2026 UPDATE
CRITICAL CARE NURSING: DIAGNOSIS AND
MANAGEMENT
10th Edition
Linda D. Urden, Kathleen M. Stacy, Mary E. Lough & Kimberly Sanchez
COMPLETE ORIGINAL PRACTICE TEST BANK
1,500 Questions • Correct Answers • Detailed Rationales
NCLEX-RN/NGN, CCRN & PCCN • Clinical Judgment • Chapter-by-Chapter Review
,Resource Coverage
Resource Coverage
Questions 1,500
Chapters 39
4-option multiple choice; correct answer and
Format
detailed rationale after each item
critical care nursing, hemodynamic and
respiratory assessment, emergencies, clinical
Focus
judgment, patient safety, and intensive care
management
Format Note: Questions are numbered continuously from 1 to 1,500. There is no separate
answer key; each answer and rationale follows its question.
,Chapter 1: Critical Care Nursing Practice
1. Which education point should the nurse reinforce before a patient with heat stroke
leaves the care setting?
A. avoid exertion in extreme heat and maintain hydration
B. use trauma safety measures and seek emergency care for major bleeding
C. learn CPR and activate emergency services immediately
D. carry epinephrine and avoid known triggers
Answer: A. avoid exertion in extreme heat and maintain hydration
Rationale: This instruction (avoid exertion in extreme heat and maintain hydration) supports
safer self-management of heat stroke and helps reduce the risk of rhabdomyolysis, DIC, or
multiorgan failure.
2. A patient receiving care related to Critical Care Nursing Practice is being evaluated for
anaphylactic shock. Which assessment finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. severe respiratory distress, unilateral absent breath sounds, hypotension, and obstructive
physiology
B. airway swelling, bronchospasm, hives, and hypotension
C. low core temperature with slowed cognition, bradycardia, or dysrhythmia
D. life-threatening airway, breathing, circulation, or neurologic problem
Answer: B. airway swelling, bronchospasm, hives, and hypotension
Rationale: The finding 'airway swelling, bronchospasm, hives, and hypotension' is the best
match for anaphylactic shock. Recognizing this pattern supports timely clinical judgment and
helps the nurse watch for airway obstruction and cardiac arrest.
3. Which assessment or diagnostic approach best supports evaluation of airway
compromise?
A. rhythm analysis and reversible-cause assessment
B. clinical diagnosis with ultrasound/chest imaging if stable
C. continuous airway and oxygenation assessment
D. core temperature, electrolytes, renal and coagulation tests
Answer: C. continuous airway and oxygenation assessment
Rationale: The most useful evaluation is continuous airway and oxygenation assessment.
These data help assess airway compromise, guide treatment, and detect deterioration or
complications such as cardiorespiratory arrest.
, 4. The nurse is updating the plan of care for hypothermia. Which action best reflects the
priority of care?
A. give intramuscular epinephrine and support airway/circulation
B. handle gently and rewarm according to severity
C. open and secure the airway immediately
D. perform immediate decompression without waiting for routine imaging when strongly
suspected
Answer: B. handle gently and rewarm according to severity
Rationale: The priority is to handle gently and rewarm according to severity. This action directly
addresses the immediate problem associated with hypothermia and helps reduce the risk of
ventricular dysrhythmia or cardiac arrest.
5. The nurse is evaluating risks associated with tension pneumothorax. Which
complication is most clinically significant?
A. cardiac arrest
B. death or hypoxic brain injury
C. ventricular dysrhythmia or cardiac arrest
D. preventable death from missed immediate threat
Answer: A. cardiac arrest
Rationale: Cardiac arrest is a major complication associated with tension pneumothorax.
Nursing care therefore emphasizes early recognition and the priority action to perform
immediate decompression without waiting for routine imaging when strongly suspected.
6. The nurse is teaching a patient about self-management of hemorrhagic shock. Which
instruction should be emphasized?
A. use layered protection and avoid prolonged cold exposure
B. use seat belts, helmets, and injury-prevention strategies
C. follow local emergency preparedness instructions
D. use trauma safety measures and seek emergency care for major bleeding
Answer: D. use trauma safety measures and seek emergency care for major bleeding
Rationale: This instruction (use trauma safety measures and seek emergency care for major
bleeding) supports safer self-management of hemorrhagic shock and helps reduce the risk of
multiorgan failure.
CRITICAL CARE NURSING: DIAGNOSIS AND
MANAGEMENT
10th Edition
Linda D. Urden, Kathleen M. Stacy, Mary E. Lough & Kimberly Sanchez
COMPLETE ORIGINAL PRACTICE TEST BANK
1,500 Questions • Correct Answers • Detailed Rationales
NCLEX-RN/NGN, CCRN & PCCN • Clinical Judgment • Chapter-by-Chapter Review
,Resource Coverage
Resource Coverage
Questions 1,500
Chapters 39
4-option multiple choice; correct answer and
Format
detailed rationale after each item
critical care nursing, hemodynamic and
respiratory assessment, emergencies, clinical
Focus
judgment, patient safety, and intensive care
management
Format Note: Questions are numbered continuously from 1 to 1,500. There is no separate
answer key; each answer and rationale follows its question.
,Chapter 1: Critical Care Nursing Practice
1. Which education point should the nurse reinforce before a patient with heat stroke
leaves the care setting?
A. avoid exertion in extreme heat and maintain hydration
B. use trauma safety measures and seek emergency care for major bleeding
C. learn CPR and activate emergency services immediately
D. carry epinephrine and avoid known triggers
Answer: A. avoid exertion in extreme heat and maintain hydration
Rationale: This instruction (avoid exertion in extreme heat and maintain hydration) supports
safer self-management of heat stroke and helps reduce the risk of rhabdomyolysis, DIC, or
multiorgan failure.
2. A patient receiving care related to Critical Care Nursing Practice is being evaluated for
anaphylactic shock. Which assessment finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. severe respiratory distress, unilateral absent breath sounds, hypotension, and obstructive
physiology
B. airway swelling, bronchospasm, hives, and hypotension
C. low core temperature with slowed cognition, bradycardia, or dysrhythmia
D. life-threatening airway, breathing, circulation, or neurologic problem
Answer: B. airway swelling, bronchospasm, hives, and hypotension
Rationale: The finding 'airway swelling, bronchospasm, hives, and hypotension' is the best
match for anaphylactic shock. Recognizing this pattern supports timely clinical judgment and
helps the nurse watch for airway obstruction and cardiac arrest.
3. Which assessment or diagnostic approach best supports evaluation of airway
compromise?
A. rhythm analysis and reversible-cause assessment
B. clinical diagnosis with ultrasound/chest imaging if stable
C. continuous airway and oxygenation assessment
D. core temperature, electrolytes, renal and coagulation tests
Answer: C. continuous airway and oxygenation assessment
Rationale: The most useful evaluation is continuous airway and oxygenation assessment.
These data help assess airway compromise, guide treatment, and detect deterioration or
complications such as cardiorespiratory arrest.
, 4. The nurse is updating the plan of care for hypothermia. Which action best reflects the
priority of care?
A. give intramuscular epinephrine and support airway/circulation
B. handle gently and rewarm according to severity
C. open and secure the airway immediately
D. perform immediate decompression without waiting for routine imaging when strongly
suspected
Answer: B. handle gently and rewarm according to severity
Rationale: The priority is to handle gently and rewarm according to severity. This action directly
addresses the immediate problem associated with hypothermia and helps reduce the risk of
ventricular dysrhythmia or cardiac arrest.
5. The nurse is evaluating risks associated with tension pneumothorax. Which
complication is most clinically significant?
A. cardiac arrest
B. death or hypoxic brain injury
C. ventricular dysrhythmia or cardiac arrest
D. preventable death from missed immediate threat
Answer: A. cardiac arrest
Rationale: Cardiac arrest is a major complication associated with tension pneumothorax.
Nursing care therefore emphasizes early recognition and the priority action to perform
immediate decompression without waiting for routine imaging when strongly suspected.
6. The nurse is teaching a patient about self-management of hemorrhagic shock. Which
instruction should be emphasized?
A. use layered protection and avoid prolonged cold exposure
B. use seat belts, helmets, and injury-prevention strategies
C. follow local emergency preparedness instructions
D. use trauma safety measures and seek emergency care for major bleeding
Answer: D. use trauma safety measures and seek emergency care for major bleeding
Rationale: This instruction (use trauma safety measures and seek emergency care for major
bleeding) supports safer self-management of hemorrhagic shock and helps reduce the risk of
multiorgan failure.
