Critical Care Nursing Exam Questions

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step 1: The correct answer is D because the situation involves a patient with multiple trauma who is not responding to treatment and has no known family members. This indicates a complex ethical dilemma where the medical team may be unsure about the appropriate course of action. Step 2: In this scenario, an ethics consultation is necessary to help guide decision-making regarding the care of the patient. The lack of available family members complicates decision-making, and the consideration of care as futile adds another layer of complexity. Step 3: An ethics consultation can provide a structured framework for evaluating the situation, considering ethical principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. It can help the healthcare team navigate the ethical considerations and make a well-informed decision in the best interest of the patient. Summary: Choice A: While conflicts between the primary care provider and family may warrant discussions, the agreement on a treatment plan does not necessarily require an ethics consultation. Choice B: Disagreement

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Displaying ineffective decision making. In this scenario, the nurse manager's decision to exclude the nurse from participating in developing new guidelines is an example of ineffective decision making. By dismissing the nurse's request based on lack of experience rather than considering their input and involvement, the manager is not utilizing the nurse's expertise and potentially missing out on valuable insights. This decision reflects a lack of inclusivity, collaboration, and respect for the nurse's professional growth and potential contributions. The other choices are not directly applicable in this context as the core issue lies in the manager's decision-making process.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, the 70-year-old mother with blood type A positive. This choice is the best candidate for evaluation due to her blood type matching the patient's (A positive) for kidney transplantation. Age and medical history are also crucial factors in determining suitability. The 65-year-old brother (choice A) has hypertension, a significant risk factor. The 35-year-old female (choice B) with food allergies may have potential complications. The 14-year-old son (choice C) is underage and might not be a suitable donor due to age and the potential impact on his growth and development. In summary, choice D aligns with the matching blood type and age, making the mother the most suitable candidate for evaluation.

Correct Answer: E

Rationale: The correct answer is not provided, but based on the events described, the official time of death recorded in the medical record should be 1810 (Choice D). At this time, the cardiac monitor shows flatline, indicating the cessation of cardiac activity, which is the universally accepted point of declaring death. Choice A (1300) is incorrect because that is when diagnostic tests for brain death were completed, but the patient was not officially declared dead at that time. Choice B (1330) is incorrect as this is when the primary care provider reviewed the test results and documented brain death in the progress note, but the patient was not officially declared dead at this time either. Choice C (1400) is incorrect as there is no significant event occurring at this time that signifies the patient's death. Therefore, the most appropriate and official time of death recorded in the medical record would be 1810 when the cardiac monitor shows flatline.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Restlessness. When the body experiences hypoxemia (low oxygen levels), the brain is deprived of oxygen, leading to early signs such as restlessness. This is due to the brain's attempt to increase oxygen intake by increasing activity. Cyanosis (A) is a late sign of hypoxemia when oxygen levels are critically low. Tachycardia (C) and tachypnea (D) are compensatory mechanisms in response to hypoxemia, but they are not early signs affecting the nervous system directly.