CRITICAL CARE ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ basic ID criteria for appropriate ICU pts: Answer: 1. critically ill-
high risk for actual/potential life-threatening health problems
a. highly vulnerable, unstable, complex
2. interventions requiring close monitoring
a. balloon pumps, vents, cont IVs/BP
3. pts requiring vigilant nursing care
a. complex assessments, therapies
◉ how does the body's stress response affect blood glucose levels?
Answer: a. stress >>> breaks down storages = gluconeogenesis
b. increased release of cortisol + more glucose in the body
c. elevated BG, hyperglycemia
◉ 2 abnormal responses to critical illness requiring medical workup
Answer: 1. depression
,2. delirium
◉ basic steps used in ECG monitoring Answer: 1. determine the HR:
#/6 seconds x 10
2. evaluate the HR: regular or irregular
a. look at R-R intervals
b. regular irregular is still irregular*
3. identify *P* waves: is it followed by a QRS every time?
4. measure *PR* interval: .12-.20 sec/(3-5 boxes)
a. are they consistent?
5. evaluate the *QRS* complex: <.12 sec/(<3 boxes)
a. wide QRS most likely originates at
*bottom* half of heart
◉ NSR (normal sinus rhythm) ID description: Answer: HR: 60-100
regular rhythm
P waves present
followed by QRS
, consistent PR interval, 0.16 seconds
QRS interval, 0.08 seconds
◉ SB (sinus bradycardia) ID description: Answer: HR: <60, sinus
rhythm
decreases CO d/t fewer ejections
a. CO = HR x SV
◉ SV (stroke volume) equation Answer: SV = preload, contractility,
afterload
◉ ST (sinus tachycardia) ID description: Answer: HR: >100, sinus
rhythm
decreases diastolic filling time & SV
◉ A-Fib (atrial fibrillation) ID description: Answer: irregular R-R
intervals
lack of P waves
narrow QRS
*most frequent dysrhythmia*
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ basic ID criteria for appropriate ICU pts: Answer: 1. critically ill-
high risk for actual/potential life-threatening health problems
a. highly vulnerable, unstable, complex
2. interventions requiring close monitoring
a. balloon pumps, vents, cont IVs/BP
3. pts requiring vigilant nursing care
a. complex assessments, therapies
◉ how does the body's stress response affect blood glucose levels?
Answer: a. stress >>> breaks down storages = gluconeogenesis
b. increased release of cortisol + more glucose in the body
c. elevated BG, hyperglycemia
◉ 2 abnormal responses to critical illness requiring medical workup
Answer: 1. depression
,2. delirium
◉ basic steps used in ECG monitoring Answer: 1. determine the HR:
#/6 seconds x 10
2. evaluate the HR: regular or irregular
a. look at R-R intervals
b. regular irregular is still irregular*
3. identify *P* waves: is it followed by a QRS every time?
4. measure *PR* interval: .12-.20 sec/(3-5 boxes)
a. are they consistent?
5. evaluate the *QRS* complex: <.12 sec/(<3 boxes)
a. wide QRS most likely originates at
*bottom* half of heart
◉ NSR (normal sinus rhythm) ID description: Answer: HR: 60-100
regular rhythm
P waves present
followed by QRS
, consistent PR interval, 0.16 seconds
QRS interval, 0.08 seconds
◉ SB (sinus bradycardia) ID description: Answer: HR: <60, sinus
rhythm
decreases CO d/t fewer ejections
a. CO = HR x SV
◉ SV (stroke volume) equation Answer: SV = preload, contractility,
afterload
◉ ST (sinus tachycardia) ID description: Answer: HR: >100, sinus
rhythm
decreases diastolic filling time & SV
◉ A-Fib (atrial fibrillation) ID description: Answer: irregular R-R
intervals
lack of P waves
narrow QRS
*most frequent dysrhythmia*
