AACN Critical Care Exam Questions With 100%
Correct Questions Grade A Certified 2025-2026
SIMV - indications, benefits, risks, associated ABG changes - correct answersSynchronized Intermittent Mandatory
Ventilation
- set volume, set rate, variable pressure; pt breath allowed but not supported
- Advantages: pt conditions muscles by attempting to breathe, could potentially wean pt off vent
- Disadvantages: extra breaths not supplemented when they may need t obe
- blood gas changes -- resp acidosis (?)
PS - indications, benefits, risks, associated ABG changes - correct answersPressure Support
- right before tube comes out!
- patient initiating breaths themselves
- volume: pt dependent, rate: pt initiated & dependent, pressure: set & given on inspiration; pt makes all breathing
effort
- advantages: weaning mode (stimulates normal breathing), comfortable for patient
- disadvantages: pt has to trigger every breath!can't be on this if pt can't control breathing/can't make themselves
breathe enough times
- ABG changes: ? show tolerance; respiratory acidosis
Risks if ETT is placed improperly or if it becomes unsecured - correct answersunplanned extubation -- call for help,
100% O2 on NRB, manually ventilate if not breathing on their own
complications of ETT: laryngeal/tracheal injury, damage to mucosa, acid/base disturbances, dysphagia/aspiration,
hypotension (too much PEEP), stress ulcers, psychosocial complications
Causes for high pressure alarms - correct answersvent is trying to force air in but it can't -- caused by secretions,
biting tube, kink in tube
, Causes for low pressure alarms - correct answersvent is not meeting expected resistance -- air leak, apnea alarm,
detached from ventilator or pt self extubates
order of events when ventilator alarm goes off - correct answers1. assess pt & see what problem is
2. if you can't find problem --> take pt off vent & bag them manually
3. Call RT for help
Professional organizations that support critical care practice - correct answersAmerican Association of Critical Care
Nurses (AACN), Society of Critical Care Medicine
What is the mission of AACN? - correct answersassisting acute and critical care nurses to attain knowledge and
influence to deliver excellent care
What is the vision of AACN? - correct answerssupports creating a healthcare system driven by the needs of
patients and families in which critical care nurses make their optimal contributions...synergy
What are the values of AACN? - correct answersaccountability, advocacy, integrity, collaboration, leadership,
stewardship, lifelong learning, quality, innovation, commitment
Explain the synergy model and recognize how it is used in practice - correct answers- framework that aligns patient
needs w nurse competencies
- needs of patient drive nurse competencies for patient care
What types of certifications are available for ICU nurses? - correct answersCCRN - critically ill adult, pediatric or
neonatal pts
PCCN - acute care in progressive care, telemetry
AACN - nurse managers and leaders
Correct Questions Grade A Certified 2025-2026
SIMV - indications, benefits, risks, associated ABG changes - correct answersSynchronized Intermittent Mandatory
Ventilation
- set volume, set rate, variable pressure; pt breath allowed but not supported
- Advantages: pt conditions muscles by attempting to breathe, could potentially wean pt off vent
- Disadvantages: extra breaths not supplemented when they may need t obe
- blood gas changes -- resp acidosis (?)
PS - indications, benefits, risks, associated ABG changes - correct answersPressure Support
- right before tube comes out!
- patient initiating breaths themselves
- volume: pt dependent, rate: pt initiated & dependent, pressure: set & given on inspiration; pt makes all breathing
effort
- advantages: weaning mode (stimulates normal breathing), comfortable for patient
- disadvantages: pt has to trigger every breath!can't be on this if pt can't control breathing/can't make themselves
breathe enough times
- ABG changes: ? show tolerance; respiratory acidosis
Risks if ETT is placed improperly or if it becomes unsecured - correct answersunplanned extubation -- call for help,
100% O2 on NRB, manually ventilate if not breathing on their own
complications of ETT: laryngeal/tracheal injury, damage to mucosa, acid/base disturbances, dysphagia/aspiration,
hypotension (too much PEEP), stress ulcers, psychosocial complications
Causes for high pressure alarms - correct answersvent is trying to force air in but it can't -- caused by secretions,
biting tube, kink in tube
, Causes for low pressure alarms - correct answersvent is not meeting expected resistance -- air leak, apnea alarm,
detached from ventilator or pt self extubates
order of events when ventilator alarm goes off - correct answers1. assess pt & see what problem is
2. if you can't find problem --> take pt off vent & bag them manually
3. Call RT for help
Professional organizations that support critical care practice - correct answersAmerican Association of Critical Care
Nurses (AACN), Society of Critical Care Medicine
What is the mission of AACN? - correct answersassisting acute and critical care nurses to attain knowledge and
influence to deliver excellent care
What is the vision of AACN? - correct answerssupports creating a healthcare system driven by the needs of
patients and families in which critical care nurses make their optimal contributions...synergy
What are the values of AACN? - correct answersaccountability, advocacy, integrity, collaboration, leadership,
stewardship, lifelong learning, quality, innovation, commitment
Explain the synergy model and recognize how it is used in practice - correct answers- framework that aligns patient
needs w nurse competencies
- needs of patient drive nurse competencies for patient care
What types of certifications are available for ICU nurses? - correct answersCCRN - critically ill adult, pediatric or
neonatal pts
PCCN - acute care in progressive care, telemetry
AACN - nurse managers and leaders
