NUR445 CRITICAL CARE EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | NUR445
CRITICAL CARE EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
& PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027
1 of 135
Term
On the ventilator, what is the High-pressure limit?
a. volume of gas delivered to the patient during each ventilator breath
b. fraction of FiO2 delivered to the patient to maintain PaO2 >60 and
SpO2 >90
c. Positive pressure applied at the end of expiration of ventilator
breaths
d. speed with which the tidal volume is delivered
e. when the pressure limit is reached, the vent terminates the breath
and spills the undelivered volume into the atmosphere
f. number of breaths the ventilator delivers per minute
Give this one a go later!
,b. Pneumothorax
As air fills the thoracic cavity, it causes compression of the lung on the affected side
causing diminished lung sounds.
a. Lower abdominal injury
This would not affect the lung.
c. Tracheobronchial injury
While the escape of air might occur, the change in lung sounds would likely be
bilateral.
d. Pericardial tamponade
This should not have an effect on lung sounds.
c. HHS
Assessment
Profound dehydration
Longitudinal wrinkles in the tongue
Decrease salivation
Decrease CVP (central venous pressure)
Tachycardia
Dry skin, flaky, skin tenting.
BGL >1,500= coma
d. speed with which the tidal volume is delivered
Inspiratory flow rate and time: Speed with which the tidal volume is delivered 40-
80L/min
e. when the pressure limit is reached, the vent terminates the breath and
spills the undelivered volume into the atmosphere
High-pressure limit: when the pressure limit is reached, the ventilator
terminates the breath and spills the undelivered volume into the atmosphere.
Tidal volume is cut off. 10-20 cm H2O above peak inspiratory pressure
, Don't know?
2 of 135
Term
Signs & Symptoms
Fatigue, weakness, Increased sensitivity to the cold, Constipation, Dry
skin, brittle hair & nails, weight gain, deepened voice, depression,
hyperlipidemia.
Respiratory Depression, Cardiogenic Shock, Hypothermia, Coma,
decreased LOC
Somnolence, decrease mental acuity
GFR and urine specific gravity and urine osmolality are decreased.
What is this condition?
a. Addison's
b. Myxedema Coma
c. Nephrogenic DI
f. HHS
Give this one a go later!
, b. Myxedema Coma
Patho→ AMIODARONE (hypo or hyperthyroidism)
Severe hypothyroidism. Severe deficiency of Thyroid Hormone producing
hypothyroidism. There is a spectrum of hypothyroidism. Determined by labs
and clinical symptoms that range anywhere from Mild Hypothyroidism to
Severe Hypothyroidism.
Hallmark features of this condition
Precipting illness, Altered mental status
Hypothermia, Bradycardia
Abnormal Thyroid Blood Level: Increased TSH (>30), low T3 & T4
Slow metabolic rate
Reduced O2 concentration. Cells are unable to maintain the process of
metabolism.
Reduce protein synthesis
Due to decreased amino production and decrease tissue repair (decrease
thyroid hormone).
b. No
Carbs & Fat Metabolism
Decreased & Gluconeogenesis can not supply more glucose, because carbs
Oral care should consist of:
& fat metabolism is suppressed.
1. brushing the patient's teeth with a soft toothbrush to reduce plaque
Cholesterol
2. brushing the patient's tongue and gums with a foam swab to stimulate the tissue
Collects, increases in the bloodstream.
3. performing deep oropharyngeal suctioning to remove any secretions that have
Hypothermia occurs & deposits of Hyaluronic Acid accumulate in the
pooled above the patient's cuff
interstitial spaces.- FULL FACE
b. Select any site on the non-edematous extremity for cannulation
When starting an IV in a client, using an edematous extremity is contraindicated.
While it is good practice to cannulate in a non-dominant arm for the client's
convenience, it is more important to avoid an area of the body with an abnormal
presentation. Test-taking tip: When answering SATA questions, remember that there
may only be one right answer.
a. Select a distal site in the edematous extremity for cannulation
The nurse should avoid this side completely when selecting an IV site.
c. Contact the provider to clarify that an IV is necessary
This issue can be resolved by the nurse's good clinical judgement. It does not need
to be escalated to the provider.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | NUR445
CRITICAL CARE EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
& PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027
1 of 135
Term
On the ventilator, what is the High-pressure limit?
a. volume of gas delivered to the patient during each ventilator breath
b. fraction of FiO2 delivered to the patient to maintain PaO2 >60 and
SpO2 >90
c. Positive pressure applied at the end of expiration of ventilator
breaths
d. speed with which the tidal volume is delivered
e. when the pressure limit is reached, the vent terminates the breath
and spills the undelivered volume into the atmosphere
f. number of breaths the ventilator delivers per minute
Give this one a go later!
,b. Pneumothorax
As air fills the thoracic cavity, it causes compression of the lung on the affected side
causing diminished lung sounds.
a. Lower abdominal injury
This would not affect the lung.
c. Tracheobronchial injury
While the escape of air might occur, the change in lung sounds would likely be
bilateral.
d. Pericardial tamponade
This should not have an effect on lung sounds.
c. HHS
Assessment
Profound dehydration
Longitudinal wrinkles in the tongue
Decrease salivation
Decrease CVP (central venous pressure)
Tachycardia
Dry skin, flaky, skin tenting.
BGL >1,500= coma
d. speed with which the tidal volume is delivered
Inspiratory flow rate and time: Speed with which the tidal volume is delivered 40-
80L/min
e. when the pressure limit is reached, the vent terminates the breath and
spills the undelivered volume into the atmosphere
High-pressure limit: when the pressure limit is reached, the ventilator
terminates the breath and spills the undelivered volume into the atmosphere.
Tidal volume is cut off. 10-20 cm H2O above peak inspiratory pressure
, Don't know?
2 of 135
Term
Signs & Symptoms
Fatigue, weakness, Increased sensitivity to the cold, Constipation, Dry
skin, brittle hair & nails, weight gain, deepened voice, depression,
hyperlipidemia.
Respiratory Depression, Cardiogenic Shock, Hypothermia, Coma,
decreased LOC
Somnolence, decrease mental acuity
GFR and urine specific gravity and urine osmolality are decreased.
What is this condition?
a. Addison's
b. Myxedema Coma
c. Nephrogenic DI
f. HHS
Give this one a go later!
, b. Myxedema Coma
Patho→ AMIODARONE (hypo or hyperthyroidism)
Severe hypothyroidism. Severe deficiency of Thyroid Hormone producing
hypothyroidism. There is a spectrum of hypothyroidism. Determined by labs
and clinical symptoms that range anywhere from Mild Hypothyroidism to
Severe Hypothyroidism.
Hallmark features of this condition
Precipting illness, Altered mental status
Hypothermia, Bradycardia
Abnormal Thyroid Blood Level: Increased TSH (>30), low T3 & T4
Slow metabolic rate
Reduced O2 concentration. Cells are unable to maintain the process of
metabolism.
Reduce protein synthesis
Due to decreased amino production and decrease tissue repair (decrease
thyroid hormone).
b. No
Carbs & Fat Metabolism
Decreased & Gluconeogenesis can not supply more glucose, because carbs
Oral care should consist of:
& fat metabolism is suppressed.
1. brushing the patient's teeth with a soft toothbrush to reduce plaque
Cholesterol
2. brushing the patient's tongue and gums with a foam swab to stimulate the tissue
Collects, increases in the bloodstream.
3. performing deep oropharyngeal suctioning to remove any secretions that have
Hypothermia occurs & deposits of Hyaluronic Acid accumulate in the
pooled above the patient's cuff
interstitial spaces.- FULL FACE
b. Select any site on the non-edematous extremity for cannulation
When starting an IV in a client, using an edematous extremity is contraindicated.
While it is good practice to cannulate in a non-dominant arm for the client's
convenience, it is more important to avoid an area of the body with an abnormal
presentation. Test-taking tip: When answering SATA questions, remember that there
may only be one right answer.
a. Select a distal site in the edematous extremity for cannulation
The nurse should avoid this side completely when selecting an IV site.
c. Contact the provider to clarify that an IV is necessary
This issue can be resolved by the nurse's good clinical judgement. It does not need
to be escalated to the provider.
