Critical Care Nursing: Diagnosis and
Management (10th Edition)
Unit I: Foundations of Critical Care Nursing
Chapter 1: Critical Care Nursing Practice
Exam Revision Test Bank
EXAM BLUEPRINT
Content Area Weight
History and Evolution of
5%
Critical Care
Critical Care Nursing Roles 10%
Advanced Practice Nursing 5%
Social Determinants of Health
10%
(SDOH)
Evidence-Based Practice 10%
Patient-Centered & Holistic
10%
Care
Complementary Therapies 5%
Technology and Tele-ICU 10%
,Interprofessional
10%
Collaboration
Rapid Response Teams 10%
Quality & Safety 10%
Healthy Work Environment 5%
Question Type: MCQ
Cognitive Level: Recall
Question Stem: Which development most directly contributed
to the emergence of modern critical care units?
A. Routine outpatient management of unstable patients
B. Need for continuous monitoring of acutely unstable patients
after major surgery and trauma
C. Replacement of all bedside nursing with technology
D. Elimination of interprofessional teamwork
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Critical care units developed to provide
continuous, close monitoring and rapid intervention for
patients with life-threatening instability, especially after major
surgery, trauma, and severe illness.
Distractor Analysis:
,A. Outpatient care does not require ICU-level surveillance.
C. Technology supports care but did not replace nursing.
D. Critical care depends heavily on interprofessional
collaboration.
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Learning Objective: Identify the historical drivers that led to the
development of critical care nursing.
Chapter Reference: Unit I, Critical Care Nursing Practice—
History of Critical Care
Clinical Significance: Understanding the origins of ICU care
supports recognition of why continuous monitoring and rapid
intervention remain central to practice.
Question Type: SATA
Cognitive Level: Recall
Question Stem: Which statements correctly describe social
determinants of health (SDOH) in critical care? Select all that
apply.
A. They include conditions in which people are born, grow,
work, live, and age
B. They can influence ICU admission risk and outcomes
C. They are limited to genetic factors and family history
, D. They may contribute to health disparities and inequities
E. They are unrelated to access to follow-up care
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Detailed Rationale: SDOH are the social and environmental
conditions shaping health and can affect illness severity, access
to care, and ICU outcomes.
Distractor Analysis:
C. Genetic factors are not SDOH.
E. Access to follow-up care is directly related to SDOH.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Learning Objective: Recognize the definition and clinical impact
of SDOH in critical care.
Chapter Reference: Unit I, Social Determinants of Health
Clinical Significance: ICU nurses often care for patients whose
outcomes are shaped by social barriers that affect prevention,
recovery, and discharge planning.
Question Type: MCQ
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Question Stem: Which statement best reflects the role of the
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)?
Management (10th Edition)
Unit I: Foundations of Critical Care Nursing
Chapter 1: Critical Care Nursing Practice
Exam Revision Test Bank
EXAM BLUEPRINT
Content Area Weight
History and Evolution of
5%
Critical Care
Critical Care Nursing Roles 10%
Advanced Practice Nursing 5%
Social Determinants of Health
10%
(SDOH)
Evidence-Based Practice 10%
Patient-Centered & Holistic
10%
Care
Complementary Therapies 5%
Technology and Tele-ICU 10%
,Interprofessional
10%
Collaboration
Rapid Response Teams 10%
Quality & Safety 10%
Healthy Work Environment 5%
Question Type: MCQ
Cognitive Level: Recall
Question Stem: Which development most directly contributed
to the emergence of modern critical care units?
A. Routine outpatient management of unstable patients
B. Need for continuous monitoring of acutely unstable patients
after major surgery and trauma
C. Replacement of all bedside nursing with technology
D. Elimination of interprofessional teamwork
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Critical care units developed to provide
continuous, close monitoring and rapid intervention for
patients with life-threatening instability, especially after major
surgery, trauma, and severe illness.
Distractor Analysis:
,A. Outpatient care does not require ICU-level surveillance.
C. Technology supports care but did not replace nursing.
D. Critical care depends heavily on interprofessional
collaboration.
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Learning Objective: Identify the historical drivers that led to the
development of critical care nursing.
Chapter Reference: Unit I, Critical Care Nursing Practice—
History of Critical Care
Clinical Significance: Understanding the origins of ICU care
supports recognition of why continuous monitoring and rapid
intervention remain central to practice.
Question Type: SATA
Cognitive Level: Recall
Question Stem: Which statements correctly describe social
determinants of health (SDOH) in critical care? Select all that
apply.
A. They include conditions in which people are born, grow,
work, live, and age
B. They can influence ICU admission risk and outcomes
C. They are limited to genetic factors and family history
, D. They may contribute to health disparities and inequities
E. They are unrelated to access to follow-up care
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Detailed Rationale: SDOH are the social and environmental
conditions shaping health and can affect illness severity, access
to care, and ICU outcomes.
Distractor Analysis:
C. Genetic factors are not SDOH.
E. Access to follow-up care is directly related to SDOH.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Learning Objective: Recognize the definition and clinical impact
of SDOH in critical care.
Chapter Reference: Unit I, Social Determinants of Health
Clinical Significance: ICU nurses often care for patients whose
outcomes are shaped by social barriers that affect prevention,
recovery, and discharge planning.
Question Type: MCQ
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Question Stem: Which statement best reflects the role of the
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)?
