ANSWERS 2022/2023 (AACN PRACTICE TEST)
What is vasogenic cerebral edema? (correct answers)Vasogenic cerebral edema is an increase in
extracellular fluid caused by a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier with the resultant increase in
vascular permeability. This cerebral edema begins locally and becomes more generalized. Common
causes are trauma (including surgical trauma), tumors, hemorrhage, and abscesses
What ventilator parameter indicates fluid volume excess? (correct answers)An A:a gradient greater than
10 mm Hg is a reflection of a diffusion defect. Note that the process of diffusion is between A (alveolus)
and (a) arterial blood. An increase in intraalveolar fluid dilutes and inactivates surfactant, causing
alveolar collapse (decreasing vital capacity) and decreases lung compliance. Peak inspiratory pressure
increases reflect a decrease in lung compliance
What does autonomy refer to? (correct answers)The patient's right to make decisions for themselves
What does beneficence mean? (correct answers)Obligation to do good
What does nonmaleficence mean? (correct answers)Obligation to do no harm
What does fidelity mean? (correct answers)the obligation to abide by agreements and responsibilities
What does veracity mean? (correct answers)The obligation to tell the truth
What are Diagnosis-Related groups? (correct answers)DRGs constitute a prospective payment program
for Medicare patients. Payment is based on primary and secondary diagnosis, primary and secondary
procedures, age, and length of hospitalization
,BNP is secreted in response to? (correct answers)Ventricular wall stretch
What are omnious signs in a patient with status asthmaticus? (correct answers)A normalization or
increase in the PaCO2. This patient is still tachypneic, and if ventilation is normal, PaCO2 should be
decreased. The other ominous sign in this patient would be absence of wheezing or rhonchi, because
they would indicate that ventilation is insufficient to cause these noises.
What problems arise from losses from the GI tract? (correct answers)Any loss results in hypokalemia.
Vomiting results in loss of acidic contents, whereas losses below the pylorus result is alkalitic losses
leading to metabolic acidosis. Fluid is sequestered in the intestine leading to hypovolemia, which could
cause hypovolemic shock.
Actual problems are worse than potential problems!! (correct answers)
How can you differentiate the cause of jaundice? (correct answers)An increase in direct bilirubin is
associated with biliary obstruction because direct bilirubin is conjugated. An increase in indirect bilirubin
is associated with hepatic disease or excessive hemolysis because indirect bilirubin is unconjugated
What antihypertensive meds work best in African american patients? (correct answers)African-
Americans do not respond well to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (e.g., captopril [Capoten]),
but they do respond well to an angiotensin II blocker (valsartan [Diovan]). Of the beta-blockers, labetalol
works best. Of the calcium channel blockers, diltiazem works best
What lab values define acute respiratory failure? (correct answers)50-50!
, PaO2<50 and/or PaCO2>50
Hyperkalemia can cause what? (correct answers)Diarrhea-increases gastric motility
Flaccid paralysis- partially depolarizes muscle cells, prevents further depolarization
Every 1 inch increase in abdominal girth equates to how much blood accumulation in the abdomen
(correct answers)500-1000mL
What pacing method would be used in a patient in atrial fib? (correct answers)VVI- you don't want to
sense or pace the atria.
1st letter-paced chamber
2nd letter-chamber sensed
What is the difference between an anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reaction? (correct
answers)Anaphylactoid clinically indistinguishable but does not require previous exposure ,not IgE
mediated, and direct activation and degranulation of mast cells triggered by complement . Anaphylactic
:requires previous exposure ,IgE mediated
Mitral stenosis is associated with what? (correct answers)Pinkish discoloration of the cheeks. It is a
diastolic murmur
What murmur is associated with widened pulse pressure? (correct answers)Aortic regurg