Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Trivia 3

Question 1

A patient develops sudden dyspnea and hypotension after central line placement. Trachea is deviated. What is the IMMEDIATE intervention?

Accepted Answer

Needle decompression of the affected side

Answer

Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis requiring immediate needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line — do not wait for imaging.

Question 2

Which is the MOST common cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients?

Accepted Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Answer

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common gram-negative organism causing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in ICU patients.

Question 3

What does a CPOT (Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool) score of 5 or higher indicate?

Accepted Answer

Pain is present and requires intervention

Answer

A CPOT score ≥5 out of 8 indicates significant pain in non-verbal ICU patients, warranting analgesic intervention.

Question 4

A patient with cirrhosis presents with confusion and asterixis after a GI bleed. Which medication is FIRST-LINE treatment?

Accepted Answer

Lactulose

Answer

Lactulose is first-line for acute hepatic encephalopathy; it reduces ammonia absorption by acidifying colonic contents and promoting its excretion.

Question 5

Which ventilator mode allows the patient to trigger breaths but guarantees a set tidal volume with each breath?

Accepted Answer

Assist-control volume control (AC-VC)

Answer

AC-VC delivers a set tidal volume with each breath (patient-triggered or machine-triggered), ensuring consistent volume delivery.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice Test

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice Test

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Trivia 3