Progressive Care RN A Practice Exam:
Questions & Correct Answers Guide
________________________________________________
**Question 1**
Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by a heart rate greater than 100 bpm, upright P
waves before each QRS complex, and a normal QRS duration?
o Atrial Fibrillation
o Atrial Flutter
☑ Sinus Tachycardia
o Ventricular Tachycardia
________________________________________________
**Question 2**
What is the normal range for central venous pressure (CVP)?
o 0-2 mm Hg
☑ 2-6 mm Hg
o 8-12 mm Hg
o 12-18 mm Hg
________________________________________________
**Question 3**
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
o Hyperkalemia
☑ Hypokalemia
,o Hypernatremia
o Hypercalcemia
________________________________________________
**Question 4**
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with a pulmonary artery
catheter in place?
o PA systolic pressure of 25 mm Hg
o PA diastolic pressure of 10 mm Hg
☑ PA wedge pressure of 22 mm Hg
o Mean PA pressure of 15 mm Hg
________________________________________________
**Question 5**
The therapeutic range for heparin is monitored using which lab value?
o PT/INR
o APTT (aPTT)
☑ ACT (Activated Clotting Time)
o Platelet count
________________________________________________
**Question 6**
What is the expected arterial blood gas (ABG) value for pH?
o 7.25 - 7.35
☑ 7.35 - 7.45
o 7.45 - 7.55
o 7.50 - 7.60
,________________________________________________
**Question 7**
A patient is receiving a continuous infusion of nitroglycerin. Which adverse effect should
the nurse monitor for?
o Bradycardia
o Hypertension
☑ Hypotension
o Tachycardia
________________________________________________
**Question 8**
Which intervention is priority for a patient experiencing a stroke?
o Administering aspirin immediately
☑ Obtaining a CT scan of the head
o Starting IV fluids at a wide open rate
o Performing a detailed neurological exam
________________________________________________
**Question 9**
A patient's telemetry shows a prolonged PR interval greater than 0.20 seconds with no
dropped beats. This rhythm is identified as:
o Second-Degree AV Block Type I
o Second-Degree AV Block Type II
☑ First-Degree AV Block
o Third-Degree AV Block
________________________________________________
, **Question 10**
What is the normal cardiac output for an adult?
o 1-2 L/min
o 2-4 L/min
☑ 4-8 L/min
o 8-10 L/min
________________________________________________
**Question 11**
Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation with rapid
ventricular response?
o Epinephrine
o Amiodarone
☑ Diltiazem (Cardizem)
o Atropine
________________________________________________
**Question 12**
A patient with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What
does this indicate?
o Normal function
☑ An air leak
o A kinked tube
o Obstruction
________________________________________________
Questions & Correct Answers Guide
________________________________________________
**Question 1**
Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by a heart rate greater than 100 bpm, upright P
waves before each QRS complex, and a normal QRS duration?
o Atrial Fibrillation
o Atrial Flutter
☑ Sinus Tachycardia
o Ventricular Tachycardia
________________________________________________
**Question 2**
What is the normal range for central venous pressure (CVP)?
o 0-2 mm Hg
☑ 2-6 mm Hg
o 8-12 mm Hg
o 12-18 mm Hg
________________________________________________
**Question 3**
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should
the nurse monitor for most closely?
o Hyperkalemia
☑ Hypokalemia
,o Hypernatremia
o Hypercalcemia
________________________________________________
**Question 4**
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient with a pulmonary artery
catheter in place?
o PA systolic pressure of 25 mm Hg
o PA diastolic pressure of 10 mm Hg
☑ PA wedge pressure of 22 mm Hg
o Mean PA pressure of 15 mm Hg
________________________________________________
**Question 5**
The therapeutic range for heparin is monitored using which lab value?
o PT/INR
o APTT (aPTT)
☑ ACT (Activated Clotting Time)
o Platelet count
________________________________________________
**Question 6**
What is the expected arterial blood gas (ABG) value for pH?
o 7.25 - 7.35
☑ 7.35 - 7.45
o 7.45 - 7.55
o 7.50 - 7.60
,________________________________________________
**Question 7**
A patient is receiving a continuous infusion of nitroglycerin. Which adverse effect should
the nurse monitor for?
o Bradycardia
o Hypertension
☑ Hypotension
o Tachycardia
________________________________________________
**Question 8**
Which intervention is priority for a patient experiencing a stroke?
o Administering aspirin immediately
☑ Obtaining a CT scan of the head
o Starting IV fluids at a wide open rate
o Performing a detailed neurological exam
________________________________________________
**Question 9**
A patient's telemetry shows a prolonged PR interval greater than 0.20 seconds with no
dropped beats. This rhythm is identified as:
o Second-Degree AV Block Type I
o Second-Degree AV Block Type II
☑ First-Degree AV Block
o Third-Degree AV Block
________________________________________________
, **Question 10**
What is the normal cardiac output for an adult?
o 1-2 L/min
o 2-4 L/min
☑ 4-8 L/min
o 8-10 L/min
________________________________________________
**Question 11**
Which medication is considered a first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation with rapid
ventricular response?
o Epinephrine
o Amiodarone
☑ Diltiazem (Cardizem)
o Atropine
________________________________________________
**Question 12**
A patient with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What
does this indicate?
o Normal function
☑ An air leak
o A kinked tube
o Obstruction
________________________________________________
