fluid resuscitation and
vasopressor administration. Which drug should the patient receive next to improve oxygen
delivery?
A. Dopamine (Intropin)
B. Norepinephrine (Levophed)
C. Dobutamine (Dobutrex)
D. Epinephrine (Adrenalin) - correct answer ✔✔C. Dobutamine (Dobutrex)
A patient presents to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of an infection.
Which disorder is a systemic inflammatory response specifically attributed to a presumed
infection?
A. Bacteremia
B. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
C. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome
D. Sepsis - correct answer ✔✔D. Sepsis
To monitor arterial, central venous, or pulmonary artery pressure, the nurse should place the
transducer at which anatomic point?
A. Foramen of Monro
B. Phlebostatic axis
C. Anacrotic notch
D. McBurney's point - correct answer ✔✔B. Phlebostatic axis
, A patient presents to the emergency department with sepsis. The nurse draws blood for a
serum lactate level. Which result should the nurse expect based on the relationship between
the serum lactate level, perfusion, and blood pressure?
A. An increased serum lactate level is a useful indicator of hypoperfusion and can occur in a
patient with a normal blood pressure.
B. A decreased serum lactate level is a useful indicator of hypoperfusion and can occur in a
patient with a normal blood pressure.
C. An increased serum lactate level is a useful indicator of hyperperfusion and can occur in a
patient with a high blood pressure.
D. A decreased serum lactate level is a useful indicator of hyperperfusion and can occur in a
patient with a normal blood pressure. - correct answer ✔✔A. An increased serum lactate level
is a useful indicator of hypoperfusion and can occur in a patient with a normal blood pressure.
For which mode of mechanical ventilation does tidal volume depend on inspiratory time,
pressure, and lung compliance?
A. Assist control
B. Continuous positive airway pressure
C. Pressure-control ventilation
D. Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation - correct answer ✔✔C. Pressure-control
ventilation
Which complication may occur in a patient receiving central venous pressure monitoring?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pseudoaneurysm formation
C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
D. Balloon rupture - correct answer ✔✔A. Pneumothorax
Which statement correctly applies to mechanical ventilation?
Nursing & ICU Review
A patient presents to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of sepsis and a
blood pressure of 76/48 mm Hg. His blood pressure remains low despite fluid resuscitation and
vasopressor administration. Which drug should the patient receive next to improve oxygen
delivery?
A. Dopamine (Intropin)
B. Norepinephrine (Levophed)
C. Dobutamine (Dobutrex)
D. Epinephrine (Adrenalin) - correct answer ✔✔C. Dobutamine (Dobutrex)
A patient presents to the emergency department with signs and symptoms of an infection.
Which disorder is a systemic inflammatory response specifically attributed to a presumed
infection?
A. Bacteremia
B. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
C. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome
D. Sepsis - correct answer ✔✔D. Sepsis
To monitor arterial, central venous, or pulmonary artery pressure, the nurse should place the
transducer at which anatomic point?
A. Foramen of Monro
B. Phlebostatic axis
C. Anacrotic notch
D. McBurney's point - correct answer ✔✔B. Phlebostatic axis
, A patient presents to the emergency department with sepsis. The nurse draws blood for a
serum lactate level. Which result should the nurse expect based on the relationship between
the serum lactate level, perfusion, and blood pressure?
A. An increased serum lactate level is a useful indicator of hypoperfusion and can occur in a
patient with a normal blood pressure.
B. A decreased serum lactate level is a useful indicator of hypoperfusion and can occur in a
patient with a normal blood pressure.
C. An increased serum lactate level is a useful indicator of hyperperfusion and can occur in a
patient with a high blood pressure.
D. A decreased serum lactate level is a useful indicator of hyperperfusion and can occur in a
patient with a normal blood pressure. - correct answer ✔✔A. An increased serum lactate level
is a useful indicator of hypoperfusion and can occur in a patient with a normal blood pressure.
For which mode of mechanical ventilation does tidal volume depend on inspiratory time,
pressure, and lung compliance?
A. Assist control
B. Continuous positive airway pressure
C. Pressure-control ventilation
D. Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation - correct answer ✔✔C. Pressure-control
ventilation
Which complication may occur in a patient receiving central venous pressure monitoring?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pseudoaneurysm formation
C. Cardiac dysrhythmias
D. Balloon rupture - correct answer ✔✔A. Pneumothorax
Which statement correctly applies to mechanical ventilation?
