Certified Emergency Nurse
LATEST VERSION
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A patient arrives in the emergency department with crushing chest pain, diaphoresis, and ST-
segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administer oral antacids
B. Prepare for immediate reperfusion therapy
C. Obtain a full dietary history
D. Delay treatment for serial ECGs
Answer: B
Rationale: Inferior STEMI requires urgent reperfusion (PCI or thrombolytics) to restore coronary
perfusion.
A patient in acute heart failure presents with severe dyspnea, crackles, and pink frothy sputum.
Which medication is most appropriate initially?
A. Loop diuretic
B. Anticoagulant
C. Beta blocker
D. Calcium channel blocker
Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics reduce fluid overload in acute pulmonary edema.
True/False: Ventricular fibrillation requires immediate defibrillation rather than cardioversion.
Answer: True
Rationale: VF is a pulseless rhythm treated with defibrillation.
Fill in the blank: The ECG finding of irregularly irregular rhythm with absent P waves is consistent
with ________.
Answer: atrial fibrillation
Rationale: AF is characterized by disorganized atrial activity.
A patient with suspected pulmonary embolism suddenly becomes hypotensive and hypoxic. The
most appropriate intervention is:
A. Oral anticoagulants only
B. Thrombolytic therapy if no contraindications
C. Antipyretics
D. Nebulized bronchodilators only
Answer: B
Rationale: Massive PE with instability requires thrombolysis.
A patient presents with wheezing, hypotension, and urticaria after a bee sting. First-line treatment
is:
A. Antihistamines alone
B. Intramuscular epinephrine
C. Corticosteroids only
D. Oxygen only
Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine is first-line for anaphylaxis.
True/False: Oxygen therapy should be titrated to maintain 100% saturation in all respiratory
emergencies.
Answer: False
Rationale: Excess oxygen can be harmful in some conditions; titration is recommended.
Fill in the blank: The sudden collapse of a lung due to air in the pleural space is called ________.
Answer: pneumothorax
Rationale: Air causes lung deflation and respiratory distress.
A stroke patient arrives within 45 minutes of symptom onset. The priority intervention is:
2
LATEST VERSION
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A patient arrives in the emergency department with crushing chest pain, diaphoresis, and ST-
segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administer oral antacids
B. Prepare for immediate reperfusion therapy
C. Obtain a full dietary history
D. Delay treatment for serial ECGs
Answer: B
Rationale: Inferior STEMI requires urgent reperfusion (PCI or thrombolytics) to restore coronary
perfusion.
A patient in acute heart failure presents with severe dyspnea, crackles, and pink frothy sputum.
Which medication is most appropriate initially?
A. Loop diuretic
B. Anticoagulant
C. Beta blocker
D. Calcium channel blocker
Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics reduce fluid overload in acute pulmonary edema.
True/False: Ventricular fibrillation requires immediate defibrillation rather than cardioversion.
Answer: True
Rationale: VF is a pulseless rhythm treated with defibrillation.
Fill in the blank: The ECG finding of irregularly irregular rhythm with absent P waves is consistent
with ________.
Answer: atrial fibrillation
Rationale: AF is characterized by disorganized atrial activity.
A patient with suspected pulmonary embolism suddenly becomes hypotensive and hypoxic. The
most appropriate intervention is:
A. Oral anticoagulants only
B. Thrombolytic therapy if no contraindications
C. Antipyretics
D. Nebulized bronchodilators only
Answer: B
Rationale: Massive PE with instability requires thrombolysis.
A patient presents with wheezing, hypotension, and urticaria after a bee sting. First-line treatment
is:
A. Antihistamines alone
B. Intramuscular epinephrine
C. Corticosteroids only
D. Oxygen only
Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine is first-line for anaphylaxis.
True/False: Oxygen therapy should be titrated to maintain 100% saturation in all respiratory
emergencies.
Answer: False
Rationale: Excess oxygen can be harmful in some conditions; titration is recommended.
Fill in the blank: The sudden collapse of a lung due to air in the pleural space is called ________.
Answer: pneumothorax
Rationale: Air causes lung deflation and respiratory distress.
A stroke patient arrives within 45 minutes of symptom onset. The priority intervention is:
2
