CTRN Certification Examination – Practice
Exam 1: Verified Questions and Answers |
Instant PDF Study Guide
1. During transport, which patient assessment should the
transport nurse prioritize first?
A. Pain score
B. Medication history
C. Airway, breathing, and circulation
D. Psychosocial needs
Rationale: The primary assessment follows the ABC approach
because threats to airway, breathing, or circulation can
rapidly become life-threatening. A transport nurse must
identify and stabilize immediate physiologic threats before
addressing secondary concerns such as pain, history, or
psychosocial needs.
2. A mechanically ventilated patient suddenly develops a high-
pressure alarm. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the ventilator tidal volume
B. Administer a sedative
,C. Assess the patient and ventilator circuit for obstruction or
disconnection
D. Immediately decrease the respiratory rate
Rationale: A sudden high-pressure alarm can result from
secretions, bronchospasm, biting the endotracheal tube,
kinked tubing, or decreased lung compliance. The nurse should
first assess the patient and rapidly evaluate the airway and
circuit rather than changing ventilator settings without
identifying the cause.
3. Which finding is most concerning for impending respiratory
failure?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Mild anxiety
C. Oxygen saturation of 96%
D. Increasing fatigue with altered level of consciousness
Rationale: Increasing fatigue and altered mental status may
indicate inadequate oxygenation, hypercapnia, or exhaustion
of respiratory muscles. A patient who initially compensates
with tachypnea may deteriorate as respiratory muscles
fatigue, making these findings particularly concerning.
,4. What is the primary purpose of a pre-transport equipment
check?
A. Reduce documentation requirements
B. Determine the patient's insurance status
C. Identify equipment problems before they become
emergencies during transport
D. Minimize communication with the sending facility
Rationale: Transport environments limit access to replacement
equipment, additional personnel, and definitive interventions.
Verifying oxygen supply, batteries, medications, monitoring
equipment, airway equipment, and emergency supplies before
departure reduces preventable complications during
transport.
5. A patient receiving oxygen by nasal cannula becomes
increasingly dyspneic during transport. What is the nurse's
priority?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
B. Document the change in condition
C. Reassess airway, breathing, oxygenation, and equipment
function
D. Ask the patient to relax
, Rationale: Acute dyspnea may represent worsening
respiratory failure, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema,
equipment malfunction, or another serious problem. The nurse
should immediately reassess the patient's ABCs and verify that
the oxygen delivery system is functioning correctly.
6. Which patient is at greatest risk for deterioration during
transport?
A. Stable patient awaiting routine imaging
B. Patient with controlled hypertension
C. Patient requiring high-dose vasopressor support
D. Patient with a healed fracture
Rationale: Dependence on high-dose vasoactive medications
indicates significant hemodynamic instability. Such patients
can deteriorate rapidly with changes in preload, afterload,
oxygenation, ventilation, or medication delivery during
transport.
7. Which action is most appropriate when transporting a
patient receiving a continuous vasopressor infusion?
A. Place the medication in an unmonitored peripheral
container
B. Stop the infusion temporarily during movement
Exam 1: Verified Questions and Answers |
Instant PDF Study Guide
1. During transport, which patient assessment should the
transport nurse prioritize first?
A. Pain score
B. Medication history
C. Airway, breathing, and circulation
D. Psychosocial needs
Rationale: The primary assessment follows the ABC approach
because threats to airway, breathing, or circulation can
rapidly become life-threatening. A transport nurse must
identify and stabilize immediate physiologic threats before
addressing secondary concerns such as pain, history, or
psychosocial needs.
2. A mechanically ventilated patient suddenly develops a high-
pressure alarm. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the ventilator tidal volume
B. Administer a sedative
,C. Assess the patient and ventilator circuit for obstruction or
disconnection
D. Immediately decrease the respiratory rate
Rationale: A sudden high-pressure alarm can result from
secretions, bronchospasm, biting the endotracheal tube,
kinked tubing, or decreased lung compliance. The nurse should
first assess the patient and rapidly evaluate the airway and
circuit rather than changing ventilator settings without
identifying the cause.
3. Which finding is most concerning for impending respiratory
failure?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Mild anxiety
C. Oxygen saturation of 96%
D. Increasing fatigue with altered level of consciousness
Rationale: Increasing fatigue and altered mental status may
indicate inadequate oxygenation, hypercapnia, or exhaustion
of respiratory muscles. A patient who initially compensates
with tachypnea may deteriorate as respiratory muscles
fatigue, making these findings particularly concerning.
,4. What is the primary purpose of a pre-transport equipment
check?
A. Reduce documentation requirements
B. Determine the patient's insurance status
C. Identify equipment problems before they become
emergencies during transport
D. Minimize communication with the sending facility
Rationale: Transport environments limit access to replacement
equipment, additional personnel, and definitive interventions.
Verifying oxygen supply, batteries, medications, monitoring
equipment, airway equipment, and emergency supplies before
departure reduces preventable complications during
transport.
5. A patient receiving oxygen by nasal cannula becomes
increasingly dyspneic during transport. What is the nurse's
priority?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
B. Document the change in condition
C. Reassess airway, breathing, oxygenation, and equipment
function
D. Ask the patient to relax
, Rationale: Acute dyspnea may represent worsening
respiratory failure, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema,
equipment malfunction, or another serious problem. The nurse
should immediately reassess the patient's ABCs and verify that
the oxygen delivery system is functioning correctly.
6. Which patient is at greatest risk for deterioration during
transport?
A. Stable patient awaiting routine imaging
B. Patient with controlled hypertension
C. Patient requiring high-dose vasopressor support
D. Patient with a healed fracture
Rationale: Dependence on high-dose vasoactive medications
indicates significant hemodynamic instability. Such patients
can deteriorate rapidly with changes in preload, afterload,
oxygenation, ventilation, or medication delivery during
transport.
7. Which action is most appropriate when transporting a
patient receiving a continuous vasopressor infusion?
A. Place the medication in an unmonitored peripheral
container
B. Stop the infusion temporarily during movement
