ICU BKAT CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ The following rhythm strip represents:1- Third degree A-V block (complete
heart block)2- Second degree A-V block - Type 23- Second degree A-V
block - Type 14- Sinus bradycardia.
Answer: 1- Third degree A-V block (complete heart block)
◍ 87- While caring for a cholecystectomy patient post-operatively, you notice
"coffee ground" material coming from his/her nasogastric tube (NGT). You
should:1- know this is a normal finding2- irrigate the tube3- test the
drainage for blood4- listen for bowel sounds.
Answer: 3 – test the drainage for blood"Coffee ground" material from a
nasogastric tube suggests the presence of partially digested blood, indicating
possible upper gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., from the stomach or
duodenum). In a post-operative cholecystectomy patient, this is not a normal
finding and requires immediate evaluation.The correct first action is to:
Test the drainage for occult or gross blood to confirm GI bleeding
◍ 70- Signs and symptoms of thyroid storm (crisis) include:1- coma,
hypothermia, respiratory acidosis2- bradycardia, depression, respiratory
failure3- elevated temperature, tachycardia, delirium4- hypotension, edema,
low urine output.
Answer: 3- elevated temperature, tachycardia, deliriumThyroid storm
(thyrotoxic crisis) is a life-threatening medical emergency resulting from
severe hyperthyroidism. It is usually triggered by stress, infection, trauma,
or surgery in patients with untreated or poorly controlled
hyperthyroidism.Classic signs and symptoms of thyroid storm: High
fever (often > 39°C / 102°F) Tachycardia (can be >140 bpm)
Delirium, agitation, restlessness Dyspnea or shortness of breath
Dehydration, nausea, vomiting, diarrheaIf untreated, it can progress
, to:ArrhythmiasHeart failureSeizuresComaDeath
◍ 80- Nursing care measures for the patient receiving peritoneal dialysis
include all of the following EXCEPT:1- careful intake and ouput2- warming
the dialysis solution3- maintaining sterility of the dialysate4- maintaining
immobility.
Answer: 4 – maintaining immobilityPatients receiving peritoneal dialysis
(PD) do not need to be immobile during the procedure. In fact, encouraging
mobility (as tolerated) helps:Promote drainage of dialysatePrevent
complications like constipation (which can affect catheter flow)Maintain
overall physical function and circulation
◍ If the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is elevated it can be an indication
of?.
Answer: Left ventricular failure
◍ 20- A QRS complex wider than 0.12 seconds most likely indicates:1-
normal ventricular conduction2- bundle branch block3- second degree heart
block4- myocardial infarction.
Answer: 2- bundle branch blockA QRS complex wider than 0.12 seconds
(120 ms) means the ventricles are depolarizing more slowly than normal —
indicating an intraventricular conduction delay, most commonly due to a
bundle branch block.
◍ After an arterial catheter is removed direst pressure should be applied for
how long?.
Answer: 5-10 minutes
◍ 99- In caring for a patient in which the nurse would be exposed to body
fluids, it is important to observe which of the following?1- respiratory
precaution2- reverse isolation3- universal precautions4- urine isolation.
Answer: 3- universal precautions
◍ 26- The rhythm strip below shows:1- ventricular fbrillation2- accelerated
ventricular rhythm3- ventricular tachycardia4- left bundle branch block.
Answer:
,◍ 93- The dosage of which drug must be tapered off slowly to prevent acute
adrenal insufficiency?1- nitroprusside2- cortisone3- streptokinase4-
vasopressine.
Answer: 2- cortisone
◍ 94- All of the following may be manifestations of digitalis toxicity
EXCEPT:1- rapid A-V conduction2- PAT with block3- nausea4- yellow
vision.
Answer: 1- rapid A-V conduction
◍ 62- Signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include:1- dry warm skin,
fruity breath, deep and rapid breathing2- vomiting, hyperactivity,
diaphorisis3- slow shallow breathing, pallor, headache4- dilated pupils,
coma, flushed skin.
Answer: 1 – dry warm skin, fruity breath, deep and rapid breathingDiabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of uncontrolled
diabetes (most common in type 1 diabetes) and is characterized by:Severe
hyperglycemiaKetone productionMetabolic acidosisClassic signs and
symptoms of DKA:Dry, warm skin → due to dehydrationFruity (acetone)
breath → from ketonesKussmaul respirations → deep and rapid breathing as
the body tries to blow off CO₂ to compensate for metabolic
acidosisPolyuria, polydipsiaAbdominal pain, nausea, vomitingAltered level
of consciousness in severe cases
◍ Therapeutic goal for caridogenic shock.
Answer: Increase cardiac output
◍ 31- The cardiac rhythm of atrial flutter is:1- a benign condition in most
people2- normal following myocardial infarction3- hazardous, as the
ventricular rate may suddenly increase4- hazardous, as it may progress to
complete heart block.
Answer: 3- hazardous, as the ventricular rate may suddenly increase
◍ Patient with hyperkalemia would show what on an EKG?.
Answer: Wide QRS and tall peaked T-wave
, ◍ P-R interval.
Answer: 0.12-0.20 seconds
◍ Low intermittent suction is used to remove gastric contents in all the
following situations except:.
Answer: In controlling bleeding
◍ 36- Signs of cardiac tamponade may include all of the following
EXCEPT:1- distended neck veins2- pulsus paradoxus3- decrease systolic
pressure4- bradicardia.
Answer: 4 – BradycardiaCardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition
where fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and
impairing its ability to fill and pump effectively.
◍ Post-op craniotomy pt. fasting blood sugar of 100 complains of extreme
thirst and urine specific gravity is 1.001. What should you suspect?.
Answer: Diabetic insipidus
◍ Major therapeutic goal in the Tx of cardiogenic shock is?.
Answer: Increase the cardiac output
◍ Cervical spine injury, monitor.
Answer: Respiration's
◍ Chest physical therapy on a post-op Pt. with a chest tube in the left side you
listen to the breath sounds and you note they are decreased on the right.
What would this indicate?.
Answer: Atelectasis
◍ Pt with TB and renal failure develops high fever, what abx do you give.
Answer: Rifampin
◍ 89- Which of the following measures generally results in the
earliestdetection of gastric bleeding in patients who have gastric tubes?1-
checking the gastric contents for microscopic blood2- observing the color of
the gastric aspirate3- noting the presence of abdominal distension4- noticing
a slow fall in blood pressure.
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ The following rhythm strip represents:1- Third degree A-V block (complete
heart block)2- Second degree A-V block - Type 23- Second degree A-V
block - Type 14- Sinus bradycardia.
Answer: 1- Third degree A-V block (complete heart block)
◍ 87- While caring for a cholecystectomy patient post-operatively, you notice
"coffee ground" material coming from his/her nasogastric tube (NGT). You
should:1- know this is a normal finding2- irrigate the tube3- test the
drainage for blood4- listen for bowel sounds.
Answer: 3 – test the drainage for blood"Coffee ground" material from a
nasogastric tube suggests the presence of partially digested blood, indicating
possible upper gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., from the stomach or
duodenum). In a post-operative cholecystectomy patient, this is not a normal
finding and requires immediate evaluation.The correct first action is to:
Test the drainage for occult or gross blood to confirm GI bleeding
◍ 70- Signs and symptoms of thyroid storm (crisis) include:1- coma,
hypothermia, respiratory acidosis2- bradycardia, depression, respiratory
failure3- elevated temperature, tachycardia, delirium4- hypotension, edema,
low urine output.
Answer: 3- elevated temperature, tachycardia, deliriumThyroid storm
(thyrotoxic crisis) is a life-threatening medical emergency resulting from
severe hyperthyroidism. It is usually triggered by stress, infection, trauma,
or surgery in patients with untreated or poorly controlled
hyperthyroidism.Classic signs and symptoms of thyroid storm: High
fever (often > 39°C / 102°F) Tachycardia (can be >140 bpm)
Delirium, agitation, restlessness Dyspnea or shortness of breath
Dehydration, nausea, vomiting, diarrheaIf untreated, it can progress
, to:ArrhythmiasHeart failureSeizuresComaDeath
◍ 80- Nursing care measures for the patient receiving peritoneal dialysis
include all of the following EXCEPT:1- careful intake and ouput2- warming
the dialysis solution3- maintaining sterility of the dialysate4- maintaining
immobility.
Answer: 4 – maintaining immobilityPatients receiving peritoneal dialysis
(PD) do not need to be immobile during the procedure. In fact, encouraging
mobility (as tolerated) helps:Promote drainage of dialysatePrevent
complications like constipation (which can affect catheter flow)Maintain
overall physical function and circulation
◍ If the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is elevated it can be an indication
of?.
Answer: Left ventricular failure
◍ 20- A QRS complex wider than 0.12 seconds most likely indicates:1-
normal ventricular conduction2- bundle branch block3- second degree heart
block4- myocardial infarction.
Answer: 2- bundle branch blockA QRS complex wider than 0.12 seconds
(120 ms) means the ventricles are depolarizing more slowly than normal —
indicating an intraventricular conduction delay, most commonly due to a
bundle branch block.
◍ After an arterial catheter is removed direst pressure should be applied for
how long?.
Answer: 5-10 minutes
◍ 99- In caring for a patient in which the nurse would be exposed to body
fluids, it is important to observe which of the following?1- respiratory
precaution2- reverse isolation3- universal precautions4- urine isolation.
Answer: 3- universal precautions
◍ 26- The rhythm strip below shows:1- ventricular fbrillation2- accelerated
ventricular rhythm3- ventricular tachycardia4- left bundle branch block.
Answer:
,◍ 93- The dosage of which drug must be tapered off slowly to prevent acute
adrenal insufficiency?1- nitroprusside2- cortisone3- streptokinase4-
vasopressine.
Answer: 2- cortisone
◍ 94- All of the following may be manifestations of digitalis toxicity
EXCEPT:1- rapid A-V conduction2- PAT with block3- nausea4- yellow
vision.
Answer: 1- rapid A-V conduction
◍ 62- Signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include:1- dry warm skin,
fruity breath, deep and rapid breathing2- vomiting, hyperactivity,
diaphorisis3- slow shallow breathing, pallor, headache4- dilated pupils,
coma, flushed skin.
Answer: 1 – dry warm skin, fruity breath, deep and rapid breathingDiabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of uncontrolled
diabetes (most common in type 1 diabetes) and is characterized by:Severe
hyperglycemiaKetone productionMetabolic acidosisClassic signs and
symptoms of DKA:Dry, warm skin → due to dehydrationFruity (acetone)
breath → from ketonesKussmaul respirations → deep and rapid breathing as
the body tries to blow off CO₂ to compensate for metabolic
acidosisPolyuria, polydipsiaAbdominal pain, nausea, vomitingAltered level
of consciousness in severe cases
◍ Therapeutic goal for caridogenic shock.
Answer: Increase cardiac output
◍ 31- The cardiac rhythm of atrial flutter is:1- a benign condition in most
people2- normal following myocardial infarction3- hazardous, as the
ventricular rate may suddenly increase4- hazardous, as it may progress to
complete heart block.
Answer: 3- hazardous, as the ventricular rate may suddenly increase
◍ Patient with hyperkalemia would show what on an EKG?.
Answer: Wide QRS and tall peaked T-wave
, ◍ P-R interval.
Answer: 0.12-0.20 seconds
◍ Low intermittent suction is used to remove gastric contents in all the
following situations except:.
Answer: In controlling bleeding
◍ 36- Signs of cardiac tamponade may include all of the following
EXCEPT:1- distended neck veins2- pulsus paradoxus3- decrease systolic
pressure4- bradicardia.
Answer: 4 – BradycardiaCardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition
where fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and
impairing its ability to fill and pump effectively.
◍ Post-op craniotomy pt. fasting blood sugar of 100 complains of extreme
thirst and urine specific gravity is 1.001. What should you suspect?.
Answer: Diabetic insipidus
◍ Major therapeutic goal in the Tx of cardiogenic shock is?.
Answer: Increase the cardiac output
◍ Cervical spine injury, monitor.
Answer: Respiration's
◍ Chest physical therapy on a post-op Pt. with a chest tube in the left side you
listen to the breath sounds and you note they are decreased on the right.
What would this indicate?.
Answer: Atelectasis
◍ Pt with TB and renal failure develops high fever, what abx do you give.
Answer: Rifampin
◍ 89- Which of the following measures generally results in the
earliestdetection of gastric bleeding in patients who have gastric tubes?1-
checking the gastric contents for microscopic blood2- observing the color of
the gastric aspirate3- noting the presence of abdominal distension4- noticing
a slow fall in blood pressure.
