CRITICAL CARE|VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS|GRADED A+
|LATEST 2026/2027
Which of the following professional organizations best supports critical care nursing practice?
a. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
b. American Heart Association
c. American Nurses Association
d. Society of Critical Care Medicine - ANSWER✔ ANS: A
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is the specialty organization that supports and
represents critical care nurses. The American Heart Association supports cardiovascular initiatives. The
American Nurses Association supports all nurses. The Society of Critical Care Medicine represents the
multiprofessional critical care team under the direction of an intensivist.
A nurse has been working as a staff nurse in the surgical intensive care unit for 2 years and is interested
in certification. Which credential would be most applicable for her to seek?
a. ACNPC
b. CCNS
c. CCRN
d. PCCN - ANSWER✔ ANS: C
The CCRN certification is appropriate for nurses in bedside practice who care for critically ill patients.
The ACNPC certification is for acute care nurse practitioners. The CCNS certification is for critical care
clinical nurse specialists. The PCCN certification is for staff nurses working in progressive care,
intermediate care, or step-down unit settings.
What is the main purpose of certification for critical care nursing?
a. To assure the consumer that critical nurses will not make a mistake.
b. To help prepare the critical care nurse for graduate school.
c. To assist in promoting magnet status for a facility. d. To validate a nurse's knowledge of critical care
nursing. - ANSWER✔ ANS: D
Certification assists in validating knowledge of the field, promotes excellence in the profession, and
helps nurses to maintain their knowledge of critical care nursing. Certification helps to assure the
consumer that the nurse has a minimum level of knowledge; however, it does not ensure that care will
,be mistake-free. Certification does not prepare one for graduate school; however, achieving certification
demonstrates motivation for achievement and professionalism. Magnet facilities are rated on the
number of certified nurses; however, that is not the purpose of certification.
What is the focus of the synergy model of practice? a. unrestricted visiting for the patient 24 hours each
day.
b. Providing holistic and alternative therapies.
c. Considering the needs of patients and their families, which drives nursing competency.
d. Addressing the patients' needs for energy and support. - ANSWER✔ ANS: C
The synergy model of practice states that the needs of patients and families influence and drive
competencies of nurses. Nursing practice based on the synergy model would involve tailored visiting to
meet the patient's and family's needs and application of alternative therapies if desired by the patient,
but that is not the primary focus of the model.
The family of your critically ill patient tells you that they have not spoken with the physician in over 24
hours and they have some questions that they want clarified. During morning rounds, you convey this
concern to the attending intensivist and arrange for her to meet with the family at 4:00 PM in the
conference room. Which competency of critical care nursing does this represent?
a. Advocacy and moral agency in solving ethical issues
b. Clinical judgment and clinical reasoning skills
c. Collaboration with patients, families, and team members
d. Facilitation of learning for patients, families, and team members - ANSWER✔ ANS: C
Although one might consider that all of these competencies are being addressed, communication and
collaboration with the family and physician best exemplify the competency of collaboration
The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice uses what framework to guide critical
care nursing practice?
a. Evidence-based practice
b. Healthy work environment
c. National Patient Safety Goals
d. Nursing process - ANSWER✔ ANS: D
The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice delineate the nursing process as
applied to critically ill patients: collect data, determine diagnoses, identify expected outcomes, develop
,a plan of care, implement interventions, and evaluate care. AACN promotes a healthy work
environment, but this is not included in the Standards. The Joint Commission has established National
Patient Safety Goals, but these are not the AACN Standards.
The charge nurse is responsible for making the patient assignments on the critical care unit. She assigns
the experienced, certified nurse to care for the acutely ill patient diagnosed with sepsis who also
requires continuous renal replacement therapy and mechanical ventilation. She assigns the nurse with
less than 1 year of experience to two patients who are more stable. This assignment reflects
implementation of what guiding framework?
a. Crew resource management model
b. National Patient Safety Goals
c. Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) model
d. Synergy model of practice - ANSWER✔ ANS: D
This assignment demonstrates nursing care to meet the needs of the patient. The synergy model notes
that the nurse competencies are matched to the patient characteristics. Crew resource management
concepts related to team training, National Patient Safety Goals are specified by The Joint Commission
to promote safe care but do not incorporate the synergy model. The Quality and Safety Education for
Nurses initiative involves targeted education to undergraduate and graduate nursing students to learn
quality and safety concepts.
The vision of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is a healthcare system driven by achieving
what goal?
a. Maintaining a healthy work environment.
b. Providing care from a multiprofessional team under the direction of a critical care physician.
c. Effectively meeting the needs of critically ill patients and families.
d. Creating respectful, healing, and humane environments. - ANSWER✔ ANS: C
The AACN vision is a healthcare system driven by the needs of critically ill patients and families where
critical care nurses make their optimum contributions. AACN promotes initiatives to support a healthy
work environment as well as respectful and healing environments, but that is not the organization's
vision. The SCCM promotes care from a multiprofessional team under the direction of a critical care
physician.
What is the most important outcome of effective communication?
a. Demonstrating caring practices to family members.
, b. Ensuring that patient teaching is provided
c. Meeting the diversity needs of patients.
d. Reducing patient errors. - ANSWER✔ ANS: D
Many errors are directly attributed to faulty communication. Effective communication has been
identified as an essential strategy to reduce patient errors and resolve issues related to patient care
delivery. Communication may demonstrate caring practices, be used for patient/family teaching, and
address diversity needs; however, the main outcome of effective communication is patient safety
critically ill pt whose urine output has been low for 2 hours. After pt assess, you call the PCP:calling
about P 65 yr pt in CCU 10. Her urine output for the past 2 hours totaled only 40 mL. She arrived from
surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm 4 hours ago and is on mech vent. Past 2 hours, her HR inc from 80
to 100 bpm and her blood pressure has dec from 128/82 to 100/70 mmHg. She is being given an
infusion of NS at 100 mL per hour. Her RAP through the subclavian central line is low at 3 mm Hg. Her
urine is concentrated. Her BUN and creatinine levels have been stable and normal. Her abdominal
dressing is dry. My assessment suggests P is hypovol and I would like you to consider inc her fluids/fluid
challenge. Using the SBAR model for communication, the information the nurse gives about the
patient's hx and VS is appropriate for what part of the model?
a. Situation
b. Background
c. Assessment
d. Recommendation - ANSWER✔ ANS: B
The history and vital signs are part of the background. Information regarding the low urine output is the
situation. Information regarding possible hypovolemia is part of the nurse's assessment, and the
suggestion for fluids is the recommendation
The family members of a critically ill, 90-year-old patient bring in a copy of the patient's living will to the
hospital, which identifies the patient's wishes regarding health care. The nurse discusses the contents of
the living will with the patient's physician. This is an example of implementation of which of the AACN
Standards of Professional Performance?
a. Acquires and maintains current knowledge of practice
b. Acts ethically on the behalf of the patient and family
c. Considers factors related to safe patient care
d. Uses clinical inquiry and integrates research findings in practice - ANSWER✔ ANS: B
|LATEST 2026/2027
Which of the following professional organizations best supports critical care nursing practice?
a. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
b. American Heart Association
c. American Nurses Association
d. Society of Critical Care Medicine - ANSWER✔ ANS: A
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is the specialty organization that supports and
represents critical care nurses. The American Heart Association supports cardiovascular initiatives. The
American Nurses Association supports all nurses. The Society of Critical Care Medicine represents the
multiprofessional critical care team under the direction of an intensivist.
A nurse has been working as a staff nurse in the surgical intensive care unit for 2 years and is interested
in certification. Which credential would be most applicable for her to seek?
a. ACNPC
b. CCNS
c. CCRN
d. PCCN - ANSWER✔ ANS: C
The CCRN certification is appropriate for nurses in bedside practice who care for critically ill patients.
The ACNPC certification is for acute care nurse practitioners. The CCNS certification is for critical care
clinical nurse specialists. The PCCN certification is for staff nurses working in progressive care,
intermediate care, or step-down unit settings.
What is the main purpose of certification for critical care nursing?
a. To assure the consumer that critical nurses will not make a mistake.
b. To help prepare the critical care nurse for graduate school.
c. To assist in promoting magnet status for a facility. d. To validate a nurse's knowledge of critical care
nursing. - ANSWER✔ ANS: D
Certification assists in validating knowledge of the field, promotes excellence in the profession, and
helps nurses to maintain their knowledge of critical care nursing. Certification helps to assure the
consumer that the nurse has a minimum level of knowledge; however, it does not ensure that care will
,be mistake-free. Certification does not prepare one for graduate school; however, achieving certification
demonstrates motivation for achievement and professionalism. Magnet facilities are rated on the
number of certified nurses; however, that is not the purpose of certification.
What is the focus of the synergy model of practice? a. unrestricted visiting for the patient 24 hours each
day.
b. Providing holistic and alternative therapies.
c. Considering the needs of patients and their families, which drives nursing competency.
d. Addressing the patients' needs for energy and support. - ANSWER✔ ANS: C
The synergy model of practice states that the needs of patients and families influence and drive
competencies of nurses. Nursing practice based on the synergy model would involve tailored visiting to
meet the patient's and family's needs and application of alternative therapies if desired by the patient,
but that is not the primary focus of the model.
The family of your critically ill patient tells you that they have not spoken with the physician in over 24
hours and they have some questions that they want clarified. During morning rounds, you convey this
concern to the attending intensivist and arrange for her to meet with the family at 4:00 PM in the
conference room. Which competency of critical care nursing does this represent?
a. Advocacy and moral agency in solving ethical issues
b. Clinical judgment and clinical reasoning skills
c. Collaboration with patients, families, and team members
d. Facilitation of learning for patients, families, and team members - ANSWER✔ ANS: C
Although one might consider that all of these competencies are being addressed, communication and
collaboration with the family and physician best exemplify the competency of collaboration
The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice uses what framework to guide critical
care nursing practice?
a. Evidence-based practice
b. Healthy work environment
c. National Patient Safety Goals
d. Nursing process - ANSWER✔ ANS: D
The AACN Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice delineate the nursing process as
applied to critically ill patients: collect data, determine diagnoses, identify expected outcomes, develop
,a plan of care, implement interventions, and evaluate care. AACN promotes a healthy work
environment, but this is not included in the Standards. The Joint Commission has established National
Patient Safety Goals, but these are not the AACN Standards.
The charge nurse is responsible for making the patient assignments on the critical care unit. She assigns
the experienced, certified nurse to care for the acutely ill patient diagnosed with sepsis who also
requires continuous renal replacement therapy and mechanical ventilation. She assigns the nurse with
less than 1 year of experience to two patients who are more stable. This assignment reflects
implementation of what guiding framework?
a. Crew resource management model
b. National Patient Safety Goals
c. Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) model
d. Synergy model of practice - ANSWER✔ ANS: D
This assignment demonstrates nursing care to meet the needs of the patient. The synergy model notes
that the nurse competencies are matched to the patient characteristics. Crew resource management
concepts related to team training, National Patient Safety Goals are specified by The Joint Commission
to promote safe care but do not incorporate the synergy model. The Quality and Safety Education for
Nurses initiative involves targeted education to undergraduate and graduate nursing students to learn
quality and safety concepts.
The vision of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is a healthcare system driven by achieving
what goal?
a. Maintaining a healthy work environment.
b. Providing care from a multiprofessional team under the direction of a critical care physician.
c. Effectively meeting the needs of critically ill patients and families.
d. Creating respectful, healing, and humane environments. - ANSWER✔ ANS: C
The AACN vision is a healthcare system driven by the needs of critically ill patients and families where
critical care nurses make their optimum contributions. AACN promotes initiatives to support a healthy
work environment as well as respectful and healing environments, but that is not the organization's
vision. The SCCM promotes care from a multiprofessional team under the direction of a critical care
physician.
What is the most important outcome of effective communication?
a. Demonstrating caring practices to family members.
, b. Ensuring that patient teaching is provided
c. Meeting the diversity needs of patients.
d. Reducing patient errors. - ANSWER✔ ANS: D
Many errors are directly attributed to faulty communication. Effective communication has been
identified as an essential strategy to reduce patient errors and resolve issues related to patient care
delivery. Communication may demonstrate caring practices, be used for patient/family teaching, and
address diversity needs; however, the main outcome of effective communication is patient safety
critically ill pt whose urine output has been low for 2 hours. After pt assess, you call the PCP:calling
about P 65 yr pt in CCU 10. Her urine output for the past 2 hours totaled only 40 mL. She arrived from
surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm 4 hours ago and is on mech vent. Past 2 hours, her HR inc from 80
to 100 bpm and her blood pressure has dec from 128/82 to 100/70 mmHg. She is being given an
infusion of NS at 100 mL per hour. Her RAP through the subclavian central line is low at 3 mm Hg. Her
urine is concentrated. Her BUN and creatinine levels have been stable and normal. Her abdominal
dressing is dry. My assessment suggests P is hypovol and I would like you to consider inc her fluids/fluid
challenge. Using the SBAR model for communication, the information the nurse gives about the
patient's hx and VS is appropriate for what part of the model?
a. Situation
b. Background
c. Assessment
d. Recommendation - ANSWER✔ ANS: B
The history and vital signs are part of the background. Information regarding the low urine output is the
situation. Information regarding possible hypovolemia is part of the nurse's assessment, and the
suggestion for fluids is the recommendation
The family members of a critically ill, 90-year-old patient bring in a copy of the patient's living will to the
hospital, which identifies the patient's wishes regarding health care. The nurse discusses the contents of
the living will with the patient's physician. This is an example of implementation of which of the AACN
Standards of Professional Performance?
a. Acquires and maintains current knowledge of practice
b. Acts ethically on the behalf of the patient and family
c. Considers factors related to safe patient care
d. Uses clinical inquiry and integrates research findings in practice - ANSWER✔ ANS: B
