Critical Care Nursing and
Emergency Management (Part
3)
### Question 1
The nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours post-operative from a coronary artery bypass graft
(CABG). The patient's cardiac output is 3.2 L/min. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Administer intravenous fluids
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Continue to monitor the patient
D. Increase the dose of inotropic medications
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Normal cardiac output is 4-8 L/min. A cardiac output of 3.2 L/min is low and may
indicate decreased cardiac function. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider and prepare for
further interventions. Low cardiac output can lead to inadequate tissue perfusion and organ
dysfunction.
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Notify the healthcare provider
---
### Question 2
A patient with a severe asthma exacerbation is receiving continuous nebulized albuterol. The patient's
heart rate is 120 beats per minute and the patient is complaining of tremors. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Stop the albuterol immediately
B. Continue the albuterol as prescribed
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Administer a beta-blocker
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Tachycardia and tremors are common side effects of albuterol due to beta-
adrenergic stimulation. The nurse should continue the albuterol as prescribed because the benefits of
bronchodilation outweigh the risks of these side effects. The patient should be monitored closely, and
the healthcare provider should be notified if symptoms worsen. In severe asthma exacerbations, the
priority is improving airflow and oxygenation.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Continue the albuterol as prescribed
---
### Question 3
, The nurse is caring for a patient with a traumatic brain injury. Which finding is most indicative of
increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Widening pulse pressure
B. Decreased level of consciousness
C. Bradycardia and hypertension
D. Posturing (decerebrate or decorticate)
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Decreased level of consciousness is the earliest and most sensitive sign of
increased ICP. Widening pulse pressure, bradycardia, and hypertension (Cushing's triad) are late signs,
and posturing indicates severe neurological deterioration. Early recognition is essential for preventing
further neurological damage.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Decreased level of consciousness
---
### Question 4
A patient with septic shock is receiving intravenous fluids and vasopressors. The patient's mean arterial
pressure (MAP) is 55 mmHg. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Increase the rate of IV fluids
B. Increase the dose of vasopressors
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. All of the above
Emergency Management (Part
3)
### Question 1
The nurse is caring for a patient who is 24 hours post-operative from a coronary artery bypass graft
(CABG). The patient's cardiac output is 3.2 L/min. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Administer intravenous fluids
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Continue to monitor the patient
D. Increase the dose of inotropic medications
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Normal cardiac output is 4-8 L/min. A cardiac output of 3.2 L/min is low and may
indicate decreased cardiac function. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider and prepare for
further interventions. Low cardiac output can lead to inadequate tissue perfusion and organ
dysfunction.
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Notify the healthcare provider
---
### Question 2
A patient with a severe asthma exacerbation is receiving continuous nebulized albuterol. The patient's
heart rate is 120 beats per minute and the patient is complaining of tremors. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Stop the albuterol immediately
B. Continue the albuterol as prescribed
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Administer a beta-blocker
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Tachycardia and tremors are common side effects of albuterol due to beta-
adrenergic stimulation. The nurse should continue the albuterol as prescribed because the benefits of
bronchodilation outweigh the risks of these side effects. The patient should be monitored closely, and
the healthcare provider should be notified if symptoms worsen. In severe asthma exacerbations, the
priority is improving airflow and oxygenation.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Continue the albuterol as prescribed
---
### Question 3
, The nurse is caring for a patient with a traumatic brain injury. Which finding is most indicative of
increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Widening pulse pressure
B. Decreased level of consciousness
C. Bradycardia and hypertension
D. Posturing (decerebrate or decorticate)
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Decreased level of consciousness is the earliest and most sensitive sign of
increased ICP. Widening pulse pressure, bradycardia, and hypertension (Cushing's triad) are late signs,
and posturing indicates severe neurological deterioration. Early recognition is essential for preventing
further neurological damage.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Decreased level of consciousness
---
### Question 4
A patient with septic shock is receiving intravenous fluids and vasopressors. The patient's mean arterial
pressure (MAP) is 55 mmHg. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Increase the rate of IV fluids
B. Increase the dose of vasopressors
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. All of the above
