Critical Care Nursing Questions and Answers PDF

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates effective handoff communication by involving key stakeholders (nephrology consultant physician), requesting specific patient updates, and collaborating on patient care tasks (placing a central line). This scenario promotes continuity of care and ensures important information is shared. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: B: High noise level disrupts communication and can lead to errors or omissions in handoff information. C: While using a standardized checklist can be beneficial, it alone does not guarantee effective communication if not utilized properly or if key information is missed. D: Conducting reports at the patient's bedside is beneficial for patient involvement but may not address the need for involving relevant healthcare providers like the consultant physician in the handoff process.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates effective handoff communication by involving key stakeholders (nephrology consultant physician), requesting specific patient updates, and collaborating on patient care tasks (placing a central line). This scenario promotes continuity of care and ensures important information is shared. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: B: High noise level disrupts communication and can lead to errors or omissions in handoff information. C: While using a standardized checklist can be beneficial, it alone does not guarantee effective communication if not utilized properly or if key information is missed. D: Conducting reports at the patient's bedside is beneficial for patient involvement but may not address the need for involving relevant healthcare providers like the consultant physician in the handoff process.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Consult with the pharmacist to adjust medication times to allow periods of sleep or rest between intervals. This is the most appropriate intervention as medication timings can significantly impact sleep patterns of critically ill patients. Adjusting medication times can help synchronize rest periods, promoting uninterrupted sleep. Choice B is incorrect as encouraging constant conversation can disrupt sleep. Choice C is incorrect as the television noise can be stimulating and hinder rest. Choice D is incorrect as leaving the lights on can disrupt the patient's circadian rhythm and negatively impact sleep quality.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Maintaining quiet during hours of sleep. This action is essential in reducing environmental stress in the critical care unit as it promotes a restful environment for patients and allows for better sleep quality. Noise can disrupt sleep patterns and increase stress levels. Constant evaluation of patient status (A) is important but does not directly address environmental stress. Limiting visits to immediate family (B) can be beneficial in some cases but may not always reduce environmental stress. Bathing all patients during hours of sleep (C) may actually increase stress as it can be disruptive and uncomfortable for patients. Overall, maintaining a quiet environment during sleep hours is the most effective nursing action to reduce environmental stress in the critical care unit.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a patient with a history of fluid overload due to heart failure is at the greatest risk of developing acute kidney injury. Heart failure can lead to decreased kidney perfusion causing acute kidney injury. In this scenario, the patient's fluid overload exacerbates the situation, further compromising kidney function. Choice A is incorrect as aminoglycosides can cause kidney injury but the duration of 6 days is less concerning compared to chronic fluid overload from heart failure in choice D. Choice B is incorrect because controlled hypertension does not directly increase the risk of acute kidney injury. Choice C is incorrect as the patient being discharged 2 weeks earlier after aminoglycoside therapy does not necessarily indicate a higher risk compared to chronic fluid overload.