PASS CCRN COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER
2026 COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
◉ How would a pneumothorax appear on chest x-ray film?
A.
Less radiolucent than normal lung
B.
Less radiopaque than normal lung
C.
More radiopaque than normal lung
D.
More radiolucent than normal lung. Answer: D. More radiolucent
than normal lung
The pleura is not visible on a normal chest radiograph, but in a
pneumothorax, the visceral pleura is displaced from the parietal
pleura by air in the pleural space. No lung markings can be seen in
this area, and it is darker than the lung.
◉ A 55-year-old man is admitted to the critical care unit with upper
gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy identifies esophageal varices,
but bleeding continues despite sclerosing. The physician inserts a
,Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. The family tells you that the patient has
a long history of alcohol use, drinking about one half of a fifth of Jack
Daniels every day. Which of the following are early indications of
alcohol withdrawal syndrome for which the nurse should monitor?
A.
Diaphoresis, pruritus
B.
Marked tachycardia, marked hypertension
C.
Hyperthermia, dehydration
D.
Delirium, hallucinations. Answer: A. Diaphoresis, pruritus
Because the question says "early," look for the mildest symptoms.
Diaphoresis, pruritus, mild tachycardia, mild hypertension, nausea,
vomiting, visual disturbances, tremors, anxiety, agitation, and sleep
disturbances are signs of early alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Options "Marked tachycardia, marked hypertension,"
"Hyperthermia, dehydration," and "Delirium, hallucinations"
describe late signs.
,◉ Altering the pH of the gastric secretions through the use of H2
receptor antagonists, antacids, and proton pump inhibitors
contributes to which potential complication?
A.
Pulmonary embolism
B.
Pneumonia
C.
Stress ulcer
D.
Acid-base imbalance. Answer: B. Pneumonia
Gastric colonization is likely with a gastric pH of greater than 4.
Pneumonia rates of patients receiving mechanical ventilation
correlate directly with increased gastric pH levels. This is one of the
risks of the use of H2 receptor antagonists, antacids, and proton
pump inhibitors to prevent stress ulcers in intubated patients.
◉ You have a 76-year-old patient that is on a norepinephrine gtt. You
notice the patient is complaining of severe pain and that the area
around her IV is becoming translucent, cool to touch, and discolored.
What stage is this and what medication should you administer to
prevent extravasation?
, A.
Stage 1, phentolamine
B.
Stage 4, hyaluronidase
C.
Stage 4, phentolamine
D.
Stage 3, dexrazoxane. Answer: C. Stage 4, phentolamine
The patient is experiencing Stage 4 infiltration and is on a
vasopressor gtt; therefore, phentolamine is the drug of choice to
counteracts the effects of infiltration/extravasation.
◉ Which of the following solutions would be most appropriate for
initial fluid resuscitation of a patient with severe hypovolemia
caused by several days of diarrhea and vomiting?
A.
An isotonic crystalloid
B.
A hypotonic crystalloid
C.
2026 COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
◉ How would a pneumothorax appear on chest x-ray film?
A.
Less radiolucent than normal lung
B.
Less radiopaque than normal lung
C.
More radiopaque than normal lung
D.
More radiolucent than normal lung. Answer: D. More radiolucent
than normal lung
The pleura is not visible on a normal chest radiograph, but in a
pneumothorax, the visceral pleura is displaced from the parietal
pleura by air in the pleural space. No lung markings can be seen in
this area, and it is darker than the lung.
◉ A 55-year-old man is admitted to the critical care unit with upper
gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy identifies esophageal varices,
but bleeding continues despite sclerosing. The physician inserts a
,Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. The family tells you that the patient has
a long history of alcohol use, drinking about one half of a fifth of Jack
Daniels every day. Which of the following are early indications of
alcohol withdrawal syndrome for which the nurse should monitor?
A.
Diaphoresis, pruritus
B.
Marked tachycardia, marked hypertension
C.
Hyperthermia, dehydration
D.
Delirium, hallucinations. Answer: A. Diaphoresis, pruritus
Because the question says "early," look for the mildest symptoms.
Diaphoresis, pruritus, mild tachycardia, mild hypertension, nausea,
vomiting, visual disturbances, tremors, anxiety, agitation, and sleep
disturbances are signs of early alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Options "Marked tachycardia, marked hypertension,"
"Hyperthermia, dehydration," and "Delirium, hallucinations"
describe late signs.
,◉ Altering the pH of the gastric secretions through the use of H2
receptor antagonists, antacids, and proton pump inhibitors
contributes to which potential complication?
A.
Pulmonary embolism
B.
Pneumonia
C.
Stress ulcer
D.
Acid-base imbalance. Answer: B. Pneumonia
Gastric colonization is likely with a gastric pH of greater than 4.
Pneumonia rates of patients receiving mechanical ventilation
correlate directly with increased gastric pH levels. This is one of the
risks of the use of H2 receptor antagonists, antacids, and proton
pump inhibitors to prevent stress ulcers in intubated patients.
◉ You have a 76-year-old patient that is on a norepinephrine gtt. You
notice the patient is complaining of severe pain and that the area
around her IV is becoming translucent, cool to touch, and discolored.
What stage is this and what medication should you administer to
prevent extravasation?
, A.
Stage 1, phentolamine
B.
Stage 4, hyaluronidase
C.
Stage 4, phentolamine
D.
Stage 3, dexrazoxane. Answer: C. Stage 4, phentolamine
The patient is experiencing Stage 4 infiltration and is on a
vasopressor gtt; therefore, phentolamine is the drug of choice to
counteracts the effects of infiltration/extravasation.
◉ Which of the following solutions would be most appropriate for
initial fluid resuscitation of a patient with severe hypovolemia
caused by several days of diarrhea and vomiting?
A.
An isotonic crystalloid
B.
A hypotonic crystalloid
C.
