Critical Care "general" test

[fhcp1220]

Hello and Happy Holidays!

I am currently in the process of interviewing at a hospital for a position in critical care and was told by the HR department that I would be receiving a "general" Critical Care Test. When asked if they were to elaborate, they stated that they did not know what the test would be comprised of. Because the specialty of critical care medicine is so vast, I was wondering if anyone happened to know what "general" topics of critical care you may think could be testable.

Is it too broad to study various mechanical ventilatory modes other than the main ones (AC, SIMV, PS, PEEP, CPAP, etc.)? Is it an expectation for a critical care nurse to know the normal ranges for all hemodynamic properties such as PA pressures and PAWP?

Thank you SO much in advance!

[CowboyMedic, DNP, APRN, CRNA]

I don't think I have every heard of having to take a general test to be hired in an critical care position, I sure didn't. You should learn almost everything you need to know in critical care after you are hired during orientation.

[fhcp1220]

Thanks so much @CowboyMedic! Unfortunately, it seems likely that I will be taking this test as I confirmed it with HR. Any advice on what kind of content you think would make sense to study?

Thanks so much!

[CowboyMedic, DNP, APRN, CRNA]

Thanks so much @CowboyMedic! Unfortunately, it seems likely that I will be taking this test as I confirmed it with HR. Any advice on what kind of content you think would make sense to study?

Thanks so much!

How long do you have before your test? You could review the Critical Care section of you Medical-Surgical nursing book or buy a Critical Care book. I'm using Critical Care Nursing Made Incredibly Easy as an adjunct while studying for my CCRN. Not a bad read and will give you a general overview of the ICU.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

It's most likely the BKAT-9 test. I've done it.

[AceOfHearts<3]

There are many versions of the BKAT. I took the progressive care version as a tele nurse. My first hospital used it to gauge what areas we needed to focus on. My second hospital, where I was hired as a brand new ICU nurse, only had experienced ICU nurses take it to determine if they needed to complete any ECCO modules. Both places I've worked have had nurses take the BKAT after being hired and not as a condition of employment.

[fhcp1220]

Thank you all so much! I definitely have more of a sense of what they meant by general. No BKAT but it seems like it was a in-house made test. Questions on these topics were asked:

- ABGs

- Hemodynamic pressures in different states of shock and pathologies

- ECGs

- Arterial, CVP, and PA catheter waveforms

- Medication effects

- Basic mechanical ventilation effects (and the reason for low and high alarms)

- ACLS

Thank you again!!!