Critical Care Final Exam Practice

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Critical Care Final Exam Practice Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

Which assessment finding indicates early hypovolemic shock?

• Hypotension and cyanosis

✔✔B. Tachycardia and restlessness

• Absent peripheral pulses
• Decreased urine output

The priority action when a patient’s arterial line waveform is dampened is to: ✔✔A. Check for kinks or air bubbles in the tubing

• Increase IV fluids rapidly
• Deflate the arterial line balloon
• Reposition the patient

A patient with sepsis has a lactate level of 5 mmol/L. What is the priority intervention?

• Administer blood products

✔✔B. Begin aggressive IV fluid resuscitation 1 / 4

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• Place the patient in Trendelenburg
• Restrict oral intake

Which ventilator alarm indicates possible patient disconnection?✔✔A. Low-pressure alarm

• High-pressure alarm
• Apnea alarm
• Oxygen alarm

What is the nurse’s priority when caring for a patient with a PaO2 of 52 mmHg?✔✔A. Increase oxygen delivery and notify provider

• Reduce oxygen concentration
• Encourage deep breathing only
• Continue monitoring without intervention

Which cardiac rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?✔✔A. Ventricular fibrillation

• Sinus bradycardia 2 / 4

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• Atrial flutter
• First-degree heart block

A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is most likely to require which ventilator setting?

• Low PEEP

✔✔B. High PEEP

• Negative pressure
• Low FiO2

Which sign indicates increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

• Tachycardia

✔✔B. Widening pulse pressure

• Hypothermia
• Pinpoint pupils

What is the priority action when suctioning a ventilated patient?✔✔A. Pre-oxygenate with 100% oxygen 3 / 4

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• Limit suction time to 30 seconds
• Instill saline before suctioning
• Turn off alarms temporarily

Which lab value indicates metabolic acidosis?

• pH 7.48, HCO3 28

✔✔B. pH 7.30, HCO3 18

• pH 7.46, PaCO2 30
• pH 7.38, HCO3 24

A patient receiving nitroprusside for hypertensive crisis requires monitoring for:

• Hypokalemia

✔✔B. Cyanide toxicity

• Pulmonary edema
• Seizures

Which intervention is most important for a patient in cardiogenic shock?✔✔A. Administer inotropes to improve contractility

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