Answers 2025
Professional organizations that support critical care practice -
correct answers ✅✅American Association of Critical Care Nurses
(AACN), Society of Critical Care Medicine
What is the mission of AACN? - correct answers ✅✅assisting
acute and critical care nurses to attain knowledge and influence
to deliver excellent care
What is the vision of AACN? - correct answers ✅✅supports
creating a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and
families in which critical care nurses make their optimal
contributions...synergy
What are the values of AACN? - correct answers
✅✅accountability, advocacy, integrity, collaboration, leadership,
stewardship, lifelong learning, quality, innovation, commitment
Explain the synergy model and recognize how it is used in
practice - correct answers ✅✅- framework that aligns patient
needs w nurse competencies
- needs of patient drive nurse competencies for patient care
What types of certifications are available for ICU nurses? - correct
answers ✅✅CCRN - critically ill adult, pediatric or neonatal pts
PCCN - acute care in progressive care, telemetry
AACN - nurse managers and leaders
,Critical Care Exam 1 Question And
Answers 2025
Why are certifications important? - correct answers ✅✅validates
knowledge of critical care nursing, promotes professional
excellence, helps nurses to maintain current knowledge base
What are three specific projects/organizations in place to assist
nurses in providing safe care? - correct answers ✅✅Quality and
Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Rapid response teams/joint commission (?)
What types of measures do safe care organizations implement? -
correct answers ✅✅Safety, reduce infections, bundles of care
What is a bundle of care? Give an example. - correct answers
✅✅Set of 3-5 EBPs that when put together significantly improve
pt outcomes
ex - ventilator bundle -- HOB elevated, DVT prophylaxis, holding a
sedative to determine pt readiness to get off vent
What are some barriers to effective handoff communication? -
correct answers ✅✅physical setting, social setting, language,
communication medium
ex - background noise, different languages, email vs text vs
paper, status issues
, Critical Care Exam 1 Question And
Answers 2025
What standardized measures have been implemented to help
prevent communication breakdown at shift change? - correct
answers ✅✅SBAR, checklists
What are examples of things you may need to communicate
during multi-professional rounds? - correct answers ✅✅D/C
needs, greatest safety risk, assessment and followup,
implementation of bundles, assess need for all ordered meds,
identify whether central lines & catheters can be removed, code
status, family needs, advance directives, when to call MD, tx
goals
What types of things contribute to sensory overload/deprivation in
a critical care environment? - correct answers ✅✅noise level,
environment different than surroundings causing hallucinations,
lighting
What types of interventions can nurses implement to combat
sensory overload/deprivation? - correct answers ✅✅Noise: place
pt in private room, soundproof ceiling tiles, sedative music,
quickly assess alarms
Hallucinations: post family photos, encourage visitation, interact
w pt
Use natural lighting
help design optimal and safe environment
What types of stressors do patients identify from their critical care
experience? - correct answers ✅✅difficulty communicating, pain,