AACN Certification Practice Test 2026 – Comprehensive Exam Prep

Spontaneous Awakening Trials (SAT) are an essential component of the ABCDEF Bundle, which is a care protocol designed to improve outcomes for critically ill patients in intensive care units. The ABCDEF Bundle emphasizes a patient-centered approach to care that includes key practices such as Assessing and managing pain, Both awakening and breathing trials, Coordination of care, Delirium assessment and management, and Early mobility.

The SAT specifically focuses on the "Both" aspect of the bundle, where patients are given opportunities to awaken from sedation in a controlled manner. This practice helps clinicians evaluate the patient’s neurological status and may reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, consequently minimizing risks associated with prolonged sedation. By facilitating spontaneous breathing, these trials also encourage better recovery during the patient's ICU stay.

In contrast, daily patient assessments, patient discharge planning, and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation are important components of patient care but do not encompass the specific practices embedded within the ABCDEF Bundle. Therefore, identifying SAT as part of the ABCDEF Bundle highlights its relevance in promoting patient safety, reducing sedation-related complications, and enhancing overall recovery in critically ill patients.