AACN Critical Care Exam 1 Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
Professional organizations that support critical care practice -
correct answer ✅American Association of Critical Care Nurses
(AACN), Society of Critical Care Medicine
What is the mission of AACN? -
correct answer ✅assisting acute and critical care nurses to attain
knowledge and influence to deliver excellent care
What is the vision of AACN? -
correct answer ✅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 answer ✅accountability, advocacy, integrity, collaboration,
leadership, stewardship, lifelong learning, quality, innovation,
commitment
Explain the synergy model and recognize how it is used in practice -
correct answer ✅- framework that aligns patient needs w nurse
competencies
- needs of patient drive nurse competencies for patient care
,AACN Critical Care Exam 1 Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
What types of certifications are available for ICU nurses? -
correct answer ✅CCRN - critically ill adult, pediatric or neonatal
pts
PCCN - acute care in progressive care, telemetry
AACN - nurse managers and leaders
Why are certifications important? -
correct answer ✅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 answer ✅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 answer ✅Safety, reduce infections, bundles of care
, AACN Critical Care Exam 1 Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
What is a bundle of care? Give an example. -
correct answer ✅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 answer ✅physical 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 answer ✅SBAR, checklists
What are examples of things you may need to communicate during
multi-professional rounds? -
correct answer ✅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,
Questions and Answers 2026
Professional organizations that support critical care practice -
correct answer ✅American Association of Critical Care Nurses
(AACN), Society of Critical Care Medicine
What is the mission of AACN? -
correct answer ✅assisting acute and critical care nurses to attain
knowledge and influence to deliver excellent care
What is the vision of AACN? -
correct answer ✅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 answer ✅accountability, advocacy, integrity, collaboration,
leadership, stewardship, lifelong learning, quality, innovation,
commitment
Explain the synergy model and recognize how it is used in practice -
correct answer ✅- framework that aligns patient needs w nurse
competencies
- needs of patient drive nurse competencies for patient care
,AACN Critical Care Exam 1 Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
What types of certifications are available for ICU nurses? -
correct answer ✅CCRN - critically ill adult, pediatric or neonatal
pts
PCCN - acute care in progressive care, telemetry
AACN - nurse managers and leaders
Why are certifications important? -
correct answer ✅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 answer ✅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 answer ✅Safety, reduce infections, bundles of care
, AACN Critical Care Exam 1 Actual
Questions and Answers 2026
What is a bundle of care? Give an example. -
correct answer ✅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 answer ✅physical 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 answer ✅SBAR, checklists
What are examples of things you may need to communicate during
multi-professional rounds? -
correct answer ✅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,
