AACN Critical Care Exam Questions With 100% Correct Questions Grade A Certified 2025/26

What are some barriers to effective handoff communication? - correct answersphysical setting, social setting, language, communication medium ex - background noise, different languages, email vs text vs paper, status issues What standardized measures have been implemented to help prevent communication breakdown at shift change? - correct answersSBAR, checklists What are examples of things you may need to communicate during multi-professional rounds? - correct answersD/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 answersnoise level, environment different than surroundings causing hallucinations, lighting What types of interventions can nurses implement to combat sensory overload/deprivation? - correct answersNoise: 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 answersdifficulty communicating, pain, thirst, difficulty swallowing, anxiety, lack of control, depression/fear, lack of family/friends, physical restraint, feelings of dread, inability to get comfortable, difficulty sleeping, loneliness, thoughts of death What age-related demographic is at high risk for negative outcomes in the ICU? - correct answersolder adults 65 yo What types of situations contribute to family conflict being present? - correct answersfeelings/concerns of family; unresolved family issues How can nurses best support the family members of patients and assist them in coping? - correct answersevaluate, plan, involve, communicate, support family-centered interventions see if family can help w care so they feel more in control What is the main cause of emotional outbreak or inappropriate responses from family members? - correct answerslack of communication What does research say about family visitation in the ICU? - correct answersresults in better patient outcomes, liberal visitation is encouraged What are the benefits to allowing family presence during codes? - correct answerspromotes increased knowledge of pt condition/removes doubts witness everything possible was done decrease anxiety and fear about what is happening to their loved one sense of closure autonomy - correct answersrespect for individual and ability of the individual to make decisions with regard to their own health and future (informed consent) Beneficience - correct answersactions intended to benefit the patient or others Nonmaleficience - correct answersdo no harm Justice - correct answersbeing fair or just to the wider community in terms of the consequences of an action; fair allocation or distribution of healthcare resources What are bioethics committees? - correct answersphysicians, nurses, chaplains, social workers and bioethicists work together to provide ethics on a case by case basis What types of situations may warrant an ethics consult? - correct answersdisagreement/conflict exists on whether to pursue aggressive life-sustaining tx in a seriously ill pt (CPR, or emphasize comfort/palliative care) family demands to provide life-sustaining tx (ventilation, tube feedings) which nurse/MD consider futile seriously ill pt is incapacitated and does not have surrogate decision maker or advance directive Identify what must be present for patient to provide consent for themselves - correct answerscompetence, voluntariness, disclosure of information, free from severe pain/depression What basic information must be present for decision making? - correct answersDiagnosis of specific health problem/condition Nature, duration, purpose of proposed tx probable outcome of any intervention benefits of intervention potential risks that are common/hazardous alternative tx & their feasibility short-term and long-term prognoses if proposed tx are/are not provided What is the order of decision makers in SC? - correct answers1. guardian appointed by court 2. Attorney-in-fact appointed by patient 3. spouse of pt (unless they're separated) 4. Adult child of patient 5. parent of patient 6. adult sibling of patient 7. grandparent of patient