Critical Care Exam 2026 Questions and
Answers
The triage nurse is assessing a victim of a stab wound. According to the
paramedics, the victim was stabbed by a male attacker. The knife blade is 6 inches
(7.2 cm) in length and 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width. The "point of entry" of the stab
wound is two inches above and left of the victim's xiphoid process. Which vital
organ(s) are at an increased risk of being in the direct path of injury? - Correct
answer-Heart
Lungs
Diaphragm
What way do females stab? - Correct answer-Downwards
What way do males stab? - Correct answer-Upwards
A client reports to the nurse feeling achy and weak, being tired and coughing all
the time, frequent headaches and experiencing night sweats. The client's
assessment is significant for crackles scattered throughout the lungs, dependent
peripheral edema +3/+4, S3 and S4 heart sounds, temperature of 102.4° F(39.1°
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,C), heart rate of 110 beats/minute, respirations of 20 breaths/minute, and blood
pressure of 105/60 mmHg with a mean arterial pressure of (75). Which diagnostic
procedure should the nurse prepare to do first? - Correct answer-Blood culture
Define: Infective endocarditis - Correct answer-Infection of the endocardial surface
of the heart, usually the heart valves
What indicates ineffective endocarditis? - Correct answer-Edema & S1/S3 sounds
According to the paramedic's report, the victim of a motor vehicle collision was
sitting in the passenger seat on the left side of the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped
at a traffic light when the vehicle was hit on the left side by another vehicle
traveling at speeds exceeding 60 mph (97 kmh). The client reports slight
tenderness and achiness on (L) side of thorax and body. The significant assessment
findings include: weak and thready pulse; diffuse abdominal pain, tenderness and
guarding present upon palpation; skin is diaphoretic and extremities cool to touch,
capillary refill +4 in extremities, and bruising is present in the (L) flank area and
progresses towards the abdomen. Vital signs are temperature- 97.2° F (36.2° C),
pulse- 110 beats/minute, respirations- 22 breaths/minute, blood pressure 84/46
mmHg, MAP- (57), and pulse oximetry 90% on 2 lpm O2 via nasal cannula. -
Correct answer-Fractured liver & ruptured spleen
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, The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas (ABG) of a client who is
mechanicallly ventilated. The ABG results are pH- 7.52; paCO2- 30 mmHg;
HCO3- 28 mEq/liter. How should the nurse interpret this blood gas? - Correct
answer-Respiratory alkalosis
Define: Respiratory alkalosis - Correct answer-HCO3 & pH is increased while the
CO2 is decreased
What is the effect if blood sugar continues to rise? - Correct answer-Change in
level of consciousness
What precaution should a patient be on with a high sodium? - Correct answer-
Seizure precautions
Why do people with diabetes have an increased urinary output? - Correct answer-
Low ADH
What is the effect of a low ADH? - Correct answer-Dehydration & increased serum
Sodium
A client with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH) is admitted to the intensive care unit with a serum sodium level of 112
mEq/L or mmol/L. Which protocol prescription should the nurse implement first? -
Correct answer-Obtain serum sodium every 4 hours
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Answers
The triage nurse is assessing a victim of a stab wound. According to the
paramedics, the victim was stabbed by a male attacker. The knife blade is 6 inches
(7.2 cm) in length and 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width. The "point of entry" of the stab
wound is two inches above and left of the victim's xiphoid process. Which vital
organ(s) are at an increased risk of being in the direct path of injury? - Correct
answer-Heart
Lungs
Diaphragm
What way do females stab? - Correct answer-Downwards
What way do males stab? - Correct answer-Upwards
A client reports to the nurse feeling achy and weak, being tired and coughing all
the time, frequent headaches and experiencing night sweats. The client's
assessment is significant for crackles scattered throughout the lungs, dependent
peripheral edema +3/+4, S3 and S4 heart sounds, temperature of 102.4° F(39.1°
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,C), heart rate of 110 beats/minute, respirations of 20 breaths/minute, and blood
pressure of 105/60 mmHg with a mean arterial pressure of (75). Which diagnostic
procedure should the nurse prepare to do first? - Correct answer-Blood culture
Define: Infective endocarditis - Correct answer-Infection of the endocardial surface
of the heart, usually the heart valves
What indicates ineffective endocarditis? - Correct answer-Edema & S1/S3 sounds
According to the paramedic's report, the victim of a motor vehicle collision was
sitting in the passenger seat on the left side of the vehicle. The vehicle was stopped
at a traffic light when the vehicle was hit on the left side by another vehicle
traveling at speeds exceeding 60 mph (97 kmh). The client reports slight
tenderness and achiness on (L) side of thorax and body. The significant assessment
findings include: weak and thready pulse; diffuse abdominal pain, tenderness and
guarding present upon palpation; skin is diaphoretic and extremities cool to touch,
capillary refill +4 in extremities, and bruising is present in the (L) flank area and
progresses towards the abdomen. Vital signs are temperature- 97.2° F (36.2° C),
pulse- 110 beats/minute, respirations- 22 breaths/minute, blood pressure 84/46
mmHg, MAP- (57), and pulse oximetry 90% on 2 lpm O2 via nasal cannula. -
Correct answer-Fractured liver & ruptured spleen
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, The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas (ABG) of a client who is
mechanicallly ventilated. The ABG results are pH- 7.52; paCO2- 30 mmHg;
HCO3- 28 mEq/liter. How should the nurse interpret this blood gas? - Correct
answer-Respiratory alkalosis
Define: Respiratory alkalosis - Correct answer-HCO3 & pH is increased while the
CO2 is decreased
What is the effect if blood sugar continues to rise? - Correct answer-Change in
level of consciousness
What precaution should a patient be on with a high sodium? - Correct answer-
Seizure precautions
Why do people with diabetes have an increased urinary output? - Correct answer-
Low ADH
What is the effect of a low ADH? - Correct answer-Dehydration & increased serum
Sodium
A client with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH) is admitted to the intensive care unit with a serum sodium level of 112
mEq/L or mmol/L. Which protocol prescription should the nurse implement first? -
Correct answer-Obtain serum sodium every 4 hours
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
