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Free AACN CCRN Exam Questions (page: 6)

Page 4 of 20
PDF with 150 Questions

A patient is admitted for sepsis secondary to pneumoni

  1. The patient has received 2000 mL of plasmalyte and their BP remains 80/50.
    What should the nurse anticipate next for the patient?
  2. dopamine
  3. norepinephrine
  4. 1L of plasmalyte
  5. vasopressin

Answer(s): B



A patient with a sodium level of 114 mEq/L is most likely to develop

  1. tetany.
  2. flaccid paralysis.
  3. seizures.
  4. cardiac arrhythmias.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:





A patient with a sodium level of 114 mEq/L is most likely to develop seizures, which are a manifestation of severe hyponatremia and cerebral edema. Hyponatremia is a low level of sodium in the blood, which can cause water to move into the brain cells and cause them to swell. This can lead to increased intracranial pressure, neurological dysfunction, and seizures. Seizures are a medical emergency and require prompt treatment to prevent brain damage or death. Tetany, flaccid paralysis, and cardiac arrhythmias are not typical signs of hyponatremia, but may occur in other electrolyte disorders, such as hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia, or hypokalemia.


Reference:

Overview of the treatment of hyponatremia in adults - UpToDate1, p. 1-2. Manifestations of hyponatremia and hypernatremia in adults - UpToDate2, p. 1-2.



A patient with a history of six cardiac catheterizations relates that he has received differing instructions about the duration of required bedrest after the procedure. To further investigate this issue, which of the following is a nurse's most appropriate action?

  1. Ask about obtaining an independent evaluation of unit outcomes.
  2. Conduct an informal chart review and outcome evaluation of patients treated with different bedrest protocols.
  3. Review recent published research about bedrest protocols.
  4. Ask the nursing supervisor to request standardized physician orders for patients who have undergone catheterization.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

The nurse's most appropriate action is to review recent published research about bedrest protocols, as this would provide the nurse with the most current and reliable evidence to guide clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. Bedrest protocols after cardiac catheterization may vary depending on the type of access site, the use of closure devices, the patient's risk factors, and the clinician's preference. However, there is a growing body of research that supports early ambulation and shorter bedrest duration to reduce the risk of complications, such as bleeding, hematoma, back pain, and venous thromboembolism, and to enhance patient comfort and satisfaction.
Asking about obtaining an independent evaluation of unit outcomes, conducting an informal chart review and outcome evaluation of patients treated with different bedrest protocols, or asking the nursing supervisor to request standardized physician orders for patients who have undergone catheterization are not the most appropriate actions, as they may not reflect the best available evidence, may be biased or incomplete, or may not address the patient's concern.


Reference:

1: Bedrest After Cardiac Catheterization: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis4, p. 1-2.
2: Early Ambulation After Cardiac Catheterization: A Literature Review, p. 1-2.
3: Bed Rest After Cardiac Catheterization: A Review of the Evidence, p. 1-2.



A patient is 2 days post MI. The patient was stable until this morning, when severe chest discomfort developed. Assessment reveals:

-BP 70/palpable
-HR 122
-RR 38
-PAOP 28 mm Hg, with large V waves
-CI 1.6 L/min/m2
-Cool, clammy skin

Inspiratory crackles throughout the lung field
Loud blowing holosystolic murmur at the apex
The patient's present clinical status is most likely a result of

  1. papillary muscle rupture.
  2. cardiac tamponade.
  3. acute aortic insufficiency.
  4. ventricular septal defect.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The patient's present clinical status is most likely a result of a ventricular septal defect (VSD), which is a hole in the wall between the left and right ventricles. A VSD can occur as a mechanical complication of MI, usually within the first week, due to necrosis and rupture of the ventricular septum. A VSD causes a left-to-right shunt of blood, which leads to increased pulmonary pressure, pulmonary edema, and reduced cardiac output. The patient's symptoms and signs are consistent with a VSD, such as severe chest pain, hypotension, tachycardia, respiratory distress, high PAOP with large V waves, low CI, cool and clammy skin, inspiratory crackles, and a loud blowing holosystolic murmur at the apex. A papillary muscle rupture, a cardiac tamponade, and an acute aortic insufficiency are other possible mechanical complications of MI, but they have different clinical manifestations. A papillary muscle rupture causes acute mitral regurgitation, which presents with a soft systolic murmur at the apex and pulmonary congestion.
A cardiac tamponade causes compression of the heart by pericardial fluid, which presents with hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and jugular venous distension.
An acute aortic insufficiency causes backflow of blood from the aorta to the left ventricle, which presents with a diastolic decrescendo murmur at the left sternal border and a wide pulse pressure.


Reference:

1: Mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction - UpToDate4, p. 2-3.
2: Cardiac tamponade - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice US, p. 1-2.
3: Acute aortic regurgitation - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice US,
p. 1-2.



Which of the following ECG changes is expected in a patient with a potassium concentration of 3.0 mEq/L?

  1. ST segment depression, flattened and inverted T wave, and a U wave
  2. tall peaked T wave, prolonged PR interval, and prolonged QRS complex
  3. shortened QT interval and complete atrioventricular block
  4. inverted P wave, elevated T wave, and prolonged QT interval

Answer(s): A

Explanation:



A patient with a potassium concentration of 3.0 mEq/L has mild hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood. Hypokalemia can cause various ECG changes that reflect the impairment of cardiac depolarization and repolarization. The most common ECG changes in mild hypokalemia are ST segment depression, flattened and inverted T wave, and a U wave, which is a positive deflection after the T wave. These ECG changes can be seen in the examples from the web search results.
Other ECG changes that may occur in more severe hypokalemia are prolonged QT interval, frequent ectopic beats, and arrhythmias.
Tall peaked T wave, prolonged PR interval, and prolonged QRS complex are ECG changes associated with hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood.
Shortened QT interval and complete atrioventricular block are not typical ECG changes of hypokalemia, but may occur in other electrolyte disorders, such as hypercalcemia.
Inverted P wave, elevated T wave, and prolonged QT interval are not specific ECG changes of hypokalemia, but may occur in other cardiac conditions, such as ischemia, myocarditis, or pericarditis.



A patient admits to a nurse that he has struggled with depression and feelings of isolation and abandonment since moving into a nursing home last year, but he has recently started taking an anti-depressant. The patient states, "Sometimes it takes everything I've got just to go on each day." Which of the following is the nurse's best initial response?

  1. "You sound like you've been really unhappy. Have you thought about harming yourself?"
  2. "Those feelings should resolve when the medication you've started has a chance to take effect."
  3. "I understand how you feel. We all get that way when we're depressed."
  4. "Have you talked to anyone about what is bothering you?"

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

This is the nurse's best initial response, as it expresses empathy, validates the patient's feelings, and assesses the patient's risk of suicide. Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that affects older adults, especially those living in nursing homes. Depression can cause persistent sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The nurse should screen the patient for depression using a validated tool, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) 1, and ask about any suicidal ideation or plans. The nurse should also provide emotional support, education, and referral to appropriate resources for the patient.
B . "Those feelings should resolve when the medication you've started has a chance to take effect." This is not the nurse's best initial response, as it dismisses the patient's feelings, implies that the patient just needs to wait for the medication to work, and does not address the patient's psychosocial needs. Antidepressants are one of the treatment options for depression, but they may take several weeks to show their full effect, and they may not work for everyone. The nurse should also explore other factors that may contribute to the patient's depression, such as social isolation, loss of autonomy, chronic illness, or grief, and offer interventions that may help the patient cope, such as counseling, psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or social activities.
C . "I understand how you feel. We all get that way when we're depressed." This is not the nurse's best initial response, as it assumes that the nurse knows how the patient feels, minimizes the patient's experience, and generalizes the patient's condition. Depression is not a normal or inevitable part of aging, and it affects each person differently. The nurse should not compare the patient's feelings to their own or to others, but rather acknowledge and respect the patient's unique perspective and situation. The nurse should also avoid using words like "we" or "you" that may create a sense of distance or judgment, and instead use words like "I" or "me" that may convey a sense of empathy or rapport.

D . "Have you talked to anyone about what is bothering you?" This is not the nurse's best initial response, as it may sound like the nurse is trying to avoid listening to the patient, or that the patient is bothering the nurse with their problems. The nurse should not imply that the patient should talk to someone else, but rather show interest and willingness to listen to the patient. The nurse should also use open-ended questions that invite the patient to share more, such as "How are you feeling today?" or "What has been on your mind lately?" The nurse should also use active listening skills, such as nodding, paraphrasing, reflecting, or summarizing, to demonstrate understanding and engagement.



A nurse should expect which of the following plans of care for a patient with a complicated RV infarction?

  1. dobutamine (Dobutrex), fluid restrictions, and furosemide (Lasix)
  2. nitroprusside (Nipride), fluid restrictions, and transvenous pacing
  3. nitroglycerin, fluid infusions, and morphine
  4. dobutamine (Dobutrex), fluid infusions, and transvenous pacing

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

A nurse should expect a plan of care that includes dobutamine (Dobutrex), fluid infusions, and transvenous pacing for a patient with a complicated RV infarction, as these interventions aim to improve RV function, increase cardiac output, and correct bradyarrhythmias. Dobutamine is an inotropic agent that increases myocardial contractility and reduces RV afterload.
Fluid infusions are used to optimize RV preload and maintain adequate systemic perfusion.
Transvenous pacing is indicated for patients with symptomatic bradycardia or high-grade AV block that compromise hemodynamics.
Dobutamine (Dobutrex), fluid restrictions, and furosemide (Lasix) are not appropriate for a patient with a complicated RV infarction, as they may worsen RV preload and cardiac output. Nitroprusside (Nipride), fluid restrictions, and transvenous pacing are not suitable for a patient with a complicated RV infarction, as they may cause excessive vasodilation and hypotension. Nitroglycerin, fluid infusions, and morphine are not optimal for a patient with a complicated RV infarction, as they may reduce RV preload and increase RV ischemia.



The intended effects of medications for a patient in acute CHF are to

  1. reduce CVP and increase SVR.
  2. reduce CVP and reduce SVR.
  3. increase CVP and reduce SVR.
  4. increase CVP and increase SVR.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The intended effects of medications for a patient in acute CHF are to reduce CVP and reduce SVR, as this would decrease the preload and afterload on the failing heart and improve the cardiac output and tissue perfusion. CVP (central venous pressure) is a measure of the pressure in the right atrium and reflects the volume status of the patient. SVR (systemic vascular resistance) is a measure of the resistance in the systemic circulation and reflects the tone of the blood vessels. Medications that can reduce CVP and SVR in acute CHF include diuretics, nitrates, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and vasodilators.
Increasing CVP and reducing SVR would increase the preload and decrease the afterload, which may be beneficial for some patients with low cardiac output and low filling pressures, but not for patients with acute CHF and volume overload.
Reducing CVP and increasing SVR would decrease the preload and increase the afterload, which would worsen the cardiac function and oxygen demand in acute CHF3. Increasing CVP and increasing SVR would increase both the preload and the afterload, which would also worsen the cardiac function and oxygen demand in acute CHF3.


Reference:

1: Acute decompensated heart failure: Management - UpToDate4, p. 5-6.
2: Acute heart failure: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE, p. 8-9.
3: Hemodynamic monitoring in acute heart failure - UpToDate, p. 3-4.



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