PCCN Practice Exam Notes (2021) – All Questions and Answers Updated 2026 –
100% Solved
36 hours after an anterior STEMI with stent placement in the LAD, a pt develops st elevation in
leads ii, iii, avf. the most likely reason is:
a. these are reciprocal changes
b. newly placed stent is occluded
c. there is a new ischemia in a diff location
d. this is an expected evolution of the MI - ✔✔✔-c.
it would be reciprocal changes if there is ST depression not elevation
ii, iii, and avf is located in inferior wall if new stent is occluded, st elevation would be on the
anterior leads which is v2-v4
76-year-old patient is receiving gentamicin and linezolid for an infection. Which of the following
potential complications is the most important for the nurse to monitor this patient for?
A. Acute delirium
B. Acute kidney injury
C. Acute hepatic failure
D. Sepsis - ✔✔✔-B.
Gentamicin is a nephrotoxic agent that places patients at risk for acute kidney injury, and this
risk is increased in older patients. Acute delirium (A), liver failure (C), and sepsis (D) are all
complications that could occur in an older adult with an infection but would not be caused by
the administration of an antibiotic.
A patient shows a new slight facial droop and the patient's right arm is weaker than the left. A
priority intervention would be to
A. Obtain a serum glucose level
B. Obtain a full set of vital signs
C. Initiate the stroke protocol
, PCCN Practice Exam Notes (2021) – All Questions and Answers Updated 2026 –
100% Solved
D. Initiate the code response team - ✔✔✔-C.
The stroke protocol should be activated as soon as signs of stroke are identified in a patient.
Initial signs of stroke include facial droop, arm down drift, and garbled speech. For best
outcomes, the time elapsed between initials signs of stroke and treatment must be as short as
possible.
a patient w history of iv drug abuse develops sudden hypotension, dyspnea, and a systolic
murmur heard at the 5th ics left midclavicular line. the nurse suspects acute:
a. aortic dissection
b. mitral regurgitation
c. cardiac tamponade
d. ventricular septal defect - ✔✔✔-b.
based on pt's history of iv drug abuse and also the location of the murmur
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted for worsening dyspnea
and possible pneumonia. The current ABG results are pH, 7.19; PaO2, 52 mm Hg; PaCO2, 68 mm
Hg; HCO3 - , 32 mmol/L. The nurse would interpret these results as
A. Metabolic acidosis with hypoxemia
B. Respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia
C. Respiratory alkalosis with typical oxygenation for a COPD patient
D. Metabolic alkalosis with typical oxygenation for a COPD patient - ✔✔✔-B.
Based on the ABG analysis, the patient is experiencing a respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia
most likely due to the pneumonia. A pH of 7.19 indicates acidosis; a PaCO2 of 68 mm Hg is
elevated and a cause of acidosis; an HCO3 - of 32 mmol/L indicates renal compensation; a PaO2
of 52 mm Hg indicates hypoxemia
100% Solved
36 hours after an anterior STEMI with stent placement in the LAD, a pt develops st elevation in
leads ii, iii, avf. the most likely reason is:
a. these are reciprocal changes
b. newly placed stent is occluded
c. there is a new ischemia in a diff location
d. this is an expected evolution of the MI - ✔✔✔-c.
it would be reciprocal changes if there is ST depression not elevation
ii, iii, and avf is located in inferior wall if new stent is occluded, st elevation would be on the
anterior leads which is v2-v4
76-year-old patient is receiving gentamicin and linezolid for an infection. Which of the following
potential complications is the most important for the nurse to monitor this patient for?
A. Acute delirium
B. Acute kidney injury
C. Acute hepatic failure
D. Sepsis - ✔✔✔-B.
Gentamicin is a nephrotoxic agent that places patients at risk for acute kidney injury, and this
risk is increased in older patients. Acute delirium (A), liver failure (C), and sepsis (D) are all
complications that could occur in an older adult with an infection but would not be caused by
the administration of an antibiotic.
A patient shows a new slight facial droop and the patient's right arm is weaker than the left. A
priority intervention would be to
A. Obtain a serum glucose level
B. Obtain a full set of vital signs
C. Initiate the stroke protocol
, PCCN Practice Exam Notes (2021) – All Questions and Answers Updated 2026 –
100% Solved
D. Initiate the code response team - ✔✔✔-C.
The stroke protocol should be activated as soon as signs of stroke are identified in a patient.
Initial signs of stroke include facial droop, arm down drift, and garbled speech. For best
outcomes, the time elapsed between initials signs of stroke and treatment must be as short as
possible.
a patient w history of iv drug abuse develops sudden hypotension, dyspnea, and a systolic
murmur heard at the 5th ics left midclavicular line. the nurse suspects acute:
a. aortic dissection
b. mitral regurgitation
c. cardiac tamponade
d. ventricular septal defect - ✔✔✔-b.
based on pt's history of iv drug abuse and also the location of the murmur
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted for worsening dyspnea
and possible pneumonia. The current ABG results are pH, 7.19; PaO2, 52 mm Hg; PaCO2, 68 mm
Hg; HCO3 - , 32 mmol/L. The nurse would interpret these results as
A. Metabolic acidosis with hypoxemia
B. Respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia
C. Respiratory alkalosis with typical oxygenation for a COPD patient
D. Metabolic alkalosis with typical oxygenation for a COPD patient - ✔✔✔-B.
Based on the ABG analysis, the patient is experiencing a respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia
most likely due to the pneumonia. A pH of 7.19 indicates acidosis; a PaCO2 of 68 mm Hg is
elevated and a cause of acidosis; an HCO3 - of 32 mmol/L indicates renal compensation; a PaO2
of 52 mm Hg indicates hypoxemia
