ADN Week 10 Quiz | Critical Care / ICU Nursing | 2026/2027 Update
Galen College
1. A nurse calculates the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) for a patient with a
blood pressure of 110/70. What is the calculated MAP?
A. 73 mmHg
B. 90 mmHg
C. 83 mmHg
D. 100 mmHg
Answer: C
Rationale: MAP is calculated as (Systolic BP + 2 * Diastolic BP) / 3. So, (110 + 140) / 3 =
83.33 mmHg.
2. Which clinical finding is considered an early sign of compensated shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Lethargy
C. Tachycardia
D. Anuria
Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output
when stroke volume decreases.
,3. A patient in septic shock remains hypotensive after a 30 mL/kg fluid bolus.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering first?
A. Atropine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Nitroprusside
D. Furosemide
Answer: B
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock that is
unresponsive to fluid resuscitation.
4. What is the primary physiological goal of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure
(PEEP) in a mechanically ventilated patient?
A. To prevent alveolar collapse at the end of expiration
B. To decrease the risk of barotrauma
C. To increase the respiratory rate
D. To clear secretions from the mainstem bronchi
Answer: A
Rationale: PEEP maintains pressure in the lungs at the end of expiration to keep alveoli
open and improve oxygenation.
5. While monitoring a patient with an arterial line, the nurse notes the ‘dicrotic
notch’ on the waveform. What does this represent?
A. Atrial contraction
B. Opening of the mitral valve
C. Closure of the aortic valve
D. Ventricular depolarization
Answer: C
Rationale: The dicrotic notch on an arterial pressure waveform represents the closure of
the aortic valve, signifying the start of diastole.
, 6. A patient is admitted with a CVP (Central Venous Pressure) of 1 mmHg. Which
intervention does the nurse anticipate?
A. Administration of a loop diuretic
B. Administration of a beta-blocker
C. Decrease in IV infusion rate
D. Fluid bolus of Normal Saline
Answer: D
Rationale: Normal CVP is 2-6 mmHg. A low CVP indicates hypovolemia, requiring fluid
resuscitation.
7. Which assessment finding is a classic sign of Neurogenic Shock but not other
types of shock?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Increased SVR
Answer: B
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results in the loss of sympathetic tone, leading to bradycardia
and vasodilation, unlike the tachycardia seen in other shocks.
8. The ventilator alarm for ‘High Pressure’ is sounding. What is a likely cause?
A. The patient is biting the endotracheal tube
B. There is a leak in the ET tube cuff
C. The patient has disconnected from the ventilator
D. The patient is extubated
Answer: A
Rationale: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance, such as biting the
tube, secretions, or kinking. Disconnections cause low-pressure alarms.
Galen College
1. A nurse calculates the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) for a patient with a
blood pressure of 110/70. What is the calculated MAP?
A. 73 mmHg
B. 90 mmHg
C. 83 mmHg
D. 100 mmHg
Answer: C
Rationale: MAP is calculated as (Systolic BP + 2 * Diastolic BP) / 3. So, (110 + 140) / 3 =
83.33 mmHg.
2. Which clinical finding is considered an early sign of compensated shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Lethargy
C. Tachycardia
D. Anuria
Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output
when stroke volume decreases.
,3. A patient in septic shock remains hypotensive after a 30 mL/kg fluid bolus.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering first?
A. Atropine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Nitroprusside
D. Furosemide
Answer: B
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock that is
unresponsive to fluid resuscitation.
4. What is the primary physiological goal of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure
(PEEP) in a mechanically ventilated patient?
A. To prevent alveolar collapse at the end of expiration
B. To decrease the risk of barotrauma
C. To increase the respiratory rate
D. To clear secretions from the mainstem bronchi
Answer: A
Rationale: PEEP maintains pressure in the lungs at the end of expiration to keep alveoli
open and improve oxygenation.
5. While monitoring a patient with an arterial line, the nurse notes the ‘dicrotic
notch’ on the waveform. What does this represent?
A. Atrial contraction
B. Opening of the mitral valve
C. Closure of the aortic valve
D. Ventricular depolarization
Answer: C
Rationale: The dicrotic notch on an arterial pressure waveform represents the closure of
the aortic valve, signifying the start of diastole.
, 6. A patient is admitted with a CVP (Central Venous Pressure) of 1 mmHg. Which
intervention does the nurse anticipate?
A. Administration of a loop diuretic
B. Administration of a beta-blocker
C. Decrease in IV infusion rate
D. Fluid bolus of Normal Saline
Answer: D
Rationale: Normal CVP is 2-6 mmHg. A low CVP indicates hypovolemia, requiring fluid
resuscitation.
7. Which assessment finding is a classic sign of Neurogenic Shock but not other
types of shock?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Increased SVR
Answer: B
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results in the loss of sympathetic tone, leading to bradycardia
and vasodilation, unlike the tachycardia seen in other shocks.
8. The ventilator alarm for ‘High Pressure’ is sounding. What is a likely cause?
A. The patient is biting the endotracheal tube
B. There is a leak in the ET tube cuff
C. The patient has disconnected from the ventilator
D. The patient is extubated
Answer: A
Rationale: High-pressure alarms are triggered by increased resistance, such as biting the
tube, secretions, or kinking. Disconnections cause low-pressure alarms.
