AACN PCCN Practice Test Review WITH QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS VERIFIED AND UPDATED 2026
What are signs of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome - Correct Answers Headache
Nausea/vomiting
Restlessness
AMS
Agitation
Seizures
What causes disequilibrium syndrome? How can it be avoided? - Correct Answers This occurs
when plasma solutes (i.e. urea) are lowered too quickly.
Prevent by reducing dialysis time and increasing frequency.
What causes myocarditis? - Correct Answers Recent viral infections
Cocaine abuse
Autoimmune disease (i.e. SLE)
What is a key intervention to increase preload in the setting of cardiac tamponade while waiting
for a pericardiocentesis? - Correct Answers Placing the patient in Trendelenburg's (feet above
head).
, Consider: IVF
D/C preload lowering agents: diuretics, nitrates, and morphine
Signs of middle cerebral artery stroke - Correct Answers * Contralateral hemiplegia
* Sensory involvement
* Aphasia (if dominant hemisphere involved)
* Neglect (if non-dominant hemisphere involved) (i.e. denial of weakness)
* Homonymous hemianopsia (loss of same visual field in both eyes)
Signs of anterior cerebral artery stroke - Correct Answers * Weakness or sensory loss of
contralateral leg and proximal arm
* Behavior disturbance (confusion, indecisiveness, memory loss, urinary incontinence)
Signs of posterior cerebral artery stroke - Correct Answers * Contralateral visual field loss
* Color blindness
* Impaired depth perception
* Memory loss
* Sensory loss
* Nystagmus
* Pupillary abnormalities
* Ataxia
Signs of a vertebral artery stroke - Correct Answers * Ipsilateral numbness to face/nose/eye with
contralateral numbness to body
* Facial weakness
* Vertigo
ANSWERS VERIFIED AND UPDATED 2026
What are signs of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome - Correct Answers Headache
Nausea/vomiting
Restlessness
AMS
Agitation
Seizures
What causes disequilibrium syndrome? How can it be avoided? - Correct Answers This occurs
when plasma solutes (i.e. urea) are lowered too quickly.
Prevent by reducing dialysis time and increasing frequency.
What causes myocarditis? - Correct Answers Recent viral infections
Cocaine abuse
Autoimmune disease (i.e. SLE)
What is a key intervention to increase preload in the setting of cardiac tamponade while waiting
for a pericardiocentesis? - Correct Answers Placing the patient in Trendelenburg's (feet above
head).
, Consider: IVF
D/C preload lowering agents: diuretics, nitrates, and morphine
Signs of middle cerebral artery stroke - Correct Answers * Contralateral hemiplegia
* Sensory involvement
* Aphasia (if dominant hemisphere involved)
* Neglect (if non-dominant hemisphere involved) (i.e. denial of weakness)
* Homonymous hemianopsia (loss of same visual field in both eyes)
Signs of anterior cerebral artery stroke - Correct Answers * Weakness or sensory loss of
contralateral leg and proximal arm
* Behavior disturbance (confusion, indecisiveness, memory loss, urinary incontinence)
Signs of posterior cerebral artery stroke - Correct Answers * Contralateral visual field loss
* Color blindness
* Impaired depth perception
* Memory loss
* Sensory loss
* Nystagmus
* Pupillary abnormalities
* Ataxia
Signs of a vertebral artery stroke - Correct Answers * Ipsilateral numbness to face/nose/eye with
contralateral numbness to body
* Facial weakness
* Vertigo
