ICU Exam 1 Questions With 100%
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1. Which of the following is NOT an indication for the nurse to start
a pt on mechanical ventilation?
a. If the pt is in hypercarbic or hypoxemic respiratory failure
b. To prevent or reverse atelectasis
c. If the pt has aspirated or is at risk for aspiration
d. To prevent or reverse respiratory muscle fatigue -
correct answer ✅Correct Answer: c.
Rationale: A patient should not be intubated and put on mechanical
ventilation simply because of aspiration or a risk for aspiration. To
treat aspiration, clear the airway of whatever is causing the
aspiration, provide extra oxygen if necessary, and take antibiotics if
a resulting infection has occurred. All other choices are indications
for starting a patient on mechanical ventilation.
2. Which of the following evidence-based strategies used by the
nurse best support the family members of ICU patients at high risk
of dying? Select all that apply.
a. Building rapport
b. Communicating with the family infrequently
c. Demonstrating no concern
,ICU Exam 1 Questions With 100%
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d. Demonstrating professionalism
e. Supporting decision-making -
correct answer ✅Correct Answers: a, d, e.
Rationale: Strategies such as building rapport, demonstrating
professionalism, and supporting decision-making have shown to
help family members cope; to have hope, confidence, and trust; to
prepare for and accept impending death; and to make decisions.
Other strategies that work include frequent communication,
demonstrating concern, and providing factual information.
3. The nurse suspects hypoxemia in her patient when she notices
the following signs and symptoms. Select all that apply.
a. Confusion
b. Increase in blood pressure
c. Warm extremities
d. Dysrhythmias or a change in heart rate
e. A lack of sweating -
correct answer ✅Correct Answers: a, b, d.
Rational: Hypoxemia, a decrease in the arterial oxygen tension in
the blood, is manifested by changed in mental status (progressing
through impaired judgment, agitation, disorientation, confusion,
,ICU Exam 1 Questions With 100%
Verified Answers
lethargy, and coma), dyspnea, increase in blood pressure, changes
in heart rate, dysrhythmias, central cyanosis (late sign), diaphoresis,
and cool extremities. Hypoxemia can lead to hypoxia, a decrease in
oxygen supply to the tissues and cells, which can be life threatening
if left untreated.
4. The nurse knows that one of the following blood chemistry
values is NOT essential to monitoring heart function:
a. Phosphate (2.5-4.5 mg/dL)
b. Calcium (8.6-10.2 mg/dL)
c. Magnesium (1.3-2.3 mEq/dL)
d. Potassium (3.5-5 mEq/dL) -
correct answer ✅Correct Answers: a.
Rationale: Phosphate plays no role in cardiac function.
-Calcium is necessary for blood coagulability, neuromuscular
activity, and automaticity of the nodal cells (sinus and
atrioventricular nodes).
-Magnesium is necessary for the absorption of calcium,
maintenance of potassium stores, and metabolism of adenosine
triphosphate.
-Potassium has a major role in cardiac electrophysiologic function.
, ICU Exam 1 Questions With 100%
Verified Answers
5. The nurse knows that electrophysiologic testing is done primarily
to:
a. Determine the size, contour, and position of the heart
b. Diagnose and determine the source of dysrhythmias
c. Produce an image of the heart
d. Evaluate myocardial blood flow and perfusion -
correct answer ✅Correct Answer: b.
Rationale: The electrophysiology study (EPS) is an invasive
procedure that plays a major role in the diagnosis and management
of serious dysrhythmias. EPS may be indicated for patients with
syncope, palpitations, or both, and for survivors of cardiac arrest
from ventricular fibrillation. EPS does not determine the size,
contour, and position of the heart; produce an image of the heart;
or evaluate myocardial blood flow and perfusion.
1) Regarding PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure), which of the
following are true: Select all that apply.
a. it is the pressure maintained in the lungs at the end of expiration
Verified Answers
1. Which of the following is NOT an indication for the nurse to start
a pt on mechanical ventilation?
a. If the pt is in hypercarbic or hypoxemic respiratory failure
b. To prevent or reverse atelectasis
c. If the pt has aspirated or is at risk for aspiration
d. To prevent or reverse respiratory muscle fatigue -
correct answer ✅Correct Answer: c.
Rationale: A patient should not be intubated and put on mechanical
ventilation simply because of aspiration or a risk for aspiration. To
treat aspiration, clear the airway of whatever is causing the
aspiration, provide extra oxygen if necessary, and take antibiotics if
a resulting infection has occurred. All other choices are indications
for starting a patient on mechanical ventilation.
2. Which of the following evidence-based strategies used by the
nurse best support the family members of ICU patients at high risk
of dying? Select all that apply.
a. Building rapport
b. Communicating with the family infrequently
c. Demonstrating no concern
,ICU Exam 1 Questions With 100%
Verified Answers
d. Demonstrating professionalism
e. Supporting decision-making -
correct answer ✅Correct Answers: a, d, e.
Rationale: Strategies such as building rapport, demonstrating
professionalism, and supporting decision-making have shown to
help family members cope; to have hope, confidence, and trust; to
prepare for and accept impending death; and to make decisions.
Other strategies that work include frequent communication,
demonstrating concern, and providing factual information.
3. The nurse suspects hypoxemia in her patient when she notices
the following signs and symptoms. Select all that apply.
a. Confusion
b. Increase in blood pressure
c. Warm extremities
d. Dysrhythmias or a change in heart rate
e. A lack of sweating -
correct answer ✅Correct Answers: a, b, d.
Rational: Hypoxemia, a decrease in the arterial oxygen tension in
the blood, is manifested by changed in mental status (progressing
through impaired judgment, agitation, disorientation, confusion,
,ICU Exam 1 Questions With 100%
Verified Answers
lethargy, and coma), dyspnea, increase in blood pressure, changes
in heart rate, dysrhythmias, central cyanosis (late sign), diaphoresis,
and cool extremities. Hypoxemia can lead to hypoxia, a decrease in
oxygen supply to the tissues and cells, which can be life threatening
if left untreated.
4. The nurse knows that one of the following blood chemistry
values is NOT essential to monitoring heart function:
a. Phosphate (2.5-4.5 mg/dL)
b. Calcium (8.6-10.2 mg/dL)
c. Magnesium (1.3-2.3 mEq/dL)
d. Potassium (3.5-5 mEq/dL) -
correct answer ✅Correct Answers: a.
Rationale: Phosphate plays no role in cardiac function.
-Calcium is necessary for blood coagulability, neuromuscular
activity, and automaticity of the nodal cells (sinus and
atrioventricular nodes).
-Magnesium is necessary for the absorption of calcium,
maintenance of potassium stores, and metabolism of adenosine
triphosphate.
-Potassium has a major role in cardiac electrophysiologic function.
, ICU Exam 1 Questions With 100%
Verified Answers
5. The nurse knows that electrophysiologic testing is done primarily
to:
a. Determine the size, contour, and position of the heart
b. Diagnose and determine the source of dysrhythmias
c. Produce an image of the heart
d. Evaluate myocardial blood flow and perfusion -
correct answer ✅Correct Answer: b.
Rationale: The electrophysiology study (EPS) is an invasive
procedure that plays a major role in the diagnosis and management
of serious dysrhythmias. EPS may be indicated for patients with
syncope, palpitations, or both, and for survivors of cardiac arrest
from ventricular fibrillation. EPS does not determine the size,
contour, and position of the heart; produce an image of the heart;
or evaluate myocardial blood flow and perfusion.
1) Regarding PEEP (Positive End-Expiratory Pressure), which of the
following are true: Select all that apply.
a. it is the pressure maintained in the lungs at the end of expiration
