Critical Care & Emergency for the NCLEX-RN Exam

Common failure modes

These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.

• !Wrong dose or rate calculation for emergency drugs
• !Confusing the ACLS pulseless arrest algorithm sequence
• !Misreading ventilator alarm priorities (high pressure vs low volume)
• !Missing the trigger for ICP monitoring intervention

Study tips

• 1Memorize the ACLS pulseless arrest algorithm: epi q3-5min, shock if shockable, no shock if PEA/asystole.
• 2Drill the priority interventions for high-pressure vs low-volume ventilator alarms.
• 3Practice ICP-elevation interventions: HOB elevation, PaCO2 35, sedation, mannitol/hypertonic saline.
• 4Know the priority drug for the major emergencies (epi for arrest, atropine for symptomatic brady).

Sample NCLEX-RN Critical Care & Emergency questions

These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real NCLEX-RN questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.

1. 1

   A patient on mechanical ventilation suddenly triggers a high-pressure alarm. The first nursing action is:

   • AIncrease sedation
   • BSuction the patient
   • CAssess the patient and the circuitCorrect
   • DDisconnect from the vent and bag manually
   Why this answer?

   Always assess the patient and circuit first when a vent alarm triggers. Possible causes include kinked tube, biting, secretions, bronchospasm, or pneumothorax — each with a different intervention.