ICU practice questions
When planning care for a patient on a mechanical ventilator, the nurse understands that the
application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to the ventilator settings has which
therapeutic effect?
~Increased inflation of the lungs
~Prevention of barotrauma to the lung tissue
~Prevention of alveolar collapse during expiration
~Increased (FIO2 ) fraction of inspired oxygen concentration administration - correct
answer-Prevention of alveolar collapse during expiration
The nurse is caring for a 34-year-old woman with acute decompensated heart failure who
has a pulmonary artery catheter. Which assessment best indicates that the patient's
condition is improving?
~Cardiac output (CO) is 3.5 L/minute.
~Central venous pressure (CVP) is 10 mm Hg.
~Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is 10 mm Hg.
~Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is 1500 dynes/sec/cm-5 . - correct
answer-~Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is 10 mm Hg.
A 68-year-old male patient diagnosed with sepsis is orally intubated on mechanical
ventilation. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
~Use the open-suctioning technique.
~Administer morphine for discomfort.
~Limit noise and cluster care activities.
~Elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees. - correct answer-~Elevate the head of the bed 30
degrees.
The nurse is caring for a 65-year-old man with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
who is on pressure support ventilation (PSV), fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) at 80%, and
positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) at 15 cm H2O. The patient weighs 72 kg. What
finding would indicate that treatment is effective?
~PaO2 of 60 mm Hg
~Tidal volume of 700 mL
~Cardiac output of 2.7 L/minute
~Inspiration to expiration ratio of 1:2 - correct answer-~PaO2 of 60 mm Hg
The nurse is admitting a 45-year-old asthmatic patient in acute respiratory distress. The
nurse auscultates the patient's lungs and notes cessation of the inspiratory wheezing. The
patient has not yet received any medication. What should this finding most likely suggest to
the nurse?
When planning care for a patient on a mechanical ventilator, the nurse understands that the
application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to the ventilator settings has which
therapeutic effect?
~Increased inflation of the lungs
~Prevention of barotrauma to the lung tissue
~Prevention of alveolar collapse during expiration
~Increased (FIO2 ) fraction of inspired oxygen concentration administration - correct
answer-Prevention of alveolar collapse during expiration
The nurse is caring for a 34-year-old woman with acute decompensated heart failure who
has a pulmonary artery catheter. Which assessment best indicates that the patient's
condition is improving?
~Cardiac output (CO) is 3.5 L/minute.
~Central venous pressure (CVP) is 10 mm Hg.
~Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is 10 mm Hg.
~Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is 1500 dynes/sec/cm-5 . - correct
answer-~Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is 10 mm Hg.
A 68-year-old male patient diagnosed with sepsis is orally intubated on mechanical
ventilation. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
~Use the open-suctioning technique.
~Administer morphine for discomfort.
~Limit noise and cluster care activities.
~Elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees. - correct answer-~Elevate the head of the bed 30
degrees.
The nurse is caring for a 65-year-old man with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
who is on pressure support ventilation (PSV), fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) at 80%, and
positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) at 15 cm H2O. The patient weighs 72 kg. What
finding would indicate that treatment is effective?
~PaO2 of 60 mm Hg
~Tidal volume of 700 mL
~Cardiac output of 2.7 L/minute
~Inspiration to expiration ratio of 1:2 - correct answer-~PaO2 of 60 mm Hg
The nurse is admitting a 45-year-old asthmatic patient in acute respiratory distress. The
nurse auscultates the patient's lungs and notes cessation of the inspiratory wheezing. The
patient has not yet received any medication. What should this finding most likely suggest to
the nurse?
