CRITICAL CARE NURSING BY LINDSEY D
URDEN PRACTICE TEST 2026 FULL SOLUTIONS
REVIEW PACK
◉ What are the common types of ICU units?
Answer: ICU units are clustered by population (neonatal, pediatric)
and by type of disease/condition (trauma, cardiovascular, burn, etc.).
◉ How many patients are admitted to an ICU each year in the US?
Answer: More than 5.7 million patients.
◉ What common problems do critical care patients experience?
Answer: Anxiety, pain, impaired communication, impaired sleep,
sensory perception problems, and impaired nutrition.
◉ How does anxiety affect critical care patients?
Answer: It affects patients, caregivers, and family, enhanced by
equipment, noise, activity, pain, and loss of control.
◉ What nursing care strategies can help manage patient anxiety?
,Answer: Open communication, explain equipment and procedures,
provide realistic expectations, and administer anti-anxiety
medication if ordered.
◉ What are the sources of pain in ICU patients?
Answer: Pain can originate from multiple areas and untreated pain
exacerbates anxiety and delays healing.
◉ What is the nursing care for managing pain in ICU patients?
Answer: Appropriate pain assessment, discern sources of pain,
evaluate treatment effectiveness, and use non-pharmacological pain
management.
◉ What is ICU delirium?
Answer: A condition characterized by altered mentation,
psychomotor behavior, and altered sleep patterns, often occurring 2-
5 days after ICU admission.
◉ What are the types of alterations associated with ICU delirium?
Answer: Sensory deprivation and sensory overload.
◉ What are the adverse effects of hypoactive ICU delirium?
Answer: Associated with anxiety, lethargy, depression, and limited
movement, leading to poorer clinical prognosis.
,◉ What characterizes hyperactive ICU delirium?
Answer: Disruptive behavior, disordered thinking, paranoia,
agitation, and refusal of care.
◉ What are the clinical manifestations of sensory perception issues
in ICU patients?
Answer: Decreased orientation, disturbances in attention and
cognition, psychomotor disturbances, sleep disturbances, and
increased dependence on caregivers.
◉ What nursing care strategies can help manage sensory perception
issues?
Answer: Monitor risk factors, encourage family presence, reduce
environmental noise, and promote rest.
◉ What is the significance of delirium in ICU patients?
Answer: Delirium is a significant contributor to morbidity and
mortality in the ICU.
◉ What is the average mortality rate for patients admitted to the
ICU?
Answer: Mortality rates average 10-20% in most hospitals.
, ◉ What percentage of Americans will die in a hospital?
Answer: Approximately 35%.
◉ What is the recommended tool for monitoring delirium in ICU
patients?
Answer: The Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU).
◉ What are the physiological responses to sensory overload?
Answer: Changes in RAS, irritability, increased gastric secretions,
increased blood glucose, and changes in heart rate and blood
pressure.
◉ What is the most significant sensory deprivation in ICU patients?
Answer: Lack of human touch.
◉ What are the effects of sensory deprivation in ICU patients?
Answer: Can lead to depression, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations,
and combative behavior.
◉ What nursing interventions can help improve communication
with ICU patients?
Answer: Explain all aspects of care, use communication boards, and
identify alternatives to verbal communication.
URDEN PRACTICE TEST 2026 FULL SOLUTIONS
REVIEW PACK
◉ What are the common types of ICU units?
Answer: ICU units are clustered by population (neonatal, pediatric)
and by type of disease/condition (trauma, cardiovascular, burn, etc.).
◉ How many patients are admitted to an ICU each year in the US?
Answer: More than 5.7 million patients.
◉ What common problems do critical care patients experience?
Answer: Anxiety, pain, impaired communication, impaired sleep,
sensory perception problems, and impaired nutrition.
◉ How does anxiety affect critical care patients?
Answer: It affects patients, caregivers, and family, enhanced by
equipment, noise, activity, pain, and loss of control.
◉ What nursing care strategies can help manage patient anxiety?
,Answer: Open communication, explain equipment and procedures,
provide realistic expectations, and administer anti-anxiety
medication if ordered.
◉ What are the sources of pain in ICU patients?
Answer: Pain can originate from multiple areas and untreated pain
exacerbates anxiety and delays healing.
◉ What is the nursing care for managing pain in ICU patients?
Answer: Appropriate pain assessment, discern sources of pain,
evaluate treatment effectiveness, and use non-pharmacological pain
management.
◉ What is ICU delirium?
Answer: A condition characterized by altered mentation,
psychomotor behavior, and altered sleep patterns, often occurring 2-
5 days after ICU admission.
◉ What are the types of alterations associated with ICU delirium?
Answer: Sensory deprivation and sensory overload.
◉ What are the adverse effects of hypoactive ICU delirium?
Answer: Associated with anxiety, lethargy, depression, and limited
movement, leading to poorer clinical prognosis.
,◉ What characterizes hyperactive ICU delirium?
Answer: Disruptive behavior, disordered thinking, paranoia,
agitation, and refusal of care.
◉ What are the clinical manifestations of sensory perception issues
in ICU patients?
Answer: Decreased orientation, disturbances in attention and
cognition, psychomotor disturbances, sleep disturbances, and
increased dependence on caregivers.
◉ What nursing care strategies can help manage sensory perception
issues?
Answer: Monitor risk factors, encourage family presence, reduce
environmental noise, and promote rest.
◉ What is the significance of delirium in ICU patients?
Answer: Delirium is a significant contributor to morbidity and
mortality in the ICU.
◉ What is the average mortality rate for patients admitted to the
ICU?
Answer: Mortality rates average 10-20% in most hospitals.
, ◉ What percentage of Americans will die in a hospital?
Answer: Approximately 35%.
◉ What is the recommended tool for monitoring delirium in ICU
patients?
Answer: The Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU).
◉ What are the physiological responses to sensory overload?
Answer: Changes in RAS, irritability, increased gastric secretions,
increased blood glucose, and changes in heart rate and blood
pressure.
◉ What is the most significant sensory deprivation in ICU patients?
Answer: Lack of human touch.
◉ What are the effects of sensory deprivation in ICU patients?
Answer: Can lead to depression, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations,
and combative behavior.
◉ What nursing interventions can help improve communication
with ICU patients?
Answer: Explain all aspects of care, use communication boards, and
identify alternatives to verbal communication.
