Chapter 1: Overview of Critical Care Nursing
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following professional organizations best supports critical care nursing practice?
a. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
b. American Heart Association
c. American Nurses Association
d. Society of Critical Care Medicine
ANS: A
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is the specialty organization that supports
and represents critical care nurses. The American Heart Association supports cardiovascular
initiatives. The American Nurses Association supports all nurses. The Society of Critical
Care Medicine represents the multiprofessional critical care team under the direction of an
intensivist.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 4
OBJ: Discuss the purposes and functions of the professional organizations that support critical care
practice. TOP: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. A nurse has been working as a staff nurse in the surgical intensive care unit for 2 years and
is interested in certification. Which credential would be most applicable for her to seek?
a. ACNPC
b. CCNS
c. CCRN
d. PCCN
ANS: C
The CCRN certification is appropriate for nurses in bedside practice who care for critically
ill patients. The ACNPC certification is for acute care nurse practitioners. The CCNS
certification is for critical care clinical nurse specialists. The PCCN certification is for staff
nurses working in progressive care, intermediate care, or step-down unit settings.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 5
OBJ: Explain certification options for critical care nurses. TOP: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. The main purpose of certification is to:
a. assure the consumer that you will not make a mistake.
b. prepare for graduate school.
c. promote magnet status for your facility.
d. validate knowledge of critical care nursing.
ANS: D
, Certification assists in validating knowledge of the field, promotes excellence in the
profession, and helps nurses to maintain their knowledge of critical care nursing. Certification
helps to assure the consumer that the nurse has a minimum level of knowledge; however, it
does not ensure that care will be mistake-free. Certification does not prepare one for graduate
school; however, achieving certification demonstrates motivation for achievement and
professionalism. Magnet facilities are rated on the number of certified nurses; however, that
is not the purpose of certification.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: pp. 4-5
OBJ: Explain certification options for critical care nurses. TOP: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
4. The zsynergy zmodel zof zpractice zfocuses zon: z
a. allowing zunrestricted zvisiting zfor zthe zpatient z24 zhours zeach zday. z
b. holistic zand zalternative ztherapies. z
c. needs zof zpatients zand ztheir zfamilies, zwhich zdrives znursing zcompetency. z
d. patients’ zneeds zfor zenergy zand zsupport. z
ANS: zC
The zsynergy zmodel zof zpractice zstates zthat zthe zneeds zof zpatients zand zfamilies zinfluence
zand zdrive zcompetencies zof znurses. zNursing zpractice zbased zon zthe zsynergy zmodel zwould
zinvolve ztailored zvisiting zto zmeet zthe zpatient’s zand zfamily’s zneeds zand zapplication zof
zalternative ztherapies zif zdesired zby zthe zpatient, zbut zthat zis znot zthe zprimary zfocus zof zthe
zmodel.
DIF: Cognitive zLevel: zApplication REF: zp. z5 z| zFig. z1-3
OBJ: Describe zstandards zof zprofessional zpractice zfor zcritical zcare znursing.
MSC: zNCLEX: zSafe zand zEffective zCare
TOP: Nursing zProcess zStep: zN/A zEnvironment
15. The zfamily zof zyour zcritically zill zpatient ztells zyou zthat zthey zhave znot zspoken zwith zthe
zphysician zin zover z24 zhours zand zthey zhave zsome zquestions zthat zthey zwant zclarified.
zDuring zmorning zrounds, zyou zconvey zthis zconcern zto zthe zattending zintensivist zand
zarrange zfor zher zto zmeet zwith zthe zfamily zat z4:00 zPM zin zthe zconference zroom. zWhich
zcompetency zof zcritical zcare znursing zdoes zthis zrepresent? z
a. Advocacy zand zmoral zagency zin zsolving zethical zissues z
b. Clinical zjudgment zand zclinical zreasoning zskills z
c. Collaboration zwith zpatients, zfamilies, zand zteam zmembers z
d. Facilitation zof zlearning zfor zpatients, zfamilies, zand zteam zmembers z
ANS: zC
Although zone zmight zconsider zthat zall zof zthese zcompetencies zare zbeing
zaddressed, zcommunication zand zcollaboration zwith zthe zfamily zand zphysician
zbest zexemplify zthe zcompetency zof zcollaboration.
DIF: Cognitive zLevel: zAnalysis REF: zp. z9
OBJ: Describe zstandards zof zprofessional zpractice zfor zcritical zcare znursing.
MSC: zNCLEX: zSafe zand zEffective zCare
TOP: Nursing zProcess zStep: zN/A zEnvironment
6. The zAACN zStandards zfor zAcute zand zCritical zCare zNursing zPractice zuse zwhat
zframework zto zguide zcritical zcare znursing zpractice? z
,a. Evidence-based zpractice z
b. Healthy zwork zenvironment z
, c. National zPatient zSafety zGoals z
d. Nursing zprocess z
ANS: zD
The zAACN zStandards zfor zAcute zand zCritical zCare zNursing zPractice zdelineate zthe
znursing zprocess zas zapplied zto zcritically zill zpatients: zcollect zdata, zdetermine zdiagnoses,
zidentify zexpected zoutcomes, zdevelop za zplan zof zcare, zimplement zinterventions, zand
zevaluate zcare. zAACN zpromotes za zhealthy zwork zenvironment, zbut zthis zis znot zincluded zin
zthe zStandards. zThe zJoint zCommission zhas zestablished zNational zPatient zSafety zGoals,
zbut zthese zare znot zthe zAACN zStandards.
DIF: Cognitive zLevel: zAnalysis REF: zp. z5 z| zBox z1-2
OBJ: Describe zstandards zof zprofessional zpractice zfor zcritical zcare znursing.
MSC: zNCLEX: zSafe zand zEffective zCare
TOP: Nursing zProcess zStep: zN/A zEnvironment
7. The zcharge znurse zis zresponsible zfor zmaking zthe zpatient zassignments zon zthe zcritical
zcare zunit. zShe zassigns zthe zexperienced, zcertified znurse zto zcare zfor zthe zacutely zill
zpatient zwith zsepsis zwho zalso zrequires zcontinuous zrenal zreplacement ztherapy zand
zmechanical zventilation. zShe zassigns zthe znurse zwith zless zthan z1 zyear zof zexperience zto
ztwo zpatients zwho zare zmore zstable. zThis zassignment zreflects zimplementation zof zthe: z
a. crew zresource zmanagement zmodel z
b. National zPatient zSafety zGoals z
c. Quality zand zSafety zEducation zfor zNurses z(QSEN) zmodel z
d. synergy zmodel zof zpractice z
ANS: zD
This zassignment zdemonstrates znursing zcare zto zmeet zthe zneeds zof zthe zpatient. zThe
zsynergy zmodel znotes zthat zthe znurse zcompetencies zare zmatched zto zthe zpatient
zcharacteristics. zCrew zresource zmanagement zconcepts zrelated zto zteam ztraining, zNational
zPatient zSafety zGoals zare zspecified zby zThe zJoint zCommission zto zpromote zsafe zcare zbut
zdo znot zincorporate zthe zsynergy zmodel. zThe zQuality zand zSafety zEducation zfor zNurses
zinitiative zinvolves ztargeted zeducation zto zundergraduate zand zgraduate znursing zstudents
zto zlearn zquality zand zsafety zconcepts.
DIF: Cognitive zLevel: zAnalysis REF: zp. z5 z| zFig. z1-3
OBJ: Describe zstandards zof zprofessional zpractice zfor zcritical zcare znursing.
MSC: zNCLEX: zSafe zand zEffective zCare
TOP: Nursing zProcess zStep: zN/A zEnvironment
8. The zvision zof zthe zAmerican zAssociation zof zCritical-Care zNurses zis za zhealthcare zsystem
zdriven zby: z
a. a zhealthy zwork zenvironment. z
b. care zfrom za zmultiprofessional zteam zunder zthe zdirection zof za zcritical zcare zphysician. z
c. the zneeds zof zcritically zill zpatients zand zfamilies. z
d. respectful, zhealing, zand zhumane zenvironments. z
ANS: zC
The zAACN zvision zis za zhealthcare zsystem zdriven zby zthe zneeds zof zcritically zill
zpatients zand zfamilies zwhere zcritical zcare znurses zmake ztheir zoptimum zcontributions.
zAACN zpromotes zinitiatives zto zsupport za zhealthy zwork zenvironment zas zwell zas
zrespectful zand zhealing zenvironments, zbut zthat zis znot zthe zorganization’s zvision. zThe
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following professional organizations best supports critical care nursing practice?
a. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
b. American Heart Association
c. American Nurses Association
d. Society of Critical Care Medicine
ANS: A
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is the specialty organization that supports
and represents critical care nurses. The American Heart Association supports cardiovascular
initiatives. The American Nurses Association supports all nurses. The Society of Critical
Care Medicine represents the multiprofessional critical care team under the direction of an
intensivist.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p. 4
OBJ: Discuss the purposes and functions of the professional organizations that support critical care
practice. TOP: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. A nurse has been working as a staff nurse in the surgical intensive care unit for 2 years and
is interested in certification. Which credential would be most applicable for her to seek?
a. ACNPC
b. CCNS
c. CCRN
d. PCCN
ANS: C
The CCRN certification is appropriate for nurses in bedside practice who care for critically
ill patients. The ACNPC certification is for acute care nurse practitioners. The CCNS
certification is for critical care clinical nurse specialists. The PCCN certification is for staff
nurses working in progressive care, intermediate care, or step-down unit settings.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 5
OBJ: Explain certification options for critical care nurses. TOP: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. The main purpose of certification is to:
a. assure the consumer that you will not make a mistake.
b. prepare for graduate school.
c. promote magnet status for your facility.
d. validate knowledge of critical care nursing.
ANS: D
, Certification assists in validating knowledge of the field, promotes excellence in the
profession, and helps nurses to maintain their knowledge of critical care nursing. Certification
helps to assure the consumer that the nurse has a minimum level of knowledge; however, it
does not ensure that care will be mistake-free. Certification does not prepare one for graduate
school; however, achieving certification demonstrates motivation for achievement and
professionalism. Magnet facilities are rated on the number of certified nurses; however, that
is not the purpose of certification.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: pp. 4-5
OBJ: Explain certification options for critical care nurses. TOP: Nursing Process Step: N/A
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
4. The zsynergy zmodel zof zpractice zfocuses zon: z
a. allowing zunrestricted zvisiting zfor zthe zpatient z24 zhours zeach zday. z
b. holistic zand zalternative ztherapies. z
c. needs zof zpatients zand ztheir zfamilies, zwhich zdrives znursing zcompetency. z
d. patients’ zneeds zfor zenergy zand zsupport. z
ANS: zC
The zsynergy zmodel zof zpractice zstates zthat zthe zneeds zof zpatients zand zfamilies zinfluence
zand zdrive zcompetencies zof znurses. zNursing zpractice zbased zon zthe zsynergy zmodel zwould
zinvolve ztailored zvisiting zto zmeet zthe zpatient’s zand zfamily’s zneeds zand zapplication zof
zalternative ztherapies zif zdesired zby zthe zpatient, zbut zthat zis znot zthe zprimary zfocus zof zthe
zmodel.
DIF: Cognitive zLevel: zApplication REF: zp. z5 z| zFig. z1-3
OBJ: Describe zstandards zof zprofessional zpractice zfor zcritical zcare znursing.
MSC: zNCLEX: zSafe zand zEffective zCare
TOP: Nursing zProcess zStep: zN/A zEnvironment
15. The zfamily zof zyour zcritically zill zpatient ztells zyou zthat zthey zhave znot zspoken zwith zthe
zphysician zin zover z24 zhours zand zthey zhave zsome zquestions zthat zthey zwant zclarified.
zDuring zmorning zrounds, zyou zconvey zthis zconcern zto zthe zattending zintensivist zand
zarrange zfor zher zto zmeet zwith zthe zfamily zat z4:00 zPM zin zthe zconference zroom. zWhich
zcompetency zof zcritical zcare znursing zdoes zthis zrepresent? z
a. Advocacy zand zmoral zagency zin zsolving zethical zissues z
b. Clinical zjudgment zand zclinical zreasoning zskills z
c. Collaboration zwith zpatients, zfamilies, zand zteam zmembers z
d. Facilitation zof zlearning zfor zpatients, zfamilies, zand zteam zmembers z
ANS: zC
Although zone zmight zconsider zthat zall zof zthese zcompetencies zare zbeing
zaddressed, zcommunication zand zcollaboration zwith zthe zfamily zand zphysician
zbest zexemplify zthe zcompetency zof zcollaboration.
DIF: Cognitive zLevel: zAnalysis REF: zp. z9
OBJ: Describe zstandards zof zprofessional zpractice zfor zcritical zcare znursing.
MSC: zNCLEX: zSafe zand zEffective zCare
TOP: Nursing zProcess zStep: zN/A zEnvironment
6. The zAACN zStandards zfor zAcute zand zCritical zCare zNursing zPractice zuse zwhat
zframework zto zguide zcritical zcare znursing zpractice? z
,a. Evidence-based zpractice z
b. Healthy zwork zenvironment z
, c. National zPatient zSafety zGoals z
d. Nursing zprocess z
ANS: zD
The zAACN zStandards zfor zAcute zand zCritical zCare zNursing zPractice zdelineate zthe
znursing zprocess zas zapplied zto zcritically zill zpatients: zcollect zdata, zdetermine zdiagnoses,
zidentify zexpected zoutcomes, zdevelop za zplan zof zcare, zimplement zinterventions, zand
zevaluate zcare. zAACN zpromotes za zhealthy zwork zenvironment, zbut zthis zis znot zincluded zin
zthe zStandards. zThe zJoint zCommission zhas zestablished zNational zPatient zSafety zGoals,
zbut zthese zare znot zthe zAACN zStandards.
DIF: Cognitive zLevel: zAnalysis REF: zp. z5 z| zBox z1-2
OBJ: Describe zstandards zof zprofessional zpractice zfor zcritical zcare znursing.
MSC: zNCLEX: zSafe zand zEffective zCare
TOP: Nursing zProcess zStep: zN/A zEnvironment
7. The zcharge znurse zis zresponsible zfor zmaking zthe zpatient zassignments zon zthe zcritical
zcare zunit. zShe zassigns zthe zexperienced, zcertified znurse zto zcare zfor zthe zacutely zill
zpatient zwith zsepsis zwho zalso zrequires zcontinuous zrenal zreplacement ztherapy zand
zmechanical zventilation. zShe zassigns zthe znurse zwith zless zthan z1 zyear zof zexperience zto
ztwo zpatients zwho zare zmore zstable. zThis zassignment zreflects zimplementation zof zthe: z
a. crew zresource zmanagement zmodel z
b. National zPatient zSafety zGoals z
c. Quality zand zSafety zEducation zfor zNurses z(QSEN) zmodel z
d. synergy zmodel zof zpractice z
ANS: zD
This zassignment zdemonstrates znursing zcare zto zmeet zthe zneeds zof zthe zpatient. zThe
zsynergy zmodel znotes zthat zthe znurse zcompetencies zare zmatched zto zthe zpatient
zcharacteristics. zCrew zresource zmanagement zconcepts zrelated zto zteam ztraining, zNational
zPatient zSafety zGoals zare zspecified zby zThe zJoint zCommission zto zpromote zsafe zcare zbut
zdo znot zincorporate zthe zsynergy zmodel. zThe zQuality zand zSafety zEducation zfor zNurses
zinitiative zinvolves ztargeted zeducation zto zundergraduate zand zgraduate znursing zstudents
zto zlearn zquality zand zsafety zconcepts.
DIF: Cognitive zLevel: zAnalysis REF: zp. z5 z| zFig. z1-3
OBJ: Describe zstandards zof zprofessional zpractice zfor zcritical zcare znursing.
MSC: zNCLEX: zSafe zand zEffective zCare
TOP: Nursing zProcess zStep: zN/A zEnvironment
8. The zvision zof zthe zAmerican zAssociation zof zCritical-Care zNurses zis za zhealthcare zsystem
zdriven zby: z
a. a zhealthy zwork zenvironment. z
b. care zfrom za zmultiprofessional zteam zunder zthe zdirection zof za zcritical zcare zphysician. z
c. the zneeds zof zcritically zill zpatients zand zfamilies. z
d. respectful, zhealing, zand zhumane zenvironments. z
ANS: zC
The zAACN zvision zis za zhealthcare zsystem zdriven zby zthe zneeds zof zcritically zill
zpatients zand zfamilies zwhere zcritical zcare znurses zmake ztheir zoptimum zcontributions.
zAACN zpromotes zinitiatives zto zsupport za zhealthy zwork zenvironment zas zwell zas
zrespectful zand zhealing zenvironments, zbut zthat zis znot zthe zorganization’s zvision. zThe
