CMC MONITORING AND DIAGNOSTIC |ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A patient is admitted with a history of multiple cardiovascular issues and poor intake over
the past few weeks. Data are:
SaO2 89%
SvO2 60%
CI 2.5 L/min/m2
PAOP 15 mm Hg
The nurse should:
Offer frequent fluids with intermittent oxygenation as needed
Start an IV for fluid challenge and administer oxygen via mask
Prepare for IV dobutamine (Dobutrex) drip and intubation
Perform noninvasive and invasive assessments every 30 minutes during therapy
CORRECT ANSWER
B- Start an IV for fluid challenge and administer oxygen via mask
Rationale: The parameters reflect a need for fluid and oxygen. Much of the hemodynamic
information obtained in a hypoperfusion state will trend in the same direction. One of the
challenges in fluid therapy is evaluation of the hemodynamic response and preload status
with fluid infusion, resulting in augmented stroke volume and CI. It is important to establish
what is causing hypoperfusion- a weak heart or dehydration-so that therapy can be directed
promptly and appropriately
Question 2
A patient is admitted with septic shock. Which mixed venous blood gas result should the
nurse anticipate?
1
,pH 7.36, PvCO2 50, SvO2 65%
pH 7.31, PvCO2 49, SvO2 57%
pH 7.32, PvCO2 41, SvO2 80%
pH 7.35, PvCO2 46, SvO2 72%
CORRECT ANSWER
B- pH 7.31, PvCO2 49, SvO2 57%
Rationale: Septic shock induces a hypermetabolic state characterized by an increase in
resting energy consumption. This will result in increased oxygen consumption and a
decrease in SvO2.
Question 3
Which monitoring parameter is the BEST choice for evaluating tissue oxygenation?
EF
PAOP
SVR
SvO2
CORRECT ANSWER
D- SvO2
Rationale: SvO2 is a reflection of the end result of the balance between oxygen delivery and
oxygen consumption. SvO2 can be used to guide treatment based on adequate oxygenation
to the tissues.
Question 4
A patient with severe diarrhea and prolonged nasogastric suction has suddenly developed
chest pain and shortness of breath. Data are: BP 92/50, HR 188, RR 24.
Ca++ 7.5 mg/dL (decreased)
Mag 1.1 mEq/dL (decreased)
2
, Na+ 135 mEq/L
This rhythm ( ) is noted on the cardiac monitor. The nurses INITIAL actions should be:
Teaching the patient and family about dietary requirements
Emergent cardioversion
Administration of IV magnesium sulfate
Determining the primary cause of the lab values
CORRECT ANSWER
C- Administration of IV magnesium sulfate
Rationale: The patient requires resuscitation with magnesium sulfate to reverse this
particular type of ventricular tachycardia. Cardioversion should be avoided. While the
eventual determination of the hypomagnesemia is important to prevent future occurrence,
the resuscitation should take precedent. Dietary education should occur later. Magnesium
supplements may need to be added if symptoms persist.
Question 5
A patient is admitted with aspiration pneumonia. The following day, data are: BP 88/50,
HR 114, RR 28, T 100.4F. Which ABG result should the nurse anticipate?
pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 , PaO2 70, HCO3 23, SaO2 92%
pH 7.32, PaCO2 34 , PaO2 58, HCO3 19, SaO2 89%
pH 7.54, PaCO2 48 , PaO2 50, HCO3 28, SaO2 85%
pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 , PaO2 60, HCO3 24, SaO2 90%
CORRECT ANSWER
D- pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 , PaO2 60, HCO3 24, SaO2 90%
Rationale: The patient has a risk factor and signs of ARDS. Early ARDS manifests as
respiratory alkalosis.
Question 6
3
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A patient is admitted with a history of multiple cardiovascular issues and poor intake over
the past few weeks. Data are:
SaO2 89%
SvO2 60%
CI 2.5 L/min/m2
PAOP 15 mm Hg
The nurse should:
Offer frequent fluids with intermittent oxygenation as needed
Start an IV for fluid challenge and administer oxygen via mask
Prepare for IV dobutamine (Dobutrex) drip and intubation
Perform noninvasive and invasive assessments every 30 minutes during therapy
CORRECT ANSWER
B- Start an IV for fluid challenge and administer oxygen via mask
Rationale: The parameters reflect a need for fluid and oxygen. Much of the hemodynamic
information obtained in a hypoperfusion state will trend in the same direction. One of the
challenges in fluid therapy is evaluation of the hemodynamic response and preload status
with fluid infusion, resulting in augmented stroke volume and CI. It is important to establish
what is causing hypoperfusion- a weak heart or dehydration-so that therapy can be directed
promptly and appropriately
Question 2
A patient is admitted with septic shock. Which mixed venous blood gas result should the
nurse anticipate?
1
,pH 7.36, PvCO2 50, SvO2 65%
pH 7.31, PvCO2 49, SvO2 57%
pH 7.32, PvCO2 41, SvO2 80%
pH 7.35, PvCO2 46, SvO2 72%
CORRECT ANSWER
B- pH 7.31, PvCO2 49, SvO2 57%
Rationale: Septic shock induces a hypermetabolic state characterized by an increase in
resting energy consumption. This will result in increased oxygen consumption and a
decrease in SvO2.
Question 3
Which monitoring parameter is the BEST choice for evaluating tissue oxygenation?
EF
PAOP
SVR
SvO2
CORRECT ANSWER
D- SvO2
Rationale: SvO2 is a reflection of the end result of the balance between oxygen delivery and
oxygen consumption. SvO2 can be used to guide treatment based on adequate oxygenation
to the tissues.
Question 4
A patient with severe diarrhea and prolonged nasogastric suction has suddenly developed
chest pain and shortness of breath. Data are: BP 92/50, HR 188, RR 24.
Ca++ 7.5 mg/dL (decreased)
Mag 1.1 mEq/dL (decreased)
2
, Na+ 135 mEq/L
This rhythm ( ) is noted on the cardiac monitor. The nurses INITIAL actions should be:
Teaching the patient and family about dietary requirements
Emergent cardioversion
Administration of IV magnesium sulfate
Determining the primary cause of the lab values
CORRECT ANSWER
C- Administration of IV magnesium sulfate
Rationale: The patient requires resuscitation with magnesium sulfate to reverse this
particular type of ventricular tachycardia. Cardioversion should be avoided. While the
eventual determination of the hypomagnesemia is important to prevent future occurrence,
the resuscitation should take precedent. Dietary education should occur later. Magnesium
supplements may need to be added if symptoms persist.
Question 5
A patient is admitted with aspiration pneumonia. The following day, data are: BP 88/50,
HR 114, RR 28, T 100.4F. Which ABG result should the nurse anticipate?
pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 , PaO2 70, HCO3 23, SaO2 92%
pH 7.32, PaCO2 34 , PaO2 58, HCO3 19, SaO2 89%
pH 7.54, PaCO2 48 , PaO2 50, HCO3 28, SaO2 85%
pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 , PaO2 60, HCO3 24, SaO2 90%
CORRECT ANSWER
D- pH 7.50, PaCO2 30 , PaO2 60, HCO3 24, SaO2 90%
Rationale: The patient has a risk factor and signs of ARDS. Early ARDS manifests as
respiratory alkalosis.
Question 6
3
