, Table of Contents
Unit 1: Foundations of Critical Care Nursing
1. Critical Care Nursing Practice
2. Ethical Issues
3. Legal Issues
4. Genetic Issues
5. Patient and Family Education
6. Psychosocial Alterations and Management
7. Nutrition Alterations and Management
8. Pain and Pain Management
9. Sedation, Agitation, and Delirium Management
10. End-of-Life Care
Unit 2: Cardiovascular Alterations
11. Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology
12. Cardiovascular Clinical Assessment
13. Cardiovascular Diagnostic Procedures
14. Cardiovascular Disorders
15. Cardiovascular Therapeutic Management
Unit 3: Pulmonary Alterations
16. Pulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
17. Pulmonary Clinical Assessment
18. Pulmonary Diagnostic Procedures
19. Pulmonary Disorders
20. Pulmonary Therapeutic Management
Unit 4: Neurologic Alterations
21. Neurologic Anatomy and Physiology
Med C File:
,22. Neurologic Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures
23. Neurologic Disorders and Therapeutic Management
Unit 5: Kidney Alterations
24. Kidney Anatomy and Physiology
25. Kidney Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures
26. Kidney Disorders and Therapeutic Management
Unit 6: Gastrointestinal Alterations
27. Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Physiology
28. Gastrointestinal Clinical Assessment and DiagnosticProcedures
29. Gastrointestinal Disorders and Therapeutic Management
Unit 7: Endocrine Alterations
30. Endocrine Anatomy and Physiology
31. Endocrine Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures
32. Endocrine Disorders and Therapeutic Management
Unit 8: Multisystem Alterations
33. Trauma
34. Shock, Sepsis, and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
35. Burns
36. Organ Donation and Transplantation
37. Hematologic and Oncologic Emergencies
Unit 9: Special Populations
38. The Obstetric Patient
39. The Pediatric Patient
40. The Older Adult Patient
41. The Perianesthesia Patient
, Chapter 01: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. During World War II, what type of wards were developed to care for critically injured
patients?
a. Intensive care
b. Triage
c. Shock
d. Postoperative
ANS: C
During World War II, shock wards were established to care for critically injured patients.
Triage wards establish the order in which a patient is seen or treated upon arrival to a hospital.
Postoperative wards were developed in 1900 and later evolved into intensive care units.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 1
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. What type of practitioner has a broad depth of specialty knowledge and expertise and manages
complex clinical and system issues?
a. Registered nurses
b. Advanced practice nurses
c. Clinical nurse leaders
d. Intensivists
ANS: B
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have a broad depth of knowledge and expertise in their
specialty area and manage complex clinical and systems issues. Intensivists are medical
practitioners who manage the critical ill patient. Registered nurses (RNs) are generally direct
care providers. Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) generally do not manage system issues.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 2
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Med C File:
, 3. What type of practitioner is instrumental in ensuring care that is evidence based and that
safety programs are in place?
a. Clinical nurse specialist
b. Advanced practice nurse
c. Registered nurses
d. Nurse practitioners
ANS: A
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) serve in specialty roles that use their clinical, teaching,
research, leadership, and consultative abilities. They are instrumental in ensuring that care is
evidence based and that safety programs are in place. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have
a broad depth of knowledge and expertise in their specialty area and manage complex clinical
and systems issues. Registered nurses are generally direct care providers. Nurse practitioners
(NPs) manage direct clinical care of groups of patients.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 2
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
4. Which professional organization administers critical care certification exams for registered
nurses?
a. State Board of Registered Nurses
b. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist
c. Society of Critical Care Medicine
d. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
ANS: D
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) administers certification exams for
registered nurses. The State Board of Registered Nurses (SBON) does not administer
certification exams. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) does not
administer certification exams. Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) does not
administer nursing certification exams for registered nurses.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 3
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
Med C File:
, MSC: NCLEX: Safe and EffecN eR
tivU arI
CS NnGviTroBnm.eCntOM
eE
5. Emphasis is on human integrity and stresses the theory that the body, mind, and spirit are
interdependent and inseparable. This statement describes which methodology of care?
a. Holistic care
b. Individualized care
c. Cultural care
d. Interdisciplinary care
ANS: A
Holistic care focuses on human integrity and stresses that the body, mind, and spirit are
interdependent and inseparable. Individualized care recognizes the uniqueness of each
patient’s preferences, condition, and physiologic and psychosocial status. Cultural diversity in
health care is not a new topic, but it is gaining emphasis and importance as the world becomes
more accessible to all as the result of increasing technologies and interfaces with places and
peoples. Interdisciplinary care is care among a variety of health care professionals with the
patient’s health as the common goal.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 4
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
6. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has developed short directives
that can be used as quick references for clinical use that are known as
a. Critical Care Protocol.
b. Practice Policies.
c. Evidence-Based Research.
d. Practice Alerts.
ANS: D
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has promulgated several
evidence-based practice summaries in the form of “Practice Alerts.” Evidence-based nursing
practice considers the best research evidence on the care topic along with clinical expertise of
the nurse and patient preferences. Critical care protocol and practice policies are established
by individual institutions.
, PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 3
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
7. What type of therapy is an option to conventional treatment?
a. Alternative
b. Holistic
c. Complementary
d. Individualized
ANS: A
The term alternative denotes that a specific therapy is an option or alternative to what is
considered conventional treatment of a condition or state. The term complementary was
proposed to describe therapies that can be used to complement or support conventional
treatments. Holistic care focuses on human integrity and stresses that the body, mind, and
spirit are interdependent and N seRpaSrI
inU leG
abN nB
. ITdi.
viC
duaM
lized care recognizes the uniqueness of
each patient’s preferences, condition, and physiologic and psychosocial status.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 4
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
8. Prayer, guided imagery, and massage are all examples of what type of treatment?
a. Alternative therapy
b. Holistic care
c. Complementary care
d. Individualized care
ANS: C
The term complementary was proposed to describe therapies that can be used to complement
or support conventional treatments. Spirituality, prayer, guided imagery, massage, and
animal-assisted therapy are all examples of complementary care. The term alternative denotes
that a specific therapy is an option or alternative to what is considered conventional treatment
of a condition or state. Holistic care focuses on human integrity and stresses that the body,
Unit 1: Foundations of Critical Care Nursing
1. Critical Care Nursing Practice
2. Ethical Issues
3. Legal Issues
4. Genetic Issues
5. Patient and Family Education
6. Psychosocial Alterations and Management
7. Nutrition Alterations and Management
8. Pain and Pain Management
9. Sedation, Agitation, and Delirium Management
10. End-of-Life Care
Unit 2: Cardiovascular Alterations
11. Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology
12. Cardiovascular Clinical Assessment
13. Cardiovascular Diagnostic Procedures
14. Cardiovascular Disorders
15. Cardiovascular Therapeutic Management
Unit 3: Pulmonary Alterations
16. Pulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
17. Pulmonary Clinical Assessment
18. Pulmonary Diagnostic Procedures
19. Pulmonary Disorders
20. Pulmonary Therapeutic Management
Unit 4: Neurologic Alterations
21. Neurologic Anatomy and Physiology
Med C File:
,22. Neurologic Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures
23. Neurologic Disorders and Therapeutic Management
Unit 5: Kidney Alterations
24. Kidney Anatomy and Physiology
25. Kidney Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures
26. Kidney Disorders and Therapeutic Management
Unit 6: Gastrointestinal Alterations
27. Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Physiology
28. Gastrointestinal Clinical Assessment and DiagnosticProcedures
29. Gastrointestinal Disorders and Therapeutic Management
Unit 7: Endocrine Alterations
30. Endocrine Anatomy and Physiology
31. Endocrine Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures
32. Endocrine Disorders and Therapeutic Management
Unit 8: Multisystem Alterations
33. Trauma
34. Shock, Sepsis, and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
35. Burns
36. Organ Donation and Transplantation
37. Hematologic and Oncologic Emergencies
Unit 9: Special Populations
38. The Obstetric Patient
39. The Pediatric Patient
40. The Older Adult Patient
41. The Perianesthesia Patient
, Chapter 01: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. During World War II, what type of wards were developed to care for critically injured
patients?
a. Intensive care
b. Triage
c. Shock
d. Postoperative
ANS: C
During World War II, shock wards were established to care for critically injured patients.
Triage wards establish the order in which a patient is seen or treated upon arrival to a hospital.
Postoperative wards were developed in 1900 and later evolved into intensive care units.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 1
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. What type of practitioner has a broad depth of specialty knowledge and expertise and manages
complex clinical and system issues?
a. Registered nurses
b. Advanced practice nurses
c. Clinical nurse leaders
d. Intensivists
ANS: B
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have a broad depth of knowledge and expertise in their
specialty area and manage complex clinical and systems issues. Intensivists are medical
practitioners who manage the critical ill patient. Registered nurses (RNs) are generally direct
care providers. Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) generally do not manage system issues.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 2
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Med C File:
, 3. What type of practitioner is instrumental in ensuring care that is evidence based and that
safety programs are in place?
a. Clinical nurse specialist
b. Advanced practice nurse
c. Registered nurses
d. Nurse practitioners
ANS: A
Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) serve in specialty roles that use their clinical, teaching,
research, leadership, and consultative abilities. They are instrumental in ensuring that care is
evidence based and that safety programs are in place. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have
a broad depth of knowledge and expertise in their specialty area and manage complex clinical
and systems issues. Registered nurses are generally direct care providers. Nurse practitioners
(NPs) manage direct clinical care of groups of patients.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 2
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
4. Which professional organization administers critical care certification exams for registered
nurses?
a. State Board of Registered Nurses
b. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist
c. Society of Critical Care Medicine
d. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
ANS: D
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) administers certification exams for
registered nurses. The State Board of Registered Nurses (SBON) does not administer
certification exams. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) does not
administer certification exams. Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) does not
administer nursing certification exams for registered nurses.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 3
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
Med C File:
, MSC: NCLEX: Safe and EffecN eR
tivU arI
CS NnGviTroBnm.eCntOM
eE
5. Emphasis is on human integrity and stresses the theory that the body, mind, and spirit are
interdependent and inseparable. This statement describes which methodology of care?
a. Holistic care
b. Individualized care
c. Cultural care
d. Interdisciplinary care
ANS: A
Holistic care focuses on human integrity and stresses that the body, mind, and spirit are
interdependent and inseparable. Individualized care recognizes the uniqueness of each
patient’s preferences, condition, and physiologic and psychosocial status. Cultural diversity in
health care is not a new topic, but it is gaining emphasis and importance as the world becomes
more accessible to all as the result of increasing technologies and interfaces with places and
peoples. Interdisciplinary care is care among a variety of health care professionals with the
patient’s health as the common goal.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 4
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
6. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has developed short directives
that can be used as quick references for clinical use that are known as
a. Critical Care Protocol.
b. Practice Policies.
c. Evidence-Based Research.
d. Practice Alerts.
ANS: D
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has promulgated several
evidence-based practice summaries in the form of “Practice Alerts.” Evidence-based nursing
practice considers the best research evidence on the care topic along with clinical expertise of
the nurse and patient preferences. Critical care protocol and practice policies are established
by individual institutions.
, PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 3
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
7. What type of therapy is an option to conventional treatment?
a. Alternative
b. Holistic
c. Complementary
d. Individualized
ANS: A
The term alternative denotes that a specific therapy is an option or alternative to what is
considered conventional treatment of a condition or state. The term complementary was
proposed to describe therapies that can be used to complement or support conventional
treatments. Holistic care focuses on human integrity and stresses that the body, mind, and
spirit are interdependent and N seRpaSrI
inU leG
abN nB
. ITdi.
viC
duaM
lized care recognizes the uniqueness of
each patient’s preferences, condition, and physiologic and psychosocial status.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 4
OBJ: Nursing Process Step: N/A TOP: Critical Care Nursing Practice
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
8. Prayer, guided imagery, and massage are all examples of what type of treatment?
a. Alternative therapy
b. Holistic care
c. Complementary care
d. Individualized care
ANS: C
The term complementary was proposed to describe therapies that can be used to complement
or support conventional treatments. Spirituality, prayer, guided imagery, massage, and
animal-assisted therapy are all examples of complementary care. The term alternative denotes
that a specific therapy is an option or alternative to what is considered conventional treatment
of a condition or state. Holistic care focuses on human integrity and stresses that the body,
