CRITICAL CARE NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS A+ GRADED
Which should the nurse include in the plan of care for a mechanically
ventilated patient who is receiving care based on a ventilator bundle?
Select all that apply.
a. Ensuring a sedation vacation each day
b. Conducting a readiness to wean assessment
c. Elevating the head of the bed
d. Administering a prescribed peptic ulcer prophylactic regimen
e. Avoiding the use of compression stockings during immobility
Verified Answer -a. Ensuring a sedation vacation each day
b. Conducting a readiness to wean assessment
c. Elevating the head of the bed
d. Administering a prescribed peptic ulcer prophylactic regimen
Which clinical manifestation indicates to the nurse that a patient is
experiencing intermediate respiratory failure?
a. Lethargy
b. Tachycardia
c. Dyspnea
d. Restlessness
Verified Answer -a. Lethargy
The nurse is caring for a patient on the following ventilator settings: FIO2
70%, TV 550, RR 16, PEEP 15. Upon assessment, the nurse recognizes
,absent breath sounds on the right side. What is the nurse most concerned
about?
A. Pneumonia
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Need for emergency tracheostomy
D. Need for higher FIO2 through ventilator settings
Verified Answer -B. Tension pneumothorax
Which patient statement indicates to the nurse a need for additional
teaching regarding the prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE)?
a. "I will decrease my intake of saturated fats."
b. "I will continue to try to quit smoking by using a nicotine gum."
c. "I won't need any blood work since I am being discharged with
warfarin."
d. "I joined a gym so that I can take an aerobic exercise class."
Verified Answer -c. "I won't need any blood work since I am being
discharged with warfarin."
A Registered Nurse is caring for a patient with an endotracheal tube on a
mechanical ventilator. What task can the RN delegate to the LPN
A. Suction endotracheal tube for stable patients
B. Reposition and secure endotracheal tube
C. Administer sedatives, analgesics and paralytic medications as needed
D. Monitor ventilator settings and alarms
Verified Answer -A. Suction endotracheal tube for stable patients
,The nurse provides care to a patient admitted for a traumatic brain injury.
The patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis indicates respiratory
acidosis. Which action by the nurse is best when providing care to this
patient?
a. Assessing respiratory rate and depth closely
b. Administering sodium bicarbonate, per prescription
c. Monitoring peripheral vascular status
d. Reassuring the patient to decrease anxiety
Verified Answer -a. Assessing respiratory rate and depth closely
The nurse assists the health-care provider with a patient intubation. Which
is the priority action by the nurse?
A. Ensure suction is available, if needed.
B. Place the intubation tray at the bedside for the procedure.
C. Explain each step of the procedure to the patient and family.
D. Administer manual breaths to the patient using a resuscitation bag and
mask.
Verified Answer -D. Administer manual breaths to the patient using a
resuscitation bag and mask
The nurse suctions a patient's tracheostomy tube. During the procedure, the
patient's heart rate drops to the low 50s and oxygen saturation falls to
85%. Which is the priority action by the nurse?
a. Tell the patient to relax and continue the procedure.
b. Stop the suctioning procedure and administer oxygen.
, c. Notify the health-care provider at the end of the procedure.
d. Document the patient's reaction to the procedure in the medical record.
Verified Answer -b. Stop the suctioning procedure and administer oxygen.
The nursing student is assisting with a patient receiving mechanical
ventilation and recognizes the need to reduce incidence of ventilator
associated pneumonia (VAP). Which intervention would the nurse
question?
A. Elevate head of bed at 10 degrees
B. PUD prophylaxis
C. Daily sedation vacations
D. Oral care per policy of hospital
Verified Answer -A. Elevate head of bed at 10 degrees
Your patient that was extubated 2 hours ago starts complaining of trouble
breathing and swallowing. You assess your patient recognizing stridor.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Notify MD of possible airway obstruction
B. Obtain arterial blood gas
C. Auscultate patient's lung sounds
D. Lay your patient flat to reduce stridor
Verified Answer -C. Auscultate patient's lung sounds
A patient arrives to the ER complaining of shortness of breath, tightness of
chest and had audible wheezes. Patient's vitals are BP 168/78, HR 128,
Resp 36 and O2 Sat of 78%. Which order would the nurse do first?
ANSWERS A+ GRADED
Which should the nurse include in the plan of care for a mechanically
ventilated patient who is receiving care based on a ventilator bundle?
Select all that apply.
a. Ensuring a sedation vacation each day
b. Conducting a readiness to wean assessment
c. Elevating the head of the bed
d. Administering a prescribed peptic ulcer prophylactic regimen
e. Avoiding the use of compression stockings during immobility
Verified Answer -a. Ensuring a sedation vacation each day
b. Conducting a readiness to wean assessment
c. Elevating the head of the bed
d. Administering a prescribed peptic ulcer prophylactic regimen
Which clinical manifestation indicates to the nurse that a patient is
experiencing intermediate respiratory failure?
a. Lethargy
b. Tachycardia
c. Dyspnea
d. Restlessness
Verified Answer -a. Lethargy
The nurse is caring for a patient on the following ventilator settings: FIO2
70%, TV 550, RR 16, PEEP 15. Upon assessment, the nurse recognizes
,absent breath sounds on the right side. What is the nurse most concerned
about?
A. Pneumonia
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Need for emergency tracheostomy
D. Need for higher FIO2 through ventilator settings
Verified Answer -B. Tension pneumothorax
Which patient statement indicates to the nurse a need for additional
teaching regarding the prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE)?
a. "I will decrease my intake of saturated fats."
b. "I will continue to try to quit smoking by using a nicotine gum."
c. "I won't need any blood work since I am being discharged with
warfarin."
d. "I joined a gym so that I can take an aerobic exercise class."
Verified Answer -c. "I won't need any blood work since I am being
discharged with warfarin."
A Registered Nurse is caring for a patient with an endotracheal tube on a
mechanical ventilator. What task can the RN delegate to the LPN
A. Suction endotracheal tube for stable patients
B. Reposition and secure endotracheal tube
C. Administer sedatives, analgesics and paralytic medications as needed
D. Monitor ventilator settings and alarms
Verified Answer -A. Suction endotracheal tube for stable patients
,The nurse provides care to a patient admitted for a traumatic brain injury.
The patient's arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis indicates respiratory
acidosis. Which action by the nurse is best when providing care to this
patient?
a. Assessing respiratory rate and depth closely
b. Administering sodium bicarbonate, per prescription
c. Monitoring peripheral vascular status
d. Reassuring the patient to decrease anxiety
Verified Answer -a. Assessing respiratory rate and depth closely
The nurse assists the health-care provider with a patient intubation. Which
is the priority action by the nurse?
A. Ensure suction is available, if needed.
B. Place the intubation tray at the bedside for the procedure.
C. Explain each step of the procedure to the patient and family.
D. Administer manual breaths to the patient using a resuscitation bag and
mask.
Verified Answer -D. Administer manual breaths to the patient using a
resuscitation bag and mask
The nurse suctions a patient's tracheostomy tube. During the procedure, the
patient's heart rate drops to the low 50s and oxygen saturation falls to
85%. Which is the priority action by the nurse?
a. Tell the patient to relax and continue the procedure.
b. Stop the suctioning procedure and administer oxygen.
, c. Notify the health-care provider at the end of the procedure.
d. Document the patient's reaction to the procedure in the medical record.
Verified Answer -b. Stop the suctioning procedure and administer oxygen.
The nursing student is assisting with a patient receiving mechanical
ventilation and recognizes the need to reduce incidence of ventilator
associated pneumonia (VAP). Which intervention would the nurse
question?
A. Elevate head of bed at 10 degrees
B. PUD prophylaxis
C. Daily sedation vacations
D. Oral care per policy of hospital
Verified Answer -A. Elevate head of bed at 10 degrees
Your patient that was extubated 2 hours ago starts complaining of trouble
breathing and swallowing. You assess your patient recognizing stridor.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Notify MD of possible airway obstruction
B. Obtain arterial blood gas
C. Auscultate patient's lung sounds
D. Lay your patient flat to reduce stridor
Verified Answer -C. Auscultate patient's lung sounds
A patient arrives to the ER complaining of shortness of breath, tightness of
chest and had audible wheezes. Patient's vitals are BP 168/78, HR 128,
Resp 36 and O2 Sat of 78%. Which order would the nurse do first?
