ORMC Progressive Care Unit (PCU) Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• In pacemaker management, what is a key step when oversensing occurs?
• What is the biggest difference between STEMI and NSTEMI?
• What key points should you cover with a patient when providing discharge education after an ACS event?
• Bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates what?
• Which nonpharmacologic strategy is effective in preventing delirium in hospitalized PCU patients?
• Which statement best differentiates NSTEMI and STEMI according to the provided material?
• Which electrolyte abnormality in rhabdomyolysis can lead to cardiac arrest?
• Which symptom is commonly associated with DKA?
• Which pain assessment tools are used for both verbal and nonverbal PCU patients, and what actions follow pain assessment?
• Which is a metabolic cause of muscle breakdown leading to rhabdomyolysis?
• Which sign is associated with hypocalcemia?
• How should code status changes be documented and communicated for a PCU patient?
• Which is NOT a prerenal AKI cause?
• Which of the following is NOT typically part of initial DKA management?
• What is usually the problem when a pacemaker is undersensing?
• In the context of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, which description is accurate?
• Which of the following distinctions between NSTEMI and STEMI is noted in the material?
• Which therapy moves potassium from the bloodstream into cells in the treatment of hyperkalemia?
• Which option is NOT a recommended element of discharge planning after ACS?
• A health care surrogate is best described as:
• Which ECG finding is typical of STEMI?
• Oversensing is defined as?
• Which drug class includes losartan and provides RAAS blockade with vasodilation?
• Which laboratory measurement is commonly obtained early in suspected sepsis to assess severity and response to therapy?
• Which drug class provides neurohormonal modification and vasodilation in heart failure?
• Which statement is true regarding prerenal AKI?
• Which SpO2 range is generally targeted for a COPD patient on a PCU to avoid carbon dioxide retention?
• A localized enlargement of the abdominal aorta is known as:
• In the oliguric phase, which lab finding is true?
• On PCU, how should you manage a patient with acute decompensated heart failure presenting with dyspnea, rales, and edema?
• Reperfusion therapy is the primary treatment for which ACS type?
• What are common risk factors for DVT in PCU patients, and what preventive measures should be used?
• Which class is used for preload and afterload reduction in heart failure?
• In an underdamped arterial line system, which changes are typically observed?
• Which symptom is classic for left-sided heart failure and often worsens at night?
• Which statement about VTE prophylaxis in PCU is correct?
• Main treatment for STEMI?
• Which of the following is a symptom of hyperkalemia?
• Which factor can cause prerenal AKI due to decreased perfusion?
• What is the typical magnesium reference range to consider in patients with arrhythmias, and how should hypomagnesemia be addressed?
• AAA stands for?
• Which parameter is used to adjust medication dosing in renal impairment?
• What are early indicators of sepsis in PCU, and what are the initial actions?
• What is happening in left-sided HF?
• What urine output value indicates adequate kidney perfusion in an adult PCU patient?
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a risk factor for pulmonary embolism?
• Rhabdomyolysis is best described as the breakdown of muscle tissue with release of what into the circulation?
• What strategies prevent contrast-induced nephropathy in PCU patients undergoing imaging?
• Under what condition should you escalate to rapid response in the PCU?
• Which of the following is NOT a treatment for rhabdomyolysis?
• What considerations and steps ensure proper metered-dose inhaler technique for a COPD patient on PCU?
• Which scenario is a typical indication for transcutaneous pacing?
• What monitoring is essential for a patient on amiodarone for atrial fibrillation?
• Which finding is commonly observed due to fluid overload in the oliguric phase?
• Which laboratory finding most supports suspected HIT in a patient receiving heparin?
• What is the lowest Glasgow Coma Scale score?
• How should therapeutic heparin anticoagulation be monitored in the PCU, and what signs indicate potential complications?
• MONA stands for which initial treatment components in MI management?
• In DKA, what process leads to the production of ketones?
• Which term is not a recognized stage of AKI?
• Which class improves LV ejection fraction and helps prevent arrhythmias and ventricular rate control?
• In acute decompensated heart failure on PCU, which daily measurements are essential to assess response to therapy?
• How is NSTEMI distinguished from STEMI?
• In nutrition planning for PCU patients, which professional is typically involved in implementing nutrition plans?
• Which finding would indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) during heparin therapy?
• In postrenal AKI, what happens when the blockage occurs?
• Renal replacement therapy in rhabdomyolysis is typically reserved for which scenario?
• What is happening in right-sided HF?
• Treatment for NSTEMI?
• Prerenal AKI is caused by?
• Unstable angina and CK-MB/troponin elevations?
• How can PCU nurses support patients and families during stress and anxiety?
• How would you interpret an arterial blood gas showing pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg, and HCO3- 24 mEq/L?
• If the arterial line transducer is positioned too high, the reading tends to do what?
• What does a GCS score of 15 mean?
• Which statement about unstable angina is true?
• Which sign is most characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
• Which agents help restore organ perfusion and reduce congestion in heart failure?
• What is considered the gold standard test to diagnose heart failure?
• If bubbling continues after the initial assessment step, what is the next recommended action?
• After starting an ACE inhibitor, which renal-related issue requires close monitoring?
• Which practice reduces risk when administering IV opioids in PCU?
• Which statement best describes ST elevations in myocardial infarction?
• What is a common management step for pacemaker oversensing?
• Which finding is commonly associated with right-sided heart failure?
• NSTEMI can progress to STEMI.
• Which statement best describes cardiac markers in NSTEMI and STEMI?
• With amiodarone, which monitoring is essential for potential pulmonary toxicity?
• How should hyperglycemia be managed in a PCU patient, and what are typical glucose targets?
• Which electrolyte disturbance is most associated with ventricular arrhythmias and how should you manage it in PCU?
• Which items should be included in a shift handoff for a PCU patient?
• What is the primary purpose of daily weight monitoring in heart failure management?
• When rupture is suspected, which sign is most indicative?
• Which combination of diagnostic studies is commonly used to evaluate heart failure?
• What are the key nursing indicators of diuretic response and potential adverse effects for a patient on furosemide?
• Which biomarker is most indicative of rhabdomyolysis?
• Which factor increases risk of digoxin toxicity?
• In prerenal AKI, GFR typically
• BNP rises in heart failure due to what mechanism?
• Which scenario best indicates DVT development and what preventive measures should be used?
• Which factor can cause overdamping in an arterial line system?
• What is the role of statins in ACS management and what monitoring is required?
• In rhabdomyolysis, renal function impairment is often due to what complication?
• Which sign is most indicative of right-sided heart failure?
• Which ACS involves complete blockage of coronary blood flow?
• Prerenal AKI occurs where relative to the kidney?
• What is a common cause of acute kidney injury in PCU and a nursing intervention that supports renal function?
• Elevated D-dimer levels are most commonly associated with which condition?
• For a large and rapidly enlarging abdominal aortic aneurysm, what is the recommended treatment approach?
• What are the key nursing priorities when caring for a patient with a pacemaker on telemetry?
• A patient on loop diuretics develops dry mucous membranes, hypotension, and reduced skin turgor. What are the primary nursing concerns and labs to evaluate?
• ECG finding most associated with STEMI?
• D-dimer testing is ordered primarily to assess for the presence of what?
• Which practice reduces risk when administering IV opioids in PCU patients?
• Which statement best differentiates oversensing from undersensing?
• Isolation precautions required for a patient with MRSA on a PCU unit?
• Which pharmacologic therapy directly reduces edema by lowering blood volume in heart failure?
• Which of the following is a symptom of hypokalemia?
• Which of the following is a sign of hypocalcemia?
• Ischemia is defined as which of the following?
• Which electrolyte disorder is listed as a metabolic cause of muscle breakdown?
• On telemetry, what finding demonstrates that a pacemaker is capturing meaningfully (pacing spike followed by a QRS complex)?
• What is the initial step to assess an air leak near the incision in a chest tube?
• ST depression can be present for patient who is having NSTEMI
• Which statement about myocardial infarction symptoms is true?
• What is the most common cause of myocardial infarction?
• What is the best indicator of a patient’s current fluid status?
• Which medication increases cardiac output in heart failure?
• Which finding best represents left-sided signs on exam?
• Which of the following is a common cause of intrinsic (intrarenal) AKI?
• Which symptom set is typical of a stable abdominal aortic aneurysm?
• Which of the following is a sign or symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis?
• Overdrive pacing in transcutaneous pacing is used to achieve what?
• In the management of hyperkalemia, which therapy is used to stabilize myocardial cells?
• Oliguria in prerenal AKI is best described as?
• A Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 best indicates which level of brain function?
• Where should the arterial line transducer be leveled to obtain accurate arterial pressure readings?
• During the diuresis stage, which is true?
• Which of the following is NOT a sign of hypocalcemia?
• In an overdamped arterial line system, which characteristic is observed?
• Which of the following is a direct muscle damage cause of rhabdomyolysis?
• Which lab markers are elevated during a myocardial infarction?
• Hypokalemia can lead to which cardiac effect?
• What is the purpose of zeroing a pressure transducer when setting up an arterial line?
• In septic shock management, what MAP target indicates the need for vasopressor therapy?
• What are the general hemodynamic targets to avoid hypotension in a patient with ACS not in shock, and how would you approach IV antihypertensive therapy if ordered?
• What should be included in discharge planning for a patient after an ACS event from PCU?
• Postrenal AKI is defined by which mechanism?
• If the arterial line transducer is positioned too low, the measured blood pressure tends to do what?
• Pacemaker undersensing is best described as?
• D-dimer interpretation: which statement describes what the test detects?
• Elevated BNP in suspected heart failure on PCU indicates which of the following?
• What is a typical treatment option for an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
• Which is a treatment for hypokalemia?
• Post-CABG, what findings would suggest mediastinal bleed or cardiac tamponade and what is the immediate nursing action?
• In a patient who is incapacitated and has not designated a health care surrogate or the designated surrogate cannot act, which mechanism is used to guide health care decisions?
• What does a rising central venous pressure (CVP) reading indicate in a PCU patient, and what actions could follow?
• Fever management considerations for post-surgical PCU patients, and when should you escalate?
• What are effective fall-prevention strategies for elderly PCU patients?
• Which labs are checked to diagnose MI?
• How can you differentiate sinus tachycardia from AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (SVT) on telemetry, and what is the typical nursing action if the patient is symptomatic?
• What does Failure to Pace look like on ECG?
• Which finding is most associated with left-sided heart failure?
• Which chest radiograph finding is most commonly associated with heart failure?
• Which statement best defines a first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block seen on telemetry and its nursing implication?
• Why is renal dosing critical in PCU and how should medications be adjusted when renal function is impaired?
• What can cause pacemaker oversensing?
• NSTEMI is commonly associated with which ECG finding?
• Why must beta-blocker use be carefully assessed in a patient with COPD or asthma on PCU?
• Intrarenal AKI occurs where?
• Which CK level is often considered an initial indicator of rhabdomyolysis?
• Which elements constitute the Surviving Sepsis Campaign bundles implemented in the PCU?
• During intrinsic AKI, which symptom is most characteristic of the oliguric phase?
• Which of the following is an indication for transcutaneous pacing?
• Intrarenal AKI is best described by damage to which area?
• How can delirium be prevented in PCU patients, and what are typical signs to monitor?
• Which of the following is NOT listed as a sign or symptom of pulmonary embolism?
• Which breathing pattern is commonly seen in DKA due to metabolic acidosis?
• Calcium is used in hyperkalemia management to do what?
• What are the standard venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis measures used in the PCU, and how are they implemented?
• When managing a patient with hypomagnesemia, which action is correct?
• Pacemaker oversensing would most likely cause which outcome?
• Which actions indicate suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in a PCU patient?
• Which laboratory test is most useful in evaluating suspected heart failure?
• Which sign is commonly used as an early indicator of systemic infection in PCU?
• What is the immediate nursing action for a patient with new onset chest pain and a telemetry strip showing ST elevations?
• In rhythm interpretation, a narrow complex tachycardia with no evident P waves is most consistent with which arrhythmia?
• Unstable angina reflect on an ECG?
• Which statement best describes proper oxygen administration for PCU patients with respiratory status concerns?
• What nursing considerations apply to a central venous catheter in the PCU?
• According to fever management post-surgery, when should escalation occur?
• Which of the following would help preserve potassium in the body during diuretic therapy?
• Which are the three components of the Glasgow Coma Scale?
• ST depression represents?
• Intrarenal AKI is located where?
• Which option reflects a comprehensive fall-prevention measure for elderly PCU patients?
• An elevated CVP should prompt assessment for which conditions?
• Why is it important to include oxygen needs in a shift handoff for a PCU patient?
• What is a primary outcome of conducting a nutrition assessment in the PCU?
• What are signs of digoxin toxicity in a PCU patient, and what monitoring is required?
• What is a typical in-hospital blood glucose target for most hospitalized patients?
• Damping in an arterial line system refers to what effect on the oscillations?
• Which statement about NSTEMI treatment is correct?
• The combination of signs most associated with ruptured AAA is:
• Which of the following represents essential wound assessment steps for a post-surgical PCU patient?
• Which stage follows the diuresis phase in AKI?
• What are the contraindications and monitoring requirements when administering sublingual nitroglycerin for chest pain in PCU patients?
• Which symptom is commonly associated with rhabdomyolysis?
• What baseline labs and ongoing monitoring are essential when starting an ACE inhibitor in a PCU patient with heart failure?