High Acuity Nursing Review Workbook
Critical Care Concepts & Case Studies — 100 Questions &
Answers
CARDIAC & HEMODYNAMICS (1–20)
1. A MAP of 58 mmHg indicates which priority?
A. Adequate organ perfusion
B. Risk for decreased tissue perfusion
C. Hypertension
D. Normal value
2. Which rhythm is most likely to deteriorate into ventricular
fibrillation?
A. Atrial flutter
B. First-degree AV block
C. Ventricular tachycardia
D. Sinus tachycardia
3. A patient on a nitroprusside drip becomes confused and
hypotensive. Priority action?
A. Increase the infusion
B. Stop infusion
C. Decrease IV fluids
D. Notify family
4. The PAWP is elevated. This indicates:
,A. Right ventricular failure
B. Left-sided heart failure
C. Hypovolemia
D. COPD exacerbation
5. A patient in cardiogenic shock will likely show which finding?
A. Warm flushed skin
B. Bounding pulses
C. Crackles and pulmonary edema
D. Bradycardia only
6. Priority intervention for symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Give amiodarone
B. Administer adenosine
C. Administer atropine
D. Initiate anticoagulation
7. A patient has a cardiac index of 1.6 L/min/m². Interpretation:
A. Normal
B. High-output failure
C. Critically low perfusion
D. Dehydration only
8. Which is the earliest sign of hypovolemic shock?
A. Cyanosis
B. Hypotension
C. Tachycardia
D. Absent pulses
9. Which lab is most specific for myocardial injury?
,A. CK-MB
B. Troponin I
C. BNP
D. Myoglobin
10. Patient with STEMI: first-line intervention?
A. High-flow oxygen
B. Morphine
C. Immediate reperfusion therapy
D. Beta blocker
11. A nurse hears a new S3. Likely cause:
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Fluid overload
C. COPD
D. Hypovolemia
12. Best indicator of adequate resuscitation?
A. Skin color
B. Urine output
C. Temperature
D. Appetite return
13. Pulsus paradoxus is associated with:
A. Heart failure
B. Aortic regurgitation
C. Cardiac tamponade
D. Pulmonary embolism
14. First-line drug for stable SVT?
, A. Digoxin
B. Atropine
C. Adenosine
D. Dopamine
15. Defibrillation is appropriate for:
A. Asystole
B. PEA
C. Ventricular fibrillation
D. First-degree AV block
16. A rising CVP indicates:
A. Hypovolemia
B. Right-sided overload
C. Dehydration
D. Liver failure only
17. A patient on dobutamine: nurse monitors for:
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension and tachycardia
C. Hypokalemia only
D. Hypothermia
18. Chest pain relieved by rest indicates:
A. Unstable angina
B. Stable angina
C. MI
D. Pericarditis
19. ST elevation in V1–V4 indicates MI of:
Critical Care Concepts & Case Studies — 100 Questions &
Answers
CARDIAC & HEMODYNAMICS (1–20)
1. A MAP of 58 mmHg indicates which priority?
A. Adequate organ perfusion
B. Risk for decreased tissue perfusion
C. Hypertension
D. Normal value
2. Which rhythm is most likely to deteriorate into ventricular
fibrillation?
A. Atrial flutter
B. First-degree AV block
C. Ventricular tachycardia
D. Sinus tachycardia
3. A patient on a nitroprusside drip becomes confused and
hypotensive. Priority action?
A. Increase the infusion
B. Stop infusion
C. Decrease IV fluids
D. Notify family
4. The PAWP is elevated. This indicates:
,A. Right ventricular failure
B. Left-sided heart failure
C. Hypovolemia
D. COPD exacerbation
5. A patient in cardiogenic shock will likely show which finding?
A. Warm flushed skin
B. Bounding pulses
C. Crackles and pulmonary edema
D. Bradycardia only
6. Priority intervention for symptomatic bradycardia?
A. Give amiodarone
B. Administer adenosine
C. Administer atropine
D. Initiate anticoagulation
7. A patient has a cardiac index of 1.6 L/min/m². Interpretation:
A. Normal
B. High-output failure
C. Critically low perfusion
D. Dehydration only
8. Which is the earliest sign of hypovolemic shock?
A. Cyanosis
B. Hypotension
C. Tachycardia
D. Absent pulses
9. Which lab is most specific for myocardial injury?
,A. CK-MB
B. Troponin I
C. BNP
D. Myoglobin
10. Patient with STEMI: first-line intervention?
A. High-flow oxygen
B. Morphine
C. Immediate reperfusion therapy
D. Beta blocker
11. A nurse hears a new S3. Likely cause:
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Fluid overload
C. COPD
D. Hypovolemia
12. Best indicator of adequate resuscitation?
A. Skin color
B. Urine output
C. Temperature
D. Appetite return
13. Pulsus paradoxus is associated with:
A. Heart failure
B. Aortic regurgitation
C. Cardiac tamponade
D. Pulmonary embolism
14. First-line drug for stable SVT?
, A. Digoxin
B. Atropine
C. Adenosine
D. Dopamine
15. Defibrillation is appropriate for:
A. Asystole
B. PEA
C. Ventricular fibrillation
D. First-degree AV block
16. A rising CVP indicates:
A. Hypovolemia
B. Right-sided overload
C. Dehydration
D. Liver failure only
17. A patient on dobutamine: nurse monitors for:
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension and tachycardia
C. Hypokalemia only
D. Hypothermia
18. Chest pain relieved by rest indicates:
A. Unstable angina
B. Stable angina
C. MI
D. Pericarditis
19. ST elevation in V1–V4 indicates MI of:
