Critical Care Practice Questions | 2026/2027 | Answers
Correct | With Complete Solutions
A chest X-ray is prescribed for a client with possible adult
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which radiographic
finding represents the pathological processes of pulmonary
edema and consolidation of the lungs as ARDS progresses ?
A) White-out appearance.
B) Infiltrates.
C) Calcified cavities.
D) Multiple nodules. Correct Answers A) White-out
appearance.
A client diagnosed with an end-stage terminal illness has
decided to discontinue treatment. The client has become very
detached and does not want to participate in the plan of care.
Which action should the nurse implement first?
A) Initiate a referral for a mental health consultation.
B) Encourage the client to participate in their plan of care.
C) Review the client's medical record for documented religious
preference.
D) Contact the hospital chaplain to provide spiritual counseling
and guidance. Correct Answers C) Review the clients medical
record for documented religious preferences
A client diagnosed with gastric ulcers is admitted for a
cauterization procedure. Which finding(s) should the nurse
report to the healthcare provider? (Select all that apply.)
A) Decreased level of consciousness.
B) Hypoactive bowel sounds.
C) Decreased urine output.
,D) Coffee-ground vomitus.
E) Positive guaiac stools Correct Answers A) Decreased level
of consciousness. Correct
C) Decreased urine output.
A client diagnosed with heart failure has hemodynamic
monitoring in place. Which actions should the nurse perform to
obtain accurate readings from the hemodynamic monitor?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Measure the pressure readings in between the client's breaths.
B) Place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary
artery level.
C) Maintain a maximum pressure of 100 mmHg for the flush
line continuously.
D) Change out the intravenous solutions infusing via central
lines every 12 hours.
E) Calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the
transducer at the start of each shift. Correct Answers A)
Measure the pressure readings in between the client's breaths.
Correct
B) Place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary
artery level.
E) Calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the
transducer at the start of each shift.
A client falls off a ladder approximately 15 feet high and is
admitted to the ICU for observation due to a small intracranial
bleed noted in the left occipital area of the brain as observed on
the CT Scan done in the emergency department. The client has
been stable for the past 12 hours. The client reports to the nurse
, a new onset of pain in the left shoulder. Which action should the
nurse do next?
A) Contact the healthcare provider.
B) Perform an abdominal assessment.
C) Observe the client's pupillary response.
D) Examine the left shoulder's range of motion. Correct
Answers B) Perform an abdominal assessment
A client in the intensive care unit receives a STAT prescription
for mannitol IV for cerebral edema post closed head injury.
Which action should the nurse implement when preparing to
administer the medication?
A) Use a filtered needle to draw up the medication and an in-line
filter during infusion.
B) Place atropine at bedside for use if the client has bradycardia
during administration.
C) Hyperventilate the client prior to administration to decrease
intracranial pressure.
D) Stop all sedation while mannitol is being administered per
secondary infusion. Correct Answers A) Use a filtered needle
to draw up the medication and an in-line filter during infusion.
A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with urosepsis.
Which findings should the nurse report to the healthcare who
suspects the client is at risk systemic inflammatory response
syndrome (SIRS)?
A) Temperature 102 F (38.9 C), PaCO 2 28, and apical pulse
100 beats per minute.
B) Temperature 101 F (38.3 C), PaCO 2 55, apical pulse 80
beats per minute.
Correct | With Complete Solutions
A chest X-ray is prescribed for a client with possible adult
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which radiographic
finding represents the pathological processes of pulmonary
edema and consolidation of the lungs as ARDS progresses ?
A) White-out appearance.
B) Infiltrates.
C) Calcified cavities.
D) Multiple nodules. Correct Answers A) White-out
appearance.
A client diagnosed with an end-stage terminal illness has
decided to discontinue treatment. The client has become very
detached and does not want to participate in the plan of care.
Which action should the nurse implement first?
A) Initiate a referral for a mental health consultation.
B) Encourage the client to participate in their plan of care.
C) Review the client's medical record for documented religious
preference.
D) Contact the hospital chaplain to provide spiritual counseling
and guidance. Correct Answers C) Review the clients medical
record for documented religious preferences
A client diagnosed with gastric ulcers is admitted for a
cauterization procedure. Which finding(s) should the nurse
report to the healthcare provider? (Select all that apply.)
A) Decreased level of consciousness.
B) Hypoactive bowel sounds.
C) Decreased urine output.
,D) Coffee-ground vomitus.
E) Positive guaiac stools Correct Answers A) Decreased level
of consciousness. Correct
C) Decreased urine output.
A client diagnosed with heart failure has hemodynamic
monitoring in place. Which actions should the nurse perform to
obtain accurate readings from the hemodynamic monitor?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Measure the pressure readings in between the client's breaths.
B) Place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary
artery level.
C) Maintain a maximum pressure of 100 mmHg for the flush
line continuously.
D) Change out the intravenous solutions infusing via central
lines every 12 hours.
E) Calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the
transducer at the start of each shift. Correct Answers A)
Measure the pressure readings in between the client's breaths.
Correct
B) Place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary
artery level.
E) Calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the
transducer at the start of each shift.
A client falls off a ladder approximately 15 feet high and is
admitted to the ICU for observation due to a small intracranial
bleed noted in the left occipital area of the brain as observed on
the CT Scan done in the emergency department. The client has
been stable for the past 12 hours. The client reports to the nurse
, a new onset of pain in the left shoulder. Which action should the
nurse do next?
A) Contact the healthcare provider.
B) Perform an abdominal assessment.
C) Observe the client's pupillary response.
D) Examine the left shoulder's range of motion. Correct
Answers B) Perform an abdominal assessment
A client in the intensive care unit receives a STAT prescription
for mannitol IV for cerebral edema post closed head injury.
Which action should the nurse implement when preparing to
administer the medication?
A) Use a filtered needle to draw up the medication and an in-line
filter during infusion.
B) Place atropine at bedside for use if the client has bradycardia
during administration.
C) Hyperventilate the client prior to administration to decrease
intracranial pressure.
D) Stop all sedation while mannitol is being administered per
secondary infusion. Correct Answers A) Use a filtered needle
to draw up the medication and an in-line filter during infusion.
A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with urosepsis.
Which findings should the nurse report to the healthcare who
suspects the client is at risk systemic inflammatory response
syndrome (SIRS)?
A) Temperature 102 F (38.9 C), PaCO 2 28, and apical pulse
100 beats per minute.
B) Temperature 101 F (38.3 C), PaCO 2 55, apical pulse 80
beats per minute.
