The nurse identifies a patient in the critical care unit as having "resiliency." What characteris-
tic has the nurse identified in the patient?
1. Motivation to reduce anxiety through positive self-talk
2. Ability to bounce back quickly after an insult
3. Physical strength to endure extreme physical stressors
4. Ability to return to a state of equilibrium - ANSWER Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: This is not a definition of resiliency.
Rationale 2: The correct definition of "resiliency" is the ability to bounce back quickly after
an insult. The degree of resiliency is placed along a continuum between being unable to
mount a response to having strong reserves.
Rationale 3: This is not a definition of resiliency.
Rationale 4: This is not a definition of resiliency.
The nurse realizes that which stressor is one of the primary concerns of critically ill patients
and should be routinely included during assessments?
1. Inability to control elimination
2. Lack of family support
3. Hunger
4. Altered ability to communicate - ANSWER Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: The inability to control elimination is not identified as a primary concern of criti-
cally ill patients.
Rationale 2: Lack of family support is not identified as a primary concern of critically ill pa-
tients.
Rationale 3: Hunger is not identified as a primary concern of critically ill patients.
Rationale 4: Altered ability to communicate is identified as a primary concern of critically ill
patients.
1
,While caring for a patient in the critical care unit, the nurse realizes that the patient's care
needs must be a balance between the patient's long-term prognosis and the family's expec-
tations of recovery. Which of the AACN Synergy Model's characteristics does this situation
describe?
1. Complexity
2. Predictability
3. Participation in care
4. Resource availability - ANSWER Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: This situation describes the characteristic of complexity that is the intricate en-
tanglement of two or more systems; for example, a patient's illness with complex family dy-
namics.
Rationale 2: This situation does not describe predictability.
Rationale 3: This situation does not describe participation in care.
Rationale 4: This situation does not described resource availability.
A patient has just completed a preoperative education session prior to undergoing coronary
artery bypass surgery. Which patient statements indicate that teaching has been effective?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. "I understand that I will have to blink my eyes to respond after the breathing tube is in my
throat."
2. "I will be given frequent mouth care to help me when I am thirsty."
3. "I will be able to move about freely in bed and into the chair without help while con-
nected to the electronic equipment for monitoring."
4. "I may need something to help me rest due to the unfamiliar lights and sounds of the ICU
unit."
5. "I might not behave like my usual self after the surgery but it will be because of the medi-
cations and my illness." - ANSWER Correct Answer: 1,2,4,5
Rationale 1: An alternate method of communication discussed in advance of tube placement
will assist in better communication after the tube is inserted to aid the breathing process.
2
, Rationale 2: While intubated, oral hygiene is needed to prevent mucosal drying due to the
inability of the patient to take oral fluids.
Rationale 3: This statement indicates that additional teaching is required because the patient
will not be able to move freely in bed and into a chair without assistance while being elec-
tronically monitored.
Rationale 4: Due to environmental lights, sounds, and difference in sleeping environment,
additional aids, such as drug management, may be needed to assist the patient to rest at
night.
Rationale 5: A patient concern in the critical care area is the inability to control self. This
statement indicates the patient's understanding of the teaching.
Which communication strategy is most appropriate for a critical care nurse to use when
communicating with a ventilated patient? The nurse should:
1. Use professional terminology and provide the patient with detailed information.
2. Use simple language and explain in other terms if the patient does not seem to under-
stand.
3. Provide minimal information so the patient is not overwhelmed.
4. Discuss issues primarily with the family because the patient is unlikely to understand the
information. - ANSWER Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Individuals who are not familiar with health care often do not understand pro-
fessional language. Confusion and a lack of understanding often result if the information is
presented only with professional terminology.
Rationale 2: Simple layman's language of information is better understood and repeating or
rephrasing gives the patient a better understanding when in a stressful situation.
Rationale 3: Minimal disclosure of information will increase the stress of the patient by in-
creasing confusion and concerns from the lack of understanding about the illness or treat-
ment process. Complete disclosure is the right of the patient and the obligation of health
care professionals.
Rationale 4: Disclosing information or communicating only with the patient's family denies
the patient the right of choice and the respect or dignity expected. Legally and ethically, ex-
cept under very specific restrictions, the patient has a right to know, and it is the health care
professional's responsibility to explain clearly for informed consent to occur.
3
tic has the nurse identified in the patient?
1. Motivation to reduce anxiety through positive self-talk
2. Ability to bounce back quickly after an insult
3. Physical strength to endure extreme physical stressors
4. Ability to return to a state of equilibrium - ANSWER Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: This is not a definition of resiliency.
Rationale 2: The correct definition of "resiliency" is the ability to bounce back quickly after
an insult. The degree of resiliency is placed along a continuum between being unable to
mount a response to having strong reserves.
Rationale 3: This is not a definition of resiliency.
Rationale 4: This is not a definition of resiliency.
The nurse realizes that which stressor is one of the primary concerns of critically ill patients
and should be routinely included during assessments?
1. Inability to control elimination
2. Lack of family support
3. Hunger
4. Altered ability to communicate - ANSWER Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: The inability to control elimination is not identified as a primary concern of criti-
cally ill patients.
Rationale 2: Lack of family support is not identified as a primary concern of critically ill pa-
tients.
Rationale 3: Hunger is not identified as a primary concern of critically ill patients.
Rationale 4: Altered ability to communicate is identified as a primary concern of critically ill
patients.
1
,While caring for a patient in the critical care unit, the nurse realizes that the patient's care
needs must be a balance between the patient's long-term prognosis and the family's expec-
tations of recovery. Which of the AACN Synergy Model's characteristics does this situation
describe?
1. Complexity
2. Predictability
3. Participation in care
4. Resource availability - ANSWER Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: This situation describes the characteristic of complexity that is the intricate en-
tanglement of two or more systems; for example, a patient's illness with complex family dy-
namics.
Rationale 2: This situation does not describe predictability.
Rationale 3: This situation does not describe participation in care.
Rationale 4: This situation does not described resource availability.
A patient has just completed a preoperative education session prior to undergoing coronary
artery bypass surgery. Which patient statements indicate that teaching has been effective?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. "I understand that I will have to blink my eyes to respond after the breathing tube is in my
throat."
2. "I will be given frequent mouth care to help me when I am thirsty."
3. "I will be able to move about freely in bed and into the chair without help while con-
nected to the electronic equipment for monitoring."
4. "I may need something to help me rest due to the unfamiliar lights and sounds of the ICU
unit."
5. "I might not behave like my usual self after the surgery but it will be because of the medi-
cations and my illness." - ANSWER Correct Answer: 1,2,4,5
Rationale 1: An alternate method of communication discussed in advance of tube placement
will assist in better communication after the tube is inserted to aid the breathing process.
2
, Rationale 2: While intubated, oral hygiene is needed to prevent mucosal drying due to the
inability of the patient to take oral fluids.
Rationale 3: This statement indicates that additional teaching is required because the patient
will not be able to move freely in bed and into a chair without assistance while being elec-
tronically monitored.
Rationale 4: Due to environmental lights, sounds, and difference in sleeping environment,
additional aids, such as drug management, may be needed to assist the patient to rest at
night.
Rationale 5: A patient concern in the critical care area is the inability to control self. This
statement indicates the patient's understanding of the teaching.
Which communication strategy is most appropriate for a critical care nurse to use when
communicating with a ventilated patient? The nurse should:
1. Use professional terminology and provide the patient with detailed information.
2. Use simple language and explain in other terms if the patient does not seem to under-
stand.
3. Provide minimal information so the patient is not overwhelmed.
4. Discuss issues primarily with the family because the patient is unlikely to understand the
information. - ANSWER Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Individuals who are not familiar with health care often do not understand pro-
fessional language. Confusion and a lack of understanding often result if the information is
presented only with professional terminology.
Rationale 2: Simple layman's language of information is better understood and repeating or
rephrasing gives the patient a better understanding when in a stressful situation.
Rationale 3: Minimal disclosure of information will increase the stress of the patient by in-
creasing confusion and concerns from the lack of understanding about the illness or treat-
ment process. Complete disclosure is the right of the patient and the obligation of health
care professionals.
Rationale 4: Disclosing information or communicating only with the patient's family denies
the patient the right of choice and the respect or dignity expected. Legally and ethically, ex-
cept under very specific restrictions, the patient has a right to know, and it is the health care
professional's responsibility to explain clearly for informed consent to occur.
3
