UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENTIALS OF
CRITICAL CARE NURSING COMPLETE
PREPARATION GUIDE WITH RESPIRATORY,
CARDIAC, AND NEUROLOGICAL CRITICAL
CARE REVIEW
◉ The nurse is monitoring a patient's pulmonary vascular
resistance. Which value is the normal value?
1. 100-250 mm Hg
2. 10-250 dynes/sec/cm2
3. 400-800 mm Hg
4. 800-1,400 dynes/sec/cm2
Answer: Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: A measurement in mm Hg is used to measure pressure
only.
Rationale 2: The pulmonary system is a low-pressure system. The
pressure of the vascular system is measured in dynes/sec/cm2 due
to factors of flow, resistance, and time. This is the normal value for
pulmonary vascular resistance.
Rationale 3: A measurement in mm Hg is used to measure pressure
only.
Rationale 4: This is the value for SVR.
,◉ A patient's systemic vascular resistance (SVR) has dangerously
decreased. The nurse would expect to administer which
medications?
1. Furosemide (Lasix) and dopamine
2. Nitroprusside and furosemide (Lasix)
3. Dopamine and norepinephrine (Levophed)
4. Nitroglycerin and digoxin (Lanoxin)
Answer: Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic that reduces fluid
volume and is a mild vasodilator. The systemic vascular resistance
will be further decreased.
Rationale 2: Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic that reduces fluid
volume and is a mild vasodilator. The systemic vascular resistance
will be further decreased.
Rationale 3: If the SVR is low, there is massive peripheral
vasodilation. These meds will increase vasomotor tone as well as
increase blood pressure.
Rationale 4: Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator. The systemic
vascular resistance will be further decreased.
◉ A patient has mixed venous oxygen saturation (SVO2) of 52%
with the following hemodynamic findings: CO of 4.8 L/min, SaO2 of
95%, and an unchanged hemoglobin level. The nurse should assess
the patient for:
, 1. Excessive sedation
2. Position of the PA catheter
3. Hypothermia
4. Pain
Answer: Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Excessive sedation contributes to a higher than normal
SVO2 level due to a lower level of oxygen extracted by the tissues.
Rationale 2: This would not influence the patient's blood levels of
oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Rationale 3: Hypothermia contributes to a higher than normal SVO2
level due to a lower level of oxygen extracted by the tissues.
Rationale 4: Pain causes an increased consumption of oxygen;
therefore, the SVO2 level will decrease.
◉ Which of the following actions has the highest priority for
maintaining safety when caring for a patient with a PA catheter?
1. Obtain pressures per protocol.
2. Administer fluids and medications via pump.
3. Maintain asepsis when providing line care.
4. Obtain lab values as ordered.
Answer: Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 3: The presence of all invasive lines can lead to infection
and sepsis. Preventing infection is the highest priority in
maintaining patient safety.
CRITICAL CARE NURSING COMPLETE
PREPARATION GUIDE WITH RESPIRATORY,
CARDIAC, AND NEUROLOGICAL CRITICAL
CARE REVIEW
◉ The nurse is monitoring a patient's pulmonary vascular
resistance. Which value is the normal value?
1. 100-250 mm Hg
2. 10-250 dynes/sec/cm2
3. 400-800 mm Hg
4. 800-1,400 dynes/sec/cm2
Answer: Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: A measurement in mm Hg is used to measure pressure
only.
Rationale 2: The pulmonary system is a low-pressure system. The
pressure of the vascular system is measured in dynes/sec/cm2 due
to factors of flow, resistance, and time. This is the normal value for
pulmonary vascular resistance.
Rationale 3: A measurement in mm Hg is used to measure pressure
only.
Rationale 4: This is the value for SVR.
,◉ A patient's systemic vascular resistance (SVR) has dangerously
decreased. The nurse would expect to administer which
medications?
1. Furosemide (Lasix) and dopamine
2. Nitroprusside and furosemide (Lasix)
3. Dopamine and norepinephrine (Levophed)
4. Nitroglycerin and digoxin (Lanoxin)
Answer: Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic that reduces fluid
volume and is a mild vasodilator. The systemic vascular resistance
will be further decreased.
Rationale 2: Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic that reduces fluid
volume and is a mild vasodilator. The systemic vascular resistance
will be further decreased.
Rationale 3: If the SVR is low, there is massive peripheral
vasodilation. These meds will increase vasomotor tone as well as
increase blood pressure.
Rationale 4: Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator. The systemic
vascular resistance will be further decreased.
◉ A patient has mixed venous oxygen saturation (SVO2) of 52%
with the following hemodynamic findings: CO of 4.8 L/min, SaO2 of
95%, and an unchanged hemoglobin level. The nurse should assess
the patient for:
, 1. Excessive sedation
2. Position of the PA catheter
3. Hypothermia
4. Pain
Answer: Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Excessive sedation contributes to a higher than normal
SVO2 level due to a lower level of oxygen extracted by the tissues.
Rationale 2: This would not influence the patient's blood levels of
oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Rationale 3: Hypothermia contributes to a higher than normal SVO2
level due to a lower level of oxygen extracted by the tissues.
Rationale 4: Pain causes an increased consumption of oxygen;
therefore, the SVO2 level will decrease.
◉ Which of the following actions has the highest priority for
maintaining safety when caring for a patient with a PA catheter?
1. Obtain pressures per protocol.
2. Administer fluids and medications via pump.
3. Maintain asepsis when providing line care.
4. Obtain lab values as ordered.
Answer: Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 3: The presence of all invasive lines can lead to infection
and sepsis. Preventing infection is the highest priority in
maintaining patient safety.
