CRITICAL CARE CONCEPTS/RESPIRATORY/ACNPC EXAM 2025 WITH
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
1. The rationale for using an IABP in the above patient is to:
reduce preload while preserving mean BP
reduce afterload while preserving mean BP
increase myocardial O2 consumption
increase systolic BP
2. A patient with community-acquired pneumonia is allergic to macrolides.
Which alternative antibiotic class could be prescribed for outpatient
treatment?
Fluoroquinolone
Tetracycline
Clindamycin
Vancomycin
3. What is the primary purpose of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)?
To assist the heart by increasing coronary artery perfusion,
decreasing oxygen consumption, and decreasing afterload.
To provide a source of oxygen directly to the bloodstream.
To replace the heart's function entirely during surgery.
To monitor blood pressure continuously during cardiac
procedures.
4. Describe why pulmonary angiography is regarded as the gold standard
for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.
,Pulmonary angiography is the most cost-effective method for
diagnosing PE.
, Pulmonary angiography is the only method that can assess lung
function.
Pulmonary angiography is less invasive than other methods.
Pulmonary angiography provides direct visualization of the
pulmonary arteries, allowing for accurate detection of emboli.
5. Describe the significance of measuring triglycerides and cholesterol
levels in chyliform effusions.
Measuring triglycerides and cholesterol levels helps determine
the nature of the effusion and its underlying cause.
It indicates the presence of infection in the effusion.
It evaluates the cellular composition of the effusion.
It assesses the pH level of the effusion.
6. A patient presents with pleural effusion, and the laboratory results show a
serum to pleural protein ratio of 0.4 and LDH levels that are within normal
range. Based on Light's criteria, how would you classify this effusion?
Infectious
Transudative
Exudative
Malignant
7. The critical care nurse knows that the two primarygoals of intra-aortic
balloon pump therapy (IABP)are:
increased heart rate and decreased bloodpressure
decreased heart rate and increased bloodpressure
afterload reduction and improved coronaryperfusion
preload reduction and decreased coronaryperfusion
, 8. What effect does an IABP have on a patient's oxygen consumption?
Decreases
Has no effect
Fluctuates
Increases
9. Describe why uncontrolled bleeding is considered a contraindication for
an intra-aortic balloon pump.
Uncontrolled bleeding can lead to increased blood pressure.
Uncontrolled bleeding is a minor concern in the use of the pump.
Uncontrolled bleeding poses a risk of further hemorrhage and
complicates hemodynamic stability.
Uncontrolled bleeding is unrelated to the function of the pump.
10. What is a common symptom of pericarditis that is often relieved by
sitting up or leaning forward?
nausea
dizziness
chest pain
shortness of breath
11. Which of the following is a contraindication to insertion of an intra-aortic
balloon pump?
Severe mitral regurgitation
Cardiogenic shock
Unstable angina
Severe aortic regurgitation
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
1. The rationale for using an IABP in the above patient is to:
reduce preload while preserving mean BP
reduce afterload while preserving mean BP
increase myocardial O2 consumption
increase systolic BP
2. A patient with community-acquired pneumonia is allergic to macrolides.
Which alternative antibiotic class could be prescribed for outpatient
treatment?
Fluoroquinolone
Tetracycline
Clindamycin
Vancomycin
3. What is the primary purpose of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)?
To assist the heart by increasing coronary artery perfusion,
decreasing oxygen consumption, and decreasing afterload.
To provide a source of oxygen directly to the bloodstream.
To replace the heart's function entirely during surgery.
To monitor blood pressure continuously during cardiac
procedures.
4. Describe why pulmonary angiography is regarded as the gold standard
for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.
,Pulmonary angiography is the most cost-effective method for
diagnosing PE.
, Pulmonary angiography is the only method that can assess lung
function.
Pulmonary angiography is less invasive than other methods.
Pulmonary angiography provides direct visualization of the
pulmonary arteries, allowing for accurate detection of emboli.
5. Describe the significance of measuring triglycerides and cholesterol
levels in chyliform effusions.
Measuring triglycerides and cholesterol levels helps determine
the nature of the effusion and its underlying cause.
It indicates the presence of infection in the effusion.
It evaluates the cellular composition of the effusion.
It assesses the pH level of the effusion.
6. A patient presents with pleural effusion, and the laboratory results show a
serum to pleural protein ratio of 0.4 and LDH levels that are within normal
range. Based on Light's criteria, how would you classify this effusion?
Infectious
Transudative
Exudative
Malignant
7. The critical care nurse knows that the two primarygoals of intra-aortic
balloon pump therapy (IABP)are:
increased heart rate and decreased bloodpressure
decreased heart rate and increased bloodpressure
afterload reduction and improved coronaryperfusion
preload reduction and decreased coronaryperfusion
, 8. What effect does an IABP have on a patient's oxygen consumption?
Decreases
Has no effect
Fluctuates
Increases
9. Describe why uncontrolled bleeding is considered a contraindication for
an intra-aortic balloon pump.
Uncontrolled bleeding can lead to increased blood pressure.
Uncontrolled bleeding is a minor concern in the use of the pump.
Uncontrolled bleeding poses a risk of further hemorrhage and
complicates hemodynamic stability.
Uncontrolled bleeding is unrelated to the function of the pump.
10. What is a common symptom of pericarditis that is often relieved by
sitting up or leaning forward?
nausea
dizziness
chest pain
shortness of breath
11. Which of the following is a contraindication to insertion of an intra-aortic
balloon pump?
Severe mitral regurgitation
Cardiogenic shock
Unstable angina
Severe aortic regurgitation
