Critical Care Nursing Cardiac Questions

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) publishes the American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC). 2. The AJCC is a peer-reviewed journal that covers critical care nursing practice, research, and education. 3. The content in AJCC aligns with AACN's mission and standards for critical care nursing. 4. Hence, AJCC is an official journal of AACN. Summary of other choices: - B: Critical Care Clinics of North America - Not an official journal of AACN. - C: Critical Care Nurse - Not an official journal of AACN. - D: Critical Care Nursing Quarterly - Not an official journal of AACN.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) x-ray. This procedure is noninvasive and commonly used to assess kidney function by visualizing the size, shape, and position of the kidneys. Renal ultrasound is also noninvasive and can provide detailed images of the kidneys. However, MRI and IVP are more invasive procedures that involve the use of contrast agents and are not typically used solely for diagnostic purposes to assess kidney function. Overall, KUB x-ray and renal ultrasound are the preferred noninvasive options for evaluating kidney function.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Choice C is correct because a surrogate is indeed a competent adult designated to make healthcare decisions for an incapacitated person. This individual is typically chosen by the person themselves through a legal document like a healthcare proxy. This ensures that someone trusted can make important decisions when the person is unable to do so. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a living will and healthcare proxy serve different purposes, a signed donor card does not guarantee organ donation in the event of brain death (medical criteria are also required), and a persistent vegetative state is different from brain death (brain death implies irreversible cessation of brain function while a vegetative state involves some level of brain function).

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because in ARDS, there is a severe impairment in gas exchange leading to hypoxemia. Decreasing PaO2 levels despite increased FiO2 administration indicate poor oxygenation, a hallmark of ARDS. Elevated alveolar surfactant levels (Choice B) do not directly correlate with ARDS pathophysiology. Increased lung compliance with increased FiO2 administration (Choice C) is not characteristic of ARDS, as ARDS leads to decreased lung compliance. Respiratory acidosis associated with hyperventilation (Choice D) is not a typical finding in ARDS, as hyperventilation is usually present in an attempt to compensate for hypoxemia.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Moral distress. In this scenario, the nurse is experiencing conflicting moral values between the decision made for the patient and their own beliefs. This internal conflict leads to moral distress, a common response when healthcare professionals feel unable to act in accordance with their ethical beliefs. This can lead to emotional turmoil, frustration, and moral residue. A: A sense of abandonment is incorrect because the nurse is still caring for the patient, so there is no physical abandonment. B: Increased family stress is incorrect as the nurse's internal conflict does not directly impact family stress. D: A sense of negligence is incorrect as negligence implies failure to provide proper care, which is not the case here.