2026 Adult CCRN PCCN Certification Practice Test (50 Questions And Complete Answers)

One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly exhibits restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is 122/min., she is afebrile, and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right side. The findings described above should lead the nurse to suspect that the patient has developed:

1. A spontaneous pneumothorax
2. A pulmonary embolus
3. Aspiration pneumonia
4. A pleural effusion

One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly exhibits restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is 122/min., she is afebrile, and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right side. Which of the following will most likely confirm the patient's diagnosis?

1. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
2. Echocardiogram
3. Cardiac enzyme studies
4. Chest x-ray and arterial blood gases

The nursing staff does not wish to be assigned a difficult patient who continues to demonstrate disorderly behavior. Which of the following is an acceptable solution?

1. Request the family control the patient's behavior.
2. Transfer the patient
3. The patient assignment should be decided by the Charge Nurse.
4. Alternate the patient assignment among the nursing staff.

A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results: pH 7.40 pCO2 27 pO2 50 A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously. The findings described above should lead the nurse to believe that the patient has:

1. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
2. A pulmonary embolus
3. A spontaneous pneumothorax
4. Aspiration pneumonia

A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results: pH 7.40 pCO2 27 pO2 50 A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously. On admission, your patient's arterial blood gas on room air is: pH 7.23, PaCO2 55, PaO2 90, HCO3 30. The correct arterial blood gas interpretation is:

1. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
2. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
3. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
4. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis

A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results: pH 7.40 pCO2 27 pO2 50 A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously. Your patient just received 10 units of banked blood for a GI bleed. You know this will affect the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve by:

1. Shifting it to the right
2. Causing a plateau in the curve
3. Shifting it to the left
4. Causing no change in the curve

A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to 45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the following results: pH 7.40 pCO2 27 pO2 50 A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported. Auscultation of the lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously. Your patient is currently on a ventilator with the following settings: AC, FiO2 100%, Rate of 12, Tidal Volume 450, PEEP of 5. His arterial blood gas results are the following: pH 7.36, PaCO2 43, PaO2 56, HCO3 28. Which ventilator parameter do you anticipate changing?

1. Decrease the FiO2
2. Increase the tidal volume
3. Increase the PEEP
4. Increase the rate

ARDS is characterized by which of the following:

1. Refractory hypercarbia
2. Increase in surfactant
3. Increased lung compliance
4. Shunting

A 42 y/o woman with a 6 month history of worsening anxiety, heat intolerance, and weight loss presents to the emergency department. Which of the following are indicators of hyperthyroidism?

1. Constipation, lower body temperature, and edema
2. High T3 and T4 and low TSH.
3. Depression, dementia, and reflex changes
4. Low T3 and T4 and high TSH

An elderly man with Type 2 DM comes into the emergency department after spending all day in the mall shopping with his wife. He tells you that his heart is racing and he is sweaty and shaky. What is the best course of action for the nurse?

1. Give the patient a candy bar and drink regular soda then check his BG.
2. Check his blood glucose level and obtain an ECG.
3. Check his blood glucose and inject NPH insulin if he's hyperglycemic.
4. Give the patient 4 glucose tablets and then check his blood glucose.