ADULT CCRN/PCCN CERTIFICATION TEST EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027)
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | RATED A+ | GUARANTEED PASS.
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:
A. A spontaneous pneumothorax
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. Aspiration pneumonia
D. A pleural effusion - Correct Answers B. A pulmonary embolus
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?
,A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
B. Echocardiogram
C. Cardiac enzyme studies
D. Chest x-ray and arterial blood gases - Correct Answers A. Pulmonary
radioisotope scan
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?
A. Request the family control the patient's behavior.
B. Transfer the patient
C. The patient assignment should be decided by the Charge Nurse.
D. Alternate the patient assignment among the nursing staff. - Correct
Answers D. 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:
A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. A spontaneous pneumothorax
D. Aspiration pneumonia - Correct Answers A. Acute respiratory distress
syndrome
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.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027)
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | RATED A+ | GUARANTEED PASS.
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:
A. A spontaneous pneumothorax
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. Aspiration pneumonia
D. A pleural effusion - Correct Answers B. A pulmonary embolus
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?
,A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
B. Echocardiogram
C. Cardiac enzyme studies
D. Chest x-ray and arterial blood gases - Correct Answers A. Pulmonary
radioisotope scan
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?
A. Request the family control the patient's behavior.
B. Transfer the patient
C. The patient assignment should be decided by the Charge Nurse.
D. Alternate the patient assignment among the nursing staff. - Correct
Answers D. 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:
A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. A spontaneous pneumothorax
D. Aspiration pneumonia - Correct Answers A. Acute respiratory distress
syndrome
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.
