Critical Care Nursing Cardiac Questions

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Pressure support ventilation. This mode delivers a set pressure to support each spontaneous breath, decreasing the workload of breathing. Pressure support ventilation assists the patient's inspiratory efforts without providing a set tidal volume like in volume-targeted ventilation. Continuous positive airway pressure (Choice A) maintains a constant level of positive pressure throughout the respiratory cycle but does not actively support spontaneous breathing efforts. Positive end-expiratory pressure (Choice B) maintains positive pressure at the end of expiration to prevent alveolar collapse but does not directly support spontaneous breathing. T-piece adapter (Choice D) is a weaning device that allows the patient to breathe spontaneously without ventilatory support.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because in ARDS, there is a severe impairment in gas exchange leading to hypoxemia. Decreasing PaO2 levels despite increased FiO2 administration indicate poor oxygenation, a hallmark of ARDS. Elevated alveolar surfactant levels (Choice B) do not directly correlate with ARDS pathophysiology. Increased lung compliance with increased FiO2 administration (Choice C) is not characteristic of ARDS, as ARDS leads to decreased lung compliance. Respiratory acidosis associated with hyperventilation (Choice D) is not a typical finding in ARDS, as hyperventilation is usually present in an attempt to compensate for hypoxemia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) x-ray. This procedure is noninvasive and commonly used to assess kidney function by visualizing the size, shape, and position of the kidneys. Renal ultrasound is also noninvasive and can provide detailed images of the kidneys. However, MRI and IVP are more invasive procedures that involve the use of contrast agents and are not typically used solely for diagnostic purposes to assess kidney function. Overall, KUB x-ray and renal ultrasound are the preferred noninvasive options for evaluating kidney function.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). This organization focuses exclusively on critical care nursing, offering specialized education, resources, and certifications for critical care nurses. AACN advocates for high standards of care in critical care settings. The other choices do not specifically cater to critical care nursing practice. The American Heart Association focuses on cardiovascular health, the American Nurses Association is a general nursing organization, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine is more physician-centric. Therefore, A is the best choice for supporting critical care nursing practice.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is the most common intrarenal condition as it directly affects kidney tubules. 2. ATN is characterized by damage to renal tubular cells due to various factors like toxins or ischemia. 3. Prolonged ischemia (choice A) can lead to ATN but is not the most common intrarenal condition. 4. Exposure to nephrotoxic substances (choice B) can cause ATN, but ATN itself is more common. 5. Hypotension for several hours (choice D) can result in ischemia and subsequent ATN, but ATN is still the primary intrarenal condition.