CARDIAC COMPLEX CARE FINAL TEST
2026 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ sinus bradycardia characteristics.
Answer: Rate is < 60 bpm, normal PR interval and QRS
◍ PEEP SE.
Answer: decreased systemic BP, decreased O2, decreased venous return to
the heart, barotrauma, increased ICP
◍ 12 lead EKG.
Answer: gold standard
◍ digoxin indications.
Answer: Indications: heart failure, afib, atrial flutter, paroxysmal atrial
tachycardiaAction: increases the force of myocardial contraction, prolongs
refractory period of the AV node, decreases conduction through SA and AV
nodes
◍ Ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Answer: Lab evidence of WBCs or Gram stain of material from a
respiratory secretion specimen of acceptable quality and/or presence of
respiratory pathogens on quantitative cultures from pts with IVAC
◍ Port-a-Cath - tunnel central venous access device.
Answer: Surgically implanted - used to give intravenous fluids, blood
transfusions, chemotherapy, and other drugs
◍ ipratropium assessment.
Answer: Inhalation: assess respiratory status before and at peak, have pt
rinse mouth after use, assess oral cavity for stomatitisIntranasal: avoid
, inhalation during administrationExpected outcomes: inhalation -
bronchodilation; intranasal - reduction in rhinorrhea
◍ sedation complication.
Answer: Oversedation is common but does not lead to optimal outcomes
(longer time in the hospital and on the vent) DO NOT OVERSEDATE
◍ dilaudid assessment.
Answer: 6x more potent than morphine sulfate; pay close attention to correct
drug and dose when drawing up opioids and sound alike
medicationsExpected outcomes: decreased pain
◍ surgery complications psychosocial.
Answer: signs of anxiety, additional support related to pts condition
◍ impella assessment.
Answer: Assess vital signs, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, perfusion,
essentially hemodynamics, assess for bleeding, and proper positioning of the
device
◍ asystole.
Answer: Complete absence of any ventricular rhythm, no pulses and no
perfusion
◍ P wave.
Answer: atrial depolarization and contraction
◍ heart cath assessment.
Answer: Monitor for hypotension, hypokalemia, and
dysrhythmiasDocument and report to HCP or rapid response immediately
◍ delirium assessment.
Answer: Intensive care delirium screening checklistCardinal
features:Disturbed LOC with reduced ability to focus, either a change in
cognition or development of a perpetual disturbance, hallucinations or
delusions not required for dx
◍ surgery complications respiratory.
, Answer: patient airway, SpO2 >95%, rate, pattern, and depth of breathing to
determine adequacy of gas exchange - talking is NOT a reliable indicator of
adequate gas exchange
◍ Spike but no P wave or QRS after.
Answer: Failure to capture ECG
◍ intra-aortic balloon pump important to.
Answer: important that the leg it is on stays straight so it doesn't bend and
rip through the vessel and cause bleeding
◍ Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP).
Answer: Positive pressure applied at the end of expiration - air trapping on
purpose, setting to keep the alveoli open, pushes O2 into the blood
◍ unstable angina.
Answer: Patients with ECG changes suggestive of ischemia (ST is
depressed), but without the presence of serum cardiac markersIncrease in
number of attacks and intensity of pressureNot controlled by medication
◍ Managing pain.
Answer: drug therapy: opioid analgesics, relaxation and diversion
◍ asystole causes.
Answer: hypoxia, hyperkalemia, acidosis
◍ Complications of ACVC.
Answer: The ventilator continues to deliver a preset tidal volume even when
the pts spontaneous breathing rate increasesThis can cause hyperventilation
and respiratory alkalosisInvestigate and correct hyperventilation causes such
as pain, anxiety, or acid-base imbalanceAlthough AC is considered a
full-support mode the pt can be weaned directly from AC to spontaneous
mode, such as PS ventilation
◍ purpose of a chest tube.
Answer: a tube inserted into the pleural space to remove air or fluid and to
help lung re-expand or a tube inserted in mediastinum space (placed under
, sternum) to drain fluid from around the heart after cardiac surgery
◍ Mean arterial pressure.
Answer: Tells about the perfusion in the bodyNormal is 70-100; minimum
of 60 mmhg is needed to provide adequate circulation to the heart and brain
◍ central line care.
Answer: always use 10 mL syringes to flush any central line - blood return
and pulse as you administerAssess the insertion site
◍ neuromuscular blockades.
Answer: Works by stopping the transmission of impulses to voluntary
musclesTypes: norcuron, pavulon, rocuronium
◍ Random spikes.
Answer: Failure to sense ECG
◍ After Intubation Post-Extubation Nursing Bedside Swallowing Screening.
Answer: must be alert and able to sit upright, place pt at 90 degrees with
head in neutral position, have pt drink 3oz of water from cup without
interruption, watch for signs of aspiration - coughing, choking or wet vocal
quality one min afterIf failed swallow screen - NPO status and obtain order
to consult speech therapy
◍ hemodynamics.
Answer: Flow of blood through the bodyMajor goal of managing critically
ill pts in ICU is ensuring adequate tissue oxygenationHemodynamics
monitoring assists the clinician in meeting the goal
◍ surgery complications Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.
Answer: intake and output measurement, hydration status
◍ propofol SE and education.
Answer: SE: hypotension, apnea, airway obstruction, exacerbation of renal
injury, anxiety and agitation if weaned too quicklyEducate to avoid ETOH
or other CNS depressants for 24 hours after anesthesia, avoid performing
tasks requiring mental alertness for 24 hours after use
2026 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ sinus bradycardia characteristics.
Answer: Rate is < 60 bpm, normal PR interval and QRS
◍ PEEP SE.
Answer: decreased systemic BP, decreased O2, decreased venous return to
the heart, barotrauma, increased ICP
◍ 12 lead EKG.
Answer: gold standard
◍ digoxin indications.
Answer: Indications: heart failure, afib, atrial flutter, paroxysmal atrial
tachycardiaAction: increases the force of myocardial contraction, prolongs
refractory period of the AV node, decreases conduction through SA and AV
nodes
◍ Ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Answer: Lab evidence of WBCs or Gram stain of material from a
respiratory secretion specimen of acceptable quality and/or presence of
respiratory pathogens on quantitative cultures from pts with IVAC
◍ Port-a-Cath - tunnel central venous access device.
Answer: Surgically implanted - used to give intravenous fluids, blood
transfusions, chemotherapy, and other drugs
◍ ipratropium assessment.
Answer: Inhalation: assess respiratory status before and at peak, have pt
rinse mouth after use, assess oral cavity for stomatitisIntranasal: avoid
, inhalation during administrationExpected outcomes: inhalation -
bronchodilation; intranasal - reduction in rhinorrhea
◍ sedation complication.
Answer: Oversedation is common but does not lead to optimal outcomes
(longer time in the hospital and on the vent) DO NOT OVERSEDATE
◍ dilaudid assessment.
Answer: 6x more potent than morphine sulfate; pay close attention to correct
drug and dose when drawing up opioids and sound alike
medicationsExpected outcomes: decreased pain
◍ surgery complications psychosocial.
Answer: signs of anxiety, additional support related to pts condition
◍ impella assessment.
Answer: Assess vital signs, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, perfusion,
essentially hemodynamics, assess for bleeding, and proper positioning of the
device
◍ asystole.
Answer: Complete absence of any ventricular rhythm, no pulses and no
perfusion
◍ P wave.
Answer: atrial depolarization and contraction
◍ heart cath assessment.
Answer: Monitor for hypotension, hypokalemia, and
dysrhythmiasDocument and report to HCP or rapid response immediately
◍ delirium assessment.
Answer: Intensive care delirium screening checklistCardinal
features:Disturbed LOC with reduced ability to focus, either a change in
cognition or development of a perpetual disturbance, hallucinations or
delusions not required for dx
◍ surgery complications respiratory.
, Answer: patient airway, SpO2 >95%, rate, pattern, and depth of breathing to
determine adequacy of gas exchange - talking is NOT a reliable indicator of
adequate gas exchange
◍ Spike but no P wave or QRS after.
Answer: Failure to capture ECG
◍ intra-aortic balloon pump important to.
Answer: important that the leg it is on stays straight so it doesn't bend and
rip through the vessel and cause bleeding
◍ Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP).
Answer: Positive pressure applied at the end of expiration - air trapping on
purpose, setting to keep the alveoli open, pushes O2 into the blood
◍ unstable angina.
Answer: Patients with ECG changes suggestive of ischemia (ST is
depressed), but without the presence of serum cardiac markersIncrease in
number of attacks and intensity of pressureNot controlled by medication
◍ Managing pain.
Answer: drug therapy: opioid analgesics, relaxation and diversion
◍ asystole causes.
Answer: hypoxia, hyperkalemia, acidosis
◍ Complications of ACVC.
Answer: The ventilator continues to deliver a preset tidal volume even when
the pts spontaneous breathing rate increasesThis can cause hyperventilation
and respiratory alkalosisInvestigate and correct hyperventilation causes such
as pain, anxiety, or acid-base imbalanceAlthough AC is considered a
full-support mode the pt can be weaned directly from AC to spontaneous
mode, such as PS ventilation
◍ purpose of a chest tube.
Answer: a tube inserted into the pleural space to remove air or fluid and to
help lung re-expand or a tube inserted in mediastinum space (placed under
, sternum) to drain fluid from around the heart after cardiac surgery
◍ Mean arterial pressure.
Answer: Tells about the perfusion in the bodyNormal is 70-100; minimum
of 60 mmhg is needed to provide adequate circulation to the heart and brain
◍ central line care.
Answer: always use 10 mL syringes to flush any central line - blood return
and pulse as you administerAssess the insertion site
◍ neuromuscular blockades.
Answer: Works by stopping the transmission of impulses to voluntary
musclesTypes: norcuron, pavulon, rocuronium
◍ Random spikes.
Answer: Failure to sense ECG
◍ After Intubation Post-Extubation Nursing Bedside Swallowing Screening.
Answer: must be alert and able to sit upright, place pt at 90 degrees with
head in neutral position, have pt drink 3oz of water from cup without
interruption, watch for signs of aspiration - coughing, choking or wet vocal
quality one min afterIf failed swallow screen - NPO status and obtain order
to consult speech therapy
◍ hemodynamics.
Answer: Flow of blood through the bodyMajor goal of managing critically
ill pts in ICU is ensuring adequate tissue oxygenationHemodynamics
monitoring assists the clinician in meeting the goal
◍ surgery complications Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.
Answer: intake and output measurement, hydration status
◍ propofol SE and education.
Answer: SE: hypotension, apnea, airway obstruction, exacerbation of renal
injury, anxiety and agitation if weaned too quicklyEducate to avoid ETOH
or other CNS depressants for 24 hours after anesthesia, avoid performing
tasks requiring mental alertness for 24 hours after use
