Essentials of Critical Care Nursing
Chapter 1 Introduction 2026 Full Practice
Questions and Detailed Rationales
Latest Update
‣ Which patient would the nurse identify as experiencing a critical
illness? The patient:
1. With chronic airflow limitation whose VS are BP 110/72, P 110, R 16
2. With acute bronchospasm and whose VS are BP 100/60, P 124, R 32
3. Who was involved in a motor vehicle crash whose VS are BP 124/74,
P 74, R 18
4. On hemodialysis for chronic renal failure with no urine output and
whose VS are BP 98/50, P 108, R 12 Answer: Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The blood pressure and respiratory rate are considered
within normal limits. The heart rate is slightly elevated. Based upon
these vital signs, this patient is not critically ill.
Rationale 2: Acute bronchospasm can present a life-threatening
situation, which can jeopardize a patient's survival. The patient's pulse
and respiratory rate are elevated, which could indicate a critical illness.
Rationale 3: According to the vital signs, this patient is not critically ill
despite being in a motor vehicle crash.
Rationale 4: The patient on receiving hemodialysis for chronic renal
failure is not considered critically ill unless another disease process or
health issue develops. The patient's vital signs are consistent with
someone with chronic renal failure.
,‣ Of the following patients, which will the nurse expect to be transferred
to a critical care unit? The patient:
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect
choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. With an acetaminophen overdose
2. Suffering from acute mental illness
3. With chronic renal failure
4. With acute decompensated heart failure
5. With bacteremia from an infected foot wound Answer: Correct
Answer: 1,4,5
Rationale 1: Critical care units are cost-efficient units for caring for
patients with specific organ system failure. Patients with acetaminophen
overdose often suffer liver failure as a consequence.
Rationale 2: A patient with acute mental illness would not receive care
in a critical care unit. This health problem would be considered
noncritical.
Rationale 3: Even though critical care units are cost-efficient units for
caring for patients with specific organ system failure, chronic renal
failure is not a disease process necessitating the critical care
environment.
Rationale 4: The patient with acute decompensated heart failure would
receive care in a critical care unit. This patient has a specific organ that
has failed.
Rationale 5: Bacteremia can affect many organs and lead to multisystem
organ failure. This patient would receive care in a critical care unit.
, ‣ The nurse, employed in a hospital in a small rural town, would expect
to provide which level of care in the critical care unit?
1. Level I
2. Level II
3. Level III
4. It is unlikely that the hospital would have a critical care unit. Answer:
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: This level of care is provided most likely within teaching
hospitals and not in a rural facility.
Rationale 2: This level is able to provide comprehensive critical care for
most disorders but the unit may not be able to care for specific types of
patients. It is unlikely that this level of care would be available in a small
rural facility.
Rationale 3: Level III facilities provide initial stabilization of critically
ill patients but limited ability to provide comprehensive critical care. A
limited number of patients who require routine care may remain in the
facility but written policies should be in place determining which
patients require transfer and where they ought to be transferred. This
level of care is most likely provided in a small rural facility.
Rationale 4: Most hospitals have some level of critical care area.
‣ The nurse, providing patient care in an "open" ICU, would most likely
be working with a:
1. Multidisciplinary team with physicians who are also responsible for
patients on other units
2. Multidisciplinary team that includes a physician employed by the
hospital
Chapter 1 Introduction 2026 Full Practice
Questions and Detailed Rationales
Latest Update
‣ Which patient would the nurse identify as experiencing a critical
illness? The patient:
1. With chronic airflow limitation whose VS are BP 110/72, P 110, R 16
2. With acute bronchospasm and whose VS are BP 100/60, P 124, R 32
3. Who was involved in a motor vehicle crash whose VS are BP 124/74,
P 74, R 18
4. On hemodialysis for chronic renal failure with no urine output and
whose VS are BP 98/50, P 108, R 12 Answer: Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: The blood pressure and respiratory rate are considered
within normal limits. The heart rate is slightly elevated. Based upon
these vital signs, this patient is not critically ill.
Rationale 2: Acute bronchospasm can present a life-threatening
situation, which can jeopardize a patient's survival. The patient's pulse
and respiratory rate are elevated, which could indicate a critical illness.
Rationale 3: According to the vital signs, this patient is not critically ill
despite being in a motor vehicle crash.
Rationale 4: The patient on receiving hemodialysis for chronic renal
failure is not considered critically ill unless another disease process or
health issue develops. The patient's vital signs are consistent with
someone with chronic renal failure.
,‣ Of the following patients, which will the nurse expect to be transferred
to a critical care unit? The patient:
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect
choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. With an acetaminophen overdose
2. Suffering from acute mental illness
3. With chronic renal failure
4. With acute decompensated heart failure
5. With bacteremia from an infected foot wound Answer: Correct
Answer: 1,4,5
Rationale 1: Critical care units are cost-efficient units for caring for
patients with specific organ system failure. Patients with acetaminophen
overdose often suffer liver failure as a consequence.
Rationale 2: A patient with acute mental illness would not receive care
in a critical care unit. This health problem would be considered
noncritical.
Rationale 3: Even though critical care units are cost-efficient units for
caring for patients with specific organ system failure, chronic renal
failure is not a disease process necessitating the critical care
environment.
Rationale 4: The patient with acute decompensated heart failure would
receive care in a critical care unit. This patient has a specific organ that
has failed.
Rationale 5: Bacteremia can affect many organs and lead to multisystem
organ failure. This patient would receive care in a critical care unit.
, ‣ The nurse, employed in a hospital in a small rural town, would expect
to provide which level of care in the critical care unit?
1. Level I
2. Level II
3. Level III
4. It is unlikely that the hospital would have a critical care unit. Answer:
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: This level of care is provided most likely within teaching
hospitals and not in a rural facility.
Rationale 2: This level is able to provide comprehensive critical care for
most disorders but the unit may not be able to care for specific types of
patients. It is unlikely that this level of care would be available in a small
rural facility.
Rationale 3: Level III facilities provide initial stabilization of critically
ill patients but limited ability to provide comprehensive critical care. A
limited number of patients who require routine care may remain in the
facility but written policies should be in place determining which
patients require transfer and where they ought to be transferred. This
level of care is most likely provided in a small rural facility.
Rationale 4: Most hospitals have some level of critical care area.
‣ The nurse, providing patient care in an "open" ICU, would most likely
be working with a:
1. Multidisciplinary team with physicians who are also responsible for
patients on other units
2. Multidisciplinary team that includes a physician employed by the
hospital
