1
CRITICAL CARE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
SOLUTIONS
A client diagnosed with heart failure has hemodynamic monitoring in place.
Which actions should the nurse perform to obtain accurate readings from the
hemodynamic monitor? (Select all that apply.)
A) Measure the pressure readings in between the client's breaths.
B) Place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary artery level.
C) Maintain a maximum pressure of 100 mmHg for the flush line continuously.
D) Change out the intravenous solutions infusing via central lines every 12 hours.
E) Calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the transducer at the start of
each shift. - correct-answer - A) Measure the pressure readings in between the
client's breaths. Correct
B) Place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary artery level.
E) Calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the transducer at the start of
each shift.
, 2
A client who has experienced trauma is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
The nurse's initial assessment findings include a Glasgow Coma Scale score of (3),
pupils fixed and dilated with an absence of corneal reflex, blood pressure of 80/30
mmHg, core temperature of 95.7°F (35.4° C). The client's spouse asks the nurse
when the client will wake up. How should the nurse respond?
A) "Your spouse's condition indicates irreversible damage."
B) "Let me contact the health care provider to answer your questions."
C) "Each person is different and we need to wait and see what happens."
D) "I need to initiate the volume expanders and warming blanket to stimulate a
response." - correct-answer - B) let me contact the health care provider to answer
your questions.
The nurse is caring for a client who is 4 days postoperative for abdominal surgery.
The client reports acute onset of difficulty breathing. The nurse obtains the vital
signs which include a heart rate of 120 beats/minute and respirations of 35
, 3
breaths/minute. Which diagnostic test should the nurse prepare the client to
expect the healthcare provider to prescribe?
A) D-dimer blood test.
B) Coagulation time and platelet count.
C) Echocardiogram.
D) Mass spectrometry. - correct-answer - A) D-dimer blood test
The nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
The client reports abdominal pain and nausea, and presents with fruity-scented
breath. The nurse performs a finger stick blood glucose with a reading too high to
register. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
A) Initiate a one liter bolus of 0.9% sodium chloride.
B) Set up an IV pump to infuse IV insulin per protocol.
C) Draw blood to evaluate a complete metabolic panel.
D) Administer a prn IV dose of prescribed antiemetic. - correct-answer - A) Initiate
a one liter bolus of 0.9% sodium chloride.
, 4
The nurse is caring for a client who is demonstrating signs of impending death.
The family is experiencing emotional distress as the client's condition declines.
Which information should the nurse provide the family to facilitate the process?
A) Encourage the family to give the client permission to die.
B) Revoke the "do not resuscitate" advanced directive.
C) Send the family to an area to seek spiritual comfort.
D) Give the client pain medication during the end of life hours. - correct-answer -
A) Encourage the family to give the client permission to die.
The nurse is caring for a client with severe sepsis related to a ruptured
appendix.The clientis diaphoretic and reports lower extremity spasms. The nurse
observes respirations that are uneven and labored. Arterial blood gas (ABG)
results are pH 7.60, PaCO2 25 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L, and PaO2 24 mmHg.
Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
A) Increased pulmonary secretions.
B) Intercostal muscle retraction.
C) Decreased breath sounds.
CRITICAL CARE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
SOLUTIONS
A client diagnosed with heart failure has hemodynamic monitoring in place.
Which actions should the nurse perform to obtain accurate readings from the
hemodynamic monitor? (Select all that apply.)
A) Measure the pressure readings in between the client's breaths.
B) Place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary artery level.
C) Maintain a maximum pressure of 100 mmHg for the flush line continuously.
D) Change out the intravenous solutions infusing via central lines every 12 hours.
E) Calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the transducer at the start of
each shift. - correct-answer - A) Measure the pressure readings in between the
client's breaths. Correct
B) Place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary artery level.
E) Calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the transducer at the start of
each shift.
, 2
A client who has experienced trauma is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
The nurse's initial assessment findings include a Glasgow Coma Scale score of (3),
pupils fixed and dilated with an absence of corneal reflex, blood pressure of 80/30
mmHg, core temperature of 95.7°F (35.4° C). The client's spouse asks the nurse
when the client will wake up. How should the nurse respond?
A) "Your spouse's condition indicates irreversible damage."
B) "Let me contact the health care provider to answer your questions."
C) "Each person is different and we need to wait and see what happens."
D) "I need to initiate the volume expanders and warming blanket to stimulate a
response." - correct-answer - B) let me contact the health care provider to answer
your questions.
The nurse is caring for a client who is 4 days postoperative for abdominal surgery.
The client reports acute onset of difficulty breathing. The nurse obtains the vital
signs which include a heart rate of 120 beats/minute and respirations of 35
, 3
breaths/minute. Which diagnostic test should the nurse prepare the client to
expect the healthcare provider to prescribe?
A) D-dimer blood test.
B) Coagulation time and platelet count.
C) Echocardiogram.
D) Mass spectrometry. - correct-answer - A) D-dimer blood test
The nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
The client reports abdominal pain and nausea, and presents with fruity-scented
breath. The nurse performs a finger stick blood glucose with a reading too high to
register. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
A) Initiate a one liter bolus of 0.9% sodium chloride.
B) Set up an IV pump to infuse IV insulin per protocol.
C) Draw blood to evaluate a complete metabolic panel.
D) Administer a prn IV dose of prescribed antiemetic. - correct-answer - A) Initiate
a one liter bolus of 0.9% sodium chloride.
, 4
The nurse is caring for a client who is demonstrating signs of impending death.
The family is experiencing emotional distress as the client's condition declines.
Which information should the nurse provide the family to facilitate the process?
A) Encourage the family to give the client permission to die.
B) Revoke the "do not resuscitate" advanced directive.
C) Send the family to an area to seek spiritual comfort.
D) Give the client pain medication during the end of life hours. - correct-answer -
A) Encourage the family to give the client permission to die.
The nurse is caring for a client with severe sepsis related to a ruptured
appendix.The clientis diaphoretic and reports lower extremity spasms. The nurse
observes respirations that are uneven and labored. Arterial blood gas (ABG)
results are pH 7.60, PaCO2 25 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L, and PaO2 24 mmHg.
Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
A) Increased pulmonary secretions.
B) Intercostal muscle retraction.
C) Decreased breath sounds.
