SOLE’S INTRODUCTION TO
CRITICAL CARE NURSING
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARY MAKIC
TEST BANK
1. Ch. 1 — Professional Organizations & Standards
Stem: On morning report, the unit manager reminds staff that a
new evidence-based ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
prevention bundle is being implemented. A new nurse asks
whether following the bundle is mandatory for bedside nurses.
Which response best reflects the ICU nurse’s professional
responsibility?
A. “It’s optional — follow it only if you have time.”
B. “Following the bundle is expected; it aligns with professional
standards of care.”
C. “Only respiratory therapy needs to follow the bundle.”
D. “The bundle is only for physicians to order; nurses can ignore
,it.”
Correct: B
Rationale — Correct: Professional organizations and standards
delineate expectations; ICU nurses are accountable to follow
evidence-based bundles as part of standards of practice and
patient safety. Adherence reduces harm (e.g., VAP) and aligns
with nursing scope and institutional policy.
Incorrect A: Minimizes accountability; unsafe and violates
standards.
Incorrect C: Delegation misunderstanding—nurses share
responsibility for bundle elements.
Incorrect D: Misattributes clinical responsibility; nurses have
autonomous duties in bundle implementation.
Teaching point: ICU nurses are accountable to implement
evidence-based bundles per professional standards.
Citation: Makic, M. B. F. (2025). Sole’s Introduction to Critical
Care Nursing (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Ch. 1 — Certification & Competency
Stem: A staff nurse preparing for critical-care orientation
requests guidance about obtaining CCRN certification. Which
action should the nurse prioritize first to meet certification
readiness requirements?
A. Memorize every critical-care medication drug guide.
B. Review unit-specific case-based clinical judgment scenarios
and logs of direct patient care hours.
,C. Wait until two years of experience have passed before
starting preparation.
D. Focus solely on multiple-choice question banks.
Correct: B
Rationale — Correct: Certification readiness depends on
documented clinical experience and demonstration of clinical
judgment; reviewing case-based scenarios and documenting
practice hours aligns with eligibility and the clinical judgment
measurement model. Broad memorization or isolated Q-banks
without practical application is insufficient.
Incorrect A: Memorization alone doesn’t meet eligibility or
judgment demonstration.
Incorrect C: Unnecessary delay; eligibility may be met earlier
depending on hours.
Incorrect D: Q-banks help test-taking but lack application of
complex clinical judgment.
Teaching point: Prioritize case-based practice and documented
clinical hours to prepare for CCRN.
Citation: Makic, M. B. F. (2025). Sole’s Introduction to Critical
Care Nursing (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Ch. 1 — Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
Stem: During a simulated rapid-response drill, a nurse
recognizes early sepsis signs but delays notifying the team,
hoping interventions will work. According to the Clinical
Judgment Measurement Model, which weakness is most
, evident?
A. Strong evidence appraisal skills.
B. Failure in noticing and interpreting clinical cues.
C. Excessive reliance on protocols.
D. Over-communication with the interprofessional team.
Correct: B
Rationale — Correct: The model emphasizes noticing and
interpreting cues as essential to clinical judgment; delay
suggests failure to notice/interpret deterioration and to act,
risking patient harm.
Incorrect A: Not supported by the scenario.
Incorrect C: Not relevant—delay reflects under-action, not
protocol overreliance.
Incorrect D: Opposite of observed issue.
Teaching point: Early noticing and interpretation of cues are
foundational to timely ICU action.
Citation: Makic, M. B. F. (2025). Sole’s Introduction to Critical
Care Nursing (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4. Ch. 1 — Quality & Safety Emphasis
Stem: A patient’s central line dressing was found damp and not
documented for the past 12 hours. The nurse discovers the
omission during rounds. What is the nurse’s highest-priority
action now?
A. Document the dressing status later at shift end.
B. Replace the dressing using sterile technique and notify the
CRITICAL CARE NURSING
9TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARY MAKIC
TEST BANK
1. Ch. 1 — Professional Organizations & Standards
Stem: On morning report, the unit manager reminds staff that a
new evidence-based ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
prevention bundle is being implemented. A new nurse asks
whether following the bundle is mandatory for bedside nurses.
Which response best reflects the ICU nurse’s professional
responsibility?
A. “It’s optional — follow it only if you have time.”
B. “Following the bundle is expected; it aligns with professional
standards of care.”
C. “Only respiratory therapy needs to follow the bundle.”
D. “The bundle is only for physicians to order; nurses can ignore
,it.”
Correct: B
Rationale — Correct: Professional organizations and standards
delineate expectations; ICU nurses are accountable to follow
evidence-based bundles as part of standards of practice and
patient safety. Adherence reduces harm (e.g., VAP) and aligns
with nursing scope and institutional policy.
Incorrect A: Minimizes accountability; unsafe and violates
standards.
Incorrect C: Delegation misunderstanding—nurses share
responsibility for bundle elements.
Incorrect D: Misattributes clinical responsibility; nurses have
autonomous duties in bundle implementation.
Teaching point: ICU nurses are accountable to implement
evidence-based bundles per professional standards.
Citation: Makic, M. B. F. (2025). Sole’s Introduction to Critical
Care Nursing (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Ch. 1 — Certification & Competency
Stem: A staff nurse preparing for critical-care orientation
requests guidance about obtaining CCRN certification. Which
action should the nurse prioritize first to meet certification
readiness requirements?
A. Memorize every critical-care medication drug guide.
B. Review unit-specific case-based clinical judgment scenarios
and logs of direct patient care hours.
,C. Wait until two years of experience have passed before
starting preparation.
D. Focus solely on multiple-choice question banks.
Correct: B
Rationale — Correct: Certification readiness depends on
documented clinical experience and demonstration of clinical
judgment; reviewing case-based scenarios and documenting
practice hours aligns with eligibility and the clinical judgment
measurement model. Broad memorization or isolated Q-banks
without practical application is insufficient.
Incorrect A: Memorization alone doesn’t meet eligibility or
judgment demonstration.
Incorrect C: Unnecessary delay; eligibility may be met earlier
depending on hours.
Incorrect D: Q-banks help test-taking but lack application of
complex clinical judgment.
Teaching point: Prioritize case-based practice and documented
clinical hours to prepare for CCRN.
Citation: Makic, M. B. F. (2025). Sole’s Introduction to Critical
Care Nursing (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Ch. 1 — Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
Stem: During a simulated rapid-response drill, a nurse
recognizes early sepsis signs but delays notifying the team,
hoping interventions will work. According to the Clinical
Judgment Measurement Model, which weakness is most
, evident?
A. Strong evidence appraisal skills.
B. Failure in noticing and interpreting clinical cues.
C. Excessive reliance on protocols.
D. Over-communication with the interprofessional team.
Correct: B
Rationale — Correct: The model emphasizes noticing and
interpreting cues as essential to clinical judgment; delay
suggests failure to notice/interpret deterioration and to act,
risking patient harm.
Incorrect A: Not supported by the scenario.
Incorrect C: Not relevant—delay reflects under-action, not
protocol overreliance.
Incorrect D: Opposite of observed issue.
Teaching point: Early noticing and interpretation of cues are
foundational to timely ICU action.
Citation: Makic, M. B. F. (2025). Sole’s Introduction to Critical
Care Nursing (9th ed.). Ch. 1.
4. Ch. 1 — Quality & Safety Emphasis
Stem: A patient’s central line dressing was found damp and not
documented for the past 12 hours. The nurse discovers the
omission during rounds. What is the nurse’s highest-priority
action now?
A. Document the dressing status later at shift end.
B. Replace the dressing using sterile technique and notify the
