CCRN Practice Test

In a patient with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), which of the following biomarkers is most indicative of cardiac tissue death when elevated?

In the context of cardiogenic shock, which hemodynamic parameter is primarily expected to be elevated?

What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for a patient diagnosed with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) exhibiting signs of volume overload?

Which hemodynamic change is most commonly seen in a patient with acute right ventricular (RV) myocardial infarction?

When considering the administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tP

In patients with mechanical heart valves undergoing non-cardiac surgery, which of the following anticoagulation strategies is most appropriate?

For a patient with suspected acute pericarditis, which ECG finding is most characteristic?

Which of the following is a key indicator of worsening condition in a patient with left ventricular assist device 'LVAD' malfunction?

During the acute management of a patient with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, what is the primary treatment focus?

A patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is at increased risk for which of the following complications?

In assessing a patient with acute inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI), which additional area is most important to monitor for involvement?

Which parameter is most essential for determining the need for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion in a patient with cardiogenic shock?

In the context of aortic dissection, which imaging study is considered the gold standard for diagnosis?

What is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in adults under the age of 40?

In a patient with acute coronary syndrome, which of the following lab values is most predictive of increased mortality risk?

Which of the following is the preferred initial management strategy for a patient presenting with stable ventricular tachycardia?

For a patient post-cardiac arrest in a hypothermic state, which therapeutic intervention is most appropriate to optimize neurological outcomes?

In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which ventilator setting adjustment is most appropriate to prevent ventilator-induced lung injury?

When managing a patient with a flail chest, what is the primary respiratory goal?

In a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 'COPD' experiencing a severe exacerbation, which of the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results is most concerning?

For a patient with pulmonary fibrosis, which of the following is the most appropriate ventilator strategy?

A patient with a pneumothorax has a chest tube placed and is on a ventilator. Which of the following indicates a successful intervention and stabilization of the patient's condition?

In a patient with severe asthma exacerbation not responding to standard treatments, which ventilator adjustment is most likely to improve airway resistance and ventilation?

For a patient experiencing acute pulmonary edema, which of the following ventilator settings should be prioritized to improve oxygenation?

In a patient with a tension pneumothorax on mechanical ventilation, which of the following is the most immediate action?

When managing a patient with severe ARDS, why is it important to set the inspiratory to expiratory (I:E) ratio to 1:1 or even 1:2?

A patient with a history of smoking presents with a spontaneous pneumothorax. What is the expected change in the affected lung's compliance?

In the context of mechanical ventilation, why is it crucial to monitor plateau pressure, especially in patients with acute lung injury?

A patient with respiratory failure is on volume control ventilation. If the patient starts to breathe above the set ventilatory rate, which parameter is most likely to change?

In a patient with a large pleural effusion, what ventilatory change is primarily seen?

For a patient with interstitial lung disease, what is the expected impact on the diffusion capacity of the lungs?

During mechanical ventilation, what does a sudden increase in peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) most likely indicate?

A patient with chronic kidney disease is at risk for developing renal osteodystrophy. Which laboratory finding is most indicative of this condition?

In patients with acute pancreatitis, which of the following is a critical indicator of systemic complications and should be monitored closely?

A patient with Addison's disease is admitted to the ICU. Which of the following is the most likely finding in this patient's electrolyte profile?

In a patient with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding, which of the following laboratory tests would be most indicative of ongoing blood loss?

A nurse is caring for a patient with severe burns covering 30% of the total body surface area. Which of the following renal changes is most likely to occur in this patient?

In a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis 'DKA', which of the following laboratory findings is most characteristic?

A patient with cirrhosis is showing signs of hepatic encephalopathy. Which of the following treatments is most effective in reducing ammonia levels in this patient?

A patient with end-stage renal disease 'ESRD' is most likely to exhibit which acid-base imbalance?

In evaluating a patient with suspected acute adrenal crisis, which of the following symptoms is most indicative of this condition?

For a patient with a hematologic disorder, which of the following findings is most consistent with disseminated intravascular coagulation 'DIC'?

A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) demonstrates a sudden rise in serum creatinine and oliguria. Which phase of AKI is the patient most likely experiencing?

In a patient with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which of the following is the most likely gastrointestinal manifestation?

A patient with severe burns is most likely to experience which type of metabolic disturbance?

In patients with acute liver failure, which neurological condition is of greatest concern due to the accumulation of ammonia?

A critical care nurse is assessing a patient with suspected gastrointestinal bleed. Which of the following is the most reliable initial diagnostic test?

A patient in the ICU with a history of renal transplantation is showing signs of graft rejection. Which of the following lab findings would most likely indicate acute rejection?

In a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism, which of the following clinical manifestations is most likely to be observed?

A critical care nurse is caring for a patient with acute liver failure. Which of the following interventions is most crucial to prevent the progression of hepatic encephalopathy?

A patient with chronic kidney disease 'CKD' is undergoing evaluation for anemia. Which of the following is a common cause of anemia in CKD?

In evaluating a patient with suspected Cushing's syndrome, which of the following findings would be most indicative of this condition?

A patient with a spinal cord injury at the T4 level is experiencing a sudden onset of hypertension, bradycardia, and sweating above the level of the injury. What is the most appropriate initial action?

A patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) presents with nystagmus, scanning speech, and intention tremor. This triad of symptoms is known as:

A critical care nurse is assessing a patient who recently underwent a craniotomy. The nurse observes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaking from the patient's nose. This complication is known as:

In assessing a patient with a traumatic brain injury, the nurse notes decerebrate posturing. This is characterized by:

A nurse is caring for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention?

Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action when caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease experiencing severe "on-off" phenomena?

A patient with a recent below-knee amputation (BK

A patient diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc complains of numbness and tingling in the right leg. The nurse understands that these symptoms correspond to:

When evaluating a patient with a suspected stroke, the nurse knows that the most important piece of information to obtain is:

A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention?

In assessing a patient with myasthenia gravis, which of the following symptoms would indicate a myasthenic crisis?

The nurse is caring for a patient following a stroke who is now exhibiting signs of neglect syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by:

When caring for a patient with acute delirium, the nurse's first priority is to:

A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected neurogenic shock following a spinal cord injury. Which of the following findings is most indicative of neurogenic shock?

In the context of multisystem organ failure, which laboratory finding is most indicative of early disseminated intravascular coagulation 'DIC'?

In a patient with multisystem organ failure, which hemodynamic parameter is most directly indicative of deteriorating cardiac output due to septic shock?

A critical care nurse is monitoring a patient for signs of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Which clinical finding is most suggestive of this condition?

In a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis, which ventilator strategy is preferred to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury?

When managing a patient with severe pancreatitis, which of the following is the most critical intervention to prevent multisystem organ failure?

In the setting of anaphylactic shock, which medication is the first-line treatment to prevent progression to multisystem organ failure?

In a patient with toxic shock syndrome, which organ system should be monitored most closely for signs of failure?

For a patient experiencing myxedema coma, which therapeutic intervention is most critical to prevent progression to multisystem organ failure?

In a patient with acute liver failure, what is the most immediate risk leading to multisystem organ failure?

When treating a patient with rhabdomyolysis, which strategy is essential to prevent kidney injury and subsequent multisystem organ failure?

In the context of a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning, which treatment is most effective in preventing multisystem organ failure?

Which clinical indicator is most predictive of poor outcome in a patient with septic shock potentially leading to multisystem organ failure?

For a patient with a severe burn injury, which factor is most critical in preventing the development of multisystem organ failure?

In the management of a patient with crush syndrome, what is the primary therapeutic goal to prevent multisystem organ failure?

A critical care nurse is faced with a situation where a patient's family insists on continuing life support despite a clear advance directive stating the patient's wish to avoid prolonged measures. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation?

When a critical care nurse encounters a situation where the patient's wishes are not known, and there is no advance directive, which ethical principle is primarily at stake?

In the context of professional caring, which action best demonstrates a critical care nurse's commitment to the principle of fidelity?

A critical care nurse is aware of a colleague's consistent practice of documenting care not rendered. What is the FIRST step the nurse should take?

How should a critical care nurse act when they recognize a personal value conflict with a patient's end-of-life care decision?

What is the most appropriate response when a critical care nurse witnesses a colleague providing substandard care that compromises patient safety?

A critical care nurse is involved in a research study within the ICU. The nurse realizes that the consent form provided to participants lacks clear information about potential risks. What is the most ethical action for the nurse to take?

In a situation where a critical care nurse faces a moral dilemma about whether to follow a family's request for non-disclosure of a poor prognosis to the patient, what ethical principle is primarily being challenged?

A critical care nurse observes a consistent lack of cultural sensitivity from a colleague towards patients of a certain background. What should be the nurse's initial response?

When a critical care nurse is asked to implement a new treatment protocol that they believe is not in the best interest of the patient, what is the most appropriate action?

If a critical care nurse becomes aware that a colleague has a substance abuse problem that is affecting their work, what is the most ethical course of action?

When a patient in the ICU expresses a desire to discontinue treatment, despite the potential for recovery, what should a critical care nurse prioritize?

How should a critical care nurse approach a scenario where a patient's religious beliefs conflict with the recommended medical treatment?

When a nurse is assigned to a patient who has made derogatory remarks about the nurse's ethnicity, what is the most professional response?

If a critical care nurse discovers that a colleague has been altering patient records to cover up a mistake, what is the first step the nurse should take?

In the context of informed consent, what is a critical care nurse's ethical obligation when a patient does not fully understand the implications of a proposed treatment?

How should a nurse act when they observe a peer providing care that is not aligned with the patient's cultural preferences, despite the patient's clear communication of these preferences?

What action should a critical care nurse take when they realize that a prescribed medication may have adverse effects on a patient due to a known allergy?

When a nurse witnesses another healthcare professional acting in a discriminatory manner towards a patient, what is the most appropriate initial response?

How should a critical care nurse approach a scenario where the legal surrogate decision-maker's choices appear to conflict with the patient's best interest?