DOH Nursing Critical Care and Emergency Nursing

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Begin high-quality chest compressions

Answer

Call for the crash cart

Answer

Administer epinephrine 1 mg IV

Answer

Apply defibrillator pads

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Apply supplemental oxygen via non-rebreather mask

Answer

Obtain an arterial blood gas sample

Answer

Administer a bronchodilator

Answer

Notify the physician

Question 3

Which cardiac rhythm requires immediate unsynchronised defibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response

Answer

Sustained ventricular tachycardia with a pulse

Answer

Third-degree (complete) heart block

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Obtain a 12-lead ECG

Answer

Administer aspirin 300 mg orally

Answer

Establish two large-bore IV lines

Answer

Administer sublingual glyceryl trinitrate

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Disability — neurological status using GCS and pupils

Answer

Dressings and wound care

Answer

Decontamination of hazardous materials

Answer

Drug administration history

Question 6

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?

Accepted Answer

Hypovolaemia requiring fluid resuscitation

Answer

Right heart failure

Answer

Cardiac tamponade

Answer

Fluid overload

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Elevate the head of bed to 30–45 degrees

Answer

Position the patient flat to maximise cerebral blood flow

Answer

Administer hypotonic IV fluids to dilute cerebral oedema

Answer

Encourage vigorous coughing to clear airway secretions