CRITICAL CARE PRACTICE TEST WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | 2026
VERSION
The nurse is caring for a client in the intensive care unit (ICU) with type 1
diabetes mellitus who has a blood glucose level of 600 mg/dL (33.3
mmol/L). Which clinical manifestation is most important for the nurse to
report to the healthcare provider if the blood sugar continues to rise?
A) Change in level of consciousness.
B) Increase in urinary output.
C) Onset of Kussmaul respirations.
D) Decrease in serum potassium level.
A) Change in level of consciousness
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 finding warrants
intervention by the nurse?
A) Serosanguineous fluid in collection container.
B) Fluid fluctuation in tubing with respirations.
C) Water seal level2 cm below the water seal fill line.
D) Report of chest tube insertion site tenderness.
C) Water seal level2 cm below the water seal fill line.
The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas (ABG) of a client who has a
nasogastric tube to low suction. The ABG results are pH - 7.48; paCO 2 -
50 mmHg; HCO 3 - 27mEq/liter. How should the nurse interpret this blood
gas?
A) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis.
B) Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis.
C) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis.
D) Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis.
,D) Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis.
A chest X-ray is prescribed for a client with possible adult respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS). Which radiographic finding represents the
pathological processes of pulmonary edema and consolidation of the lungs
as ARDS progresses ?
A) White-out appearance.
B) Infiltrates.
C) Calcified cavities.
D) Multiple nodules.
A) White-out appearance.
A client placed on hospice care is admitted for palliative radiation
treatments to the neck. Which assessment should the nurse identify as a
priority?
A) Pain assessment.
B) Respiratory assessment.
C) Cardiovascular assessment.
D) Integumentary assessment.
A) Pain assessment.
A client reports shortness of breath and chest pressure radiating down the
left arm. The client is receiving 2 liters of oxygen via nasal cannula and
has two saline lock intravenous catheters. The nurse performs a 12 lead
electrocardiogram (ECG) that shows ST segment elevation in leads II, III,
aVF, and V4R. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A) Give0.3 mg nitroglycerin sublingual.
B) Administer4 mg IV morphine sulfate.
C) Measure the ST segment height.
D) Infuse 0.9% sodium chloride bolus.
D) Infuse 0.9% sodium chloride bolus
The nurse is collecting a sample for arterial blood gases (ABGs) for a
client with hypoxia due to cardiomyopathy. Which should the nurse assess
prior to obtaining the arterial blood sample?
, A) Ulnar blood flow.
B) Apical heart rate.
C) Oxygenation level.
D) Breath sounds.
A) Ulnar blood flow
The health care provider has determined that a client has irreversible
brain damage with subsequent brain death. Organ donation is discussed
with the family. Which action should the nurse take prior to contacting
the organ procurement organization (OPO)?
A) Obtain informed consent.
B) Disconnect the ventilator.
C) Remove all jewelry.
D) Contact the medical examiner.
A) Obtain informed consent
The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the surgical intensive care
unit (SICU) on the first postoperative day after a kidney transplantation.
Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care to
prevent hypovolemia?
A) Give IV fluids on a 1:1 ratio from output.
B) Administer loop diuretics.
C) Increase sodium intake.
D) Provide sports drinks for hydration.
A) Give IV fluids on a 1:1 ratio from output.
A client who is hypotensive is receiving an infusion of dopamine 10
mcg/kg/minute IV through a peripheral line. The client begins to report
burning at the IV site. Which action should the nurse implement?
A) Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider of the findings.
B) Check the line for blood return and irrigate the peripheral IV catheter.
C) Apply a cold compress to the site and continue the infusion's rate.
D) Slow the infusion rate and add a secondary IV of 0.9% sodium chloride.
A) Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider of the findings.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | 2026
VERSION
The nurse is caring for a client in the intensive care unit (ICU) with type 1
diabetes mellitus who has a blood glucose level of 600 mg/dL (33.3
mmol/L). Which clinical manifestation is most important for the nurse to
report to the healthcare provider if the blood sugar continues to rise?
A) Change in level of consciousness.
B) Increase in urinary output.
C) Onset of Kussmaul respirations.
D) Decrease in serum potassium level.
A) Change in level of consciousness
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 finding warrants
intervention by the nurse?
A) Serosanguineous fluid in collection container.
B) Fluid fluctuation in tubing with respirations.
C) Water seal level2 cm below the water seal fill line.
D) Report of chest tube insertion site tenderness.
C) Water seal level2 cm below the water seal fill line.
The nurse is analyzing an arterial blood gas (ABG) of a client who has a
nasogastric tube to low suction. The ABG results are pH - 7.48; paCO 2 -
50 mmHg; HCO 3 - 27mEq/liter. How should the nurse interpret this blood
gas?
A) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis.
B) Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis.
C) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis.
D) Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis.
,D) Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis.
A chest X-ray is prescribed for a client with possible adult respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS). Which radiographic finding represents the
pathological processes of pulmonary edema and consolidation of the lungs
as ARDS progresses ?
A) White-out appearance.
B) Infiltrates.
C) Calcified cavities.
D) Multiple nodules.
A) White-out appearance.
A client placed on hospice care is admitted for palliative radiation
treatments to the neck. Which assessment should the nurse identify as a
priority?
A) Pain assessment.
B) Respiratory assessment.
C) Cardiovascular assessment.
D) Integumentary assessment.
A) Pain assessment.
A client reports shortness of breath and chest pressure radiating down the
left arm. The client is receiving 2 liters of oxygen via nasal cannula and
has two saline lock intravenous catheters. The nurse performs a 12 lead
electrocardiogram (ECG) that shows ST segment elevation in leads II, III,
aVF, and V4R. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A) Give0.3 mg nitroglycerin sublingual.
B) Administer4 mg IV morphine sulfate.
C) Measure the ST segment height.
D) Infuse 0.9% sodium chloride bolus.
D) Infuse 0.9% sodium chloride bolus
The nurse is collecting a sample for arterial blood gases (ABGs) for a
client with hypoxia due to cardiomyopathy. Which should the nurse assess
prior to obtaining the arterial blood sample?
, A) Ulnar blood flow.
B) Apical heart rate.
C) Oxygenation level.
D) Breath sounds.
A) Ulnar blood flow
The health care provider has determined that a client has irreversible
brain damage with subsequent brain death. Organ donation is discussed
with the family. Which action should the nurse take prior to contacting
the organ procurement organization (OPO)?
A) Obtain informed consent.
B) Disconnect the ventilator.
C) Remove all jewelry.
D) Contact the medical examiner.
A) Obtain informed consent
The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the surgical intensive care
unit (SICU) on the first postoperative day after a kidney transplantation.
Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care to
prevent hypovolemia?
A) Give IV fluids on a 1:1 ratio from output.
B) Administer loop diuretics.
C) Increase sodium intake.
D) Provide sports drinks for hydration.
A) Give IV fluids on a 1:1 ratio from output.
A client who is hypotensive is receiving an infusion of dopamine 10
mcg/kg/minute IV through a peripheral line. The client begins to report
burning at the IV site. Which action should the nurse implement?
A) Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider of the findings.
B) Check the line for blood return and irrigate the peripheral IV catheter.
C) Apply a cold compress to the site and continue the infusion's rate.
D) Slow the infusion rate and add a secondary IV of 0.9% sodium chloride.
A) Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider of the findings.
