NUR 445 Exam WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
What is the difference between a small hospital ICU and a large hospital ICU? -
>>>>>>ANSWER The size, resources available, specialized units, etc.
What must the nurse caring for the high acuity patient be able to do? -
>>>>>>ANSWER Analyze critical situations, make decisions based on their analysis,
and rapidly intervene to ensure optimal outcomes
Who is the only member of the healthcare team who is at the bedside and frequently
coordinates patient care? - >>>>>>ANSWER The nurse
Who detects early signs of an impending complication with the patient? -
>>>>>>ANSWER The nurse
What is one of the primary goals for the acute care nurse? - >>>>>>ANSWER the
prevention of complications
What changes led to decreased job satisfaction and nurses leaving practice in the high
acuity environment? - >>>>>>ANSWER Schedules, staffing, floating outside the
specialty, hospital restructuring, etc.
What really should be considered when making decisions about nursing staffing
patterns? - >>>>>>ANSWER The needs of the patient and the skill mix of the nursing
staff
What should the first principle of staffing be? - >>>>>>ANSWER provide safe and
effective patient care
What does the ANCC award hospitals magnet status for? - >>>>>>ANSWER If they are
able to create working environments that are successful in recruiting and retaining
professional nurses
Which patients are oft
,en stereotyped as not being candidates for aggressive treatment? - >>>>>>ANSWER
Oncology patients
Who must "goals of care" be discussed with? - >>>>>>ANSWER With the patient and
their family, allowing ample time for meaningful discussion
What is a major advantage of having technology available in the high acuity
environment? - >>>>>>ANSWER The patient's status can be monitored continuously
What is a major criticism of nurses who work in high acuity environments? -
>>>>>>ANSWER they are too technologically oriented
What is alarm fatigue? - >>>>>>ANSWER When the number and frequency of alarms
becomes overwhelming, it can result in delayed alarm responses and deliberate alarm
deactivations
What does working in a healthy environment increase? - >>>>>>ANSWER job
satisfaction and provides a buffer against stress and burnout
Which professional organization made a commitment to promote healthy work
environments that support quality patient care and high levels of nurse satisfaction? -
>>>>>>ANSWER American Association of Critical Care Nurses
What are some standards of healthy work environments? - >>>>>>ANSWER Skilled
communication, true collaboration, efficient decision making, appropriate staffing,
meaningful recognition, and authentic leadership
Who are the gatekeepers of patient safety? - >>>>>>ANSWER high acuity nurses
What is burnout? - >>>>>>ANSWER Feelings of personal/professional frustration, job
dissatisfaction, job insecurity, emotion/physical exertion, emotional exhaustion,
depersonalization, reduced personal accomplishments, lack of control, overworked,
insufficient awards, conflicting values
, What are some symptoms of burnout? - >>>>>>ANSWER Withdrawal, risk taking,
ambivalence, decreased productivity, contemplating career change, increased use of
caffeine/alcohol/nicotine, chronic fatigue, frequent minor ailments, sleep changes,
appetite change, sexual difficulty, attempts to blame others, stereotyping patients,
nightmares, depression, hostility, negativism, loss of tolerance, decreased ability to
make decisions, poor judgement, lack of initiative, forgetfulness
What can serve as a buffer against the negative effects of stress? - >>>>>>ANSWER a
positive social climate characterized by strong managerial support and cohesiveness
among the staff
What are critical incident stress debriefings? - >>>>>>ANSWER structured group
discussions occurring within several days following a crisis, designed to address
symptoms of stress, assess the need for follow-up, and provide a sense of closure
What is TJC? - >>>>>>ANSWER The Joint Commission
What is the TJCs mission? - >>>>>>ANSWER to continuously improve the safety and
quality of care provided to the public through the provision of healthcare accreditation
that supports process improvement in healthcare organizations
What are the national patient safety goals? - >>>>>>ANSWER patient identifiers, staff
communication, medication safety, alarm safety, infection prevention, risk identification,
and timeout
What are some factors that inhibit learning and barriers to communication for the high
acuity patient? - >>>>>>ANSWER Fatigue, barriers to communication, pain, drugs
What takes precedence over the need to know and understand? - >>>>>>ANSWER
physiologic needs
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
What is the difference between a small hospital ICU and a large hospital ICU? -
>>>>>>ANSWER The size, resources available, specialized units, etc.
What must the nurse caring for the high acuity patient be able to do? -
>>>>>>ANSWER Analyze critical situations, make decisions based on their analysis,
and rapidly intervene to ensure optimal outcomes
Who is the only member of the healthcare team who is at the bedside and frequently
coordinates patient care? - >>>>>>ANSWER The nurse
Who detects early signs of an impending complication with the patient? -
>>>>>>ANSWER The nurse
What is one of the primary goals for the acute care nurse? - >>>>>>ANSWER the
prevention of complications
What changes led to decreased job satisfaction and nurses leaving practice in the high
acuity environment? - >>>>>>ANSWER Schedules, staffing, floating outside the
specialty, hospital restructuring, etc.
What really should be considered when making decisions about nursing staffing
patterns? - >>>>>>ANSWER The needs of the patient and the skill mix of the nursing
staff
What should the first principle of staffing be? - >>>>>>ANSWER provide safe and
effective patient care
What does the ANCC award hospitals magnet status for? - >>>>>>ANSWER If they are
able to create working environments that are successful in recruiting and retaining
professional nurses
Which patients are oft
,en stereotyped as not being candidates for aggressive treatment? - >>>>>>ANSWER
Oncology patients
Who must "goals of care" be discussed with? - >>>>>>ANSWER With the patient and
their family, allowing ample time for meaningful discussion
What is a major advantage of having technology available in the high acuity
environment? - >>>>>>ANSWER The patient's status can be monitored continuously
What is a major criticism of nurses who work in high acuity environments? -
>>>>>>ANSWER they are too technologically oriented
What is alarm fatigue? - >>>>>>ANSWER When the number and frequency of alarms
becomes overwhelming, it can result in delayed alarm responses and deliberate alarm
deactivations
What does working in a healthy environment increase? - >>>>>>ANSWER job
satisfaction and provides a buffer against stress and burnout
Which professional organization made a commitment to promote healthy work
environments that support quality patient care and high levels of nurse satisfaction? -
>>>>>>ANSWER American Association of Critical Care Nurses
What are some standards of healthy work environments? - >>>>>>ANSWER Skilled
communication, true collaboration, efficient decision making, appropriate staffing,
meaningful recognition, and authentic leadership
Who are the gatekeepers of patient safety? - >>>>>>ANSWER high acuity nurses
What is burnout? - >>>>>>ANSWER Feelings of personal/professional frustration, job
dissatisfaction, job insecurity, emotion/physical exertion, emotional exhaustion,
depersonalization, reduced personal accomplishments, lack of control, overworked,
insufficient awards, conflicting values
, What are some symptoms of burnout? - >>>>>>ANSWER Withdrawal, risk taking,
ambivalence, decreased productivity, contemplating career change, increased use of
caffeine/alcohol/nicotine, chronic fatigue, frequent minor ailments, sleep changes,
appetite change, sexual difficulty, attempts to blame others, stereotyping patients,
nightmares, depression, hostility, negativism, loss of tolerance, decreased ability to
make decisions, poor judgement, lack of initiative, forgetfulness
What can serve as a buffer against the negative effects of stress? - >>>>>>ANSWER a
positive social climate characterized by strong managerial support and cohesiveness
among the staff
What are critical incident stress debriefings? - >>>>>>ANSWER structured group
discussions occurring within several days following a crisis, designed to address
symptoms of stress, assess the need for follow-up, and provide a sense of closure
What is TJC? - >>>>>>ANSWER The Joint Commission
What is the TJCs mission? - >>>>>>ANSWER to continuously improve the safety and
quality of care provided to the public through the provision of healthcare accreditation
that supports process improvement in healthcare organizations
What are the national patient safety goals? - >>>>>>ANSWER patient identifiers, staff
communication, medication safety, alarm safety, infection prevention, risk identification,
and timeout
What are some factors that inhibit learning and barriers to communication for the high
acuity patient? - >>>>>>ANSWER Fatigue, barriers to communication, pain, drugs
What takes precedence over the need to know and understand? - >>>>>>ANSWER
physiologic needs
