Critical Care Nursing Practice Questions

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: The endotracheal tube is in the right mainstem bronchus. When the endotracheal tube is not secured properly and is retaped, there is a possibility that it may have migrated into the right mainstem bronchus, leading to absent breath sounds in the left lung fields. This condition is known as endobronchial intubation. In such cases, ventilation primarily occurs in the right lung, resulting in decreased or absent breath sounds on the contralateral side. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not explain the absence of breath sounds over the left lung fields in this specific scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: A: Correct. Anxiety is characterized by apprehension, agitation, autonomic arousal, and fearful withdrawal, which are distinct from pain. B: Incorrect. Critically ill patients can experience both anxiety and pain, as pain is not exclusive to them. C: Incorrect. While pain and anxiety can be interrelated, they can be differentiated based on their unique physiological and behavioral manifestations. D: Incorrect. Pain is a subjective experience, but it is not solely defined by the individual; objective assessments are also important.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The stroke volume is calculated by dividing the cardiac output by the heart rate. Given the cardiac output of 4.7 L/min and a heart rate of 87 bpm, the stroke volume is 54 mL (4700 mL/87 bpm ? 54 mL). Therefore, choice A (54) is the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not match the calculated stroke volume based on the provided cardiac output and heart rate.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Autonomy. Autonomy is the ethical principle that respects an individual's right to make decisions about their own care and treatment. In this scenario, the partner wanting "everything done" regardless of the patient's wishes violates the patient's autonomy by not honoring their previously expressed wishes outlined in the living will. This decision disregards the patient's right to make choices about their own healthcare. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because: B: Beneficence focuses on doing good for the patient, but in this case, the partner's actions are not necessarily in the patient's best interest. C: Justice pertains to fairness and equal treatment, which is not directly relevant to the situation described. D: Nonmaleficence is the principle of doing no harm, but in this scenario, the harm is not necessarily physical but rather a violation of the patient's autonomy.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D (Respiratory alkalosis). Morphine sulfate can cause respiratory depression, leading to decreased respiratory rate. In this case, the patient's breaths decrease from 12 to 4 breaths/min, indicating hypoventilation. With decreased ventilation, there is less CO2 elimination, resulting in respiratory alkalosis. The other choices can be ruled out: A (Metabolic acidosis) and B (Metabolic alkalosis) are less likely caused by morphine sulfate, and C (Respiratory acidosis) is incorrect because the scenario describes hypoventilation, not hyperventilation.