ICU Patient Management Assessment
Questions And Answers With Verified
Rationales | 2026/27 Qs & Ans | Digital Pdf
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1. In ICU care, what is the highest priority for all patients?
A. Nutrition
B. Family education
C. Airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)
D. Documentation
Rationale: ABCs remain the foundation of all critical care management.
2. A mechanically ventilated patient suddenly becomes agitated. The nurse
should first:
A. Increase sedation immediately
B. Call the provider
C. Assess oxygenation and ventilator function
D. Restrain the patient
Rationale: Agitation may indicate hypoxia or ventilator malfunction.
3. Which ventilator alarm requires immediate action?
,A. Low battery
B. High temperature alert
C. High-pressure alarm
D. Scheduled maintenance alert
Rationale: High pressure may indicate airway obstruction or
pneumothorax.
4. Which finding suggests hypoxia in an ICU patient?
A. Increased appetite
B. Normal mental status
C. Restlessness and confusion
D. Bradycardia only
Rationale: Early hypoxia presents with agitation and confusion.
5. Priority action for low oxygen saturation (<90%):
A. Decrease oxygen
B. Ignore if patient stable
C. Increase oxygen delivery and assess airway
D. Encourage oral fluids
Rationale: Immediate oxygenation support is required.
6. Which ABG result indicates respiratory acidosis?
,A. pH high, CO₂ low
B. pH normal, CO₂ normal
C. pH low, CO₂ high
D. pH high, CO₂ high
Rationale: CO₂ retention lowers blood pH.
7. Which condition commonly causes respiratory alkalosis in ICU?
A. Hypoventilation
B. Hyperventilation
C. Kidney failure
D. Hypoxia only
Rationale: Excess CO₂ loss raises pH.
8. Priority intervention for respiratory acidosis:
A. Restrict oxygen
B. Improve ventilation support
C. Give diuretics
D. Reduce fluids
Rationale: CO₂ removal improves acid-base balance.
9. Which electrolyte imbalance is life-threatening in ICU?
, A. Mild sodium variation
B. Slight calcium change
C. Severe potassium imbalance
D. Slight magnesium increase
Rationale: Potassium affects cardiac rhythm.
10. Which ECG change suggests hyperkalemia?
A. Flat T waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. ST depression only
D. Bradycardia only
Rationale: Hyperkalemia alters cardiac conduction.
11. Priority treatment for hyperkalemia:
A. Oral fluids
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Diuretics only
D. Oxygen only
Rationale: Calcium stabilizes cardiac membrane.
12. Which patient is at highest risk for ICU delirium?
Questions And Answers With Verified
Rationales | 2026/27 Qs & Ans | Digital Pdf
Download
1. In ICU care, what is the highest priority for all patients?
A. Nutrition
B. Family education
C. Airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)
D. Documentation
Rationale: ABCs remain the foundation of all critical care management.
2. A mechanically ventilated patient suddenly becomes agitated. The nurse
should first:
A. Increase sedation immediately
B. Call the provider
C. Assess oxygenation and ventilator function
D. Restrain the patient
Rationale: Agitation may indicate hypoxia or ventilator malfunction.
3. Which ventilator alarm requires immediate action?
,A. Low battery
B. High temperature alert
C. High-pressure alarm
D. Scheduled maintenance alert
Rationale: High pressure may indicate airway obstruction or
pneumothorax.
4. Which finding suggests hypoxia in an ICU patient?
A. Increased appetite
B. Normal mental status
C. Restlessness and confusion
D. Bradycardia only
Rationale: Early hypoxia presents with agitation and confusion.
5. Priority action for low oxygen saturation (<90%):
A. Decrease oxygen
B. Ignore if patient stable
C. Increase oxygen delivery and assess airway
D. Encourage oral fluids
Rationale: Immediate oxygenation support is required.
6. Which ABG result indicates respiratory acidosis?
,A. pH high, CO₂ low
B. pH normal, CO₂ normal
C. pH low, CO₂ high
D. pH high, CO₂ high
Rationale: CO₂ retention lowers blood pH.
7. Which condition commonly causes respiratory alkalosis in ICU?
A. Hypoventilation
B. Hyperventilation
C. Kidney failure
D. Hypoxia only
Rationale: Excess CO₂ loss raises pH.
8. Priority intervention for respiratory acidosis:
A. Restrict oxygen
B. Improve ventilation support
C. Give diuretics
D. Reduce fluids
Rationale: CO₂ removal improves acid-base balance.
9. Which electrolyte imbalance is life-threatening in ICU?
, A. Mild sodium variation
B. Slight calcium change
C. Severe potassium imbalance
D. Slight magnesium increase
Rationale: Potassium affects cardiac rhythm.
10. Which ECG change suggests hyperkalemia?
A. Flat T waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. ST depression only
D. Bradycardia only
Rationale: Hyperkalemia alters cardiac conduction.
11. Priority treatment for hyperkalemia:
A. Oral fluids
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Diuretics only
D. Oxygen only
Rationale: Calcium stabilizes cardiac membrane.
12. Which patient is at highest risk for ICU delirium?
