ICU Healthstream UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
A patient admitted to the ICU has been diagnosed with blunt abdominal trauma following an
altercation. Upon assessment, the patient reports severe pain. Further assessment includes
Cullen's sign, Grey Turner's sign, and rigid abdomen despite nasogastric tube placement for
decompression. The patient is most likely experiencing: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Hemorrhage
A patient is experiencing a cardiogenic shock. The nurse understands the goal of treatment
focuses on increasing the: - CORRECT ANSWER - Cardiac Output
The patient diagnosed with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and experiencing severe dehydration,
sepsis, and pneumonia is now in the polyureic stage of ATN. The most important nursing action
is to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Monitor electrolyte levels and signs of fluid depletion
The mechanically ventilated patient has increased respiratory rate ranging from 12-24 and
oxygen saturation decreased to 90% despite oxygen increase to 100%. The patient assessment
reveals basilar crackles that were not previously present, high peak airway pressures, and use of
accessory muscles. Arterial blood gas reveals pH 7.50, pCO2 32, and pO2 49. Chest X-ray
results are significant for diffuse ground glass opacities. The patient is likely experiencing: -
CORRECT ANSWER - Acute respiratory distress syndrome
A patient is a victim of a motor vehicle accident and has closed chest trauma. As you assess your
patient, you notice that he has diminished breath sounds. Your patient is most likely experiencing
a: - CORRECT ANSWER - pneumothorax.
Which drug is given first to a patient with pulseless electrical activity (PEA)? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Epinephrine
What would be the most effective intervention to be ordered to treat a hemodynamically unstable
patient with third-degree heart block? - CORRECT ANSWER - Transcutaneous pacing
, You are caring for a patient with severe sepsis and third-degree heart block. The patient is
hypotensive. The treatment for this life-threatening rhythm change includes: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Transcutaneous pacing
A patient assessment reveals distended neck veins, pulsus paradoxus, and decreased systolic
pressure. This assessment is most consistent with: - CORRECT ANSWER - Cardiac
tamponade
A mechanically ventilated patient from the OR is admitted to the ICU following an MVA. The
patient experienced head trauma and blunt trauma to the abdomen. You are assessing this patient
and notice that his heart rate is 130-145 per minute in sinus tachycardia; his CVP is 2. The
patient remains hypotensive despite the use of vasopressors. The patient has a chest tube
connected to wall suction and the TAC is putting out large amounts of bright red blood. You
recognize that this patient is most likely experiencing: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Hypovolemic shock
A patient has an elevated central venous pressure measurement. The most likely reason is: -
CORRECT ANSWER - Right heart failure
A 46-year-old patient states that he has had weakness in his lower extremities that has worsened
in an ascending manner over the past 3 days. The patient also states he is having difficulty
breathing. The nurse is most concerned that this patient is at high risk for respiratory failure
caused by: - CORRECT ANSWER - Guillain-Barré syndrome
A patient is experiencing a change in condition. Your assessment is significant for oliguria,
jugular vein distention, and dyspnea on exertion. You review laboratory values and notice that
the isoenzymes are not elevated. The most likely explanation is that the patient is experiencing: -
CORRECT ANSWER - Heart failure
A patient with pancreatitis is admitted to the ICU. Over the next few hours, the nurse notices the
patient has increasing tachypnea. An arterial blood gas is obtained and reveals pH 7.33, pCO2
35, pO2 92, HCO3 20. The patient is most likely experiencing: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Metabolic acidosis
Questions and CORRECT Answers
A patient admitted to the ICU has been diagnosed with blunt abdominal trauma following an
altercation. Upon assessment, the patient reports severe pain. Further assessment includes
Cullen's sign, Grey Turner's sign, and rigid abdomen despite nasogastric tube placement for
decompression. The patient is most likely experiencing: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Hemorrhage
A patient is experiencing a cardiogenic shock. The nurse understands the goal of treatment
focuses on increasing the: - CORRECT ANSWER - Cardiac Output
The patient diagnosed with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and experiencing severe dehydration,
sepsis, and pneumonia is now in the polyureic stage of ATN. The most important nursing action
is to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Monitor electrolyte levels and signs of fluid depletion
The mechanically ventilated patient has increased respiratory rate ranging from 12-24 and
oxygen saturation decreased to 90% despite oxygen increase to 100%. The patient assessment
reveals basilar crackles that were not previously present, high peak airway pressures, and use of
accessory muscles. Arterial blood gas reveals pH 7.50, pCO2 32, and pO2 49. Chest X-ray
results are significant for diffuse ground glass opacities. The patient is likely experiencing: -
CORRECT ANSWER - Acute respiratory distress syndrome
A patient is a victim of a motor vehicle accident and has closed chest trauma. As you assess your
patient, you notice that he has diminished breath sounds. Your patient is most likely experiencing
a: - CORRECT ANSWER - pneumothorax.
Which drug is given first to a patient with pulseless electrical activity (PEA)? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Epinephrine
What would be the most effective intervention to be ordered to treat a hemodynamically unstable
patient with third-degree heart block? - CORRECT ANSWER - Transcutaneous pacing
, You are caring for a patient with severe sepsis and third-degree heart block. The patient is
hypotensive. The treatment for this life-threatening rhythm change includes: - CORRECT
ANSWER - Transcutaneous pacing
A patient assessment reveals distended neck veins, pulsus paradoxus, and decreased systolic
pressure. This assessment is most consistent with: - CORRECT ANSWER - Cardiac
tamponade
A mechanically ventilated patient from the OR is admitted to the ICU following an MVA. The
patient experienced head trauma and blunt trauma to the abdomen. You are assessing this patient
and notice that his heart rate is 130-145 per minute in sinus tachycardia; his CVP is 2. The
patient remains hypotensive despite the use of vasopressors. The patient has a chest tube
connected to wall suction and the TAC is putting out large amounts of bright red blood. You
recognize that this patient is most likely experiencing: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Hypovolemic shock
A patient has an elevated central venous pressure measurement. The most likely reason is: -
CORRECT ANSWER - Right heart failure
A 46-year-old patient states that he has had weakness in his lower extremities that has worsened
in an ascending manner over the past 3 days. The patient also states he is having difficulty
breathing. The nurse is most concerned that this patient is at high risk for respiratory failure
caused by: - CORRECT ANSWER - Guillain-Barré syndrome
A patient is experiencing a change in condition. Your assessment is significant for oliguria,
jugular vein distention, and dyspnea on exertion. You review laboratory values and notice that
the isoenzymes are not elevated. The most likely explanation is that the patient is experiencing: -
CORRECT ANSWER - Heart failure
A patient with pancreatitis is admitted to the ICU. Over the next few hours, the nurse notices the
patient has increasing tachypnea. An arterial blood gas is obtained and reveals pH 7.33, pCO2
35, pO2 92, HCO3 20. The patient is most likely experiencing: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Metabolic acidosis
