Critical Care Nursing Questions and Answers PDF

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Adherence to procedures by nursing staff. This should be evaluated first because medication errors are often caused by human factors such as staff not following proper procedures. By assessing adherence, the root cause of errors can be identified and addressed. Choice B: Clarity of interdisciplinary communication may contribute to errors but doesn't directly address staff adherence to procedures. Choice C: Number of new employees could be a factor, but focusing on adherence to procedures is more crucial. Choice D: Changes in administration procedures may impact errors, but evaluating staff adherence is more immediate and directly related to errors.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice C is correct: 1. Going to the patient�s bedside is the priority as it allows the nurse to assess the patient's condition directly. 2. By being at the bedside, the nurse can quickly evaluate the patient's breathing, vital signs, and other indicators for immediate action. 3. Direct assessment enables timely intervention and avoids delays in addressing potential life-threatening situations. 4. Checking for possible causes of the alarm and reconnection to the ventilator can follow, but assessing the patient's immediate needs takes precedence. In summary, choice C is correct because direct patient assessment is the fundamental step in responding to a ventilator alarm to ensure patient safety and timely intervention. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they focus on troubleshooting and technical aspects before directly assessing the patient's condition.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ask the family to complete the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. This tool helps assess the family's needs and concerns, enabling the nurse to tailor care accordingly. By understanding the family's specific needs, the nurse can provide appropriate support and information, fostering better involvement and understanding. A: Asking one family member to assist with the patient's bath may not address the overall family's needs or involvement in care. B: Encouraging family members to stay longer does not necessarily address their specific needs or facilitate effective communication. C: Focusing solely on the legal next of kin may exclude important family members who also need support and involvement in the patient's care.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: A persistent vegetative state. This choice is correct because the patient exhibits minimal responsiveness, only withdrawing to painful stimuli, and lacks meaningful interaction or consciousness. A persistent vegetative state is characterized by preserved wakefulness without awareness, which aligns with the patient's condition. Choice A: An organ donor is incorrect because the patient's neurological impairment does not necessarily indicate readiness for organ donation. Choice B: Brain death is incorrect because the patient still exhibits some reflexive responses, indicating a level of brain function beyond brain death. Choice D: Terminally ill is incorrect as it does not specifically address the patient's neurological status and prognosis, which is better described by a persistent vegetative state.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ineffective coping related to lack of grieving. The spouse's behavior of avoiding the reality of the terminal illness and focusing on future plans indicates maladaptive coping. The cheerfulness and denial suggest a lack of acceptance and processing of the impending loss. This can lead to emotional distress and hinder the grieving process. Choice B (Anxiety related to the complicated grieving process) is incorrect because the spouse's behavior does not exhibit signs of anxiety but rather avoidance and denial. Choice C (Caregiver role strain related to feeling overwhelmed) is incorrect as the spouse does not express feeling overwhelmed but instead deflects by focusing on work. Choice D (Hopelessness related to knowledge deficit about cancer) is incorrect because the spouse's behavior does not indicate hopelessness or lack of understanding about cancer, but rather an avoidance of facing the reality of the situation.