NURSING CRITICAL CARE /
ICU NURSING – 50 MCQS
FREQUENTLY ASKED IN
EXAMS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
0
,1. A patient on mechanical ventilation has sudden drop in oxygen
saturation. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Increase ventilator rate
B. Assess airway and patient status
C. Notify family
D. Document only
Answer & Explanation: Assess airway and patient – Identifies
cause of hypoxia, such as tube obstruction or displacement.
2. Which parameter is most important to monitor in a patient with
sepsis?
A. Heart rate, blood pressure, urine output
B. Hair color
C. Appetite
D. Vision
Answer & Explanation: Heart rate, BP, and urine output – Vital
for early detection of organ dysfunction.
3. A patient in ICU has central venous pressure (CVP) of 2 mmHg.
What does this indicate?
1
, A. Normal
B. Hypovolemia
C. Hypervolemia
D. Infection
Answer & Explanation: Hypovolemia – Low CVP suggests
decreased circulating volume; requires fluid resuscitation.
4. Which action is priority for a patient with acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Administer diuretics
B. Ensure adequate oxygenation
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Restrict fluids
Answer & Explanation: Ensure adequate oxygenation – ARDS
causes severe hypoxemia; oxygen therapy and ventilation support
are critical.
5. Patient with ventricular tachycardia is unresponsive. What is the
immediate action?
A. Monitor and wait
2
ICU NURSING – 50 MCQS
FREQUENTLY ASKED IN
EXAMS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
0
,1. A patient on mechanical ventilation has sudden drop in oxygen
saturation. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Increase ventilator rate
B. Assess airway and patient status
C. Notify family
D. Document only
Answer & Explanation: Assess airway and patient – Identifies
cause of hypoxia, such as tube obstruction or displacement.
2. Which parameter is most important to monitor in a patient with
sepsis?
A. Heart rate, blood pressure, urine output
B. Hair color
C. Appetite
D. Vision
Answer & Explanation: Heart rate, BP, and urine output – Vital
for early detection of organ dysfunction.
3. A patient in ICU has central venous pressure (CVP) of 2 mmHg.
What does this indicate?
1
, A. Normal
B. Hypovolemia
C. Hypervolemia
D. Infection
Answer & Explanation: Hypovolemia – Low CVP suggests
decreased circulating volume; requires fluid resuscitation.
4. Which action is priority for a patient with acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS)?
A. Administer diuretics
B. Ensure adequate oxygenation
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Restrict fluids
Answer & Explanation: Ensure adequate oxygenation – ARDS
causes severe hypoxemia; oxygen therapy and ventilation support
are critical.
5. Patient with ventricular tachycardia is unresponsive. What is the
immediate action?
A. Monitor and wait
2
