MICU TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
In septic shock the primary goal of all vasoactive medication is to: - Answer -Optimize
oxygen supply without excessive increase in oxygen demand
Which of the following indicators best represents a patient in hypovolemic shock? -
Answer -All of the above
A patient with chronic renal failure presents to the ED with severe itching, abdominal
cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. The patient's serum calcium is 6.2 mg/dL. Which of the
following needs to be administered for management of this patient? - Answer -Oral
aluminum hydroxide
Alarm-related events are recognized as underreported and occur in all health care
settings including EHC hospitals. - Answer -True
Alarm fatigue or desensitization may lead to: - Answer -All of the above
Laboratory findings in hepatic failure include: - Answer -Increased bilirubin, decreased
albumin, increased ammonia
Diabetes Insipidus (DI) is decreased ADH. What physiological responses would you
expect to see in a patient with DI? - Answer -Hypernatremia, hyperosmolality
Grace was admitted to the MICU from a skilled nursing facility with urosepsis and was
very confused and trying to remove her IV and monitor leads. Alternatives failed and
she was placed in soft restraints and given Ativan 0.5mg IV, O2 at 2L/NC. She is
currently slightly agitated, but becomes more agitated when you interact with her.
Restraint orders are renewed at the following intervals: - Answer -24 hrs
Indications for the use of tPa (cath-flo) to declot a central venous catheter areas include:
(Select all that apply.) - Answer -Presence of sluggish blood flow (less than 3 mL in
three seconds)
Inability to withdraw blood
Resistance to fluid instillation
No evidence of venous thrombosis
No evidence of mechanic or chemical occlusion (kinked catheter, malfunctioning end-
cap, drug precipitants)
Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) mismatch occurs:
Your Answer - Answer -When blood passes by under-ventilated alveoli
, Which patient is at greatest risk development of a venous thromboembolism upon
admission to the MICU with shortness of breath as the chief complaint? - Answer -45-
year-old obese female patient who has been immobilized for two weeks with acute
lower back spasms
The Joint Commission has offered recommendations to health care organizations for
reducing patient harm related to alarm systems. Which of the following is NOT one of
those recommendations? - Answer -Inform and educate patients about alarms and
what each alarm means.
Skin preparation is not important in reducing false alarms. - Answer -False
A 67 year old with Type 2 diabetes is scheduled for an intravenous pyelogram (IVP). To
reduce the potentially toxic effects of contrast dye on the kidney, which of the following
medical orders should not be implemented until the nurse has conferred with the
intensivist? - Answer -Administer metformin (Glucophage) in AM
What is the most important intervention to reduce hospital-associated infections in the
critically ill patient? - Answer -Hand hygiene
All patients on the ventilator will have the following assessments done: - Answer -
Richmond Agitation Sedation Score (RASS) q 4 hours
A 55 year old female with a history of leukemia is now 10 days post chemotherapy
treatment. Her weight is 60kg and her admitting diagnosis is septic shock due to a
urinary tract infection. Her admitting BP was 60/40, HR=160, RR=30. Her BP did not
respond to a fluid challenge of 20-40mL/kg as per sepsis protocol. Which of the
following drugs would be the vasopressor of choice to support this patient's blood
pressure? - Answer -Norepinephrine (Levophed)
During the re-warming phase during hypothermia management after cardiac arrest, the
patient is monitored for: - Answer -Hypotension due to vasodilation
The reason for success in the MICU is TEAMWORK in order for us to be the best!! -
Answer -True
When working with a patient on mechanical ventilation, which alarms must remain on at
all times? - Answer -All of the above
Re-warming for patients who have had hypothermia treatment following cardiac arrest,
the temperature needs to be monitored frequently due to the concern for rebound
hyperthermia. - Answer -True
Which of the following are the two most common sources of infection in the critically ill
patient population? - Answer -Urinary tract and respiratory system
In septic shock the primary goal of all vasoactive medication is to: - Answer -Optimize
oxygen supply without excessive increase in oxygen demand
Which of the following indicators best represents a patient in hypovolemic shock? -
Answer -All of the above
A patient with chronic renal failure presents to the ED with severe itching, abdominal
cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. The patient's serum calcium is 6.2 mg/dL. Which of the
following needs to be administered for management of this patient? - Answer -Oral
aluminum hydroxide
Alarm-related events are recognized as underreported and occur in all health care
settings including EHC hospitals. - Answer -True
Alarm fatigue or desensitization may lead to: - Answer -All of the above
Laboratory findings in hepatic failure include: - Answer -Increased bilirubin, decreased
albumin, increased ammonia
Diabetes Insipidus (DI) is decreased ADH. What physiological responses would you
expect to see in a patient with DI? - Answer -Hypernatremia, hyperosmolality
Grace was admitted to the MICU from a skilled nursing facility with urosepsis and was
very confused and trying to remove her IV and monitor leads. Alternatives failed and
she was placed in soft restraints and given Ativan 0.5mg IV, O2 at 2L/NC. She is
currently slightly agitated, but becomes more agitated when you interact with her.
Restraint orders are renewed at the following intervals: - Answer -24 hrs
Indications for the use of tPa (cath-flo) to declot a central venous catheter areas include:
(Select all that apply.) - Answer -Presence of sluggish blood flow (less than 3 mL in
three seconds)
Inability to withdraw blood
Resistance to fluid instillation
No evidence of venous thrombosis
No evidence of mechanic or chemical occlusion (kinked catheter, malfunctioning end-
cap, drug precipitants)
Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) mismatch occurs:
Your Answer - Answer -When blood passes by under-ventilated alveoli
, Which patient is at greatest risk development of a venous thromboembolism upon
admission to the MICU with shortness of breath as the chief complaint? - Answer -45-
year-old obese female patient who has been immobilized for two weeks with acute
lower back spasms
The Joint Commission has offered recommendations to health care organizations for
reducing patient harm related to alarm systems. Which of the following is NOT one of
those recommendations? - Answer -Inform and educate patients about alarms and
what each alarm means.
Skin preparation is not important in reducing false alarms. - Answer -False
A 67 year old with Type 2 diabetes is scheduled for an intravenous pyelogram (IVP). To
reduce the potentially toxic effects of contrast dye on the kidney, which of the following
medical orders should not be implemented until the nurse has conferred with the
intensivist? - Answer -Administer metformin (Glucophage) in AM
What is the most important intervention to reduce hospital-associated infections in the
critically ill patient? - Answer -Hand hygiene
All patients on the ventilator will have the following assessments done: - Answer -
Richmond Agitation Sedation Score (RASS) q 4 hours
A 55 year old female with a history of leukemia is now 10 days post chemotherapy
treatment. Her weight is 60kg and her admitting diagnosis is septic shock due to a
urinary tract infection. Her admitting BP was 60/40, HR=160, RR=30. Her BP did not
respond to a fluid challenge of 20-40mL/kg as per sepsis protocol. Which of the
following drugs would be the vasopressor of choice to support this patient's blood
pressure? - Answer -Norepinephrine (Levophed)
During the re-warming phase during hypothermia management after cardiac arrest, the
patient is monitored for: - Answer -Hypotension due to vasodilation
The reason for success in the MICU is TEAMWORK in order for us to be the best!! -
Answer -True
When working with a patient on mechanical ventilation, which alarms must remain on at
all times? - Answer -All of the above
Re-warming for patients who have had hypothermia treatment following cardiac arrest,
the temperature needs to be monitored frequently due to the concern for rebound
hyperthermia. - Answer -True
Which of the following are the two most common sources of infection in the critically ill
patient population? - Answer -Urinary tract and respiratory system
