ACCS PREP (NBRC PRACTICE EXAM 1) 2026| CRITICAL CARE
MEDICINE| VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
1. If the physician suspects a pulmonary embolism, which examination
would be ordered?
Thyroid uptake and scan
PET scan
Lung perfusion/ventilation study
DSIDA scan
2. Describe the significance of troponin levels in the diagnosis of
myocardial infarction.
Troponin levels indicate heart muscle damage and are crucial
for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
Troponin is used to assess kidney function in patients with chest
pain.
Troponin is a marker for liver function tests.
Troponin levels are irrelevant in the diagnosis of heart conditions.
3. If Mr. Jones's lab results indicate severe electrolyte imbalances due to
prolonged vomiting, what additional treatment should be considered
alongside fluid resuscitation?
Surgical intervention
Electrolyte replacement therapy
Antiemetic medications
Nutritional support
4. In a scenario where a patient with pulmonary edema shows signs of
worsening respiratory distress, what would be the most appropriate
, next step in fluid management?
Administer diuretics without further assessment.
Increase the patient's fluid intake immediately.
Perform a chest X-ray to check for fluid levels.
Utilize a pulmonary artery catheter to assess hemodynamics.
5. The respiratory therapist notices a dampened waveform on the
pulmonary arterial pressure tracing on the bedside monitor. The
therapist should first
check the transducer dome for air bubbles (much quicker to
check before more would be done)
attempt to draw blood from the line.(if blood clot is suspected)
flush the catheter with heparin solution.( only after you aspirate
the blood clot out)
check the position of the transducer.(nothing to do with
dampened wave form)
6. What does a dampened pulmonary artery pressure tracing indicate in a
critical care setting?
Possible catheter misplacement or obstruction
Improved patient condition
Normal pulmonary artery function
Increased cardiac output
7. Your patient is complaining of shortness of breath and chest tightness.
Their skin is pale, cool, and diaphoretic. Vital signs are BP 90/70, P 56, R
32/shallow, SpO2 92%. Which of the following is the most appropriate
treatment for the patient?
, Obtain vitals, initiate 02 via NRB, obtain a 12 lead ECG, administer
NTG & ASA, and transport immediately
Obtain vitals, initiate 02 via NRB, and transport immediately
Obtain vitals, initiate 02 via BVM, obtain a 12 lead ECG, begin
transport, and initiate an IV
Obtain vitals, initiate 02 via BVM, initiate an IV, begin fluid
resuscitation, and then transport
8. Discuss why an anti-infective agent is the appropriate therapy for a
patient with elevated heart rate and respiratory rate, along with low
blood pressure.
A beta agonist aerosol is needed to manage bronchospasm due
to low oxygen saturation.
Sustained maximal inspiration is required to improve lung
function in a patient with low hemoglobin.
An oral expectorant is necessary to clear mucus in a patient with
high respiratory rate.
An anti-infective agent is appropriate as the patient may have
an infection causing sepsis, indicated by the elevated WBC and
vital signs.
9. Discuss why acute pulmonary embolism is prioritized for treatment in a
patient with syncope and shock compared to other conditions.
Right heart failure is less urgent and can be managed with
observation.
Hypervolemia is a common cause of shock and should be
treated before considering other conditions.
Acute pulmonary embolism can lead to rapid deterioration and
requires immediate intervention to restore blood flow and
oxygenation.
MEDICINE| VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
1. If the physician suspects a pulmonary embolism, which examination
would be ordered?
Thyroid uptake and scan
PET scan
Lung perfusion/ventilation study
DSIDA scan
2. Describe the significance of troponin levels in the diagnosis of
myocardial infarction.
Troponin levels indicate heart muscle damage and are crucial
for diagnosing myocardial infarction.
Troponin is used to assess kidney function in patients with chest
pain.
Troponin is a marker for liver function tests.
Troponin levels are irrelevant in the diagnosis of heart conditions.
3. If Mr. Jones's lab results indicate severe electrolyte imbalances due to
prolonged vomiting, what additional treatment should be considered
alongside fluid resuscitation?
Surgical intervention
Electrolyte replacement therapy
Antiemetic medications
Nutritional support
4. In a scenario where a patient with pulmonary edema shows signs of
worsening respiratory distress, what would be the most appropriate
, next step in fluid management?
Administer diuretics without further assessment.
Increase the patient's fluid intake immediately.
Perform a chest X-ray to check for fluid levels.
Utilize a pulmonary artery catheter to assess hemodynamics.
5. The respiratory therapist notices a dampened waveform on the
pulmonary arterial pressure tracing on the bedside monitor. The
therapist should first
check the transducer dome for air bubbles (much quicker to
check before more would be done)
attempt to draw blood from the line.(if blood clot is suspected)
flush the catheter with heparin solution.( only after you aspirate
the blood clot out)
check the position of the transducer.(nothing to do with
dampened wave form)
6. What does a dampened pulmonary artery pressure tracing indicate in a
critical care setting?
Possible catheter misplacement or obstruction
Improved patient condition
Normal pulmonary artery function
Increased cardiac output
7. Your patient is complaining of shortness of breath and chest tightness.
Their skin is pale, cool, and diaphoretic. Vital signs are BP 90/70, P 56, R
32/shallow, SpO2 92%. Which of the following is the most appropriate
treatment for the patient?
, Obtain vitals, initiate 02 via NRB, obtain a 12 lead ECG, administer
NTG & ASA, and transport immediately
Obtain vitals, initiate 02 via NRB, and transport immediately
Obtain vitals, initiate 02 via BVM, obtain a 12 lead ECG, begin
transport, and initiate an IV
Obtain vitals, initiate 02 via BVM, initiate an IV, begin fluid
resuscitation, and then transport
8. Discuss why an anti-infective agent is the appropriate therapy for a
patient with elevated heart rate and respiratory rate, along with low
blood pressure.
A beta agonist aerosol is needed to manage bronchospasm due
to low oxygen saturation.
Sustained maximal inspiration is required to improve lung
function in a patient with low hemoglobin.
An oral expectorant is necessary to clear mucus in a patient with
high respiratory rate.
An anti-infective agent is appropriate as the patient may have
an infection causing sepsis, indicated by the elevated WBC and
vital signs.
9. Discuss why acute pulmonary embolism is prioritized for treatment in a
patient with syncope and shock compared to other conditions.
Right heart failure is less urgent and can be managed with
observation.
Hypervolemia is a common cause of shock and should be
treated before considering other conditions.
Acute pulmonary embolism can lead to rapid deterioration and
requires immediate intervention to restore blood flow and
oxygenation.
