Critical Care Nursing Exam Questions

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice C is correct: 1. Intrapulmonary shunting refers to blood bypassing the normal oxygenation process in the lungs. 2. Choice C describes blood being shunted from the right side of the heart (deoxygenated blood) to the left side without oxygenation, leading to systemic circulation without oxygenation. 3. Choices A, B, and D do not accurately describe intrapulmonary shunting as they focus on other concepts like alveolar perfusion, heart failure, and unilateral lung blood supply, respectively.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Primary nursing. Primary nursing is a care delivery model where one nurse is responsible for the total care of a group of clients over a 24-hour period. This promotes continuity of care, individualized attention, and better nurse-client relationships. In primary nursing, the nurse plans and directs care, coordinates with other healthcare team members, and serves as the main point of contact for the clients. A: Case management involves coordinating care across different healthcare providers and services, not necessarily focusing on a specific group of clients over a 24-hour period. B: Team nursing involves a team of healthcare providers working together to deliver care, rather than one nurse being responsible for a specific group of clients over a 24-hour period. D: Functional nursing divides tasks among different healthcare team members based on their specific skills, which may not provide the same level of continuity and individualized care as primary nursing.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because it empowers the family to take action by requesting a physician evaluation of the patient's pain control. This step is crucial in ensuring that the patient's pain is adequately managed. By involving the physician, the family can advocate for the patient's needs and potentially explore alternative pain management strategies. Choice A is incorrect because it dismisses the family's concerns and fails to address the need for further evaluation. Choice B may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying issue of inadequate pain control. Choice D is incorrect as it suggests delaying action, which could lead to prolonged suffering for the patient.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Oxygen that is chemically combined with hemoglobin. This is because oxygen primarily travels in the blood by binding to hemoglobin in red blood cells, forming oxyhemoglobin. This process allows for efficient transport of oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because: A: Alveolar oxygen tension refers to the partial pressure of oxygen in the alveoli of the lungs, not the specific form of oxygen in the blood. C: Oxygen physically dissolved in plasma refers to the small amount of oxygen that is not bound to hemoglobin and is less significant in oxygen transport compared to oxygen bound to hemoglobin. D: Total oxygen consumption is the overall amount of oxygen utilized by the body, not specifically the form of oxygen bound to hemoglobin for transport.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because providing postmortem care to a dying patient is a task that can be safely delegated to an LPN/LVN. This includes tasks such as preparing the body, cleaning, and positioning after death. LPNs/LVNs are trained and competent in performing these duties under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they involve critical thinking, assessment, and teaching skills that are typically within the scope of practice of a registered nurse. Encouraging family members to talk with the patient, determining assessment frequency, and educating about signs of approaching death require a higher level of nursing judgment and expertise, which is beyond the scope of an LPN/LVN's role.