Free Critical Care and Emergency Nursing MCQs with Answers
50 Critical Care and Emergency Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Covers rapid assessment and stabilisation of patients with airway obstruction, respiratory failure, shock, cardiac arrest, sepsis, poisoning and major electrolyte disturbances. It includes triage, the ABCDE approach, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ventilator and monitor care, emergency medicines and distinguishing life-threatening deterioration from stable illness.
Last updated
50 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. Unequal chest expansion
- B. Blood pressure of 86/52 mmHg
- C. Reduced level of consciousness
- D. Cool and mottled extremities
Explanation: Disability assesses neurological status, including level of consciousness, pupils and bedside glucose.
Correct answer: Reduced level of consciousness- A. Synchronized cardioversion
- B. Unsynchronized defibrillation
- C. Intravenous atropine
- D. Transcutaneous pacing
Explanation: Pulseless ventricular fibrillation is a shockable cardiac arrest rhythm and requires immediate unsynchronized defibrillation with CPR.
Correct answer: Unsynchronized defibrillation- A. Inspect the circuit for disconnection
- B. Increase the prescribed tidal volume
- C. Administer a sedative medicine
- D. Suction the airway for secretions
Explanation: A low-pressure alarm commonly indicates disconnection, a leak or a cuff problem, so the circuit should be checked immediately.
Correct answer: Inspect the circuit for disconnection- A. Raise the transducer to heart level
- B. Flush the line with heparin solution
- C. Place the patient in a sitting position
- D. Increase the monitor alarm limits
Explanation: The arterial transducer should be level with the right atrium, approximately the phlebostatic axis, and then zeroed according to policy.
Correct answer: Raise the transducer to heart level- A. N-acetylcysteine
- B. Flumazenil
- C. Methylene blue
- D. Pralidoxime
Explanation: N-acetylcysteine replenishes hepatic glutathione and reduces liver injury after paracetamol poisoning.
Correct answer: N-acetylcysteine- A. Intravenous calcium gluconate
- B. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate
- C. Oral potassium chloride
- D. Intravenous magnesium sulfate
Explanation: These findings suggest acute hypocalcaemia, which can cause neuromuscular irritability and QT prolongation.
Correct answer: Intravenous calcium gluconate- A. Begin chest compressions
- B. Perform a vagal manoeuvre
- C. Deliver unsynchronized defibrillation
- D. Give intravenous calcium chloride
Explanation: A stable regular narrow-complex tachycardia may respond to a vagal manoeuvre, which temporarily increases vagal influence on the…
Correct answer: Perform a vagal manoeuvre- A. Collect prescribed blood cultures first
- B. Wait for the white cell count result
- C. Give an antipyretic before sampling
- D. Collect a urine sample instead of blood
Explanation: Blood cultures should be collected before antibiotics when this can be done promptly, because antibiotics may reduce culture yield.
Correct answer: Collect prescribed blood cultures first- A. Compress at 60 to 80 per minute
- B. Compress the upper third of the sternum
- C. Allow complete chest recoil after each compression
- D. Pause for frequent pulse checks every 30 seconds
Explanation: Complete chest recoil allows the heart to refill between compressions and supports effective circulation.
Correct answer: Allow complete chest recoil after each compression- A. Ask the patient to turn independently
- B. Use a coordinated log roll with spinal alignment
- C. Flex the patient's neck to open the airway
- D. Lift the patient by pulling both arms
Explanation: A coordinated log roll keeps the head, neck and trunk aligned while the patient is moved.
Correct answer: Use a coordinated log roll with spinal alignment- A. Place the patient flat and assess bowel sounds
- B. Sit the patient upright and administer prescribed oxygen
- C. Encourage oral fluids to loosen respiratory secretions
- D. Apply warm blankets and reduce environmental stimulation
Explanation: Upright positioning improves lung expansion and reduces venous return, while oxygen treats the immediate breathing problem.
Correct answer: Sit the patient upright and administer prescribed oxygen- A. Administer high-concentration oxygen and arrange urgent transfer
- B. Remove oxygen and repeat pulse oximetry after fifteen minutes
- C. Give oral glucose and observe for improvement
- D. Place the patient in a warm room and encourage rest
Explanation: Carbon monoxide can cause serious tissue hypoxia while producing a misleadingly normal pulse oximeter reading.
Correct answer: Administer high-concentration oxygen and arrange urgent transfer- A. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate
- B. Intravenous calcium gluconate
- C. Nebulised salbutamol
- D. Intramuscular vitamin K
Explanation: Tricyclic antidepressant toxicity can cause sodium-channel blockade, hypotension and QRS widening.
Correct answer: Intravenous sodium bicarbonate- A. Administer it by rapid intravenous push
- B. Dilute it and give it using an infusion pump
- C. Mix it with blood in the transfusion line
- D. Give it without cardiac monitoring if pain occurs
Explanation: Intravenous potassium chloride must be diluted and administered at a controlled rate with appropriate monitoring because rapid…
Correct answer: Dilute it and give it using an infusion pump- A. Apply the pads over clothing and begin analysis
- B. Expose and dry the chest before applying the pads
- C. Place one pad over the abdomen and one on the back
- D. Continue compressions while touching the patient during analysis
Explanation: The chest should be exposed and dry so the pads adhere correctly and deliver the shock safely.
Correct answer: Expose and dry the chest before applying the pads- A. Increase the ventilator rate and reassess later
- B. Silence the alarm and wait for the respiratory therapist
- C. Call for help and ventilate with a bag and high-flow oxygen
- D. Reinsert the tube independently without checking equipment
Explanation: An accidental extubation is an airway emergency. Calling for help and providing bag ventilation with high-flow oxygen supports breathing…
Correct answer: Call for help and ventilate with a bag and high-flow oxygen- A. Oral fluids and continued observation
- B. Transcutaneous pacing equipment and emergency support
- C. A routine 12-hour cardiac rhythm review
- D. A warm drink to improve peripheral circulation
Explanation: Severe bradycardia with hypotension and altered consciousness indicates unstable circulation.
Correct answer: Transcutaneous pacing equipment and emergency support- A. Intravenous isotonic crystalloid replacement
- B. Intravenous potassium before checking the level
- C. A large oral meal with unrestricted fluids
- D. Rapid bicarbonate treatment for every patient
Explanation: Initial treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis includes restoration of circulating volume with intravenous isotonic crystalloid.
Correct answer: Intravenous isotonic crystalloid replacement- A. Mild thirst after receiving intravenous fluids
- B. Urine output of 15 mL in the last hour
- C. A temperature decrease after paracetamol
- D. A respiratory rate of 18 per minute while resting
Explanation: Markedly reduced urine output may indicate worsening renal perfusion and organ dysfunction during sepsis.
Correct answer: Urine output of 15 mL in the last hour- A. Give food and allow the patient to sleep
- B. Record the last known well time and activate the stroke pathway
- C. Administer an oral sedative to reduce anxiety
- D. Ask the patient to walk to assess balance
Explanation: Sudden focal neurological deficits suggest an acute stroke, so the last known well time and urgent stroke assessment are essential for…
Correct answer: Record the last known well time and activate the stroke pathway