CBRN Infection Prevention & Critical Care Monitoring 3

Question 1

A burn patient on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) develops a fever and erythema around a central line site. What is the priority nursing intervention?

Accepted Answer

Remove and culture the central line per protocol

Answer

Suspected catheter-related bloodstream infection requires removal of the central line and culture of the tip to guide antibiotic therapy.

Question 2

What does a rising serum procalcitonin level specifically indicate in a burn patient?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial infection or sepsis

Answer

Procalcitonin rises significantly in response to bacterial infections and is a useful biomarker for sepsis in burn patients despite the confounding effect of burns on other inflammatory markers.

Question 3

When assessing a burn patient for signs of sepsis using the American Burn Association criteria, which parameter is NOT part of the definition?

Accepted Answer

Arterial pH >7.45

Answer

The ABA sepsis criteria include temperature extremes, tachycardia, tachypnea, thrombocytopenia, hyperglycemia, and inability to continue enteral feeds—alkalosis is not a criterion.

Question 4

Which electrolyte abnormality is most frequently monitored in burn patients receiving silver nitrate soaks?

Accepted Answer

Hypochloremia and hyponatremia

Answer

Silver nitrate is hypotonic and leaches sodium and chloride from wounds, requiring frequent monitoring and replacement of these electrolytes.

Question 5

A burn patient's SpO2 reads 98% but the patient appears cyanotic with a suspected inhalation injury. What explains this discrepancy?

Accepted Answer

Pulse oximetry cannot distinguish carboxyhemoglobin from oxyhemoglobin

Answer

Standard pulse oximetry reads carboxyhemoglobin as oxyhemoglobin, giving falsely normal readings in carbon monoxide poisoning; co-oximetry or ABG is required.

(CBRN) Certified Burn Registered Nurse Practice Test

(CBRN) Certified Burn Registered Nurse Practice Test

CBRN Infection Prevention & Critical Care Monitoring 3