Critical Care Nursing Exam Questions

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because anxiety is indeed linked to reward and punishment centers in the limbic system, specifically involving the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. This connection influences emotional responses and behaviors related to anxiety. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because anxiety involves both neurological and psychological processes beyond the brain, is highly subjective like pain, and can lead to physical symptoms without actual tissue injury.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking if the pain is sharp, dull, or crushing helps assess the quality of pain, providing specific information on the type of sensation felt. This is crucial for understanding the underlying cause and guiding appropriate treatment. A: Asking about pain being constant or intermittent addresses duration, not quality. C: Inquiring about what makes pain better or worse focuses on triggers, not quality. D: Asking when the pain started addresses onset time, not quality.

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: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why Answer A is correct: 1. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) allows patients to self-administer pain medication within preset limits, promoting pain management. 2. PCA is considered safe and effective as it provides better pain control, reduces the risk of overdose, and allows for individualized dosing. 3. Healthcare providers can monitor and adjust the PCA settings as needed to ensure optimal pain relief. 4. Studies have shown that PCA is a preferred method for postoperative pain management due to its efficacy and safety profile. 5. Overall, PCA is a reliable and beneficial approach to analgesia administration in postoperative patients. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: While PCA may have fewer side effects compared to some routes, this is not a defining characteristic of PCA. C: While patients do have some control over their treatment with PCA, the primary focus is on pain management rather than giving control to critically ill patients. D: PCA can be used effectively without family

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Advocacy and moral agency. In this scenario, the Ethiopian man with AIDS is in a vulnerable position due to lack of health insurance and understanding of Medicaid coverage. Advocacy skills are crucial to help him navigate the complex healthcare system and access the necessary resources. Moral agency involves advocating for the patient's rights and well-being, ensuring that he receives appropriate care despite his socioeconomic status. Clinical judgment, collaboration, and systems thinking are important competencies but not as directly relevant in this specific situation of advocating for the patient's access to Medicaid coverage.