TEST BANK For Understanding the Essentials of
Critical Care Nursing, 3rd Edition by Perrin, Verified
Chapters 1 - 19, Complete Newest Version
,1. What is the primary goal of critical care nursing?
A. To manage hospital administrative tasks
B. To support failing organ systems and prevent complications
C. To perform surgical interventions
D. To discharge patients early
The goal of critical care nursing is to support critically ill patients by stabilizing
their conditions and preventing further deterioration.
2. Which vital sign change may be the earliest indicator of patient
deterioration?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Increased respiratory rate
C. Low blood pressure
D. Bradycardia
An elevated respiratory rate is often the first sign of physiological decline.
3. What is the best method to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)?
A. Increasing sedation
B. Keeping the patient NPO
C. Daily bathing with soap and water
D. Elevating the head of the bed 30–45 degrees
This position helps prevent aspiration and lowers VAP risk.
4. Which lab value most directly reflects kidney function in a critically ill patient?
A. ALT
B. Creatinine
C. Glucose
,D. Platelets
Serum creatinine is a key marker for renal function and potential failure.
5. Which central nervous system change is common in early sepsis?
A. Seizures
B. Hallucinations
C. Confusion or altered mental status
D. Paralysis
Altered mental status often appears early due to impaired perfusion.
6. What medication is typically administered for symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Amiodarone
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Adenosine
Atropine is the first-line drug for increasing heart rate in bradycardia.
7. A client is on norepinephrine. What is the nurse’s priority assessment?
A. Blood pressure
B. Bowel sounds
C. Temperature
D. Pupillary reaction
Norepinephrine is a vasopressor used to elevate BP in hypotensive patients.
8. What is the normal range for intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. 0–5 mmHg
B. 5–15 mmHg
C. 15–25 mmHg
, D. 20–30 mmHg
Normal ICP is between 5 and 15 mmHg; values above this are considered
elevated.
9. Which condition is associated with a widened QRS complex and tall, peaked T
waves?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia alters cardiac conduction and can lead to lethal arrhythmias.
10. What is the most accurate indicator of fluid balance in critically ill patients?
A. Heart rate
B. Urine color
C. Daily weight
D. Blood pressure
Daily weight changes reflect fluid retention or loss more accurately than vitals.
11. Which lab value confirms acute respiratory failure?
A. PaCO2 of 38 mmHg
B. PaO2 of 55 mmHg
C. pH of 7.40
D. HCO3 of 24 mEq/L
PaO2 less than 60 mmHg indicates hypoxemia and respiratory failure.
12. Which electrolyte imbalance increases risk for ventricular dysrhythmias?
A. Hypochloremia
Critical Care Nursing, 3rd Edition by Perrin, Verified
Chapters 1 - 19, Complete Newest Version
,1. What is the primary goal of critical care nursing?
A. To manage hospital administrative tasks
B. To support failing organ systems and prevent complications
C. To perform surgical interventions
D. To discharge patients early
The goal of critical care nursing is to support critically ill patients by stabilizing
their conditions and preventing further deterioration.
2. Which vital sign change may be the earliest indicator of patient
deterioration?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Increased respiratory rate
C. Low blood pressure
D. Bradycardia
An elevated respiratory rate is often the first sign of physiological decline.
3. What is the best method to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)?
A. Increasing sedation
B. Keeping the patient NPO
C. Daily bathing with soap and water
D. Elevating the head of the bed 30–45 degrees
This position helps prevent aspiration and lowers VAP risk.
4. Which lab value most directly reflects kidney function in a critically ill patient?
A. ALT
B. Creatinine
C. Glucose
,D. Platelets
Serum creatinine is a key marker for renal function and potential failure.
5. Which central nervous system change is common in early sepsis?
A. Seizures
B. Hallucinations
C. Confusion or altered mental status
D. Paralysis
Altered mental status often appears early due to impaired perfusion.
6. What medication is typically administered for symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Amiodarone
B. Atropine
C. Epinephrine
D. Adenosine
Atropine is the first-line drug for increasing heart rate in bradycardia.
7. A client is on norepinephrine. What is the nurse’s priority assessment?
A. Blood pressure
B. Bowel sounds
C. Temperature
D. Pupillary reaction
Norepinephrine is a vasopressor used to elevate BP in hypotensive patients.
8. What is the normal range for intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. 0–5 mmHg
B. 5–15 mmHg
C. 15–25 mmHg
, D. 20–30 mmHg
Normal ICP is between 5 and 15 mmHg; values above this are considered
elevated.
9. Which condition is associated with a widened QRS complex and tall, peaked T
waves?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia alters cardiac conduction and can lead to lethal arrhythmias.
10. What is the most accurate indicator of fluid balance in critically ill patients?
A. Heart rate
B. Urine color
C. Daily weight
D. Blood pressure
Daily weight changes reflect fluid retention or loss more accurately than vitals.
11. Which lab value confirms acute respiratory failure?
A. PaCO2 of 38 mmHg
B. PaO2 of 55 mmHg
C. pH of 7.40
D. HCO3 of 24 mEq/L
PaO2 less than 60 mmHg indicates hypoxemia and respiratory failure.
12. Which electrolyte imbalance increases risk for ventricular dysrhythmias?
A. Hypochloremia
