Progressive Care RN A Practice Exam:
Questions & Answers Guide
________________________________________________
**Question 1**
A patient on PCU develops new onset atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate of 138. The
patient is stable but complaining of palpitations. What is the nurse’s first priority?
a. Prepare for immediate synchronized cardioversion
b. Administer a bolus of amiodarone
c. Assess the patient’s hemodynamic status and vital signs
d. Give metoprolol 5 mg IV push immediately
☑ c. Assess the patient’s hemodynamic status and vital signs
________________________________________________
**Question 2**
Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of adequate tissue perfusion in a
progressive care patient?
a. Blood pressure of 110/68
b. Urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hr
c. Warm extremities and normal capillary refill
d. Heart rate of 92 bpm
☑ c. Warm extremities and normal capillary refill
, ________________________________________________
**Question 3**
A patient with a pulmonary artery catheter has a cardiac index of 1.8 L/min/m². The
nurse recognizes this value as:
a. Normal
b. Elevated
c. Low
d. Critical but not immediately life-threatening
☑ c. Low
________________________________________________
**Question 4**
A post-cardiac surgery patient suddenly develops a narrow complex tachycardia at 170
bpm with a blood pressure of 82/50. The patient is diaphoretic. The nurse should
prepare for:
a. Adenosine 6 mg rapid IV push
b. Synchronized cardioversion
c. Amiodarone infusion
d. Vagal maneuvers only
☑ b. Synchronized cardioversion
________________________________________________
**Question 5**
Which medication is most commonly used as a first-line vasopressor in septic shock on
a progressive care unit?
Questions & Answers Guide
________________________________________________
**Question 1**
A patient on PCU develops new onset atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate of 138. The
patient is stable but complaining of palpitations. What is the nurse’s first priority?
a. Prepare for immediate synchronized cardioversion
b. Administer a bolus of amiodarone
c. Assess the patient’s hemodynamic status and vital signs
d. Give metoprolol 5 mg IV push immediately
☑ c. Assess the patient’s hemodynamic status and vital signs
________________________________________________
**Question 2**
Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of adequate tissue perfusion in a
progressive care patient?
a. Blood pressure of 110/68
b. Urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hr
c. Warm extremities and normal capillary refill
d. Heart rate of 92 bpm
☑ c. Warm extremities and normal capillary refill
, ________________________________________________
**Question 3**
A patient with a pulmonary artery catheter has a cardiac index of 1.8 L/min/m². The
nurse recognizes this value as:
a. Normal
b. Elevated
c. Low
d. Critical but not immediately life-threatening
☑ c. Low
________________________________________________
**Question 4**
A post-cardiac surgery patient suddenly develops a narrow complex tachycardia at 170
bpm with a blood pressure of 82/50. The patient is diaphoretic. The nurse should
prepare for:
a. Adenosine 6 mg rapid IV push
b. Synchronized cardioversion
c. Amiodarone infusion
d. Vagal maneuvers only
☑ b. Synchronized cardioversion
________________________________________________
**Question 5**
Which medication is most commonly used as a first-line vasopressor in septic shock on
a progressive care unit?
