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AACN Certification CCRN/PCCN Critical
Care Exam 2 Questions and Answers
(Verified Answers) A+ Newest 2026
What types of measures do safe care organizations implement? <<CORRECT
ANSWER>>
Safety, reduce infections, bundles of care
What is a bundle of care? Give an example. <<CORRECT ANSWER>> 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 ANSWER>>
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 ANSWER>> SBAR, checklists
What are examples of things you may need to communicate during multi-professional
,2
rounds? <<CORRECT ANSWER>> 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
What types of things contribute to sensory overload/deprivation in a critical care
environment? <<CORRECT ANSWER>> noise level, environment different than
surroundings causing hallucinations, lighting
What types of interventions can nurses implement to combat sensory
overload/deprivation? <<CORRECT ANSWER>> Noise: place pt in private room,
soundproof
ceiling tiles, sedative music, quickly assess alarms
Hallucinations: post family photos, encourage visitation, interact w pt
Use natural lighting
help design optimal and safe environment
What types of stressors do patients identify from their critical care experience? -
<<CORRECT ANSWER>> difficulty communicating, pain, thirst, difficulty swallowing,
anxiety,
lack of control, depression/fear, lack of family/friends, physical restraint, feelings of
dread, inability to get comfortable, difficulty sleeping, loneliness, thoughts of death
What age-related demographic is at high risk for negative outcomes in the ICU? -
, 3
<<CORRECT ANSWER>> older adults >65 yo
What types of situations contribute to family conflict being present? -
<<CORRECT ANSWER>> feelings/concerns of family; unresolved family issues
How can nurses best support the family members of patients and assist them in coping?
<<CORRECT ANSWER>> evaluate, plan, involve, communicate, support
family-centered interventions
see if family can help w care so they feel more in control
What is the main cause of emotional outbreak or inappropriate responses from family
members? <<CORRECT ANSWER>> lack of communication
What does research say about family visitation in the ICU? <<CORRECT ANSWER>>
results in better patient outcomes, liberal visitation is encouraged
What are the benefits to allowing family presence during codes? <<CORRECT
ANSWER>>
promotes increased knowledge of pt condition/removes doubts
witness everything possible was done
decrease anxiety and fear about what is happening to their loved one
sense of closure
autonomy <<CORRECT ANSWER>> respect for individual and ability of the individual
to
AACN Certification CCRN/PCCN Critical
Care Exam 2 Questions and Answers
(Verified Answers) A+ Newest 2026
What types of measures do safe care organizations implement? <<CORRECT
ANSWER>>
Safety, reduce infections, bundles of care
What is a bundle of care? Give an example. <<CORRECT ANSWER>> 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 ANSWER>>
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 ANSWER>> SBAR, checklists
What are examples of things you may need to communicate during multi-professional
,2
rounds? <<CORRECT ANSWER>> 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
What types of things contribute to sensory overload/deprivation in a critical care
environment? <<CORRECT ANSWER>> noise level, environment different than
surroundings causing hallucinations, lighting
What types of interventions can nurses implement to combat sensory
overload/deprivation? <<CORRECT ANSWER>> Noise: place pt in private room,
soundproof
ceiling tiles, sedative music, quickly assess alarms
Hallucinations: post family photos, encourage visitation, interact w pt
Use natural lighting
help design optimal and safe environment
What types of stressors do patients identify from their critical care experience? -
<<CORRECT ANSWER>> difficulty communicating, pain, thirst, difficulty swallowing,
anxiety,
lack of control, depression/fear, lack of family/friends, physical restraint, feelings of
dread, inability to get comfortable, difficulty sleeping, loneliness, thoughts of death
What age-related demographic is at high risk for negative outcomes in the ICU? -
, 3
<<CORRECT ANSWER>> older adults >65 yo
What types of situations contribute to family conflict being present? -
<<CORRECT ANSWER>> feelings/concerns of family; unresolved family issues
How can nurses best support the family members of patients and assist them in coping?
<<CORRECT ANSWER>> evaluate, plan, involve, communicate, support
family-centered interventions
see if family can help w care so they feel more in control
What is the main cause of emotional outbreak or inappropriate responses from family
members? <<CORRECT ANSWER>> lack of communication
What does research say about family visitation in the ICU? <<CORRECT ANSWER>>
results in better patient outcomes, liberal visitation is encouraged
What are the benefits to allowing family presence during codes? <<CORRECT
ANSWER>>
promotes increased knowledge of pt condition/removes doubts
witness everything possible was done
decrease anxiety and fear about what is happening to their loved one
sense of closure
autonomy <<CORRECT ANSWER>> respect for individual and ability of the individual
to
