Critical Care Nursing (ICU) Advanced
Study Guide 2025/2026 | Hemodynamic
Monitoring, Ventilator Management,
Shock, Sepsis & Emergency Interventions
| Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
QUESTION 1: Hemodynamic Monitoring
Which of the following parameters is most indicative of left ventricular function in
hemodynamic monitoring?
A) Pulmonary artery pressure
B) Cardiac output
C) Central venous pressure
D) Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
RATIONALE: The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is a key measurement used
to estimate left atrial pressure and, consequently, left ventricular function. An elevated PCWP
indicates left ventricular failure or fluid overload, making it a critical parameter in hemodynamic
assessments.
QUESTION 2: Ventilator Management
What is the primary goal of using inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) in patients with severe ARDS?
A) To increase respiratory rate
B) To improve oxygenation
C) To decrease work of breathing
D) To reduce tidal volume
RATIONALE: The primary goal of inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) is to improve oxygenation
by increasing the amount of time spent in inspiration compared to expiration, thereby allowing
for better gas exchange in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
,QUESTION 3: Shock
Which type of shock is characterized by severe peripheral vasodilation and low systemic
vascular resistance?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Septic shock
C) Hypovolemic shock
D) Neurogenic shock
RATIONALE: Septic shock is characterized by severe peripheral vasodilation due to an
overwhelming infection which results in low systemic vascular resistance and hypotension. This
leads to inadequate tissue perfusion despite an increased cardiac output.
QUESTION 4: Sepsis
The administration of which of the following is crucial in the management of sepsis?
A) Broad-spectrum antibiotics
B) Statins
C) Corticosteroids
D) ACE inhibitors
RATIONALE: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are essential in the management of sepsis to
quickly control the underlying infection. Early administration of appropriate antibiotics is
associated with improved outcomes in septic patients.
QUESTION 5: Emergency Interventions
In the event of a cardiac arrest, what is the first action a nurse should take?
A) Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
B) Administer epinephrine
C) Call for help
D) Defibrillate immediately
,RATIONALE: The first action in a cardiac arrest scenario is to initiate cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR). High-quality CPR should be started immediately to maintain circulation and
oxygenation until advanced life support can be provided.
QUESTION 6: Hemodynamic Monitoring
What does an elevated central venous pressure (CVP) indicate?
A) Decreased blood volume
B) Fluid overload
C) Increased cardiac output
D) Vasodilation
RATIONALE: An elevated central venous pressure indicates fluid overload or increased
right atrial pressure, often seen in conditions like heart failure or fluid retention.
QUESTION 7: Ventilator Management
What is the purpose of setting the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on a ventilator?
A) To allow complete exhalation
B) To prevent alveolar collapse
C) To increase lung compliance
D) To reduce the work of breathing
RATIONALE: PEEP is used to prevent alveolar collapse at the end of expiration, thereby
improving oxygenation and lung compliance.
QUESTION 8: Shock
In which type of shock might you expect a "warm" skin presentation?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Hypovolemic shock
C) Septic shock
, D) Obstructive shock
RATIONALE: Septic shock often presents with warm, flushed skin due to peripheral
vasodilation and increased blood flow in response to sepsis.
QUESTION 9: Sepsis
What is the recommended timeline for administering antibiotics after the recognition of sepsis?
A) Within 1 hour
B) Within 3 hours
C) Within 6 hours
D) As soon as possible within 12 hours
RATIONALE: It is recommended that broad-spectrum antibiotics be administered within 1
hour of recognizing sepsis to improve patient outcomes.
QUESTION 10: Emergency Interventions
What drug is commonly administered for anaphylactic shock?
A) Epinephrine
B) Dexamethasone
C) Dopamine
D) Nitroglycerin
RATIONALE: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylactic shock as it counteracts
the severe vasodilation and bronchoconstriction.
QUESTION 11: Hemodynamic Monitoring
Which device is commonly used for continuous cardiac output monitoring?
A) Arterial line
B) Central venous catheter
Study Guide 2025/2026 | Hemodynamic
Monitoring, Ventilator Management,
Shock, Sepsis & Emergency Interventions
| Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
QUESTION 1: Hemodynamic Monitoring
Which of the following parameters is most indicative of left ventricular function in
hemodynamic monitoring?
A) Pulmonary artery pressure
B) Cardiac output
C) Central venous pressure
D) Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
RATIONALE: The pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is a key measurement used
to estimate left atrial pressure and, consequently, left ventricular function. An elevated PCWP
indicates left ventricular failure or fluid overload, making it a critical parameter in hemodynamic
assessments.
QUESTION 2: Ventilator Management
What is the primary goal of using inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) in patients with severe ARDS?
A) To increase respiratory rate
B) To improve oxygenation
C) To decrease work of breathing
D) To reduce tidal volume
RATIONALE: The primary goal of inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) is to improve oxygenation
by increasing the amount of time spent in inspiration compared to expiration, thereby allowing
for better gas exchange in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
,QUESTION 3: Shock
Which type of shock is characterized by severe peripheral vasodilation and low systemic
vascular resistance?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Septic shock
C) Hypovolemic shock
D) Neurogenic shock
RATIONALE: Septic shock is characterized by severe peripheral vasodilation due to an
overwhelming infection which results in low systemic vascular resistance and hypotension. This
leads to inadequate tissue perfusion despite an increased cardiac output.
QUESTION 4: Sepsis
The administration of which of the following is crucial in the management of sepsis?
A) Broad-spectrum antibiotics
B) Statins
C) Corticosteroids
D) ACE inhibitors
RATIONALE: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are essential in the management of sepsis to
quickly control the underlying infection. Early administration of appropriate antibiotics is
associated with improved outcomes in septic patients.
QUESTION 5: Emergency Interventions
In the event of a cardiac arrest, what is the first action a nurse should take?
A) Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
B) Administer epinephrine
C) Call for help
D) Defibrillate immediately
,RATIONALE: The first action in a cardiac arrest scenario is to initiate cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR). High-quality CPR should be started immediately to maintain circulation and
oxygenation until advanced life support can be provided.
QUESTION 6: Hemodynamic Monitoring
What does an elevated central venous pressure (CVP) indicate?
A) Decreased blood volume
B) Fluid overload
C) Increased cardiac output
D) Vasodilation
RATIONALE: An elevated central venous pressure indicates fluid overload or increased
right atrial pressure, often seen in conditions like heart failure or fluid retention.
QUESTION 7: Ventilator Management
What is the purpose of setting the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on a ventilator?
A) To allow complete exhalation
B) To prevent alveolar collapse
C) To increase lung compliance
D) To reduce the work of breathing
RATIONALE: PEEP is used to prevent alveolar collapse at the end of expiration, thereby
improving oxygenation and lung compliance.
QUESTION 8: Shock
In which type of shock might you expect a "warm" skin presentation?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Hypovolemic shock
C) Septic shock
, D) Obstructive shock
RATIONALE: Septic shock often presents with warm, flushed skin due to peripheral
vasodilation and increased blood flow in response to sepsis.
QUESTION 9: Sepsis
What is the recommended timeline for administering antibiotics after the recognition of sepsis?
A) Within 1 hour
B) Within 3 hours
C) Within 6 hours
D) As soon as possible within 12 hours
RATIONALE: It is recommended that broad-spectrum antibiotics be administered within 1
hour of recognizing sepsis to improve patient outcomes.
QUESTION 10: Emergency Interventions
What drug is commonly administered for anaphylactic shock?
A) Epinephrine
B) Dexamethasone
C) Dopamine
D) Nitroglycerin
RATIONALE: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylactic shock as it counteracts
the severe vasodilation and bronchoconstriction.
QUESTION 11: Hemodynamic Monitoring
Which device is commonly used for continuous cardiac output monitoring?
A) Arterial line
B) Central venous catheter
