Free Adult CCRN Quiz

Correct Answer:

Potassium is released from clot formations in blood collection tubes and can falsely elevate potassium levels. This is called pseudohyperkalemia. The other lab values are not as affected by a “clotted” tube.

Correct Answer:

Intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) allows patients to have spontaneous breaths at their own tidal volumes in between the breaths delivered by the ventilator at a set tidal volume. Assist control (AC) and control ventilation (CV) are both volume control modes. AC allows the patient to trigger the ventilator, but the ventilator will deliver the set tidal volume. CV does not allow the patient to trigger the ventilator; it delivers a set rate and volume only.

Correct Answer:

Early-onset respiratory failure and renal involvement following abdominal trauma are most likely due to abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). The increased pressure in the abdomen contributes to respiratory and renal failure. ARDS can cause respiratory failure, but typically not in the first 24 hours. PE is a complication that can occur within 24 hours, but is less likely to be the result of the renal involvement. CHF is not a common complication of abdominal trauma.

Correct Answer:

Septic shock is classified as a type of distributive shock. In septic shock, the patient has significant vasodilation, which decreases the SVR. The decrease in afterload (resistance) causes the high CO that occurs in septic shock.

Correct Answer:

The serous-appearing drainage is probably cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and indicates an uncontrolled CSF leak. Notifying the physician is the most appropriate response. A saturated dressing may indicate the need to discontinue or change the catheter, but that decision should be made by the neurosurgeon. The nurse should not discontinue the catheter without a physician's order. Lowering the drainage chamber may actually increase the loss of CSF and worsen the patient's clinical status. Reinforcing the dressing will not address the problem of the CSF leak and can cause significant complications.