PRIORITIES IN CRITICAL CARE NURSING
ACTUAL TEST PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an Assistive Personnel
(AP). Which of the following is an appropriate task for the nurse to
delegate?
A. Showing a client how to use a walker.
B. Monitoring the skin of a client who has a new redness over the
sacrum.
C. Providing post-mortem care to a client who just passed away.
D. Administering a glycerin suppository for constipation. Answer: C.
Providing post-mortem care to a client who just passed away.
◉ A nurse is assessing a client for fluid volume deficit. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse and jugular venous distention.
B. Orthostatic hypotension and flat neck veins.
C. Decreased BUN and hematocrit levels.
D. A weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) in 24 hours. Answer: B. Orthostatic
hypotension and flat neck veins.
Deficit signs: low BP, high HR, flat veins, and weight loss
,◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours post-abdominal
surgery. The nurse notes the wound has eviscerated. After calling for
help, which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Place the client in a high-Fowler's position.
B. Apply a dry, sterile dressing to the wound.
C. Cover the protruding organs with sterile towels saturated with
0.9% sodium chloride.
D. Prepare the client for immediate transfer to the operating room.
Answer: C. Cover the protruding organs with sterile towels saturated
with 0.9% sodium chloride.
Evisceration priority: Keep the organs moist and sterile to prevent
necrosis
◉ A nurse is reviewing a client's lab results and notes a "Shift to the
Left" on the WBC differential. The nurse should identify that this
indicates which of the following?
A. The client is experiencing a chronic allergic reaction.
B. The body is releasing immature neutrophils (bands) to fight a
severe infection.
C. The client has a low risk for sepsis.
D. The inflammatory process is localized and resolving. Answer: B.
The body is releasing immature neutrophils (bands) to fight a severe
infection.
, Bands are immature WBCs. A "shift to the left" means a serious
bacterial infection is present
◉ A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the PQRST mnemonic.
The client states, "The pain is a dull, constant ache." Which part of
the mnemonic does this represent?
A. P (Precipitating)
B. Q (Quality)
C. R (Region)
D. T (Timing) Answer: B. Q (Quality)
Quality describes the "feel" (sharp, dull, etc.)
◉ A nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium chloride. Which
of the following is a mandatory safety requirement for this
medication?
A. Administer the medication via rapid IV bolus over 2 minutes.
B. Dilute the medication and use an infusion pump.
C. Ensure the client has a urine output of at least 10 mL/hr.
D. Use a 25-gauge needle for administration into a small peripheral
vein. Answer: B. Dilute the medication and use an infusion pump.
ACTUAL TEST PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an Assistive Personnel
(AP). Which of the following is an appropriate task for the nurse to
delegate?
A. Showing a client how to use a walker.
B. Monitoring the skin of a client who has a new redness over the
sacrum.
C. Providing post-mortem care to a client who just passed away.
D. Administering a glycerin suppository for constipation. Answer: C.
Providing post-mortem care to a client who just passed away.
◉ A nurse is assessing a client for fluid volume deficit. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse and jugular venous distention.
B. Orthostatic hypotension and flat neck veins.
C. Decreased BUN and hematocrit levels.
D. A weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) in 24 hours. Answer: B. Orthostatic
hypotension and flat neck veins.
Deficit signs: low BP, high HR, flat veins, and weight loss
,◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours post-abdominal
surgery. The nurse notes the wound has eviscerated. After calling for
help, which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A. Place the client in a high-Fowler's position.
B. Apply a dry, sterile dressing to the wound.
C. Cover the protruding organs with sterile towels saturated with
0.9% sodium chloride.
D. Prepare the client for immediate transfer to the operating room.
Answer: C. Cover the protruding organs with sterile towels saturated
with 0.9% sodium chloride.
Evisceration priority: Keep the organs moist and sterile to prevent
necrosis
◉ A nurse is reviewing a client's lab results and notes a "Shift to the
Left" on the WBC differential. The nurse should identify that this
indicates which of the following?
A. The client is experiencing a chronic allergic reaction.
B. The body is releasing immature neutrophils (bands) to fight a
severe infection.
C. The client has a low risk for sepsis.
D. The inflammatory process is localized and resolving. Answer: B.
The body is releasing immature neutrophils (bands) to fight a severe
infection.
, Bands are immature WBCs. A "shift to the left" means a serious
bacterial infection is present
◉ A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the PQRST mnemonic.
The client states, "The pain is a dull, constant ache." Which part of
the mnemonic does this represent?
A. P (Precipitating)
B. Q (Quality)
C. R (Region)
D. T (Timing) Answer: B. Q (Quality)
Quality describes the "feel" (sharp, dull, etc.)
◉ A nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium chloride. Which
of the following is a mandatory safety requirement for this
medication?
A. Administer the medication via rapid IV bolus over 2 minutes.
B. Dilute the medication and use an infusion pump.
C. Ensure the client has a urine output of at least 10 mL/hr.
D. Use a 25-gauge needle for administration into a small peripheral
vein. Answer: B. Dilute the medication and use an infusion pump.
