Critical Care and Emergency Nursing Flashcards

A patient in the ICU is found unresponsive with no pulse. What is the nurse's FIRST priority action?

Answer: Begin high-quality chest compressions

High-quality chest compressions are the first intervention in cardiac arrest as they maintain circulation to vital organs until definitive treatment is available.

A patient's SpO2 drops suddenly to 87% on room air. What is the nurse's immediate priority action?

Answer: Apply supplemental oxygen via non-rebreather mask

Applying supplemental oxygen immediately corrects hypoxemia and prevents further deterioration of tissue oxygenation.

Which cardiac rhythm requires immediate unsynchronised defibrillation?

Answer: Ventricular fibrillation

Ventricular fibrillation produces no cardiac output and is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate unsynchronised defibrillation.

A patient presents with crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, diaphoresis, and nausea. What is the nurse's priority diagnostic action?

Answer: Obtain a 12-lead ECG

A 12-lead ECG is the priority to confirm or rule out STEMI and guide time-sensitive reperfusion decisions.

In the ABCDE primary trauma survey, what does 'D' assess?

Answer: Disability — neurological status using GCS and pupils

'D' in the primary survey stands for Disability, assessed by the Glasgow Coma Scale, pupil size/reactivity, and limb movement.

An ICU patient has a central venous pressure (CVP) of 1 mmHg and a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 52 mmHg. What does this most likely indicate?

Answer: Hypovolaemia requiring fluid resuscitation

Low CVP combined with low MAP indicates insufficient circulating volume, pointing to hypovolaemia that requires prompt fluid resuscitation.

Which nursing intervention is MOST appropriate for a patient with raised intracranial pressure (ICP)?

Answer: Elevate the head of bed to 30–45 degrees

Elevating the head of bed 30–45 degrees promotes venous drainage from the cranial vault, thereby reducing ICP.