Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

What is a primary goal for patients with acute respiratory failure?

1. Allow CO2 elevation greater than 60 mmHg

2. Improve oxygenation greater than 60 mmHg

3. Medicate with anti-anxiety medications

4. Maintain respiratory rates greater than 35

The correct answer is: Improve oxygenation greater than 60 mmHg

In patients experiencing acute respiratory failure, a primary goal is to improve oxygenation. When oxygen levels fall below normal, it can lead to tissue hypoxia and further complications. The aim is to ensure that oxygen saturation levels are maintained above a certain threshold, typically greater than 60 mmHg, to meet the body’s metabolic demands and prevent organ dysfunction. Improving oxygenation may involve interventions such as supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and positioning to optimize lung expansion. While the other options may touch upon aspects of care, they do not represent a primary goal. For instance, allowing CO2 levels to elevate greater than 60 mmHg would suggest inadequate ventilation and can result in respiratory acidosis, which is undesirable. Medications such as anti-anxiety agents may be utilized as adjuncts but not as a primary treatment goal for respiratory failure. Similarly, maintaining excessively high respiratory rates may indicate stress but doesn’t directly address the critical need for improving oxygenation or ensuring effective ventilation.