Published
We just did a 10-week critical care course at my facility. We took the BKAT 7 in weeks 1 and 10 to gauge the effectiveness of the course. Most participants scored in the 60s-70s on day 1 and many improved by 10 or more points by week 10.
I just took my week 10 test yesterday. It was 100 questions. There were many questions pertaining to swans (normal CVP, PAOP, what to do if a continuous PAOP waveform is on the monitor, etc.), rhythm strips (3rd deg. AVB, lethal rhythms), vasoactive meds (I remember one question pertaining to the administration of nitroprusside and dobutrex), neuromuscular blockade, DKA, and DI.
I got an 80 in week 1 and an 87 in week 10--both the highest scores in our class of 25. :)
GL with the test, it is merely a tool to see where you're at in regards to knowledge of critical care.
I think I took this today....it was 90 multiple choice questions based off of things one would encounter in a critical care setting. For example: Signs of increased ICP. What does CVP measure? ID various cardiac dysrhymias. Basically it was being used as a way to see what type of knowledge new hires have prior to starting the Essentials of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO) course.
Don't sweat it! Most of them were really obvious! If you have any background in critical care it will be a breeze, and if not you will still know most of them regardless!
Hope that helps! Good luck!
ICURN7
144 Posts
Pls PM me if you have any info on this test. Going for a new job that requires it and they are not even giving one a hint on what the test is about! Pls help your fellow nurse. After some couple yrs of ICU, i'm getting scared finally of this test. I mean pls help....Thank you