Test Bank for Priorities in Critical Care Nursing
9th Edition Urden Stacy Chapters 1–27
Complete Latest Updated
Unit 1: Foundations in Critical Care Nursing (Chapters 1–3)
1. During World War II, which type of specialized ward was developed to care for
critically injured patients?
A. Intensive care wards
B. Triage wards
C. Shock wards
D. Postoperative wards
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Shock wards were established during World War II to care for
critically injured patients, representing an early form of critical care organization.
Triage wards establish the order in which patients are seen or treated upon
arrival. Postoperative wards were developed earlier (around 1900) and later
evolved into intensive care units. Intensive care units as we know them today
developed after this period.
2. Which type of practitioner has a broad depth of specialty knowledge and
expertise and manages complex clinical and system issues?
A. Registered nurses
B. Advanced practice nurses
C. Clinical nurse leaders
D. Intensivists
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have a broad depth of knowledge
and expertise in their specialty area and manage complex clinical and systems
issues. Intensivists are medical practitioners who manage critically ill patients.
Registered nurses are generally direct care providers. Clinical nurse leaders
generally do not manage system issues at the advanced practice level.
3. Which professional organization administers critical care certification exams for
registered nurses?
A. State Board of Registered Nurses
B. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
C. Society of Critical Care Medicine
D. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
administers certification exams for registered nurses, including the CCRN and
PCCN credentials. The State Board of Registered Nurses handles licensure, not
certification. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and Society of
Critical Care Medicine do not administer nursing certification exams.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order who
develops severe dyspnea. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Withhold all interventions since the patient is DNR
B. Provide oxygen, suctioning, and pain management as needed
C. Ask the family if they want to change the code status
D. Begin chest compressions if the patient becomes unresponsive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A DNR order means no cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but
comfort care including oxygen, suctioning, and pain management remains
,appropriate and ethically required. DNR does not mean "do not treat."
Withholding all interventions would constitute neglect. Asking about code status
changes is not the priority when the patient is in distress. Chest compressions
would violate the DNR order.
5. The emphasis on human integrity and the theory that the body, mind, and spirit
are interdependent and inseparable describes which concept?
A. Holistic care
B. Individualized care
C. Evidence-based practice
D. Patient-centered care
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Holistic care emphasizes human integrity and stresses that the
body, mind, and spirit are interdependent and inseparable. Individualized care
focuses on tailoring interventions to the specific patient. Evidence-based practice
integrates research evidence with clinical expertise. Patient-centered care respects
patient preferences and values but does not specifically address the mind-spirit-
body connection in the same philosophical framework.
6. Which of the following are core roles of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in
critical care? (Select all that apply.)
A. Clinical expert
B. Educator
C. Researcher
D. Consultant
E. Primary prescriber
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
, Rationale: Clinical nurse specialists serve in specialty roles that use their
clinical, teaching, research, leadership, and consultative abilities. They are
instrumental in ensuring care is evidence-based and that safety programs are in
place. While some CNSs may have prescriptive authority depending on state
regulations, "primary prescriber" is not a core role of the CNS role definition.
7. A patient is being transferred from the ICU to a medical-surgical unit. Which
action best facilitates this care transition?
A. Completing the transfer during shift change for efficiency
B. Providing a structured handoff using a standardized communication tool
C. Sending the patient without documentation to expedite the move
D. Waiting until the patient is completely stable before initiating any planning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facilitating care transitions requires structured communication,
often using standardized handoff tools (such as SBAR) to ensure continuity of care
and patient safety. Completing transfers during shift change increases risk of
communication failures. Sending patients without documentation is unsafe and
unethical. Discharge/transfer planning should begin early, not only after full
stability.
8. Which ethical principle is most directly applied when a nurse respects a
patient's refusal of a recommended treatment?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Correct Answer: C
9th Edition Urden Stacy Chapters 1–27
Complete Latest Updated
Unit 1: Foundations in Critical Care Nursing (Chapters 1–3)
1. During World War II, which type of specialized ward was developed to care for
critically injured patients?
A. Intensive care wards
B. Triage wards
C. Shock wards
D. Postoperative wards
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Shock wards were established during World War II to care for
critically injured patients, representing an early form of critical care organization.
Triage wards establish the order in which patients are seen or treated upon
arrival. Postoperative wards were developed earlier (around 1900) and later
evolved into intensive care units. Intensive care units as we know them today
developed after this period.
2. Which type of practitioner has a broad depth of specialty knowledge and
expertise and manages complex clinical and system issues?
A. Registered nurses
B. Advanced practice nurses
C. Clinical nurse leaders
D. Intensivists
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have a broad depth of knowledge
and expertise in their specialty area and manage complex clinical and systems
issues. Intensivists are medical practitioners who manage critically ill patients.
Registered nurses are generally direct care providers. Clinical nurse leaders
generally do not manage system issues at the advanced practice level.
3. Which professional organization administers critical care certification exams for
registered nurses?
A. State Board of Registered Nurses
B. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
C. Society of Critical Care Medicine
D. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
administers certification exams for registered nurses, including the CCRN and
PCCN credentials. The State Board of Registered Nurses handles licensure, not
certification. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and Society of
Critical Care Medicine do not administer nursing certification exams.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order who
develops severe dyspnea. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Withhold all interventions since the patient is DNR
B. Provide oxygen, suctioning, and pain management as needed
C. Ask the family if they want to change the code status
D. Begin chest compressions if the patient becomes unresponsive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A DNR order means no cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but
comfort care including oxygen, suctioning, and pain management remains
,appropriate and ethically required. DNR does not mean "do not treat."
Withholding all interventions would constitute neglect. Asking about code status
changes is not the priority when the patient is in distress. Chest compressions
would violate the DNR order.
5. The emphasis on human integrity and the theory that the body, mind, and spirit
are interdependent and inseparable describes which concept?
A. Holistic care
B. Individualized care
C. Evidence-based practice
D. Patient-centered care
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Holistic care emphasizes human integrity and stresses that the
body, mind, and spirit are interdependent and inseparable. Individualized care
focuses on tailoring interventions to the specific patient. Evidence-based practice
integrates research evidence with clinical expertise. Patient-centered care respects
patient preferences and values but does not specifically address the mind-spirit-
body connection in the same philosophical framework.
6. Which of the following are core roles of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in
critical care? (Select all that apply.)
A. Clinical expert
B. Educator
C. Researcher
D. Consultant
E. Primary prescriber
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
, Rationale: Clinical nurse specialists serve in specialty roles that use their
clinical, teaching, research, leadership, and consultative abilities. They are
instrumental in ensuring care is evidence-based and that safety programs are in
place. While some CNSs may have prescriptive authority depending on state
regulations, "primary prescriber" is not a core role of the CNS role definition.
7. A patient is being transferred from the ICU to a medical-surgical unit. Which
action best facilitates this care transition?
A. Completing the transfer during shift change for efficiency
B. Providing a structured handoff using a standardized communication tool
C. Sending the patient without documentation to expedite the move
D. Waiting until the patient is completely stable before initiating any planning
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facilitating care transitions requires structured communication,
often using standardized handoff tools (such as SBAR) to ensure continuity of care
and patient safety. Completing transfers during shift change increases risk of
communication failures. Sending patients without documentation is unsafe and
unethical. Discharge/transfer planning should begin early, not only after full
stability.
8. Which ethical principle is most directly applied when a nurse respects a
patient's refusal of a recommended treatment?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Autonomy
D. Justice
Correct Answer: C
