CCRN General Review

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

An elevated PAWP reflects increased left-sided filling pressures, typical of left heart failure.

Question 2

Which arterial blood gas result indicates uncompensated respiratory acidosis?

Accepted Answer

pH 7.30, PaCO2 55, HCO3 24

Answer

Low pH with high PaCO2 and normal HCO3 indicates uncompensated respiratory acidosis.

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

Beck's triad—hypotension, JVD, and muffled heart sounds—is classic for cardiac tamponade.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Immediate defibrillation

Answer

Pulseless VT is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate defibrillation.

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

A significant platelet drop after heparin exposure suggests HIT, requiring heparin discontinuation.

CCRN Review Practice Test