Critical Care exam 1: respiratory
Practice Questions with100% Correct
answers
Quiz 1) A nurse is caring for a patient with ARDS. The nurse views the ABG. What value should
the nurse report to the physician?
pH: 7.35
PaCO2: 26mmhg
PaO2:95
HCO3: 22
a) PaCO2
b)pH
c)HCO3
d)PaO2
ANS: a
The normal range for PaCO2 is 35-45. This patient is experiencing a superimposed respiratory
alkalosis likely due to hyperventilation. The nurse should report the PaCO2 to the physician.
Quiz 2) A nurse must position the patient prone after his diagnosis of acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS). Which of the following is a benefit of using this position? Select all that
apply.
,A)Decreased atelectasis
B)Reduced need for endotracheal intubation
c)Mobilization of secretions
d)Decreased pleural pressure
e)Increased response to corticosteroid therapy
ANS: a, c, d
Decreased atelectasis", "Mobilization of secretions" and "Decreased pleural pressure" are
correct. Prone positioning, or placing the patient face down with the head turned to the side,
helps with pulmonary function in the patient diagnosed with ARDS. When the patient is placed
in a prone position, the heart and diaphragm are not pressing against the lungs, which means
that pleural pressure is reduced. When there is less pressure exerted on the lungs, atelectasis
decreases. Studies have shown that many patients in the prone position have increased lung
secretions, which improves oxygenation.
-"Reduced need for endotracheal intubation" is incorrect. The prone position has not been
shown to decrease the likelihood of intubation.
-"Increased response to corticosteroid therapy" is incorrect because positioning does not
change the body's response to steroid therapy.
Quiz 3) A 25-year-old patient in the ICU is being treated for acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS). The patient is on a ventilator and requires 80 percent FiO2. Which information would
the nurse most likely need to report about the patient to the respiratory therapist working with
her?
a)The patient needs endotracheal suctioning
b)The patient needs more oxygen because of his saturation
c)The patient needs an arterial blood gas drawn
d)The patient needs a hemoglobin level drawn
ANS: c
Quiz 4) A patient who has recovered from ARDS in the ICU is now malnourished and has lost a
significant amount of weight. The physician orders TPN to add nutrition for the patient, who
then develops re-feeding syndrome. Which of the following signs or symptoms would the nurse
expect to see with re-feeding syndrome? Select all that apply.
a. Impaired mental status
, b. Insulin resistance
c. Seizures
d. Persistent weight loss
e. Constipation
ANS: a,b,c
impaired mental status", "Insulin resistance" and "Seizures" are correct. Re-feeding syndrome
can occur as a response to nutrient reintroduction after a period of starvation. When an
extremely malnourished patient receives TPN, the body has to adjust to receiving nutrients
again, which can cause shifts in electrolytes in the body. These shifts in electrolytes can result in
sudden and often fatal complications. Signs and symptoms of re-feeding syndrome include
confusion and impaired mental status, insulin resistance, seizures, coma and death.
-"Persistent weight loss" is incorrect because by the time a patient develops re-feeding
syndrome, the onset of symptoms is so sudden that weight loss cannot be measured as part of
the syndrome.
-"Constipation" is incorrect, as it is not a symptom of refeeding syndrome.
Quiz 5) A nurse is caring for a patient with ARDS. Which of the following clinical indicators
would signify that this client is in respiratory failure? Select all that apply.
a. Pulse oximetry of 94% on room air
b. A PaO2 level below 60 mmHg
c. An ABG pH level of 7.35
d. A pCO2 level over 50 mmHg
e. A respiratory rate of over 16/minute
ANS: b, d
Respiratory diseases can cause such compromise that the patient will suffer symptoms;
however, there are certain clinical indicators that can clarify whether the patient is actually in
respiratory failure. Clinical indicators of respiratory failure include pulse oximetry of less than
91% on room air, PaO2 level less than 60 mmHg, and a pCO2 level of over 50 mmHg.
Quiz 6) A nurse is caring for a patient who is in respiratory distress because of ARDS. Which of
the following nursing diagnoses would most likely be associated with this condition?
a. Ineffective thermoregulation
Practice Questions with100% Correct
answers
Quiz 1) A nurse is caring for a patient with ARDS. The nurse views the ABG. What value should
the nurse report to the physician?
pH: 7.35
PaCO2: 26mmhg
PaO2:95
HCO3: 22
a) PaCO2
b)pH
c)HCO3
d)PaO2
ANS: a
The normal range for PaCO2 is 35-45. This patient is experiencing a superimposed respiratory
alkalosis likely due to hyperventilation. The nurse should report the PaCO2 to the physician.
Quiz 2) A nurse must position the patient prone after his diagnosis of acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS). Which of the following is a benefit of using this position? Select all that
apply.
,A)Decreased atelectasis
B)Reduced need for endotracheal intubation
c)Mobilization of secretions
d)Decreased pleural pressure
e)Increased response to corticosteroid therapy
ANS: a, c, d
Decreased atelectasis", "Mobilization of secretions" and "Decreased pleural pressure" are
correct. Prone positioning, or placing the patient face down with the head turned to the side,
helps with pulmonary function in the patient diagnosed with ARDS. When the patient is placed
in a prone position, the heart and diaphragm are not pressing against the lungs, which means
that pleural pressure is reduced. When there is less pressure exerted on the lungs, atelectasis
decreases. Studies have shown that many patients in the prone position have increased lung
secretions, which improves oxygenation.
-"Reduced need for endotracheal intubation" is incorrect. The prone position has not been
shown to decrease the likelihood of intubation.
-"Increased response to corticosteroid therapy" is incorrect because positioning does not
change the body's response to steroid therapy.
Quiz 3) A 25-year-old patient in the ICU is being treated for acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS). The patient is on a ventilator and requires 80 percent FiO2. Which information would
the nurse most likely need to report about the patient to the respiratory therapist working with
her?
a)The patient needs endotracheal suctioning
b)The patient needs more oxygen because of his saturation
c)The patient needs an arterial blood gas drawn
d)The patient needs a hemoglobin level drawn
ANS: c
Quiz 4) A patient who has recovered from ARDS in the ICU is now malnourished and has lost a
significant amount of weight. The physician orders TPN to add nutrition for the patient, who
then develops re-feeding syndrome. Which of the following signs or symptoms would the nurse
expect to see with re-feeding syndrome? Select all that apply.
a. Impaired mental status
, b. Insulin resistance
c. Seizures
d. Persistent weight loss
e. Constipation
ANS: a,b,c
impaired mental status", "Insulin resistance" and "Seizures" are correct. Re-feeding syndrome
can occur as a response to nutrient reintroduction after a period of starvation. When an
extremely malnourished patient receives TPN, the body has to adjust to receiving nutrients
again, which can cause shifts in electrolytes in the body. These shifts in electrolytes can result in
sudden and often fatal complications. Signs and symptoms of re-feeding syndrome include
confusion and impaired mental status, insulin resistance, seizures, coma and death.
-"Persistent weight loss" is incorrect because by the time a patient develops re-feeding
syndrome, the onset of symptoms is so sudden that weight loss cannot be measured as part of
the syndrome.
-"Constipation" is incorrect, as it is not a symptom of refeeding syndrome.
Quiz 5) A nurse is caring for a patient with ARDS. Which of the following clinical indicators
would signify that this client is in respiratory failure? Select all that apply.
a. Pulse oximetry of 94% on room air
b. A PaO2 level below 60 mmHg
c. An ABG pH level of 7.35
d. A pCO2 level over 50 mmHg
e. A respiratory rate of over 16/minute
ANS: b, d
Respiratory diseases can cause such compromise that the patient will suffer symptoms;
however, there are certain clinical indicators that can clarify whether the patient is actually in
respiratory failure. Clinical indicators of respiratory failure include pulse oximetry of less than
91% on room air, PaO2 level less than 60 mmHg, and a pCO2 level of over 50 mmHg.
Quiz 6) A nurse is caring for a patient who is in respiratory distress because of ARDS. Which of
the following nursing diagnoses would most likely be associated with this condition?
a. Ineffective thermoregulation
