TEST BANK FOR PRIORITIES IN CRITICAL CARE
NURSING 9TH EDITION EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Nearly 25% of people surviving a critical illness and an intensive
care unit stay subsequently exhibit symptoms of posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). A patient with PTSD may manifest which
behavior? Answer: Intrusive recall of the event
◉ A subjective state in which an individual sees extremely limited or
no alternatives and is unable to mobilize energy on his or her
behalf is known as: Answer: Hopelessness
◉ Which statement regarding regression as a coping mechanism for
critical care patients is accurate? Answer: It is necessary to some
degree to allow staff to administer care
◉ Which concept supports patients and helps them endure the
physical and psychological insults of their critical illness? Answer:
Hope
,◉ Which therapeutic technique may be used to enhance coping in
the critical care environment? Answer: Foster trust in the
interprofessional health care team
◉ Which nursing intervention can help family members who are
extremely upset? Answer: Supporting the family members away
from the bedside
◉ A patient has been admitted with a severed spinal cord injury at
the T2 level. The patient has been in halo traction with
immobilization for the past week. The practitioner has explained to
the patient that the spinal cord has been severed and that the
patient will not be able to walk again. The patient states, "I can't wait
until I can get on my feet and walk again." Which defense
mechanism is the patient exhibiting in this statement? Answer:
Denial
◉ An adult patient sustains third- and fourth-degree burns to more
than 70% of her body related to a house fire. The patient begins a
pattern of behavior similar to that of a young child, in which she
repeatedly whines and throws "temper tantrums" in an attempt to
keep her nurse at the bedside. What coping mechanism is the
patient exhibiting? Answer: Regression
,◉ A patient is admitted with the diagnosis of gunshot wound to the
head due to a suicide attempt. While the patient is in the critical
care unit, the plan of care should include which intervention?
Answer: Validating the patient's need to talk about the incident
◉ What happens when the critical illness is so severe that the
patient or family becomes overwhelmed? Answer: Stress overload
◉ Which medications are commonly used for alcohol withdrawal
symptoms? Answer: Chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam
◉ Prolonged periods of anxious waiting, disrupted sleep patterns,
witnessing emergency interventions, and financial concerns could
put family members at risk for developing what problem? Answer:
PTSD
◉ Anxiety can cause emotional changes in which part of the brain?
Answer: Neurotransmitters
◉ A patient is admitted complaining of pain from a femur fracture
and is anxious and agitated. The patient is receiving steroids and
theophylline for exacerbation of asthma. What disorder should the
nurse suspect the patient may be experiencing? Answer: Anxiety
, ◉ A patient tells his family, "I don't know why I was placed on this
earth just to suffer from cancer all my life. I just want to die."
What psychosocial issue is the patient experiencing? Answer:
Spiritual Distress
◉ Through what mechanism can a nurse demonstrate caring and
support to a patient? Answer: Providing empathy and physical
contact
◉ What serious concern regarding the critical care environment
affects the patient's ability to cope and heal? Answer: Deprivation of
sleep
◉ What type of diet would be appropriate for a patient with heart
failure? Answer: Low-salt diet
◉ The loss of exocrine function in pancreatitis results in what
disorder? Answer: Malabsorption
◉ A patient on mechanical ventilation is receiving total parenteral
nutrition (TPN). Which statement is true? Answer: Excessive calorie
intake can cause an increase in PaCO2
NURSING 9TH EDITION EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Nearly 25% of people surviving a critical illness and an intensive
care unit stay subsequently exhibit symptoms of posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). A patient with PTSD may manifest which
behavior? Answer: Intrusive recall of the event
◉ A subjective state in which an individual sees extremely limited or
no alternatives and is unable to mobilize energy on his or her
behalf is known as: Answer: Hopelessness
◉ Which statement regarding regression as a coping mechanism for
critical care patients is accurate? Answer: It is necessary to some
degree to allow staff to administer care
◉ Which concept supports patients and helps them endure the
physical and psychological insults of their critical illness? Answer:
Hope
,◉ Which therapeutic technique may be used to enhance coping in
the critical care environment? Answer: Foster trust in the
interprofessional health care team
◉ Which nursing intervention can help family members who are
extremely upset? Answer: Supporting the family members away
from the bedside
◉ A patient has been admitted with a severed spinal cord injury at
the T2 level. The patient has been in halo traction with
immobilization for the past week. The practitioner has explained to
the patient that the spinal cord has been severed and that the
patient will not be able to walk again. The patient states, "I can't wait
until I can get on my feet and walk again." Which defense
mechanism is the patient exhibiting in this statement? Answer:
Denial
◉ An adult patient sustains third- and fourth-degree burns to more
than 70% of her body related to a house fire. The patient begins a
pattern of behavior similar to that of a young child, in which she
repeatedly whines and throws "temper tantrums" in an attempt to
keep her nurse at the bedside. What coping mechanism is the
patient exhibiting? Answer: Regression
,◉ A patient is admitted with the diagnosis of gunshot wound to the
head due to a suicide attempt. While the patient is in the critical
care unit, the plan of care should include which intervention?
Answer: Validating the patient's need to talk about the incident
◉ What happens when the critical illness is so severe that the
patient or family becomes overwhelmed? Answer: Stress overload
◉ Which medications are commonly used for alcohol withdrawal
symptoms? Answer: Chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam
◉ Prolonged periods of anxious waiting, disrupted sleep patterns,
witnessing emergency interventions, and financial concerns could
put family members at risk for developing what problem? Answer:
PTSD
◉ Anxiety can cause emotional changes in which part of the brain?
Answer: Neurotransmitters
◉ A patient is admitted complaining of pain from a femur fracture
and is anxious and agitated. The patient is receiving steroids and
theophylline for exacerbation of asthma. What disorder should the
nurse suspect the patient may be experiencing? Answer: Anxiety
, ◉ A patient tells his family, "I don't know why I was placed on this
earth just to suffer from cancer all my life. I just want to die."
What psychosocial issue is the patient experiencing? Answer:
Spiritual Distress
◉ Through what mechanism can a nurse demonstrate caring and
support to a patient? Answer: Providing empathy and physical
contact
◉ What serious concern regarding the critical care environment
affects the patient's ability to cope and heal? Answer: Deprivation of
sleep
◉ What type of diet would be appropriate for a patient with heart
failure? Answer: Low-salt diet
◉ The loss of exocrine function in pancreatitis results in what
disorder? Answer: Malabsorption
◉ A patient on mechanical ventilation is receiving total parenteral
nutrition (TPN). Which statement is true? Answer: Excessive calorie
intake can cause an increase in PaCO2
