NURS 393 critical care practice test 2
(chapter. 16, 26, 27, 43, & 67)
NURS 393 critical care practice test 2
(chapter. 16, 26, 27, 43, & 67)
A patient who has a small cell carcinoma of the lung develops syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic
hormone (SIADH). The nurse should notify the health care provider about which assessment finding?
a. Serum hematocrit of 42%
b. Serum sodium level of 120 mg/dL
c. Reported weight gain of 2.2 lb (1 kg)
d. Urinary output of 280 mL during past 8 hours - ANSWER b. Serum sodium level of 120 mg/dL
A patient who is taking a potassium-wasting diuretic for treatment of hypertension complains of
generalized weakness. Which action is appropriate for the nurse to take?
a. Assess for facial muscle spasms.
b. Ask the patient about loose stools.
c. Recommend the patient avoid drinking orange juice with meals.
d. Suggest that the health care provider order a basic metabolic panel. - ANSWER d. Suggest that the
health care provider order a basic metabolic panel.
Spironolactone (Aldactone), an aldosterone antagonist, is prescribed for a patient. Which statement by
the patient indicates that the teaching about this medication has been effective?
a. "I will try to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day."
b. "I will use a salt substitute to decrease my sodium intake."
c. "I will increase my intake of potassium-containing foods."
d. "I will drink apple juice instead of orange juice for breakfast." - ANSWER d. "I will drink apple juice
instead of orange juice for breakfast."
A patient with new-onset confusion and hyponatremia is being admitted. When making room
assignments, the charge nurse should take which action?
a. Assign the patient to a semi-private room.
,NURS 393 critical care practice test 2
(chapter. 16, 26, 27, 43, & 67)
b. Assign the patient to a room near the nurse's station.
c. Place the patient in a room nearest to the water fountain.
d. Place the patient on telemetry to monitor for peaked T waves.. - ANSWER b. Assign the patient to a
room near the nurse's station.
A postoperative patient who had surgery for a perforated gastric ulcer has been receiving nasogastric
suction for 3 days. The patient now has a serum sodium level of 127 mEq/L (127 mmol/L). Which
prescribed therapy should the nurse question?
a. Infuse 5% dextrose in water at 125 mL/hr.
b. Administer 3% saline at 50 mL/hr for a total of 200 mL.
c. Administer IV morphine sulfate 4 mg every 2 hours PRN.
d. Give IV metoclopramide (Reglan) 10 mg every 6 hours PRN for nausea. - ANSWER a. Infuse 5%
dextrose in water at 125 mL/hr.
A patient who was involved in a motor vehicle crash has had a tracheostomy placed to allow for
continued mechanical ventilation. How should the nurse interpret the following arterial blood gas
results: pH 7.48, PaO2 85 mm Hg, PaCO2 32 mm Hg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L?
a. Metabolic acidosis
b. Metabolic alkalosis
c. Respiratory acidosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER d. Respiratory alkalosis
The nurse notes that a patient who was admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis has rapid, deep
respirations. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Give the prescribed PRN lorazepam (Ativan).
b. Encourage the patient to take deep slow breaths.
c. Start the prescribed PRN oxygen at 2 to 4 L/min.
d. Administer the prescribed normal saline bolus and insulin. - ANSWER d. Administer the prescribed
normal saline bolus and insulin.
, NURS 393 critical care practice test 2
(chapter. 16, 26, 27, 43, & 67)
An older adult patient who is malnourished presents to the emergency department with a serum
protein level of 5.2 g/dL. The nurse would expect which clinical manifestation?
a. Pallor
b. Edema
c. Confusion
d. Restlessness - ANSWER b. Edema
A patient receives 3% NaCl solution for correction of hyponatremia. Which assessment is most
important for the nurse to monitor for while the patient is receiving this infusion?
a. Lung sounds
b. Urinary output
c. Peripheral pulses
d. Peripheral edema - ANSWER a. Lung sounds
A patient who has been receiving diuretic therapy is admitted to the emergency department with a
serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L. The nurse should alert the health care provider immediately that
the patient is on which medication?
a. Digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg/day
b. Metoprolol (Lopressor) 12.5 mg/day
c. Ibuprofen (Motrin) 400 mg every 6 hours
d. Lantus insulin 24 U subcutaneously every evening - ANSWER a. Digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg/day
The nurse is caring for a patient who has a calcium level of 12.1 mg/dL. Which nursing action should the
nurse include on the care plan?
a. Maintain the patient on bed rest.
b. Auscultate lung sounds every 4 hours.
c. Monitor for Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs.
d. Encourage fluid intake up to 4000 mL every day. - ANSWER d. Encourage fluid intake up to 4000 mL
every day.
(chapter. 16, 26, 27, 43, & 67)
NURS 393 critical care practice test 2
(chapter. 16, 26, 27, 43, & 67)
A patient who has a small cell carcinoma of the lung develops syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic
hormone (SIADH). The nurse should notify the health care provider about which assessment finding?
a. Serum hematocrit of 42%
b. Serum sodium level of 120 mg/dL
c. Reported weight gain of 2.2 lb (1 kg)
d. Urinary output of 280 mL during past 8 hours - ANSWER b. Serum sodium level of 120 mg/dL
A patient who is taking a potassium-wasting diuretic for treatment of hypertension complains of
generalized weakness. Which action is appropriate for the nurse to take?
a. Assess for facial muscle spasms.
b. Ask the patient about loose stools.
c. Recommend the patient avoid drinking orange juice with meals.
d. Suggest that the health care provider order a basic metabolic panel. - ANSWER d. Suggest that the
health care provider order a basic metabolic panel.
Spironolactone (Aldactone), an aldosterone antagonist, is prescribed for a patient. Which statement by
the patient indicates that the teaching about this medication has been effective?
a. "I will try to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day."
b. "I will use a salt substitute to decrease my sodium intake."
c. "I will increase my intake of potassium-containing foods."
d. "I will drink apple juice instead of orange juice for breakfast." - ANSWER d. "I will drink apple juice
instead of orange juice for breakfast."
A patient with new-onset confusion and hyponatremia is being admitted. When making room
assignments, the charge nurse should take which action?
a. Assign the patient to a semi-private room.
,NURS 393 critical care practice test 2
(chapter. 16, 26, 27, 43, & 67)
b. Assign the patient to a room near the nurse's station.
c. Place the patient in a room nearest to the water fountain.
d. Place the patient on telemetry to monitor for peaked T waves.. - ANSWER b. Assign the patient to a
room near the nurse's station.
A postoperative patient who had surgery for a perforated gastric ulcer has been receiving nasogastric
suction for 3 days. The patient now has a serum sodium level of 127 mEq/L (127 mmol/L). Which
prescribed therapy should the nurse question?
a. Infuse 5% dextrose in water at 125 mL/hr.
b. Administer 3% saline at 50 mL/hr for a total of 200 mL.
c. Administer IV morphine sulfate 4 mg every 2 hours PRN.
d. Give IV metoclopramide (Reglan) 10 mg every 6 hours PRN for nausea. - ANSWER a. Infuse 5%
dextrose in water at 125 mL/hr.
A patient who was involved in a motor vehicle crash has had a tracheostomy placed to allow for
continued mechanical ventilation. How should the nurse interpret the following arterial blood gas
results: pH 7.48, PaO2 85 mm Hg, PaCO2 32 mm Hg, and HCO3 25 mEq/L?
a. Metabolic acidosis
b. Metabolic alkalosis
c. Respiratory acidosis
d. Respiratory alkalosis - ANSWER d. Respiratory alkalosis
The nurse notes that a patient who was admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis has rapid, deep
respirations. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Give the prescribed PRN lorazepam (Ativan).
b. Encourage the patient to take deep slow breaths.
c. Start the prescribed PRN oxygen at 2 to 4 L/min.
d. Administer the prescribed normal saline bolus and insulin. - ANSWER d. Administer the prescribed
normal saline bolus and insulin.
, NURS 393 critical care practice test 2
(chapter. 16, 26, 27, 43, & 67)
An older adult patient who is malnourished presents to the emergency department with a serum
protein level of 5.2 g/dL. The nurse would expect which clinical manifestation?
a. Pallor
b. Edema
c. Confusion
d. Restlessness - ANSWER b. Edema
A patient receives 3% NaCl solution for correction of hyponatremia. Which assessment is most
important for the nurse to monitor for while the patient is receiving this infusion?
a. Lung sounds
b. Urinary output
c. Peripheral pulses
d. Peripheral edema - ANSWER a. Lung sounds
A patient who has been receiving diuretic therapy is admitted to the emergency department with a
serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L. The nurse should alert the health care provider immediately that
the patient is on which medication?
a. Digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg/day
b. Metoprolol (Lopressor) 12.5 mg/day
c. Ibuprofen (Motrin) 400 mg every 6 hours
d. Lantus insulin 24 U subcutaneously every evening - ANSWER a. Digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg/day
The nurse is caring for a patient who has a calcium level of 12.1 mg/dL. Which nursing action should the
nurse include on the care plan?
a. Maintain the patient on bed rest.
b. Auscultate lung sounds every 4 hours.
c. Monitor for Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs.
d. Encourage fluid intake up to 4000 mL every day. - ANSWER d. Encourage fluid intake up to 4000 mL
every day.
