Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Neurological Assessment and Management in the ICU 2

Question 1

Which sedation scale is most validated for ICU use and includes assessment of agitation levels from +4 to -5?

Accepted Answer

RASS (Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale)

Answer

The RASS is the most validated ICU sedation scale ranging from +4 (combative) to -5 (unarousable).

Question 2

Per PADIS guidelines, what is the target RASS for most mechanically ventilated ICU patients?

Accepted Answer

-1 to 0

Answer

PADIS guidelines recommend light sedation (RASS -1 to 0) as a target to improve outcomes including shorter ventilator days.

Question 3

Which agent is the preferred sedative for mechanically ventilated ICU patients due to ease of titration and ability to reduce ventilator days?

Accepted Answer

Propofol

Answer

Propofol allows rapid titration and awakening, reducing ventilator days and ICU LOS compared to benzodiazepines.

Question 4

Delirium in the ICU is BEST assessed using which validated tool?

Accepted Answer

Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU)

Answer

CAM-ICU is the gold standard for delirium screening in ICU patients, including those who are intubated and cannot speak.

Question 5

Which modifiable risk factor is MOST strongly associated with ICU delirium development?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepine use

Answer

Benzodiazepine use is the most strongly modifiable risk factor for ICU delirium, and reducing their use significantly decreases delirium rates.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice Test