Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with sepsis who has a mean arterial pressure (MAP)
of 55 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
B. Start a vasopressor infusion
C. Infuse 30 mL/kg isotonic crystalloid
D. Obtain blood cultures
Answer: C. Infuse 30 mL/kg isotonic crystalloid
Rationale: Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines prioritize fluid resuscitation (30
mL/kg) for sepsis-induced hypotension (MAP <65 mm Hg) before vasopressors.
Antibiotics within 1 hour are also critical but fluid comes first if hypotensive.
,Question 2
A patient with a subarachnoid hemorrhage has a new order for nimodipine. What
is the priority nursing action?
A. Monitor for reflex tachycardia
B. Assess for constipation
C. Check blood pressure before and during administration
D. Administer with food to reduce GI upset
Answer: C. Check blood pressure before and during administration
Rationale: Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker used to prevent cerebral
vasospasm; it causes significant hypotension. BP must be monitored closely to
prevent cerebral hypoperfusion.
Question 3
,In a mass casualty incident, a victim with a sucking chest wound and absent radial
pulse is triaged as:
A. Green (minor)
B. Yellow (delayed)
C. Red (immediate)
D. Black (expectant)
Answer: C. Red (immediate)
Rationale: Sucking chest wound is life-threatening but potentially survivable with
immediate intervention. Absent radial pulse indicates shock. Red tag = immediate
life-saving treatment.
Question 4
A nurse notes new-onset confusion, HR 110, RR 28, BP 90/60, and O2 sat 89% in a
post-op day 2 patient. What is the priority action?
, A. Reorient the patient
B. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
C. Call a rapid response team (RRT)
D. Check a fingerstick glucose
Answer: C. Call a rapid response team (RRT)
Rationale: This patient shows signs of clinical deterioration (possible sepsis, PE, or
hemorrhage). Early RRT activation improves outcomes. Do not delay for individual
interventions.
Question 5
Which ECG finding is most concerning in a patient with hyperkalemia?
A. Tall, peaked T waves
B. Widened QRS complex