PROGRESSIVE CARE RN A VERSION 1 2026
PRACTICE SET MOCK EXAM REVISION NOTES
AND SOLUTIONS EXPERT GRADE A+
◉ Traditional approaches to Patient Assessment include: Answer: -
include a complete evaluation of patient history
- comprehensive physical exam of all body systems
◉ Progressive care clinicians must balance: Answer: -need to gather
data
-prioritizing and providing care
◉ Collection of assessment data is obtained in: Answer: -phased or
staged manner
-consistent with pt care priorities
◉ What is the crucial element to developing competence in
assessing progressive care patients? Answer: -consistent and
systematic approach
◉ Discuss the importance of a consistent and systematic approach
to assessment of progressive care pt and families? Answer: - helps
avoid missing subtle signs or details that identify
,actual or potential problem
-indicate a pt's changing status
◉ Assessments should first focus on (2): Answer: -patient (focal
point of practitioner's attention)
-technology (augments info obtained from direct
assessment)
◉ What are the TWO standard approaches to assessing patients?
Answer: -head-to-toe approach
-body systems approach
◉ Most progressive care nurses use a (2): Answer: -combination
systems approach
-applied in a top-to-bottom manner
◉ Assessment of the progressive care patient begins (2) Answer: -
moment nurse aware of pending admission/transfer
-continues until transitioning to next phase of care
◉ The pre-arrival assessment helps the nurse (3): Answer: -paint an
initial picture
- to anticipate physiologic and psychological needs
,-determine appropriate resources needed
◉ The information received in the prearrival phase is crucial
because (2): Answer: -allows nurse to adequately prepare
environment
-meet specialized needs of pt/family
◉ When should the arrival quick check assessment be obtained?
Answer: -immediately upon arrival to the unit
◉ What assessment acronym is used in the arrival quick check
assessment? Answer: _"ABCDE"
◉ Define what the letters in the assessment acronym, "ABCDE"
represent. Answer: A = Airway
B = Breathing
C = Circulation, Cerebral Perfusion and Chief Complaint
D = Drugs and Diagnostic tests
E = Equipment
◉ The FOCUS of the quick check assessment is a quick overview of
the: Answer: -adequacy of ventilation and perfusion
-to ensure early intervention for life threatening
, situations
-(obtaining a quick overview of the key life-sustaining
systems)
◉ Why is the arrival quick check is ESSENTIAL because: Answer: -
validates that basic cardiac and respiratory function is
sufficient
◉ When is a comprehensive assessment done? Answer: As soon as
possible
◉ The timing of the comprehensive assessment is dictated by:
Answer: -degree of physiologic stability
-emergent treatment needs
◉ When the patient is admitted directly to PCU from OUTSIDE the
hospital, the comprehensive assessment includes: Answer: -an in
depth assessment of PMH and social hx
-complete physical exam of each body system
◉ If the patient is TRANSFERRED to PCU from another area in the
hospital the comprehensive assessment includes: Answer: -review of
admission assessment data
-comparison to the current assessment
PRACTICE SET MOCK EXAM REVISION NOTES
AND SOLUTIONS EXPERT GRADE A+
◉ Traditional approaches to Patient Assessment include: Answer: -
include a complete evaluation of patient history
- comprehensive physical exam of all body systems
◉ Progressive care clinicians must balance: Answer: -need to gather
data
-prioritizing and providing care
◉ Collection of assessment data is obtained in: Answer: -phased or
staged manner
-consistent with pt care priorities
◉ What is the crucial element to developing competence in
assessing progressive care patients? Answer: -consistent and
systematic approach
◉ Discuss the importance of a consistent and systematic approach
to assessment of progressive care pt and families? Answer: - helps
avoid missing subtle signs or details that identify
,actual or potential problem
-indicate a pt's changing status
◉ Assessments should first focus on (2): Answer: -patient (focal
point of practitioner's attention)
-technology (augments info obtained from direct
assessment)
◉ What are the TWO standard approaches to assessing patients?
Answer: -head-to-toe approach
-body systems approach
◉ Most progressive care nurses use a (2): Answer: -combination
systems approach
-applied in a top-to-bottom manner
◉ Assessment of the progressive care patient begins (2) Answer: -
moment nurse aware of pending admission/transfer
-continues until transitioning to next phase of care
◉ The pre-arrival assessment helps the nurse (3): Answer: -paint an
initial picture
- to anticipate physiologic and psychological needs
,-determine appropriate resources needed
◉ The information received in the prearrival phase is crucial
because (2): Answer: -allows nurse to adequately prepare
environment
-meet specialized needs of pt/family
◉ When should the arrival quick check assessment be obtained?
Answer: -immediately upon arrival to the unit
◉ What assessment acronym is used in the arrival quick check
assessment? Answer: _"ABCDE"
◉ Define what the letters in the assessment acronym, "ABCDE"
represent. Answer: A = Airway
B = Breathing
C = Circulation, Cerebral Perfusion and Chief Complaint
D = Drugs and Diagnostic tests
E = Equipment
◉ The FOCUS of the quick check assessment is a quick overview of
the: Answer: -adequacy of ventilation and perfusion
-to ensure early intervention for life threatening
, situations
-(obtaining a quick overview of the key life-sustaining
systems)
◉ Why is the arrival quick check is ESSENTIAL because: Answer: -
validates that basic cardiac and respiratory function is
sufficient
◉ When is a comprehensive assessment done? Answer: As soon as
possible
◉ The timing of the comprehensive assessment is dictated by:
Answer: -degree of physiologic stability
-emergent treatment needs
◉ When the patient is admitted directly to PCU from OUTSIDE the
hospital, the comprehensive assessment includes: Answer: -an in
depth assessment of PMH and social hx
-complete physical exam of each body system
◉ If the patient is TRANSFERRED to PCU from another area in the
hospital the comprehensive assessment includes: Answer: -review of
admission assessment data
-comparison to the current assessment
