CCRN Certification Exam Prep Document 2026/2027 |
Critical Care Nursing, Clinical Judgment & AACN Test
Plan Review
The nurse is caring for a patient with acute inferior wall MI, post-coronary artery stent deployment, For
optimal care of the patient, the nurse should: - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Continuously monitor the
patient in lead II
It is best practice to monitor the patient status post PCI with stent, in the lead that was most abnormal
during the acute occlusion.
The ECG demonstrates ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF. The nurse needs to monitor the patient
closely for which of the following? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Complication likely to occur after an
acute inferior wall MI include bradycardia secondary to ischemia to the SA and/or AV node, and
papillary muscle rupture or dysfunction due to the anatomical distance between the RCA and the
papillary muscle.
Which of the following hemodynamic profiles would benefit from the aggressive fluid administration,
pressers and antibiotics therapy?
a. RAP: 1mm Hg; PAOP: 4 mmHg; SVR: 1800 dynes/sec; CO: 2L/min
b. RAP: 5; PAOP: 7; SVR: 400; CO; 8L - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...B. the hemodynamic profile of
RAP 5, PAOP 7, SVR 400 is typical of septic shock, and choice B would be the best approach.
Which of the following is indicative of a mixed acid-base disorder?
A. pH 7.18; PaCO2 25; PaO2 64; HCO3 11
B. pH 7.33; PaCO2 29; PaO2 72; HCO3 15 - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...The decrease in PaCO2 is
evidence of respiratory alkalosis and the decreased HCO3 is evidenced of a metabolic acidosis. The pt
with severe sepsis or septic shock may present with this mixed acid-base disorder.
The patient with a temporary pacemaker develops pacemaker malfunction. The oriented is instructed to
reposition the patient to try and correct the problem. The cardiac monitor most likely demonstrates?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Failure to capture (pacemaker without a QRS) may be corrected by
repositioning the patient to the side.
The patient with diastolic heart develops SVT, heart rate 220/min. The most dangerous hemodynamic
effect is a decrease in: - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...coronary artery perfusion.
Diastolic heart failure results in a problem with left ventricular FILLING secondary to ventricular
thickening, and contractility and ejection are maintained in diastolic failure. The rapid heart rate will
decrease filling time, worsen left ventricular filling and because coronary artery perfusion occurs
during diastole, this arrhythmia may be life-threatening.
,The patient is receiving heparin infusion for the treatment of pulmonary embolism. There has been a
60% decrease in the platelet count and no clinical change. Which of the following is indicated?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Discontinue heparin and being argatroban.
The patient most likely has HIT. Exposure to heparin needs to discontinued and a direct thrombin
inhibitor started for continued anticoagulation.
The patient with oat cell carcinoma has the following clinical findings: low urine output, low serum
osmolality, hyponatremia, and elevated urine sodium. The nurse anticipates which of the following as
part of the treatment plan? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Phenytoin (Dilantin), 3% saline.
The patient has signs of SIADH which results in production of excessive ADH. Dilantin will inhibit
ADH secretion and 3% saline will increase serum sodium.
Peep therapy and mechanical ventilation are ordered for the patient with acute respiratory failure.
Which of the following is a possible complication? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Barotrauma
The addition of positive end-expiratory pressure will increase alveolar recruitment, prevent atelectasis
and improve oxygenation. However, the increase in intrathoracic pressure may lead to pneumothorax or
subcutaneous emphysema.
The postoperative thoracic surgery patient has bubbling in the water seal drainage chamber of the chest
tube. Which of the following interventions is indicated? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...avoid high airway
pressures
Bubbling in the water seal chamber is due to a pleural air leak, and high airway pressure will either
prevent resolution of the current air leak or make it worse.
Which clinical sign might patients with both systolic and diastolic heart failure have in common?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Lung crackles
Both a problem with systolic (ejection problem) and diastolic (filling problem) will increase left heart
pressure and cause cardiogenic pulmonary edema (lung crackles).
Which of the following is most likely to result in a low Sv02?
A. Hypotermia
B. Fever
C. Severe sepsis - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Fever
Fever increases metabolic rate and consumption, which may lead to a drop in mixed venous oxygen
saturation.
The nurse needs to assess adequacy of the tubing/catheter system for the arterial line. Which of the
following interventions will best assess this? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Perform a square wave test
, The patient requires fluid resuscitation and 8 units of PRBC's status post traumatic injury. Which of the
following interventions is most appropriate? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Warm blood products and
crystalloids
Warming fluids and blood needed for traumatic injury will prevent hypothermia and its related adverse
effects.
Which of the following therapies should be avoided for the patient with cardiogenic shock?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...high dose vasopressors
Vasopressors increase left ventricular after load, which would increase myocardial work of a failing
heart.
The patient is status post repair of an aneurysm for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Which of the following
interventions is indicated to prevent vasospasm? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Nimodipine (Nimotop)
is a calcium channel blocker that is started immediately post-op to prevent arterial spasm of the brain.
The patient presents with a rigid abdomen, rebound tenderness, and a free air in the peritoneum seen on
KUB x-ray. Which of the following should the nurse anticipate? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Powell
perforation; provide fluids, prepare for surgery.
The clinical signs are those of bowel perforation.
Which is the priority treatment for the pt with DKA who presents with hyperglycemia, ketosis, and
normal serum potassium? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...replace potassium
The patient with DKA will have a low pH and metabolic acidosis. In a state of metabolic acidosis,
hydrogen ions move into the intracellular space. In exchange, potassium leaves the intracellular space.
The movement of K into the extracellular space results in hyperkalemia.
Which of the following is a systemic effect of the therapeutic hypothermia during the cooling phase?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Hyperglycemia secondary to insulin resistance.
During the cooling phase of clinical hypothermia there is typically insulin resistance. Additionally,
during the phase there is vasoconstriction, decreased neutrophil production and during rewarming,
rebound hyperkalemia may occur (not during the cooling phase).
The patient presented to the ED with a history of palpitations and dyspnea, persisting on and off for one
week. The heart monitor shows trail fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, blood pressure 112/70.
Treatment will most likely include: - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...CCB and anticoagulation
The patient history seems to be one of intermittent atrail fibrillation over the past week. Controlling
rate and addressing potential left atrial clot formation are priority treatments.
Which of the following clinical findings would you expect to find in the patient with septic shock?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Lactate 8, SvO2 85
Critical Care Nursing, Clinical Judgment & AACN Test
Plan Review
The nurse is caring for a patient with acute inferior wall MI, post-coronary artery stent deployment, For
optimal care of the patient, the nurse should: - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Continuously monitor the
patient in lead II
It is best practice to monitor the patient status post PCI with stent, in the lead that was most abnormal
during the acute occlusion.
The ECG demonstrates ST elevation in leads II, III and aVF. The nurse needs to monitor the patient
closely for which of the following? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Complication likely to occur after an
acute inferior wall MI include bradycardia secondary to ischemia to the SA and/or AV node, and
papillary muscle rupture or dysfunction due to the anatomical distance between the RCA and the
papillary muscle.
Which of the following hemodynamic profiles would benefit from the aggressive fluid administration,
pressers and antibiotics therapy?
a. RAP: 1mm Hg; PAOP: 4 mmHg; SVR: 1800 dynes/sec; CO: 2L/min
b. RAP: 5; PAOP: 7; SVR: 400; CO; 8L - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...B. the hemodynamic profile of
RAP 5, PAOP 7, SVR 400 is typical of septic shock, and choice B would be the best approach.
Which of the following is indicative of a mixed acid-base disorder?
A. pH 7.18; PaCO2 25; PaO2 64; HCO3 11
B. pH 7.33; PaCO2 29; PaO2 72; HCO3 15 - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...The decrease in PaCO2 is
evidence of respiratory alkalosis and the decreased HCO3 is evidenced of a metabolic acidosis. The pt
with severe sepsis or septic shock may present with this mixed acid-base disorder.
The patient with a temporary pacemaker develops pacemaker malfunction. The oriented is instructed to
reposition the patient to try and correct the problem. The cardiac monitor most likely demonstrates?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Failure to capture (pacemaker without a QRS) may be corrected by
repositioning the patient to the side.
The patient with diastolic heart develops SVT, heart rate 220/min. The most dangerous hemodynamic
effect is a decrease in: - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...coronary artery perfusion.
Diastolic heart failure results in a problem with left ventricular FILLING secondary to ventricular
thickening, and contractility and ejection are maintained in diastolic failure. The rapid heart rate will
decrease filling time, worsen left ventricular filling and because coronary artery perfusion occurs
during diastole, this arrhythmia may be life-threatening.
,The patient is receiving heparin infusion for the treatment of pulmonary embolism. There has been a
60% decrease in the platelet count and no clinical change. Which of the following is indicated?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Discontinue heparin and being argatroban.
The patient most likely has HIT. Exposure to heparin needs to discontinued and a direct thrombin
inhibitor started for continued anticoagulation.
The patient with oat cell carcinoma has the following clinical findings: low urine output, low serum
osmolality, hyponatremia, and elevated urine sodium. The nurse anticipates which of the following as
part of the treatment plan? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Phenytoin (Dilantin), 3% saline.
The patient has signs of SIADH which results in production of excessive ADH. Dilantin will inhibit
ADH secretion and 3% saline will increase serum sodium.
Peep therapy and mechanical ventilation are ordered for the patient with acute respiratory failure.
Which of the following is a possible complication? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Barotrauma
The addition of positive end-expiratory pressure will increase alveolar recruitment, prevent atelectasis
and improve oxygenation. However, the increase in intrathoracic pressure may lead to pneumothorax or
subcutaneous emphysema.
The postoperative thoracic surgery patient has bubbling in the water seal drainage chamber of the chest
tube. Which of the following interventions is indicated? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...avoid high airway
pressures
Bubbling in the water seal chamber is due to a pleural air leak, and high airway pressure will either
prevent resolution of the current air leak or make it worse.
Which clinical sign might patients with both systolic and diastolic heart failure have in common?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Lung crackles
Both a problem with systolic (ejection problem) and diastolic (filling problem) will increase left heart
pressure and cause cardiogenic pulmonary edema (lung crackles).
Which of the following is most likely to result in a low Sv02?
A. Hypotermia
B. Fever
C. Severe sepsis - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Fever
Fever increases metabolic rate and consumption, which may lead to a drop in mixed venous oxygen
saturation.
The nurse needs to assess adequacy of the tubing/catheter system for the arterial line. Which of the
following interventions will best assess this? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Perform a square wave test
, The patient requires fluid resuscitation and 8 units of PRBC's status post traumatic injury. Which of the
following interventions is most appropriate? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Warm blood products and
crystalloids
Warming fluids and blood needed for traumatic injury will prevent hypothermia and its related adverse
effects.
Which of the following therapies should be avoided for the patient with cardiogenic shock?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...high dose vasopressors
Vasopressors increase left ventricular after load, which would increase myocardial work of a failing
heart.
The patient is status post repair of an aneurysm for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Which of the following
interventions is indicated to prevent vasospasm? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Nimodipine (Nimotop)
is a calcium channel blocker that is started immediately post-op to prevent arterial spasm of the brain.
The patient presents with a rigid abdomen, rebound tenderness, and a free air in the peritoneum seen on
KUB x-ray. Which of the following should the nurse anticipate? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Powell
perforation; provide fluids, prepare for surgery.
The clinical signs are those of bowel perforation.
Which is the priority treatment for the pt with DKA who presents with hyperglycemia, ketosis, and
normal serum potassium? - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...replace potassium
The patient with DKA will have a low pH and metabolic acidosis. In a state of metabolic acidosis,
hydrogen ions move into the intracellular space. In exchange, potassium leaves the intracellular space.
The movement of K into the extracellular space results in hyperkalemia.
Which of the following is a systemic effect of the therapeutic hypothermia during the cooling phase?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Hyperglycemia secondary to insulin resistance.
During the cooling phase of clinical hypothermia there is typically insulin resistance. Additionally,
during the phase there is vasoconstriction, decreased neutrophil production and during rewarming,
rebound hyperkalemia may occur (not during the cooling phase).
The patient presented to the ED with a history of palpitations and dyspnea, persisting on and off for one
week. The heart monitor shows trail fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, blood pressure 112/70.
Treatment will most likely include: - ...CORRECT ANSWERS...CCB and anticoagulation
The patient history seems to be one of intermittent atrail fibrillation over the past week. Controlling
rate and addressing potential left atrial clot formation are priority treatments.
Which of the following clinical findings would you expect to find in the patient with septic shock?
- ...CORRECT ANSWERS...Lactate 8, SvO2 85
