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AACN CCRN-Adult Exam - Topic 1 Question 19 Discussion

The primary pathophysiology underlying acute respiratory failure in a patient with head trauma involves
A) hypercapnia related to decreased minute ventilation.
B) shifting of oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the left.
C) increased arterial oxygenation related to increased intrapulmonary shunt.
D) dehydration related to diabetes insipidus.

AACN CCRN-Adult Exam - Topic 1 Question 19 Discussion

Actual exam question for AACN's CCRN-Adult exam
Question #: 19
Topic #: 1
[All CCRN-Adult Questions]

The primary pathophysiology underlying acute respiratory failure in a patient with head trauma involves

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Suggested Answer: A

In a patient with head trauma, the primary pathophysiology underlying acute respiratory failure often involves hypercapnia due to decreased minute ventilation. Head trauma can impair the central nervous system's ability to regulate breathing, leading to inadequate ventilation and a build-up of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. Other factors like shifting of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, increased intrapulmonary shunt, and dehydration due to diabetes insipidus may be present but are not the primary causes. Reference: CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN, page 25, section on Respiratory.


by Christoper at Mar 06, 2026, 06:52 PM

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Deandrea
5 hours ago
I agree, A seems right. Hypercapnia is common in head trauma.
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Cecilia
5 days ago
I think it's A. Decreased minute ventilation makes sense.
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Josephine
11 days ago
C) increased shunt? That's a stretch, isn't it?
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Miriam
16 days ago
B) shifting the curve to the left? Not really relevant here.
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Mickie
2 months ago
Wait, dehydration from diabetes insipidus? That seems off.
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Jeannetta
2 months ago
Totally agree, head trauma really messes with ventilation.
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Annice
2 months ago
A) hypercapnia related to decreased minute ventilation is spot on.
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Narcisa
3 months ago
Not sure about C), that seems off to me.
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Kati
3 months ago
Totally agree with A), it's all about ventilation.
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Kendra
3 months ago
Surprised that D) is even an option here!
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Evelynn
3 months ago
I think B) is a bit misleading, though.
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Allene
3 months ago
A) hypercapnia is definitely a big factor.
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Celeste
3 months ago
I'm leaning towards A as well, but I remember diabetes insipidus being mentioned in a different context. Is D even relevant here?
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Reuben
4 months ago
I practiced a similar question about respiratory failure, and I think it had to do with shunting. So, could it be C?
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Lauran
4 months ago
I feel like we discussed the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve in class, but I can't recall how it relates to acute respiratory failure. Maybe it's B?
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Dierdre
4 months ago
I think the answer might be A, but I'm not entirely sure. I remember something about decreased minute ventilation leading to hypercapnia in head trauma cases.
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