CERTIFIED EMERGENCY NURSE (CEN)
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient arrives with chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea. What is the
priority intervention?
A. Obtain a full medical history
B. Administer oxygen
C. Prepare for discharge
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: B. Administer oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen improves myocardial oxygenation during suspected
acute coronary syndrome and is an immediate priority.
2. Which rhythm is most life-threatening?
A. Sinus bradycardia
B. Atrial fibrillation
C. Ventricular fibrillation
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: C. Ventricular fibrillation
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation causes no effective cardiac output and
requires immediate defibrillation.
3. A patient with asthma is in severe distress. What medication is first-line?
A. Oral corticosteroids
B. Inhaled short-acting beta agonist
C. Antibiotics
, D. Antihistamines
Answer: B. Inhaled short-acting beta agonist
Rationale: Albuterol provides rapid bronchodilation in acute asthma
exacerbations.
4. Signs of increased intracranial pressure include:
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Tachycardia and hypotension
C. Fever and rash
D. Polyuria
Answer: A. Bradycardia and hypertension
Rationale: Cushing’s triad (bradycardia, hypertension, irregular
respirations) indicates increased ICP.
5. The best indicator of shock severity is:
A. Blood pressure
B. Heart rate
C. Urine output
D. Skin color
Answer: C. Urine output
Rationale: Urine output reflects end-organ perfusion and is a sensitive
indicator of shock severity.
6. A patient with suspected stroke should receive:
A. Aspirin immediately
B. CT scan first
C. MRI after discharge
D. Heparin bolus
Answer: B. CT scan first
Rationale: CT is required to differentiate ischemic vs hemorrhagic stroke
before treatment.
7. The most appropriate action for an open pneumothorax is:
A. Apply occlusive dressing
B. Give oral antibiotics
, C. Encourage deep breathing
D. Remove foreign object
Answer: A. Apply occlusive dressing
Rationale: Prevents air entry into pleural space and worsening lung
collapse.
8. Which sign indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Warm dry skin
B. Confusion and sweating
C. Slow pulse
D. Hypertension
Answer: B. Confusion and sweating
Rationale: Hypoglycemia causes neuroglycopenic and adrenergic
symptoms.
9. First priority in mass casualty triage is:
A. Walking wounded
B. Expectant patients
C. Airway compromise
D. Minor injuries
Answer: C. Airway compromise
Rationale: Airway is the first priority in all emergency triage systems.
10.Which electrolyte imbalance causes peaked T waves?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium alters cardiac conduction producing peaked
T waves.
11.Treatment for opioid overdose includes:
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient arrives with chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea. What is the
priority intervention?
A. Obtain a full medical history
B. Administer oxygen
C. Prepare for discharge
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: B. Administer oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen improves myocardial oxygenation during suspected
acute coronary syndrome and is an immediate priority.
2. Which rhythm is most life-threatening?
A. Sinus bradycardia
B. Atrial fibrillation
C. Ventricular fibrillation
D. First-degree AV block
Answer: C. Ventricular fibrillation
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation causes no effective cardiac output and
requires immediate defibrillation.
3. A patient with asthma is in severe distress. What medication is first-line?
A. Oral corticosteroids
B. Inhaled short-acting beta agonist
C. Antibiotics
, D. Antihistamines
Answer: B. Inhaled short-acting beta agonist
Rationale: Albuterol provides rapid bronchodilation in acute asthma
exacerbations.
4. Signs of increased intracranial pressure include:
A. Bradycardia and hypertension
B. Tachycardia and hypotension
C. Fever and rash
D. Polyuria
Answer: A. Bradycardia and hypertension
Rationale: Cushing’s triad (bradycardia, hypertension, irregular
respirations) indicates increased ICP.
5. The best indicator of shock severity is:
A. Blood pressure
B. Heart rate
C. Urine output
D. Skin color
Answer: C. Urine output
Rationale: Urine output reflects end-organ perfusion and is a sensitive
indicator of shock severity.
6. A patient with suspected stroke should receive:
A. Aspirin immediately
B. CT scan first
C. MRI after discharge
D. Heparin bolus
Answer: B. CT scan first
Rationale: CT is required to differentiate ischemic vs hemorrhagic stroke
before treatment.
7. The most appropriate action for an open pneumothorax is:
A. Apply occlusive dressing
B. Give oral antibiotics
, C. Encourage deep breathing
D. Remove foreign object
Answer: A. Apply occlusive dressing
Rationale: Prevents air entry into pleural space and worsening lung
collapse.
8. Which sign indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Warm dry skin
B. Confusion and sweating
C. Slow pulse
D. Hypertension
Answer: B. Confusion and sweating
Rationale: Hypoglycemia causes neuroglycopenic and adrenergic
symptoms.
9. First priority in mass casualty triage is:
A. Walking wounded
B. Expectant patients
C. Airway compromise
D. Minor injuries
Answer: C. Airway compromise
Rationale: Airway is the first priority in all emergency triage systems.
10.Which electrolyte imbalance causes peaked T waves?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium alters cardiac conduction producing peaked
T waves.
11.Treatment for opioid overdose includes:
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
