Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

What is the primary goal of the emergency treatment for an aneurysm?

1. Provide analgesics

2. Reduce inflammation

3. Repair the aneurysm

4. Administer corticosteroids

The correct answer is: Repair the aneurysm

The primary goal of emergency treatment for an aneurysm is to repair the aneurysm. The urgency in addressing an aneurysm stems from the potential for it to rupture, which can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage and severe complications. Therefore, the focus of treatment is on stabilizing the patient and performing definitive interventions to either repair the aneurysm through surgical means or endovascular techniques. By addressing the structural issue of the aneurysm, healthcare providers can prevent further complications and improve the patient's prognosis. While providing analgesics can help manage pain and reducing inflammation may be relevant in some contexts, they do not directly address the life-threatening nature of an aneurysm. The use of corticosteroids might be considered in certain conditions where inflammation is significant, but they do not play a role in the acute management of aneurysms. Hence, repairing the aneurysm is clearly the paramount objective in emergency settings.