INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL CARE NURSING 8TH
EDITION EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS ( 100%verified answers) Q & A 2026
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1. Which of the following best defines critical care nursing?
A. Care of stable post-operative patients
B. Care of patients with life-threatening conditions requiring intensive monitoring
C. Care of outpatient chronic disease patients
D. Care provided only in emergency departments
Correct Answer: B
Critical care nursing focuses on patients with acute, life-threatening conditions
requiring continuous monitoring and specialized interventions.
2. The primary goal of critical care nursing is to:
A. Provide comfort only
B. Prevent hospital admission
C. Restore or maintain physiological stability
D. Replace physician decision-making
Correct Answer: C
The main goal is to maintain or restore physiological stability in critically ill
patients.
3. Which unit is most appropriate for a patient requiring mechanical ventilation?
A. General medical ward
B. Outpatient clinic
,C. Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
D. Rehabilitation unit
Correct Answer: C
ICU provides advanced respiratory support including mechanical ventilation.
4. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention in critical care?
A. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
B. Urine output 50 mL/hr
C. Oxygen saturation 85%
D. Heart rate 72 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Oxygen saturation of 85% indicates hypoxia requiring urgent intervention.
5. The most important monitoring device in ICU for oxygenation is:
A. Thermometer
B. Pulse oximeter
C. Glucometer
D. Sphygmomanometer
Correct Answer: B
Pulse oximetry continuously measures oxygen saturation.
6. A nurse in ICU should prioritize care based on:
A. Family requests
B. Task completion order
C. Patient acuity and urgency
D. Physician preference
,Correct Answer: C
Critical care prioritization is based on patient acuity.
7. The first step in the nursing process is:
A. Diagnosis
B. Planning
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: C
Assessment is the foundation of the nursing process.
8. Which electrolyte imbalance is most life-threatening in ICU patients?
A. Mild hypokalemia
B. Severe hyperkalemia
C. Mild hyponatremia
D. Slight hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Severe hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
9. The main purpose of arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is to assess:
A. Kidney function
B. Acid-base balance and oxygenation
C. Blood glucose levels
D. Liver function
Correct Answer: B
ABG evaluates oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
, 10. A key feature of sepsis is:
A. Low blood pressure and organ dysfunction
B. Increased appetite
C. High hemoglobin
D. Slow heart rate only
Correct Answer: A
Sepsis causes systemic inflammation leading to hypotension and organ
dysfunction.
11. Which patient is at highest risk for ICU admission?
A. Stable diabetic patient
B. Post-surgery patient with stable vitals
C. Patient with respiratory failure
D. Patient with mild fever
Correct Answer: C
Respiratory failure requires intensive monitoring and support.
12. The most common cause of ICU-acquired infection is:
A. Poor nutrition
B. Prolonged catheter use
C. High blood pressure
D. Early mobilization
Correct Answer: B
Indwelling catheters increase infection risk significantly.
13. Which medication is commonly used in critical care for pain management?
EDITION EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS ( 100%verified answers) Q & A 2026
/INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following best defines critical care nursing?
A. Care of stable post-operative patients
B. Care of patients with life-threatening conditions requiring intensive monitoring
C. Care of outpatient chronic disease patients
D. Care provided only in emergency departments
Correct Answer: B
Critical care nursing focuses on patients with acute, life-threatening conditions
requiring continuous monitoring and specialized interventions.
2. The primary goal of critical care nursing is to:
A. Provide comfort only
B. Prevent hospital admission
C. Restore or maintain physiological stability
D. Replace physician decision-making
Correct Answer: C
The main goal is to maintain or restore physiological stability in critically ill
patients.
3. Which unit is most appropriate for a patient requiring mechanical ventilation?
A. General medical ward
B. Outpatient clinic
,C. Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
D. Rehabilitation unit
Correct Answer: C
ICU provides advanced respiratory support including mechanical ventilation.
4. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention in critical care?
A. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
B. Urine output 50 mL/hr
C. Oxygen saturation 85%
D. Heart rate 72 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Oxygen saturation of 85% indicates hypoxia requiring urgent intervention.
5. The most important monitoring device in ICU for oxygenation is:
A. Thermometer
B. Pulse oximeter
C. Glucometer
D. Sphygmomanometer
Correct Answer: B
Pulse oximetry continuously measures oxygen saturation.
6. A nurse in ICU should prioritize care based on:
A. Family requests
B. Task completion order
C. Patient acuity and urgency
D. Physician preference
,Correct Answer: C
Critical care prioritization is based on patient acuity.
7. The first step in the nursing process is:
A. Diagnosis
B. Planning
C. Assessment
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: C
Assessment is the foundation of the nursing process.
8. Which electrolyte imbalance is most life-threatening in ICU patients?
A. Mild hypokalemia
B. Severe hyperkalemia
C. Mild hyponatremia
D. Slight hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Severe hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
9. The main purpose of arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is to assess:
A. Kidney function
B. Acid-base balance and oxygenation
C. Blood glucose levels
D. Liver function
Correct Answer: B
ABG evaluates oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
, 10. A key feature of sepsis is:
A. Low blood pressure and organ dysfunction
B. Increased appetite
C. High hemoglobin
D. Slow heart rate only
Correct Answer: A
Sepsis causes systemic inflammation leading to hypotension and organ
dysfunction.
11. Which patient is at highest risk for ICU admission?
A. Stable diabetic patient
B. Post-surgery patient with stable vitals
C. Patient with respiratory failure
D. Patient with mild fever
Correct Answer: C
Respiratory failure requires intensive monitoring and support.
12. The most common cause of ICU-acquired infection is:
A. Poor nutrition
B. Prolonged catheter use
C. High blood pressure
D. Early mobilization
Correct Answer: B
Indwelling catheters increase infection risk significantly.
13. Which medication is commonly used in critical care for pain management?
