CCRN General Review 2

Question 1

A patient with acute decompensated heart failure has a pulmonary artery wedge pressure of 24 mmHg. What does this elevated value indicate?

Accepted Answer

Increased left atrial/left ventricular filling pressure

Answer

Right ventricular failure

Answer

Hypovolemia

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Question 2

Which arterial blood gas result indicates uncompensated respiratory acidosis?

Accepted Answer

pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, HCO3 24

Answer

pH 7.50, PaCO2 30, HCO3 24

Answer

pH 7.34, PaCO2 60, HCO3 32

Answer

pH 7.40, PaCO2 40, HCO3 24

Question 3

A patient develops sudden hypotension, jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds after cardiac surgery. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac tamponade

Answer

Tension pneumothorax

Answer

Septic shock

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Question 4

What is the priority intervention for a patient in pulseless ventricular tachycardia?

Accepted Answer

Immediate defibrillation

Answer

Synchronized cardioversion

Answer

Administer adenosine

Answer

Vagal maneuvers

Question 5

A patient receiving heparin develops a platelet count drop from 250,000 to 80,000. What condition should be suspected?

Accepted Answer

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Answer

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Answer

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Answer

Aplastic anemia

Question 6

Which finding best indicates effective fluid resuscitation in a patient with septic shock?

Accepted Answer

Urine output greater than 0.5 mL/kg/hr

Answer

Heart rate of 120 bpm

Answer

Mean arterial pressure of 55 mmHg

Answer

Decreasing level of consciousness

Question 7

A mechanically ventilated patient suddenly desaturates with high peak pressures and absent breath sounds on the right. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Tension pneumothorax

Answer

Endotracheal tube migration into the esophagus

Answer

Atelectasis

Answer

Pulmonary edema