AACN WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
The-charge-nurse-is-having-trouble-finding-nurses-who-will-accept-responsibility-for-the-"difficult"-
patient-and-family-who-have-been-on-the-unit-for-2-months.-Once-the-assignment-is-determined-
for-the-next-shift,-the-next-action-of-the-nurse-might-be-to:
A.-Hold-a-family-meeting-and-demand-that-their-behavior-change-at-once
B.-Call-the-nursing-supervisor-and-have-the-patient-transferred-to-another-unit
C.-Arrange-to-have-a-nursing-care-conference-and-discuss-possible-solutions
D.-Put-a-note-by-the-charge-nurse-station-to-always-assign-this-patient-to-the-float-or-PRN-nurse---
correct-answers--C.-Arrange-to-have-a-nursing-care-conference-and-discuss-possible-solutions
Communication,-collaboration,-and-a-consistent-plan-are-what's-needed.-If-this-had-been-done-
earlier,-the-situation-this-shift-might-have-been-avoided.
Three-days-after-undergoing-elective-hip-replacement,-a-patient-has-HR-125,-RR-36,-BP-164/84;-is-
diaphoretic;-has-dilated-pupils;-is-anxious;-denies-pain;-and-appears-to-be-having-tactile-
hallucinations.-Despite-frequent-reorientation-from-the-nurse,-the-patient-continues-to-try-to-
climb-out-of-bed.-Which-of-the-following-ordered-might-be-appropriate?
A.-Lorazepam-(Ativan)
B.-Soft-wrist-restraints
C.-Methadone
,D.-Leaving-the-TV-or-radio-on-in-the-room-for-background-noise---correct-answers--A.-Lorazepam-
(Ativan)
The-timing-and-assessment-indicate-the-patient-might-be-in-alcohol-withdrawal-or-heading-into-
DT's.-Of-the-4-choices,-prescribing-a-benzo-would-be-the-most-appropriate.
A-patient-with-a-documented-history-of-schizophrenia-is-admitted-with-DKA.-A-priority-of-the-
admitting-nurse-would-be-to:
A.-Review-all-per-admission-medications
B.-Contact-the-patient's-counselor
C.-Hold-all-psychiatric-medications-pending-glucose-regulation
D.-ask-the-patient-if-he-is-hearing-voices---correct-answers--A.-Review-all-per-admission-
medications
Is-a-priority-for-patient-admissions
A-nurse-walks-into-the-family-waiting-room-and-discovers-a-physical-altercation-between-two-
visitors-has-just-begun.-The-nurse-should:
A.-Get-between-the-2-individuals-and-tell-them-their-behavior-is-inappropriate-
B.-ask-the-largest-man-in-the-waiting-room-to-break-it-up
C.-Pull-the-fire-alarm-by-the-door
D.-Call-security---correct-answers--D.-Call-security-
Think-safety-first,-for-yourself-and-everyone-else.-Our-security-colleagues-are-trained-to-handle-
these-situations
The-wife-of-a-patient-recently-admitted-because-of-a-single-vehicle-crash-tells-the-nurse-"I'm-
afraid-he-was-trying-to-kill-himself."-A-priority-for-the-nurse-would-be-to:
,A.-Identify-if-the-patient-has-a-history-of-depression
B.-Ask-the-patient-directly-about-suicidal-intent-with-the-wife-in-the-room
C.-Obtain-an-order-for-a-psych-consult
D.-Ensure-the-suicide-assessment-is-completed-in-the-electronic-health-record---correct-answers--
D.-Ensure-the-suicide-assessment-is-completed-in-the-electronic-health-record
This-screen/-assessment-tool-guides-the-health-care-team-in-determining-a-treatment-plan
Which-of-the-following-actions-by-the-nurse-might-decrease-a-patient's-self-esteem?
A.-Discussing-the-negative-consequences-of-the-patient's-condition
B.-Requiring-the-patient-to-participate-in-all-treatments-
C.-Providing-opportunities-to-discuss-issues-important-to-the-patient
D.-Indicating-his-or-her-acceptance-of-the-patient's-condition---correct-answers--B.-Requiring-the-
patient-to-participate-in-all-treatments-
The-2-key-words-being-requiring-and-all.-We-can't-require-an-adult-to-do-anything.-When-we-start-
thinking-we-can,-we-are-behaving-paternalistically.
A-22-year-old-patient-has-been-declared-brain-dead.-The-parents-decide-to-discontinue-feeding-
and-donate-their-child's-organs.-In-response-to-the-parents'-request,-the-most-appropriate-action-
by-the-nurse-would-be-to:
A.-Contact-the-organ-procurement-agency-
B.-Convene-a-multidisciplinary-care-conference-
C.-Tell-the-parents-that-the-condition-precludes-organ-donation
D.-Discontinue-the-feeding-per-their-request---correct-answers--A.-Contact-the-organ-
procurement-agency
We-collaborate-with-this-agency-to-be-the-primary-communicator-with-potential-donor-families
, A-patient-in-the-ICU-is-confused-about-time-and-place,-despite-frequent-reorientation.-For-the-
patient's-safety,-the-nurse-would-initially:
A.-Put-a-vest-restraint-on-the-patient
B.-Ask-the-family-member-to-stay-with-the-patient
C.-Administer-a-mild-sedative-
D.-Increase-the-frequency-of-observation-of-the-patient---correct-answers--D.-Increase-the-
frequency-of-observation-of-the-patient
The-confusion-doesn't-appear-to-be-a-safety-issue,-so-frequent-monitoring-is-the-best-plan
Six-members-of-a-trauma-patient's-family-arrive-at-the-ICU-asking-questions-about-their-loved-
one's-condition.-The-nurse's-most-appropriate-initial-response-would-be-to:
A.-Ensure-that-the-Chaplin-is-available-
B.-Include-the-family-in-patient-care
C.-Offer-the-family-a-tour-of-the-ICU
D.-Identify-a-family-spokesperson---correct-answers--D.-Identify-a-family-spokesperson-
One-of-the-most-important-needs-of-families-is-accurate-and-regular-information
A-patient-has-been-waiting-in-the-ICU-for-2-months-for-a-heart-transplant.-A-family-member-
angrily-tells-the-nurse,-"this-is-hopeless!"-The-nurse's-actions-should-be-based-on-the-knowledge-
that:-
A.-Expressions-of-frustration-are-normal-and-usually-require-no-nursing-intervention
B.-Since-expressions-of-hopelessness-may-be-harmful-to-the-patient,-the-family-member-should-
be-encouraged-to-keep-those-statements-out-of-the-patient-care-area
C.-The-integrity-of-the-family-system-is-crucial-in-the-transplant-process-
The-charge-nurse-is-having-trouble-finding-nurses-who-will-accept-responsibility-for-the-"difficult"-
patient-and-family-who-have-been-on-the-unit-for-2-months.-Once-the-assignment-is-determined-
for-the-next-shift,-the-next-action-of-the-nurse-might-be-to:
A.-Hold-a-family-meeting-and-demand-that-their-behavior-change-at-once
B.-Call-the-nursing-supervisor-and-have-the-patient-transferred-to-another-unit
C.-Arrange-to-have-a-nursing-care-conference-and-discuss-possible-solutions
D.-Put-a-note-by-the-charge-nurse-station-to-always-assign-this-patient-to-the-float-or-PRN-nurse---
correct-answers--C.-Arrange-to-have-a-nursing-care-conference-and-discuss-possible-solutions
Communication,-collaboration,-and-a-consistent-plan-are-what's-needed.-If-this-had-been-done-
earlier,-the-situation-this-shift-might-have-been-avoided.
Three-days-after-undergoing-elective-hip-replacement,-a-patient-has-HR-125,-RR-36,-BP-164/84;-is-
diaphoretic;-has-dilated-pupils;-is-anxious;-denies-pain;-and-appears-to-be-having-tactile-
hallucinations.-Despite-frequent-reorientation-from-the-nurse,-the-patient-continues-to-try-to-
climb-out-of-bed.-Which-of-the-following-ordered-might-be-appropriate?
A.-Lorazepam-(Ativan)
B.-Soft-wrist-restraints
C.-Methadone
,D.-Leaving-the-TV-or-radio-on-in-the-room-for-background-noise---correct-answers--A.-Lorazepam-
(Ativan)
The-timing-and-assessment-indicate-the-patient-might-be-in-alcohol-withdrawal-or-heading-into-
DT's.-Of-the-4-choices,-prescribing-a-benzo-would-be-the-most-appropriate.
A-patient-with-a-documented-history-of-schizophrenia-is-admitted-with-DKA.-A-priority-of-the-
admitting-nurse-would-be-to:
A.-Review-all-per-admission-medications
B.-Contact-the-patient's-counselor
C.-Hold-all-psychiatric-medications-pending-glucose-regulation
D.-ask-the-patient-if-he-is-hearing-voices---correct-answers--A.-Review-all-per-admission-
medications
Is-a-priority-for-patient-admissions
A-nurse-walks-into-the-family-waiting-room-and-discovers-a-physical-altercation-between-two-
visitors-has-just-begun.-The-nurse-should:
A.-Get-between-the-2-individuals-and-tell-them-their-behavior-is-inappropriate-
B.-ask-the-largest-man-in-the-waiting-room-to-break-it-up
C.-Pull-the-fire-alarm-by-the-door
D.-Call-security---correct-answers--D.-Call-security-
Think-safety-first,-for-yourself-and-everyone-else.-Our-security-colleagues-are-trained-to-handle-
these-situations
The-wife-of-a-patient-recently-admitted-because-of-a-single-vehicle-crash-tells-the-nurse-"I'm-
afraid-he-was-trying-to-kill-himself."-A-priority-for-the-nurse-would-be-to:
,A.-Identify-if-the-patient-has-a-history-of-depression
B.-Ask-the-patient-directly-about-suicidal-intent-with-the-wife-in-the-room
C.-Obtain-an-order-for-a-psych-consult
D.-Ensure-the-suicide-assessment-is-completed-in-the-electronic-health-record---correct-answers--
D.-Ensure-the-suicide-assessment-is-completed-in-the-electronic-health-record
This-screen/-assessment-tool-guides-the-health-care-team-in-determining-a-treatment-plan
Which-of-the-following-actions-by-the-nurse-might-decrease-a-patient's-self-esteem?
A.-Discussing-the-negative-consequences-of-the-patient's-condition
B.-Requiring-the-patient-to-participate-in-all-treatments-
C.-Providing-opportunities-to-discuss-issues-important-to-the-patient
D.-Indicating-his-or-her-acceptance-of-the-patient's-condition---correct-answers--B.-Requiring-the-
patient-to-participate-in-all-treatments-
The-2-key-words-being-requiring-and-all.-We-can't-require-an-adult-to-do-anything.-When-we-start-
thinking-we-can,-we-are-behaving-paternalistically.
A-22-year-old-patient-has-been-declared-brain-dead.-The-parents-decide-to-discontinue-feeding-
and-donate-their-child's-organs.-In-response-to-the-parents'-request,-the-most-appropriate-action-
by-the-nurse-would-be-to:
A.-Contact-the-organ-procurement-agency-
B.-Convene-a-multidisciplinary-care-conference-
C.-Tell-the-parents-that-the-condition-precludes-organ-donation
D.-Discontinue-the-feeding-per-their-request---correct-answers--A.-Contact-the-organ-
procurement-agency
We-collaborate-with-this-agency-to-be-the-primary-communicator-with-potential-donor-families
, A-patient-in-the-ICU-is-confused-about-time-and-place,-despite-frequent-reorientation.-For-the-
patient's-safety,-the-nurse-would-initially:
A.-Put-a-vest-restraint-on-the-patient
B.-Ask-the-family-member-to-stay-with-the-patient
C.-Administer-a-mild-sedative-
D.-Increase-the-frequency-of-observation-of-the-patient---correct-answers--D.-Increase-the-
frequency-of-observation-of-the-patient
The-confusion-doesn't-appear-to-be-a-safety-issue,-so-frequent-monitoring-is-the-best-plan
Six-members-of-a-trauma-patient's-family-arrive-at-the-ICU-asking-questions-about-their-loved-
one's-condition.-The-nurse's-most-appropriate-initial-response-would-be-to:
A.-Ensure-that-the-Chaplin-is-available-
B.-Include-the-family-in-patient-care
C.-Offer-the-family-a-tour-of-the-ICU
D.-Identify-a-family-spokesperson---correct-answers--D.-Identify-a-family-spokesperson-
One-of-the-most-important-needs-of-families-is-accurate-and-regular-information
A-patient-has-been-waiting-in-the-ICU-for-2-months-for-a-heart-transplant.-A-family-member-
angrily-tells-the-nurse,-"this-is-hopeless!"-The-nurse's-actions-should-be-based-on-the-knowledge-
that:-
A.-Expressions-of-frustration-are-normal-and-usually-require-no-nursing-intervention
B.-Since-expressions-of-hopelessness-may-be-harmful-to-the-patient,-the-family-member-should-
be-encouraged-to-keep-those-statements-out-of-the-patient-care-area
C.-The-integrity-of-the-family-system-is-crucial-in-the-transplant-process-
