CCRN Critical Care Exam 2025/2026 | Complete
Study Guide with 100% Accurate Answers
1. Describe the relationship between PaCO2 and PaO2 when a patient is
breathing room air and has an elevated PaCO2 level.
An elevated PaCO2 does not affect PaO2 levels at all.
PaCO2 and PaO2 are independent of each other in all scenarios.
An elevated PaCO2 indicates impaired ventilation, which can lead
to a decreased PaO2 due to the limitations imposed by Dalton's
law.
PaO2 will always remain normal regardless of PaCO2 levels.
2. MODS is characterized by the dysfunction of how many organ systems?
One
Three or more
Two or more
Four or more
3. In a clinical scenario where a patient presents with chest trauma and
diminished breath sounds, how would you differentiate between
hemothorax and pneumothorax based on physical examination?
By auscultating for wheezing sounds.
By performing percussion to assess for dullness or
hyperresonance.
By checking for cyanosis and respiratory rate.
,By measuring blood pressure and heart rate.
,4. Describe how the symptoms of headache, nuchal rigidity, and photophobia
relate to the irritation of the meninges in the context of an aneurysm
rupture.
These symptoms indicate irritation of the meninges due to blood
from an aneurysm, which can mimic meningitis.
These symptoms suggest a gastrointestinal issue rather than a
neurological one.
These symptoms are indicative of a stroke rather than meningitis.
These symptoms are unrelated to meninges and indicate a
respiratory infection.
5. Describe the significance of urine creatinine clearance in evaluating kidney
function.
Urine creatinine clearance indicates the presence of infection in the
urinary tract.
Urine creatinine clearance assesses the levels of electrolytes in the
blood.
Urine creatinine clearance measures the kidney's ability to filter
creatinine, providing an estimate of GFR.
Urine creatinine clearance evaluates the oxygen levels in the blood.
6. In a clinical scenario, if a patient is receiving supplemental oxygen but has
an elevated PaCO2, what can be inferred about their PaO2 levels?
The PaO2 cannot be determined without additional tests.
The PaO2 must be low because of the elevated PaCO2.
The PaO2 may remain normal despite the elevated PaCO2 due to
the increased driving pressure from supplemental oxygen.
, The PaO2 will always be higher than normal when PaCO2 is
elevated.
7. A patient on clopidogrel presents with multiple small red spots on their skin
and reports easy bruising. What should be the immediate clinical concern?
Pulmonary embolism
Electrolyte imbalance
Myocardial infarction
Thrombocytopenia
8. A patient with a recent myocardial infarction presents with severe chest
pain and a blood pressure of 190/120 mmHg. What should be the immediate
course of action regarding fibrinolytic therapy?
Consider alternative treatments without addressing hypertension.
Delay fibrinolytic therapy due to uncontrolled hypertension.
Administer fibrinolytic therapy immediately.
Monitor the patient for 24 hours before making a decision.
9. In a scenario where a patient with electrolyte imbalances requires
immediate intervention, how might a case manager fulfill their role?
By coordinating with healthcare providers to ensure timely
treatment and advocating for the patient's needs.
By providing direct medical treatment to the patient.
By solely focusing on paperwork and documentation.
By evaluating the patient's progress without involving other team
members.
Study Guide with 100% Accurate Answers
1. Describe the relationship between PaCO2 and PaO2 when a patient is
breathing room air and has an elevated PaCO2 level.
An elevated PaCO2 does not affect PaO2 levels at all.
PaCO2 and PaO2 are independent of each other in all scenarios.
An elevated PaCO2 indicates impaired ventilation, which can lead
to a decreased PaO2 due to the limitations imposed by Dalton's
law.
PaO2 will always remain normal regardless of PaCO2 levels.
2. MODS is characterized by the dysfunction of how many organ systems?
One
Three or more
Two or more
Four or more
3. In a clinical scenario where a patient presents with chest trauma and
diminished breath sounds, how would you differentiate between
hemothorax and pneumothorax based on physical examination?
By auscultating for wheezing sounds.
By performing percussion to assess for dullness or
hyperresonance.
By checking for cyanosis and respiratory rate.
,By measuring blood pressure and heart rate.
,4. Describe how the symptoms of headache, nuchal rigidity, and photophobia
relate to the irritation of the meninges in the context of an aneurysm
rupture.
These symptoms indicate irritation of the meninges due to blood
from an aneurysm, which can mimic meningitis.
These symptoms suggest a gastrointestinal issue rather than a
neurological one.
These symptoms are indicative of a stroke rather than meningitis.
These symptoms are unrelated to meninges and indicate a
respiratory infection.
5. Describe the significance of urine creatinine clearance in evaluating kidney
function.
Urine creatinine clearance indicates the presence of infection in the
urinary tract.
Urine creatinine clearance assesses the levels of electrolytes in the
blood.
Urine creatinine clearance measures the kidney's ability to filter
creatinine, providing an estimate of GFR.
Urine creatinine clearance evaluates the oxygen levels in the blood.
6. In a clinical scenario, if a patient is receiving supplemental oxygen but has
an elevated PaCO2, what can be inferred about their PaO2 levels?
The PaO2 cannot be determined without additional tests.
The PaO2 must be low because of the elevated PaCO2.
The PaO2 may remain normal despite the elevated PaCO2 due to
the increased driving pressure from supplemental oxygen.
, The PaO2 will always be higher than normal when PaCO2 is
elevated.
7. A patient on clopidogrel presents with multiple small red spots on their skin
and reports easy bruising. What should be the immediate clinical concern?
Pulmonary embolism
Electrolyte imbalance
Myocardial infarction
Thrombocytopenia
8. A patient with a recent myocardial infarction presents with severe chest
pain and a blood pressure of 190/120 mmHg. What should be the immediate
course of action regarding fibrinolytic therapy?
Consider alternative treatments without addressing hypertension.
Delay fibrinolytic therapy due to uncontrolled hypertension.
Administer fibrinolytic therapy immediately.
Monitor the patient for 24 hours before making a decision.
9. In a scenario where a patient with electrolyte imbalances requires
immediate intervention, how might a case manager fulfill their role?
By coordinating with healthcare providers to ensure timely
treatment and advocating for the patient's needs.
By providing direct medical treatment to the patient.
By solely focusing on paperwork and documentation.
By evaluating the patient's progress without involving other team
members.
