Critical Care Practice QUESTIONS, ANSWERS and RATIONALE:
COMPREHENSIVE VERSION WITHTHE MOST RECENT AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS GUARANTEED PASS
A client diagnosed with heart failure has hemodynamic monitoring in place. Which actions
should the nurse perform to obtain accurate readings from the hemodynamic monitor? (Select
all that apply)
- Measure the pressure readings in between the client's breaths
- place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary artery level
- calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the transducer at the start of each shift
RATIONALE:: calibrate transducer to "0" mmHg at beginning of each shift
Two days following cardiac bypass surgery, the nurse places a client's mediastinal chest tube to
water seal. The client is using the incentive spirometer hourly while awake. Which assessment
findings warrants intervention by the nurse?
Water seal level 2 cm below the water seal fill line
RATIONALE:: if the water seal is above or below the prescribed water seal line, it will increase
the client's work of breathing which will increase the risk of a pneumothorax
A client in the ICU receives a STAT prescription for mannitol IV for cerebral edema post closed
head injury. Which action should the nurse implement when preparing to administer the
medication?
Use a filtered needle to draw up the medication and an in-line filter during infusion
, RATIONALE:: Mannitol is a large sugar molecule and is a crystal at room temperature. A needle
filter to draw up mannitol or an in-line filter should be used for the administration.
Two days after surgical repair of an aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA), the cardiac monitor is
displaying sinus bradycardia and blood pressure 82/40 mmHg. Nitroprusside is infusing at 10
mcg/kg/min and 0.9% sodium chloride at 100 mL/hr. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
Stop the nitroprusside infusion
RATIONALE:: the incisional anastomosis is leaking, causing a critical drop in blood pressure and
bradycardia. The medication used to control the client's blood pressure, nitroprusside, should
be stopped immediately. This client will then need volume and will need to be quickly returned
to surgery for repair.
A client is trying to talk with a endotracheal tube in place for mechanical ventilation. Which
method is most readily available for the nurse to provide the client for communication?
Communication board or paper pencil to write messages
RATIONALE:: A communication strategy for a client on a ventilator in ICU should be brief,
minimally fatiguing, immediately available for use by client and staff and does not compromise
the client's respiratory management. Although augmentative alternative communication
electronic devices are options, the most readily available tool is a communication board, paper
pencil, or a letter chart to spell words and messages.
The nurse is caring for a client who underwent surgical repair of the aorta after sustaining
injuries in a fall. Which finding indicates improved blood flow after the surgery?
Movement of lower extremities.
COMPREHENSIVE VERSION WITHTHE MOST RECENT AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS GUARANTEED PASS
A client diagnosed with heart failure has hemodynamic monitoring in place. Which actions
should the nurse perform to obtain accurate readings from the hemodynamic monitor? (Select
all that apply)
- Measure the pressure readings in between the client's breaths
- place the transducer at the client's atria level and pulmonary artery level
- calibrate the hemodynamic monitor by zeroing the transducer at the start of each shift
RATIONALE:: calibrate transducer to "0" mmHg at beginning of each shift
Two days following cardiac bypass surgery, the nurse places a client's mediastinal chest tube to
water seal. The client is using the incentive spirometer hourly while awake. Which assessment
findings warrants intervention by the nurse?
Water seal level 2 cm below the water seal fill line
RATIONALE:: if the water seal is above or below the prescribed water seal line, it will increase
the client's work of breathing which will increase the risk of a pneumothorax
A client in the ICU receives a STAT prescription for mannitol IV for cerebral edema post closed
head injury. Which action should the nurse implement when preparing to administer the
medication?
Use a filtered needle to draw up the medication and an in-line filter during infusion
, RATIONALE:: Mannitol is a large sugar molecule and is a crystal at room temperature. A needle
filter to draw up mannitol or an in-line filter should be used for the administration.
Two days after surgical repair of an aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA), the cardiac monitor is
displaying sinus bradycardia and blood pressure 82/40 mmHg. Nitroprusside is infusing at 10
mcg/kg/min and 0.9% sodium chloride at 100 mL/hr. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
Stop the nitroprusside infusion
RATIONALE:: the incisional anastomosis is leaking, causing a critical drop in blood pressure and
bradycardia. The medication used to control the client's blood pressure, nitroprusside, should
be stopped immediately. This client will then need volume and will need to be quickly returned
to surgery for repair.
A client is trying to talk with a endotracheal tube in place for mechanical ventilation. Which
method is most readily available for the nurse to provide the client for communication?
Communication board or paper pencil to write messages
RATIONALE:: A communication strategy for a client on a ventilator in ICU should be brief,
minimally fatiguing, immediately available for use by client and staff and does not compromise
the client's respiratory management. Although augmentative alternative communication
electronic devices are options, the most readily available tool is a communication board, paper
pencil, or a letter chart to spell words and messages.
The nurse is caring for a client who underwent surgical repair of the aorta after sustaining
injuries in a fall. Which finding indicates improved blood flow after the surgery?
Movement of lower extremities.
