Critical Care Final Exam
CRITICAL CARE FINAL EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!
A client is diagnosed with a brain attack (cerebrovascular accident, CVA). The
baseline vital signs are a pulse rate of 78 bpm and a blood pressure (BP) of 120/80
mm Hg. The nurse continues to monitor the vital signs and recognizes that which
changes in vital signs indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
a. Pulse 50 bpm and BP 140/60 mm Hg
b. Pulse 56 bpm and BP 130/110 mm Hg
c. Pulse 60 bpm and BP 126/96 mm Hg
d. Pulse 120 bpm and BP 80/60 mm Hg - ANSWER-a
A client sustains a crushing injury of the spinal cord above the level of origin of the
phrenic nerve. As a result of this injury, the nurse expects what client response?
a. Ventricular fibrillation
b. Dysfunction of the vagus nerve
c. Retention of sensation but paralysis of the lower extremities
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, Critical Care Final Exam
d. Respiratory paralysis and cessation of diaphragmatic contractions - ANSWER-d
The nurse is caring for a client with a spinal cord injury. Which assessment findings
alert the nurse that the client is developing autonomic hyperreflexia (autonomic
dysreflexia)?
a. Hypertension and bradycardia
b. Flaccid paralysis and numbness
c. Absence of sweating and pyrexia
d. Escalating tachycardia and shock - ANSWER-a
Initially after a brain attack (stroke, cerebrovascular accident), a client's pupils are
equal and reactive to light. Four hours later the nurse identifies that one pupil
reacts more slowly than the other. The client's systolic blood pressure is beginning
to increase. On which condition should the nurse be prepared to focus care?
a. Spinal shock
b. Brain herniation
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, Critical Care Final Exam
c. Hypovolemic shock
d. Increased intracranial pressure - ANSWER-d
A client had a craniotomy for excision of a brain tumor. After surgery, the nurse
monitors the client for increased intracranial pressure. Which clinical finding
supports an increase in intracranial pressure?
a. Thready, weak pulse
b. Narrowing pulse pressure
c. Regular, shallow breathing
d. Lowered level of consciousness - ANSWER-d
A client has sustained a spinal cord injury at the T2 level. The nurse assesses for
signs of autonomic hyperreflexia (autonomic dysreflexia). What is the rationale for
the nurse's assessment?
a. The injury results in loss of the reflex arc.
b. The injury is above the sixth thoracic vertebra.
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, Critical Care Final Exam
c. There has been a partial transection of the cord.
d. There is a flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities. - ANSWER-b
A nurse is caring for a client who sustained a transection of the spinal cord with no
other injuries. The nurse continually monitors this client for which medical
emergency?
a. Hemorrhage
b. Hypovolemic shock
c. Gastrointestinal atony
d. Autonomic hyperreflexia - ANSWER-d
When caring for a client with a head injury that may have involved the medulla,
the nurse bases assessments on the knowledge that the medulla controls a variety
of functions. Which functions will the nurse assess? (Select all that apply).
a. Balance
b. Breathing
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CRITICAL CARE FINAL EXAM NEWEST 2025/2026 COMPLETE
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!
A client is diagnosed with a brain attack (cerebrovascular accident, CVA). The
baseline vital signs are a pulse rate of 78 bpm and a blood pressure (BP) of 120/80
mm Hg. The nurse continues to monitor the vital signs and recognizes that which
changes in vital signs indicate increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
a. Pulse 50 bpm and BP 140/60 mm Hg
b. Pulse 56 bpm and BP 130/110 mm Hg
c. Pulse 60 bpm and BP 126/96 mm Hg
d. Pulse 120 bpm and BP 80/60 mm Hg - ANSWER-a
A client sustains a crushing injury of the spinal cord above the level of origin of the
phrenic nerve. As a result of this injury, the nurse expects what client response?
a. Ventricular fibrillation
b. Dysfunction of the vagus nerve
c. Retention of sensation but paralysis of the lower extremities
1|Page
, Critical Care Final Exam
d. Respiratory paralysis and cessation of diaphragmatic contractions - ANSWER-d
The nurse is caring for a client with a spinal cord injury. Which assessment findings
alert the nurse that the client is developing autonomic hyperreflexia (autonomic
dysreflexia)?
a. Hypertension and bradycardia
b. Flaccid paralysis and numbness
c. Absence of sweating and pyrexia
d. Escalating tachycardia and shock - ANSWER-a
Initially after a brain attack (stroke, cerebrovascular accident), a client's pupils are
equal and reactive to light. Four hours later the nurse identifies that one pupil
reacts more slowly than the other. The client's systolic blood pressure is beginning
to increase. On which condition should the nurse be prepared to focus care?
a. Spinal shock
b. Brain herniation
2|Page
, Critical Care Final Exam
c. Hypovolemic shock
d. Increased intracranial pressure - ANSWER-d
A client had a craniotomy for excision of a brain tumor. After surgery, the nurse
monitors the client for increased intracranial pressure. Which clinical finding
supports an increase in intracranial pressure?
a. Thready, weak pulse
b. Narrowing pulse pressure
c. Regular, shallow breathing
d. Lowered level of consciousness - ANSWER-d
A client has sustained a spinal cord injury at the T2 level. The nurse assesses for
signs of autonomic hyperreflexia (autonomic dysreflexia). What is the rationale for
the nurse's assessment?
a. The injury results in loss of the reflex arc.
b. The injury is above the sixth thoracic vertebra.
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, Critical Care Final Exam
c. There has been a partial transection of the cord.
d. There is a flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities. - ANSWER-b
A nurse is caring for a client who sustained a transection of the spinal cord with no
other injuries. The nurse continually monitors this client for which medical
emergency?
a. Hemorrhage
b. Hypovolemic shock
c. Gastrointestinal atony
d. Autonomic hyperreflexia - ANSWER-d
When caring for a client with a head injury that may have involved the medulla,
the nurse bases assessments on the knowledge that the medulla controls a variety
of functions. Which functions will the nurse assess? (Select all that apply).
a. Balance
b. Breathing
4|Page
