PROPHECY GENERAL ICU RN A VERSION 1
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 2026
◉ You're providing care to a patient who is being treated for
aspiration pneumonia. The patient is on a 100% non-rebreather
mask. Which finding below is a HALLMARK sign and symptom that
the patient is developing acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS)?
A. The patient is experiencing bradypnea.
B. The patient is tired and confused.
C. The patient's PaO2 remains at 45 mmHg.
D. The patient's blood pressure is 180/96.. Answer: c
A hallmark sign and symptom found in ARDS is refractory
hypoxemia. This is where that although the patient is receiving a
high amount of oxygen the patient is STILL hypoxic
◉ You're teaching a class on critical care concepts to a group of new
nurses. You're discussing the topic of acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS). At the beginning of the lecture, you assess the
new nurses understanding of this condition. Which statement by a
new nurse demonstrates he understands the condition?
,A. "This condition develops because the exocrine glands start to
work incorrectly leading to thick, copious mucous to collect in the
alveoli sacs."
B. "ARDS is a pulmonary disease that gradually causes chronic
obstruction of airflow from the lungs."
C. "Acute respiratory distress syndrome occurs due to the collapsing
of a lung because air has accumulated in the pleural space."
D. "This condition develops because alveolar-capillary membrane
permeability has changed leading to fluid collecting in the alveoli
sacs.". Answer: D
ARDS is a type of respiratory failure that occurs when the capillary
membrane that surrounds the alveoli sac becomes damaged, which
causes fluid to leak into the alveoli sac
◉ During the exudative phase of acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS), the patient's lung cells that produce surfactant
have become damaged. As the nurse, you know this will lead to?
A. bronchoconstriction
B. atelectasis
,C. upper airway blockage
D. pulmonary edema. Answer: b
Surfactant decreases surface tension in the lungs. Therefore, the
alveoli sacs will stay stable when a person exhales. If there is a
decrease in surfactant production this creates an unpredictable
alveoli sac that can easily collapse
◉ A patient has been hospitalized in the ICU for a near-drowning
event. The patient's respiratory function has been deteriorating over
the last 24 hours. The physician suspects acute respiratory distress
syndrome. A STAT chest x-ray is ordered. What finding on the chest
x-ray is indicative of ARDS?
A. infiltrates only on the upper lobes
B. enlargement of the heart with bilateral lower lobe infiltrates
C. white-out infiltrates bilaterally
D. normal chest x-ray. Answer: c.
◉ Which patient below is at MOST risk for developing ARDS and has
the worst prognosis?
A. A 52-year-old male patient with a pneumothorax.
B. A 48-year-old male being treated for diabetic ketoacidosis.
, C. A 69-year-old female with sepsis caused by a gram-negative
bacterial infection.
D. A 30-year-old female with cystic fibrosis.. Answer: c
◉ 7. As the nurse, you know that acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS) can be caused by direct or indirect lung injury.
Select below all the INDIRECT causes of ARDS
A. Drowning
B. Aspiration
C. Sepsis
D. Blood transfusion
E. Pneumonia
F. Pancreatitis. Answer: C, D, F
Indirect causes are processes that can cause inflammation OUTSIDE
of the lungs....so the issue arises somewhere outside the lungs
◉ A patient is on mechanical ventilation with PEEP (positive end-
expiratory pressure). Which finding below indicates the patient is
developing a complication related to their therapy and requires
immediate treatment?
A. HCO3 26 mmHg
PRACTICE QUESTIONS 2026
◉ You're providing care to a patient who is being treated for
aspiration pneumonia. The patient is on a 100% non-rebreather
mask. Which finding below is a HALLMARK sign and symptom that
the patient is developing acute respiratory distress syndrome
(ARDS)?
A. The patient is experiencing bradypnea.
B. The patient is tired and confused.
C. The patient's PaO2 remains at 45 mmHg.
D. The patient's blood pressure is 180/96.. Answer: c
A hallmark sign and symptom found in ARDS is refractory
hypoxemia. This is where that although the patient is receiving a
high amount of oxygen the patient is STILL hypoxic
◉ You're teaching a class on critical care concepts to a group of new
nurses. You're discussing the topic of acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS). At the beginning of the lecture, you assess the
new nurses understanding of this condition. Which statement by a
new nurse demonstrates he understands the condition?
,A. "This condition develops because the exocrine glands start to
work incorrectly leading to thick, copious mucous to collect in the
alveoli sacs."
B. "ARDS is a pulmonary disease that gradually causes chronic
obstruction of airflow from the lungs."
C. "Acute respiratory distress syndrome occurs due to the collapsing
of a lung because air has accumulated in the pleural space."
D. "This condition develops because alveolar-capillary membrane
permeability has changed leading to fluid collecting in the alveoli
sacs.". Answer: D
ARDS is a type of respiratory failure that occurs when the capillary
membrane that surrounds the alveoli sac becomes damaged, which
causes fluid to leak into the alveoli sac
◉ During the exudative phase of acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS), the patient's lung cells that produce surfactant
have become damaged. As the nurse, you know this will lead to?
A. bronchoconstriction
B. atelectasis
,C. upper airway blockage
D. pulmonary edema. Answer: b
Surfactant decreases surface tension in the lungs. Therefore, the
alveoli sacs will stay stable when a person exhales. If there is a
decrease in surfactant production this creates an unpredictable
alveoli sac that can easily collapse
◉ A patient has been hospitalized in the ICU for a near-drowning
event. The patient's respiratory function has been deteriorating over
the last 24 hours. The physician suspects acute respiratory distress
syndrome. A STAT chest x-ray is ordered. What finding on the chest
x-ray is indicative of ARDS?
A. infiltrates only on the upper lobes
B. enlargement of the heart with bilateral lower lobe infiltrates
C. white-out infiltrates bilaterally
D. normal chest x-ray. Answer: c.
◉ Which patient below is at MOST risk for developing ARDS and has
the worst prognosis?
A. A 52-year-old male patient with a pneumothorax.
B. A 48-year-old male being treated for diabetic ketoacidosis.
, C. A 69-year-old female with sepsis caused by a gram-negative
bacterial infection.
D. A 30-year-old female with cystic fibrosis.. Answer: c
◉ 7. As the nurse, you know that acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS) can be caused by direct or indirect lung injury.
Select below all the INDIRECT causes of ARDS
A. Drowning
B. Aspiration
C. Sepsis
D. Blood transfusion
E. Pneumonia
F. Pancreatitis. Answer: C, D, F
Indirect causes are processes that can cause inflammation OUTSIDE
of the lungs....so the issue arises somewhere outside the lungs
◉ A patient is on mechanical ventilation with PEEP (positive end-
expiratory pressure). Which finding below indicates the patient is
developing a complication related to their therapy and requires
immediate treatment?
A. HCO3 26 mmHg
