CCRN Practice Quiz 2026: Are You ICU-Ready?

1. Which arterial blood gas pattern indicates acute respiratory acidosis?

PH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30, HCO₃⁻ 24

PH 7.25, PaCO₂ 55, HCO₃⁻ 24

PH 7.35, PaCO₂ 40, HCO₃⁻ 18

PH 7.48, PaCO₂ 35, HCO₃⁻ 26

2. A patient on mechanical ventilation requires suctioning. What is the maximum recommended duration for each suctioning pass?

5 seconds

10 seconds

15 seconds

20 seconds

3. Which parameter is most sensitive for detecting early sepsis in an ICU patient?

Temperature elevation

Lactate level

White blood cell count

Blood pressure decrease

4. A patient with acute kidney injury has a serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L and peaked T waves on ECG. Which intervention should be implemented first?

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate

Calcium gluconate IV

Insulin with dextrose

Sodium bicarbonate

5. A patient develops acute decompensated heart failure with pulmonary edema. Which position is most appropriate for initial management?

Supine with legs elevated

High Fowler's position

Trendelenburg position

Left lateral decubitus

6. True or False: Permissive hypercapnia is an accepted lung-protective strategy in ARDS with target PaCO₂ up to 50-60 mmHg.

True

False

7. A patient with severe sepsis requires fluid resuscitation. According to Surviving Sepsis guidelines, what is the target mean arterial pressure?

≥55 mmHg

≥65 mmHg

≥75 mmHg

≥85 mmHg

8. A patient in the ICU has a pulmonary artery catheter with readings: CVP 8 mmHg, PAWP 18 mmHg, CO 3.8 L/min, SVR 1200 dyne·s·cm⁻⁵. Which condition best describes this hemodynamic profile?

Cardiogenic shock

Hypovolemic shock

Septic shock

Anaphylactic shock

9. A patient on a vasopressor infusion develops signs of tissue hypoperfusion despite adequate blood pressure. Which vasopressor should be considered for improved microcirculatory flow?

Norepinephrine

Vasopressin

Low-dose dopamine

Phenylephrine

10. Which complication is most commonly associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation beyond 21 days?

Ventilator-associated pneumonia

Tracheal stenosis

Sinusitis

Subglottic edema

11. A patient with acute stroke receives thrombolytic therapy. What is the contraindication window for tPA administration in acute ischemic stroke?

Within 2 hours of symptom onset

Within 4.5 hours of symptom onset

Within 8 hours of symptom onset

Within 12 hours of symptom onset

12. A 65-year-old male presents with atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (120 bpm). Which medication is the first-line agent for rate control in acute settings?

Diltiazem IV

Metoprolol IV

Digoxin IV

Amiodarone IV

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