NSG 3300 Critical Care Nursing Exam With
Actual Questions & Verified Answers, Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient in septic shock has a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 58
mmHg. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administer furosemide
B. Start vasopressor therapy
C. Restrict fluids
D. Place patient in Trendelenburg position
Answer: B
Rationale: Vasopressors are indicated when MAP remains below
65 mmHg despite fluid resuscitation to maintain organ
perfusion.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates metabolic
acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, HCO₃⁻ 28
B. pH 7.30, HCO₃⁻ 18
C. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30
D. pH 7.40, HCO₃⁻ 24
Answer: B
Rationale: Low pH and low bicarbonate indicate metabolic
acidosis.
3. A patient is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which setting
directly controls oxygenation?
, A. Tidal volume
B. Respiratory rate
C. FiO₂
D. Peak inspiratory pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: FiO₂ determines the percentage of oxygen delivered
to the patient.
4. Which finding is an early sign of increased intracranial pressure
(ICP)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Fixed pupils
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Cushing’s triad
Answer: C
Rationale: Subtle changes in LOC are often the earliest indicator
of rising ICP.
5. A patient with pulmonary embolism is most likely to present with:
A. Bradypnea
B. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
C. Hypertension
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: PE typically causes sudden shortness of breath and
pleuritic chest pain.
6. Which medication is first-line in anaphylactic shock?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Albuterol
D. Hydrocortisone
, Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine reverses airway edema, vasodilation, and
bronchospasm.
7. A patient in cardiogenic shock will most likely have:
A. Warm, flushed skin
B. Hypotension and cold clammy skin
C. High urine output
D. Bounding pulses
Answer: B
Rationale: Reduced cardiac output leads to poor perfusion and
cold extremities.
8. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with ventricular
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated potassium disrupts cardiac conduction and
can cause lethal arrhythmias.
9. The most accurate indicator of fluid status in ICU patients is:
A. Skin turgor
B. Daily weight
C. Blood pressure
D. Heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily weight reflects true fluid balance changes.
10. A patient on heparin therapy should be monitored using:
A. INR
Actual Questions & Verified Answers, Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient in septic shock has a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 58
mmHg. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administer furosemide
B. Start vasopressor therapy
C. Restrict fluids
D. Place patient in Trendelenburg position
Answer: B
Rationale: Vasopressors are indicated when MAP remains below
65 mmHg despite fluid resuscitation to maintain organ
perfusion.
2. Which arterial blood gas (ABG) result indicates metabolic
acidosis?
A. pH 7.48, HCO₃⁻ 28
B. pH 7.30, HCO₃⁻ 18
C. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30
D. pH 7.40, HCO₃⁻ 24
Answer: B
Rationale: Low pH and low bicarbonate indicate metabolic
acidosis.
3. A patient is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which setting
directly controls oxygenation?
, A. Tidal volume
B. Respiratory rate
C. FiO₂
D. Peak inspiratory pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: FiO₂ determines the percentage of oxygen delivered
to the patient.
4. Which finding is an early sign of increased intracranial pressure
(ICP)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Fixed pupils
C. Decreased level of consciousness
D. Cushing’s triad
Answer: C
Rationale: Subtle changes in LOC are often the earliest indicator
of rising ICP.
5. A patient with pulmonary embolism is most likely to present with:
A. Bradypnea
B. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
C. Hypertension
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B
Rationale: PE typically causes sudden shortness of breath and
pleuritic chest pain.
6. Which medication is first-line in anaphylactic shock?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Albuterol
D. Hydrocortisone
, Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine reverses airway edema, vasodilation, and
bronchospasm.
7. A patient in cardiogenic shock will most likely have:
A. Warm, flushed skin
B. Hypotension and cold clammy skin
C. High urine output
D. Bounding pulses
Answer: B
Rationale: Reduced cardiac output leads to poor perfusion and
cold extremities.
8. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with ventricular
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated potassium disrupts cardiac conduction and
can cause lethal arrhythmias.
9. The most accurate indicator of fluid status in ICU patients is:
A. Skin turgor
B. Daily weight
C. Blood pressure
D. Heart rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily weight reflects true fluid balance changes.
10. A patient on heparin therapy should be monitored using:
A. INR
