Critical Care Nursing Questions

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because interrupting sedation daily to assess readiness to extubate is a key component of IHI's ventilator bundle to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. This practice helps prevent over-sedation, reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, and decrease the risk of complications. The other choices, B, C, and D, are incorrect as they are not specific components of the IHI's ventilator bundle. Maintaining head of bed elevation, providing deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, and prophylaxis for peptic ulcer disease are important aspects of critical care but are not directly related to the ventilator bundle protocol outlined by IHI.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer anticholinergic medications as prescribed. Anticholinergic medications can help dry up secretions and improve breathing in a patient nearing death. This intervention targets the underlying cause of increased secretions. Suctioning (choice A) may provide temporary relief but does not address the root issue. Elevating the head of the bed and repositioning (choice C) can help with comfort but do not directly address the secretions. Restricting oral intake (choice D) may lead to dehydration and discomfort without effectively managing the secretions. Administering anticholinergic medications is the priority as it directly targets the symptom of increased secretions, improving the patient's comfort and quality of life.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Thrombolytics. Thrombolytics are medications that can dissolve blood clots, making them effective in treating a thrombus lodged in the pulmonary artery. They work by activating the body's natural clot-dissolving system. Aspirin (A) is an antiplatelet drug and may prevent further clot formation but cannot dissolve an existing thrombus. Embolectomy (B) is a surgical procedure to remove a clot and is invasive, usually reserved for cases where thrombolytics are contraindicated. Heparin (C) is an anticoagulant that prevents clot formation but does not dissolve existing clots like thrombolytics do.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because interrupting sedation daily to assess readiness to extubate is a key component of IHI's ventilator bundle to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. This practice helps prevent over-sedation, reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, and decrease the risk of complications. The other choices, B, C, and D, are incorrect as they are not specific components of the IHI's ventilator bundle. Maintaining head of bed elevation, providing deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, and prophylaxis for peptic ulcer disease are important aspects of critical care but are not directly related to the ventilator bundle protocol outlined by IHI.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: A deep vein thrombosis from lower extremities. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the most common cause of a pulmonary embolus as a blood clot can dislodge from the veins, travel to the lungs, and block blood flow. An amniotic fluid embolus (Choice A) occurs during childbirth and is rare as a cause of pulmonary embolism. A fat embolus (Choice C) typically occurs after a long bone fracture and is more likely to cause issues in the lungs. Vegetation from an infected central venous catheter (Choice D) can cause septic pulmonary embolism, but it is not as common as DVT.