critical care final exam study guide
Question and Answers Updated 2026
american association of critical care nurses (ACCN) - Answermission is to assist acute and critical care
nurses to attain knowledge and influence to deliver excellent care
professional journals; critical care nurse, american journal of critical care, AACN advanced critical
care
synergy model - Answer- states that the needs of pts and families influence and drive competencies
of nurses
- create a healthcare system driven by pts and families needs in which critical care nurses make their
optimum contributions
healthy work environment - Answer- quality of resources
critical care environment - Answerpt variable s
- sensory overload (lights, noise, loss of privacy, pain(
- deprivations (perceptual disturbances, lack of personal touch, loss of routine, sleep loss)
- pt characteristics (support system, medical history, age, source of illness/injury, culture,
education/ability to understand)
how does care differ in the ICU - Answer- psychosocial support for both pt and family (often
overlooked by many critical care nurses)
- identify who the core family is, including decision maker/spokesperson
ethical dilemma warning signs - Answer- emotionally charged
- significant change in pts condition
- confusion about facts
- hesitancy about the correct set of actions
- deviation from customary practice
- need for secrecy regarding proposed actions
ex,,,,
, ethical principles - Answerautonomy; right to self-determination (concerning medical care)
beneficence; duty to prevent harm, remove harm, and promote the good of another person
nonmaleficence; no to intentionally inflict harm
justice; fair distribution of healthcare resources
veracity; truthfulness
fidelity; faithfulness to commitment
confidentiality; respect for the right to control information
CPR issues - Answer- should a patient be "coded"
- a do not resuscitate (DNR) order is needed to not initiate a code
- advance directives are useful in guiding decision making PRIOR to code
- family presence during codes is promoted
persistent vegetative state - Answerpermanent, irreversible unconsciousness condition that
demonstrates an absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior or an inability to communicate or
interact purposefully with the environment
brain death - Answercomplete and irreversible cessation of brain function
*how to determine time of death
life support - Answerwithholding; not initiating (not initiating hemodialysis)
withdrawal; weaning or removing (autonomy/futility of treatment; terminal weaning from
mechanical vent)
Question and Answers Updated 2026
american association of critical care nurses (ACCN) - Answermission is to assist acute and critical care
nurses to attain knowledge and influence to deliver excellent care
professional journals; critical care nurse, american journal of critical care, AACN advanced critical
care
synergy model - Answer- states that the needs of pts and families influence and drive competencies
of nurses
- create a healthcare system driven by pts and families needs in which critical care nurses make their
optimum contributions
healthy work environment - Answer- quality of resources
critical care environment - Answerpt variable s
- sensory overload (lights, noise, loss of privacy, pain(
- deprivations (perceptual disturbances, lack of personal touch, loss of routine, sleep loss)
- pt characteristics (support system, medical history, age, source of illness/injury, culture,
education/ability to understand)
how does care differ in the ICU - Answer- psychosocial support for both pt and family (often
overlooked by many critical care nurses)
- identify who the core family is, including decision maker/spokesperson
ethical dilemma warning signs - Answer- emotionally charged
- significant change in pts condition
- confusion about facts
- hesitancy about the correct set of actions
- deviation from customary practice
- need for secrecy regarding proposed actions
ex,,,,
, ethical principles - Answerautonomy; right to self-determination (concerning medical care)
beneficence; duty to prevent harm, remove harm, and promote the good of another person
nonmaleficence; no to intentionally inflict harm
justice; fair distribution of healthcare resources
veracity; truthfulness
fidelity; faithfulness to commitment
confidentiality; respect for the right to control information
CPR issues - Answer- should a patient be "coded"
- a do not resuscitate (DNR) order is needed to not initiate a code
- advance directives are useful in guiding decision making PRIOR to code
- family presence during codes is promoted
persistent vegetative state - Answerpermanent, irreversible unconsciousness condition that
demonstrates an absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior or an inability to communicate or
interact purposefully with the environment
brain death - Answercomplete and irreversible cessation of brain function
*how to determine time of death
life support - Answerwithholding; not initiating (not initiating hemodialysis)
withdrawal; weaning or removing (autonomy/futility of treatment; terminal weaning from
mechanical vent)
