Critical Care Nursing NCLEX Questions

Critical Care Nursing NCLEX Questions Related

Review Critical Care Nursing NCLEX Questions related questions and content

A patient who is unconscious after a fall from a ladder is transported to the emergency department by emergency medical personnel. During the primary survey of the patient, the nurse should:

  • A. Obtain a complete set of vital signs.
  • B. Obtain a Glasgow Coma Scale score.
  • C. Ask about chronic medical conditions.
  • D. Attach a cardiac electrocardiogram monitor.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Obtain a Glasgow Coma Scale score. During the primary survey, assessing the patient's level of consciousness is crucial as it helps determine the severity of the injury and guides further management. The Glasgow Coma Scale is a standardized tool used to assess the level of consciousness based on eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. It provides valuable information about the patient's neurological status.

A: Obtaining a complete set of vital signs is important but assessing the level of consciousness takes priority in this scenario.
C: Asking about chronic medical conditions is important but not as critical as assessing the patient's level of consciousness during the primary survey.
D: Attaching a cardiac electrocardiogram monitor is not necessary during the primary survey unless there are specific indications of cardiac issues, which are not evident in this case.

In summary, obtaining a Glasgow Coma Scale score is essential for assessing the patient's level of consciousness and determining the severity of the injury during the primary survey.

You may also like to solve these questions

What is a minimally acceptable urine output for a patient weighing 75 kg?

  • A. Less than 30 mL/hour
  • B. 37 mL/hour
  • C. 80 mL/hour
  • D. 150 mL/hour
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C (80 mL/hour) because the minimum acceptable urine output for a patient is approximately 0.5-1 mL/kg/hour. For a 75 kg patient, this equates to 37.5-75 mL/hour. Therefore, an output of 80 mL/hour is within this range and is considered minimally acceptable.

A: Less than 30 mL/hour is incorrect because it is below the recommended range for a 75 kg patient.
B: 37 mL/hour is close to the lower end of the acceptable range, but it is not the minimum acceptable output.
D: 150 mL/hour is above the recommended range and would be considered excessive for a 75 kg patient.

A 75-year-old patient, who suffered a massive stroke 3 weeks ago, has been unresponsive and

  • A. The primary health care provider has approached the spouse regarding placement of a perma nent feeding tube. The spouse states that the patient never wanted to be kept alive by tub es and personally didn’t want what was being done. After holding a family conference with th e spouse, the medical team concurs and the feeding tube is not placed. What term would be used to describe this situation?
  • B. Euthanasia
  • C. Palliative care
  • D. Withdrawal of life support
Correct Answer: E

Rationale: Step 1: The scenario describes a decision made based on the patient's previously expressed wishes.
Step 2: The decision aligns with the principle of respecting patient autonomy.
Step 3: The term that best describes this situation is "Advance Directive."
Summary:
- A: Incorrect, as it involves actively ending the patient's life without their consent.
- B: Incorrect, as euthanasia involves intentionally causing death to relieve suffering.
- C: Incorrect, as palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for the patient.
- D: Incorrect, as withdrawal of life support involves discontinuing medical interventions, not honoring the patient's wishes.

A patient is admitted to the hospital with multiple trauma aabnirdb .ceoxmte/tensst ive blood loss. The nurse assesses vital signs to be BP 80/50 mm Hg, heart rate 135 beats/min, respirations 36 breaths/min, cardiac output (CO) of 2 L/min, systemic vas cular resistance of 3000 dynes/sec/cm5, and a hematocrit of 20%. The nurse anticip ates administration of which the following therapies or medications?

  • A. Blood transfusion
  • B. Furosemide
  • C. Dobutamine infusion
  • D. Dopamine hydrochloride infusion
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Dobutamine infusion. In this scenario, the patient is experiencing hypovolemic shock due to significant blood loss, resulting in low blood pressure, tachycardia, and low cardiac output. Dobutamine is a positive inotropic agent that increases cardiac contractility and output, helping to improve tissue perfusion.

Blood transfusion (A) is a common intervention for hypovolemic shock, but in this case, the patient's hematocrit is low, indicating dilutional anemia rather than acute blood loss, so addressing the cardiac output is more urgent. Furosemide (B) is a diuretic that would exacerbate the hypovolemia and worsen the patient's condition. Dopamine (D) is a vasopressor that primarily increases blood pressure, but in this case, the patient's low cardiac output is the main concern, making dobutamine a more appropriate choice.

The nurse is caring for a mechanically ventilated patient. T he primary care providers are considering performing a tracheostomy because the patienatb iirsb .hcoamv/itensgt difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation. Related to tracheostomy, the nurse understands which of the following?

  • A. Patient outcomes are better if the tracheostomy is done within a week of intubation.
  • B. Percutaneous tracheostomy can be done safely at the b edside by the respiratory therapist.
  • C. Procedures performed in the operating room are associaabtirebd.c owmi/ttehs tf ewer complications.
  • D. The greatest risk after a percutaneous tracheostomy is accidental decannulation.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Procedures performed in the operating room are associated with fewer complications. This is because performing a tracheostomy in the operating room allows for better control of the environment, equipment, and expertise of the surgical team. In this setting, the risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, and injury to surrounding structures is minimized.

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect:
A: Patient outcomes are better if the tracheostomy is done within a week of intubation - This statement is not universally true and depends on individual patient factors. Timing of tracheostomy should be based on the patient's clinical condition and not a set timeline.
B: Percutaneous tracheostomy can be done safely at the bedside by the respiratory therapist - While percutaneous tracheostomy can be performed at the bedside, it is typically done by a trained physician or surgeon due to the potential risks and complications involved.
D: The greatest risk after a per

Which of the following devices is best suited to deliver 65 % oxygen to a patient who is spontaneously breathing?

  • A. Face mask with non-rebreathing reservoir
  • B. Low-flow nasal cannula
  • C. Simple face mask
  • D. Venturi mask
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The Venturi mask is the best choice for delivering 65% oxygen because it allows precise oxygen concentration delivery through adjustable venturi valves. This device ensures consistent oxygen levels even during variations in patient breathing patterns. Face mask with non-rebreathing reservoir (A) delivers higher oxygen concentrations, low-flow nasal cannula (B) is not suitable for precise oxygen delivery, and simple face mask (C) may not provide the desired oxygen concentration.

Copyright © 2025 Nokea. All rights reserved.