AACN Critical Care Exam 1 ELABORATED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 LATEST REVIEW 2026
Professional organizations that support critical care practice - Correct Answers American
Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Society of Critical Care Medicine
What is the mission of AACN? - Correct Answers assisting acute and critical care nurses to attain
knowledge and influence to deliver excellent care
What is the vision of AACN? - Correct Answers supports 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 Answers accountability, 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 Answers CCRN - critically ill
adult, pediatric or neonatal pts
PCCN - acute care in progressive care, telemetry
AACN - nurse managers and leaders
, Why are certifications important? - Correct Answers validates knowledge of critical care nursing,
promotes professional excellence, helps nurses to maintain current knowledge base
What are three specific projects/organizations in place to assist nurses in providing safe care? -
Correct Answers Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Rapid response teams/joint commission (?)
What types of measures do safe care organizations implement? - Correct Answers Safety,
reduce infections, bundles of care
What is a bundle of care? Give an example. - Correct Answers Set of 3-5 EBPs that when put
together significantly improve pt outcomes
ex - ventilator bundle -- HOB elevated, DVT prophylaxis, holding a sedative to determine pt
readiness to get off vent
What are some barriers to effective handoff communication? - Correct Answers physical setting,
social setting, language, communication medium
ex - background noise, different languages, email vs text vs paper, status issues
What standardized measures have been implemented to help prevent communication
breakdown at shift change? - Correct Answers SBAR, checklists
What are examples of things you may need to communicate during multi-professional rounds? -
Correct Answers D/C needs, greatest safety risk, assessment and followup, implementation of
bundles, assess need for all ordered meds, identify whether central lines & catheters can be
removed, code status, family needs, advance directives, when to call MD, tx goals
AND ANSWERS 2026 LATEST REVIEW 2026
Professional organizations that support critical care practice - Correct Answers American
Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Society of Critical Care Medicine
What is the mission of AACN? - Correct Answers assisting acute and critical care nurses to attain
knowledge and influence to deliver excellent care
What is the vision of AACN? - Correct Answers supports 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 Answers accountability, 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 Answers CCRN - critically ill
adult, pediatric or neonatal pts
PCCN - acute care in progressive care, telemetry
AACN - nurse managers and leaders
, Why are certifications important? - Correct Answers validates knowledge of critical care nursing,
promotes professional excellence, helps nurses to maintain current knowledge base
What are three specific projects/organizations in place to assist nurses in providing safe care? -
Correct Answers Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Rapid response teams/joint commission (?)
What types of measures do safe care organizations implement? - Correct Answers Safety,
reduce infections, bundles of care
What is a bundle of care? Give an example. - Correct Answers Set of 3-5 EBPs that when put
together significantly improve pt outcomes
ex - ventilator bundle -- HOB elevated, DVT prophylaxis, holding a sedative to determine pt
readiness to get off vent
What are some barriers to effective handoff communication? - Correct Answers physical setting,
social setting, language, communication medium
ex - background noise, different languages, email vs text vs paper, status issues
What standardized measures have been implemented to help prevent communication
breakdown at shift change? - Correct Answers SBAR, checklists
What are examples of things you may need to communicate during multi-professional rounds? -
Correct Answers D/C needs, greatest safety risk, assessment and followup, implementation of
bundles, assess need for all ordered meds, identify whether central lines & catheters can be
removed, code status, family needs, advance directives, when to call MD, tx goals
