Critical Care: Exam 1
CRITICAL CARE: EXAM 1 NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!
What are side effects of NMBs?
Paralysis, hypotension, tachycardia; succinylcholine = hyperkalemia
What lab value is crucial to know prior to administering NMBs?
Potassium (risk of hyperkalemia)
Do NMBs have sedative or analgesic properties?
No!!
What is Train-of-Four monitoring?
Peripheral nerve stimulator delivering 4 impulses to monitor how
paralyzed the patient is
interpretation of twitched in train-of-four monitoring
4/4 twitches: incomplete blockade (no paralysis)
2/4 twitches: goal when on paralytic drip
0/4 twitches: complete blockade
When is train-of-four monitoring used?
Before initiation of medication, 15 minutes after dosage change, and
every 4 hours
What are key nursing cares for paralyzed patients?
1|Page
, Critical Care: Exam 1
Train-of-Four checks, ensure sedation, lubricate eyes (risk of corneal
abrasion), DVT prophylaxis, repositioning, monitor skin, oral care,
suctioning, monitor abdomen for distention
What are symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
Tremors, agitation, diaphoresis, hallucinations, tachycardia,
hypertension, seizures, delirium tremens, disorientation
When does alcohol withdrawal occur?
72-96 hours after last drink
Why must alcohol withdrawal be treated?
Can be fatal if untreated
What is the CIWA-Ar tool used for?
Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised - guides
medication administration
What is the primary function of the alveoli?
Gas exchange at the capillary level: O2 in, CO2 out
Which pneumocyte produces surfactant?
Type II pneumocytes
What is the purpose of surfactant?
Prevents alveolar collapse by reducing surface tension
What is the normal arterial pH range?
7.35-7.45
What is the normal PaCO2 range?
2|Page
, Critical Care: Exam 1
35-45 mmHg
What is the normal HCO3− (bicarbonate) range?
22-26 mEq/L
What is the normal PaO2 range?
80-100 mmHg
What is critical care nursing?
Dealing with physiological and psychological human responses to life-
threatening problems; nurse focuses on patient and family
Which professional organization is the largest for critical care nurses?
AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)
**What is the mission of the AACN?
Drive excellent patient care through knowledge and influence
What is the multiprofessional organization for critical care?
Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)
What is the certification for critical care nurses?
Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) - demonstrates expertise, enhances
credibility, improves outcomes
**What does the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care state?
The needs of patients and families drives the competency of the nurses
List characteristics of a critical care nurse.
3|Page
, Critical Care: Exam 1
Diligent, focused, quick to intervene, proactive, organized, comfortable
with noise/lights/interruptions, relationship-building with
patients/families
What are challenges of critical care nursing?
Compassion fatigue, moral distress, perfectionist tendencies
What is the focus of quality and safety in critical care?
Evidence-based care, teamwork, bundles of care
What are the 6 QSEN core competencies?
Patient-centered care, teamwork/collaboration, EBP, quality
improvement, safety, informatics
What is The Joint Commission's role?
Set national patient safety goals (e.g., falls, pressure injuries), audit
hospitals
What does it mean to bundle care?
EBP that are shown to reduce complications and improve outcomes
Who introduced the idea of bundles of care?
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Example of a care bundle in critical care?
CLABSI bundle to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections
What is patient-centered communication in the ICU?
Bedside shift report (BSSR)
What does SBAR stand for?
4|Page
CRITICAL CARE: EXAM 1 NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE ALL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
|ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!
What are side effects of NMBs?
Paralysis, hypotension, tachycardia; succinylcholine = hyperkalemia
What lab value is crucial to know prior to administering NMBs?
Potassium (risk of hyperkalemia)
Do NMBs have sedative or analgesic properties?
No!!
What is Train-of-Four monitoring?
Peripheral nerve stimulator delivering 4 impulses to monitor how
paralyzed the patient is
interpretation of twitched in train-of-four monitoring
4/4 twitches: incomplete blockade (no paralysis)
2/4 twitches: goal when on paralytic drip
0/4 twitches: complete blockade
When is train-of-four monitoring used?
Before initiation of medication, 15 minutes after dosage change, and
every 4 hours
What are key nursing cares for paralyzed patients?
1|Page
, Critical Care: Exam 1
Train-of-Four checks, ensure sedation, lubricate eyes (risk of corneal
abrasion), DVT prophylaxis, repositioning, monitor skin, oral care,
suctioning, monitor abdomen for distention
What are symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome?
Tremors, agitation, diaphoresis, hallucinations, tachycardia,
hypertension, seizures, delirium tremens, disorientation
When does alcohol withdrawal occur?
72-96 hours after last drink
Why must alcohol withdrawal be treated?
Can be fatal if untreated
What is the CIWA-Ar tool used for?
Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, revised - guides
medication administration
What is the primary function of the alveoli?
Gas exchange at the capillary level: O2 in, CO2 out
Which pneumocyte produces surfactant?
Type II pneumocytes
What is the purpose of surfactant?
Prevents alveolar collapse by reducing surface tension
What is the normal arterial pH range?
7.35-7.45
What is the normal PaCO2 range?
2|Page
, Critical Care: Exam 1
35-45 mmHg
What is the normal HCO3− (bicarbonate) range?
22-26 mEq/L
What is the normal PaO2 range?
80-100 mmHg
What is critical care nursing?
Dealing with physiological and psychological human responses to life-
threatening problems; nurse focuses on patient and family
Which professional organization is the largest for critical care nurses?
AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)
**What is the mission of the AACN?
Drive excellent patient care through knowledge and influence
What is the multiprofessional organization for critical care?
Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)
What is the certification for critical care nurses?
Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) - demonstrates expertise, enhances
credibility, improves outcomes
**What does the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care state?
The needs of patients and families drives the competency of the nurses
List characteristics of a critical care nurse.
3|Page
, Critical Care: Exam 1
Diligent, focused, quick to intervene, proactive, organized, comfortable
with noise/lights/interruptions, relationship-building with
patients/families
What are challenges of critical care nursing?
Compassion fatigue, moral distress, perfectionist tendencies
What is the focus of quality and safety in critical care?
Evidence-based care, teamwork, bundles of care
What are the 6 QSEN core competencies?
Patient-centered care, teamwork/collaboration, EBP, quality
improvement, safety, informatics
What is The Joint Commission's role?
Set national patient safety goals (e.g., falls, pressure injuries), audit
hospitals
What does it mean to bundle care?
EBP that are shown to reduce complications and improve outcomes
Who introduced the idea of bundles of care?
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Example of a care bundle in critical care?
CLABSI bundle to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections
What is patient-centered communication in the ICU?
Bedside shift report (BSSR)
What does SBAR stand for?
4|Page
