ICU Nursing Quiz: Master Hemodynamics & Ventilators

1. What is the primary determinant of cardiac output in the critical care patient?

Stroke volume and heart rate

Blood pressure and oxygen saturation

Respiratory rate and tidal volume

Hemoglobin and hematocrit

2. Which parameter best reflects left ventricular preload in clinical practice?

Systemic vascular resistance

Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure

Central venous pressure

Mean arterial pressure

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4. In a patient with septic shock, which medication would be most appropriate to increase afterload?

Dobutamine

Norepinephrine

Nitroglycerin

Hydralazine

5. What is the normal cardiac index range in a healthy adult?

1.0–1.5 L/min/m²

2.5–4.0 L/min/m²

4.5–6.0 L/min/m²

6.5–8.0 L/min/m²

6. Which ventilator mode delivers a preset tidal volume and allows the patient to trigger additional breaths?

Assist-control (AC)

Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV)

Pressure support ventilation (PSV)

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

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8. A patient on mechanical ventilation develops hypotension and elevated airway pressures. What is the most likely cause?

Tension pneumothorax

Tube obstruction

Ventilator dyssynchrony

All of the above

9. Which hemodynamic parameter indicates tissue perfusion adequacy?

Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2)

Pulmonary vascular resistance

Left atrial pressure

Diastolic blood pressure

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11. What does a low cardiac index with elevated systemic vascular resistance indicate?

Cardiogenic shock

Septic shock

Hypovolemic shock

Anaphylactic shock

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13. True or False: Increasing PEEP will always improve oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

True

False

14. Which inotrope increases contractility with minimal effect on heart rate?

Dopamine at high doses

Dobutamine

Milrinone

Epinephrine

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ICU Nursing Quiz: Master Hemodynamics & Ventilators

1. What is the primary determinant of cardiac output in the critical care patient?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. Which parameter best reflects left ventricular preload in clinical practice?

3. Afterload is best defined as the ______ the left ventricle must overcome to eject blood.

4. In a patient with septic shock, which medication would be most appropriate to increase afterload?

5. What is the normal cardiac index range in a healthy adult?

6. Which ventilator mode delivers a preset tidal volume and allows the patient to trigger additional breaths?

7. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) primarily functions to improve ______ and reduce intrapulmonary shunting.

8. A patient on mechanical ventilation develops hypotension and elevated airway pressures. What is the most likely cause?

9. Which hemodynamic parameter indicates tissue perfusion adequacy?

10. The FiO2 on a ventilator should be titrated to achieve a PaO2 target of ______ mmHg in most ICU patients.

11. What does a low cardiac index with elevated systemic vascular resistance indicate?

12. Pressure support ventilation is primarily used for weaning because it ______ respiratory muscle work gradually.

13. True or False: Increasing PEEP will always improve oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

14. Which inotrope increases contractility with minimal effect on heart rate?

15. A patient's arterial line shows a widened pulse pressure. This suggests ______ arterial compliance.