You are taking care of a patient who is scheduled for ablation to treat atrial fibrillation.
While obtaining consent , the patient asks multiple questions about the procedure. What
is the BEST response? - ANSWER-Request the provider come and discuss the
procedure with the patient
Your patient has an IVC filter placed two days ago and starts to complain of sharp pain
in the chest, shortness of breath, anxiety, and heart palpitations. What should you do
NEXT? - ANSWER-Notify the provider and prepare for a CT scan
What is the MOST important intervention for a patient with non-blanching redness and
intact skin to their coccyx? - ANSWER-Turning the patient every two hours, alternating
from side to side
What is the most common cause of acute onset pancreatitis? - ANSWER-Alcoholism
and galstones
Then nursing assistant reports that your post-op day 2 CABG patient has a temp of
101.3 and BP of 82/56. The patient's output has decreased to < 30 cc in the past 4
hours. You suspect a post surgical complication. After calling the doctor, you receive the
orders for STAT CBC, CMP, and coagulation test. Which of the following results would
you expect to see after these labs are completed? - ANSWER-WBC greater than
19,000
Your patient is receiving an amiodarone drip. You should reduce the dose from 1
mg/mL to 0.5 mg/mL after: - ANSWER-6 hours
Your patient was admitted for a hypertensive crisis and has a history of HTN,
Parkinson's Disease, CAD, and depression. The patient reports drinking 3-4 alcoholic
drinks/night. This is your third day caring for this patient and you suddenly notice that he
is more anxious and restless than his baseline. What would be your INITIAL nursing
intervention? - ANSWER-Check CIWA score
Which of the following medications is MOST commonly indicated for patients with CHF?
- ANSWER-Ace inhibitors
A patient was involved in a motor vehicle accident and CAT scan results reveal a right
sided SDH. What would be an expected neurological assessment finding in this patient?
- ANSWER-Dilated right pupil
What is the most common symptom of SIADH? - ANSWER-Fluid retention
Upon arrival to the unit, you receive report on four PCU patients. Which patient should
you attend to FIRST? - ANSWER-A patient complaining of shortness of breathe on
continuous BiPAP with a BP of 189/109
, Of the following patients, which one would you see FIRST? - ANSWER-A 30 year
suicidal female that took an unknown number of alprazolam with an O2 saturation of
85%
You are caring for a patient with new onset atrial fibrillation with a blood pressure of
80/60. Which of the following treatment options is MOST appropriate? - ANSWER-
Electrical cardioversion
Which of the following supplemental medications is frequently ordered in conjunction
with furosemide? - ANSWER-Potassium
Which of the following positions is the BEST way to assess for JVD? - ANSWER-
Position the patient on his/her back with the head of bed 30-45 degrees
Your patient is on the midday schedule for hemodialysis. He has 100 mg of metoprolol
XL ordered for this morning and his blood pressure if 150/98. Which of the following
would be an appropriate action? - ANSWER-Hold the metoprolol because of the
upcoming dialysis
You walk into your patient's room and notice that the chest tube collection chamber has
been knocked over on the floor. There appears to be drainage dispersed throughout the
chambers. What should you do NEXT? - ANSWER-Replace the chamber with a new
one
Your patient is complaining of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. His blood pressure is
89/55, heart rate is 122 bpm, and the temperature is 100.8 F. What condition is this
patient most likely experiencing? - ANSWER-Hypovolemic shock
You are caring for a patient with a chest tube that has become dislodged. Which of the
following would you do FIRST? - ANSWER-Cover the insertion site immediately with
Vaseline gauze
A 78 year old male is admitted from the ED for syncope with ground level fall. You note
his heart rate is 50 and the patient is confused. His daughter states she thinks he has
dementia but he has not been diagnosed yet. Blood pressure is stable. What order do
you anticipate? - ANSWER-Stat head CT
A patient with an upper GI bleed has a hgb of 6.1 g/dL. Which of the following orders
should you do FIRST? - ANSWER-Prepare to administer 2 units PRBCs
Which of the following should be checked before administering digoxin? - ANSWER-
Apical pulse
A patient with a history of acute seizure activity of unknown etiology is admitted to the
PCU from the ED. Which of the following orders would you expect to receive from the
While obtaining consent , the patient asks multiple questions about the procedure. What
is the BEST response? - ANSWER-Request the provider come and discuss the
procedure with the patient
Your patient has an IVC filter placed two days ago and starts to complain of sharp pain
in the chest, shortness of breath, anxiety, and heart palpitations. What should you do
NEXT? - ANSWER-Notify the provider and prepare for a CT scan
What is the MOST important intervention for a patient with non-blanching redness and
intact skin to their coccyx? - ANSWER-Turning the patient every two hours, alternating
from side to side
What is the most common cause of acute onset pancreatitis? - ANSWER-Alcoholism
and galstones
Then nursing assistant reports that your post-op day 2 CABG patient has a temp of
101.3 and BP of 82/56. The patient's output has decreased to < 30 cc in the past 4
hours. You suspect a post surgical complication. After calling the doctor, you receive the
orders for STAT CBC, CMP, and coagulation test. Which of the following results would
you expect to see after these labs are completed? - ANSWER-WBC greater than
19,000
Your patient is receiving an amiodarone drip. You should reduce the dose from 1
mg/mL to 0.5 mg/mL after: - ANSWER-6 hours
Your patient was admitted for a hypertensive crisis and has a history of HTN,
Parkinson's Disease, CAD, and depression. The patient reports drinking 3-4 alcoholic
drinks/night. This is your third day caring for this patient and you suddenly notice that he
is more anxious and restless than his baseline. What would be your INITIAL nursing
intervention? - ANSWER-Check CIWA score
Which of the following medications is MOST commonly indicated for patients with CHF?
- ANSWER-Ace inhibitors
A patient was involved in a motor vehicle accident and CAT scan results reveal a right
sided SDH. What would be an expected neurological assessment finding in this patient?
- ANSWER-Dilated right pupil
What is the most common symptom of SIADH? - ANSWER-Fluid retention
Upon arrival to the unit, you receive report on four PCU patients. Which patient should
you attend to FIRST? - ANSWER-A patient complaining of shortness of breathe on
continuous BiPAP with a BP of 189/109
, Of the following patients, which one would you see FIRST? - ANSWER-A 30 year
suicidal female that took an unknown number of alprazolam with an O2 saturation of
85%
You are caring for a patient with new onset atrial fibrillation with a blood pressure of
80/60. Which of the following treatment options is MOST appropriate? - ANSWER-
Electrical cardioversion
Which of the following supplemental medications is frequently ordered in conjunction
with furosemide? - ANSWER-Potassium
Which of the following positions is the BEST way to assess for JVD? - ANSWER-
Position the patient on his/her back with the head of bed 30-45 degrees
Your patient is on the midday schedule for hemodialysis. He has 100 mg of metoprolol
XL ordered for this morning and his blood pressure if 150/98. Which of the following
would be an appropriate action? - ANSWER-Hold the metoprolol because of the
upcoming dialysis
You walk into your patient's room and notice that the chest tube collection chamber has
been knocked over on the floor. There appears to be drainage dispersed throughout the
chambers. What should you do NEXT? - ANSWER-Replace the chamber with a new
one
Your patient is complaining of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. His blood pressure is
89/55, heart rate is 122 bpm, and the temperature is 100.8 F. What condition is this
patient most likely experiencing? - ANSWER-Hypovolemic shock
You are caring for a patient with a chest tube that has become dislodged. Which of the
following would you do FIRST? - ANSWER-Cover the insertion site immediately with
Vaseline gauze
A 78 year old male is admitted from the ED for syncope with ground level fall. You note
his heart rate is 50 and the patient is confused. His daughter states she thinks he has
dementia but he has not been diagnosed yet. Blood pressure is stable. What order do
you anticipate? - ANSWER-Stat head CT
A patient with an upper GI bleed has a hgb of 6.1 g/dL. Which of the following orders
should you do FIRST? - ANSWER-Prepare to administer 2 units PRBCs
Which of the following should be checked before administering digoxin? - ANSWER-
Apical pulse
A patient with a history of acute seizure activity of unknown etiology is admitted to the
PCU from the ED. Which of the following orders would you expect to receive from the
