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CERTIFIED EMERGENCY NURSE® (CEN®) EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS NEWEST 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100
%
Fill in the blank: The classic triad of acute aortic dissection includes chest
pain, pulse deficit, and ________.
Widened mediastinum
Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the
valves.
Endocarditis
Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________.
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart
sounds, and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis?
Pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad)
Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________
must overcome to eject blood.
Left ventricle
Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by
absence of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea.
Cardiopulmonary arrest
Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely
has ________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac
output.
Ventricular fibrillation
Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery.
, Page 2 of 38
Dilation or ballooning
Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.
Pericarditis
Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath
sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________.
Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to
meet the body's needs.
Heart failure
Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the
________ vein.
Popliteal or femoral
Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus.
Pulmonary embolism
Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a different
BP in each arm may have ________.
Aortic dissection
Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal
range.
Hypertension
Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called
a ________.
Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively.
Cardiogenic shock
Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________.
Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral vascular disease)
Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm).
Bradycardia
Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning to the
________.
Heart (ventricles)
Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P waves.
, Page 3 of 38
Atrial fibrillation
Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain — suspect
________.
Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with end-organ
damage.
Hypertensive emergency
Fill in the blank: The definitive treatment for cardiac tamponade is ________.
Pericardiocentesis
Definition: Failure of blood flow due to mechanical obstruction to cardiac
filling.
Obstructive shock
Scenario: Patient develops chest pain post-MI, friction rub heard — indicates
________.
Pericarditis
Terminology: Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral
perfusion.
Syncope
Fill in the blank: The mnemonic "MONA" (Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin,
Aspirin) applies to initial treatment of ________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Definition: Inflammation and infection of a vein with thrombus formation.
Thrombophlebitis
Definition: Entry of foreign material into the tracheobronchial tree.
Aspiration
Fill in the blank: A chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by
reversible airway obstruction is called ________.
Asthma
Terminology: A progressive, irreversible airflow limitation commonly caused
by chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Scenario: A patient presents with fever, productive cough, and crackles in the
right lower lobe. Diagnosis?
Pneumonia (respiratory infection)
, Page 4 of 38
Definition: Lung injury caused by inhalation of toxic gases, smoke, or
chemicals.
Inhalation injury
Fill in the blank: The accumulation of fluid in the pleural space is known as
________.
Pleural effusion
Scenario: Sudden dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain with absent breath sounds
on one side indicates ________.
Pneumothorax
Terminology: Noncardiac cause of pulmonary edema often due to increased
capillary permeability.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Definition: Sudden blockage of pulmonary arteries, usually from a thrombus.
Pulmonary embolus
Fill in the blank: The presence of air in the pleural space causing lung collapse
is called ________.
Pneumothorax
Scenario: A patient with wheezing, prolonged expiration, and use of accessory
muscles likely has ________.
Asthma exacerbation
Terminology: Swelling and inflammation of the upper airway due to infection
or trauma causing obstruction.
Airway obstruction
Definition: Increased pulmonary arterial pressure leading to right heart strain.
Pulmonary hypertension
Scenario: A smoke-inhalation victim presents with facial burns and soot in the
mouth — first priority?
Secure airway (intubation readiness)
Fill in the blank: The hallmark sign of tension pneumothorax is ________.
Tracheal deviation away from affected side
Definition: Condition where fluid accumulates within alveoli due to noncardiac
causes.
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema
CERTIFIED EMERGENCY NURSE® (CEN®) EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS NEWEST 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST
VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED 100
%
Fill in the blank: The classic triad of acute aortic dissection includes chest
pain, pulse deficit, and ________.
Widened mediastinum
Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the
valves.
Endocarditis
Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________.
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart
sounds, and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis?
Pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad)
Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________
must overcome to eject blood.
Left ventricle
Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by
absence of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea.
Cardiopulmonary arrest
Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely
has ________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac
output.
Ventricular fibrillation
Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery.
, Page 2 of 38
Dilation or ballooning
Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.
Pericarditis
Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath
sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________.
Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to
meet the body's needs.
Heart failure
Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the
________ vein.
Popliteal or femoral
Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus.
Pulmonary embolism
Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a different
BP in each arm may have ________.
Aortic dissection
Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal
range.
Hypertension
Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called
a ________.
Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively.
Cardiogenic shock
Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________.
Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral vascular disease)
Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm).
Bradycardia
Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning to the
________.
Heart (ventricles)
Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P waves.
, Page 3 of 38
Atrial fibrillation
Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain — suspect
________.
Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with end-organ
damage.
Hypertensive emergency
Fill in the blank: The definitive treatment for cardiac tamponade is ________.
Pericardiocentesis
Definition: Failure of blood flow due to mechanical obstruction to cardiac
filling.
Obstructive shock
Scenario: Patient develops chest pain post-MI, friction rub heard — indicates
________.
Pericarditis
Terminology: Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral
perfusion.
Syncope
Fill in the blank: The mnemonic "MONA" (Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin,
Aspirin) applies to initial treatment of ________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Definition: Inflammation and infection of a vein with thrombus formation.
Thrombophlebitis
Definition: Entry of foreign material into the tracheobronchial tree.
Aspiration
Fill in the blank: A chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by
reversible airway obstruction is called ________.
Asthma
Terminology: A progressive, irreversible airflow limitation commonly caused
by chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Scenario: A patient presents with fever, productive cough, and crackles in the
right lower lobe. Diagnosis?
Pneumonia (respiratory infection)
, Page 4 of 38
Definition: Lung injury caused by inhalation of toxic gases, smoke, or
chemicals.
Inhalation injury
Fill in the blank: The accumulation of fluid in the pleural space is known as
________.
Pleural effusion
Scenario: Sudden dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain with absent breath sounds
on one side indicates ________.
Pneumothorax
Terminology: Noncardiac cause of pulmonary edema often due to increased
capillary permeability.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Definition: Sudden blockage of pulmonary arteries, usually from a thrombus.
Pulmonary embolus
Fill in the blank: The presence of air in the pleural space causing lung collapse
is called ________.
Pneumothorax
Scenario: A patient with wheezing, prolonged expiration, and use of accessory
muscles likely has ________.
Asthma exacerbation
Terminology: Swelling and inflammation of the upper airway due to infection
or trauma causing obstruction.
Airway obstruction
Definition: Increased pulmonary arterial pressure leading to right heart strain.
Pulmonary hypertension
Scenario: A smoke-inhalation victim presents with facial burns and soot in the
mouth — first priority?
Secure airway (intubation readiness)
Fill in the blank: The hallmark sign of tension pneumothorax is ________.
Tracheal deviation away from affected side
Definition: Condition where fluid accumulates within alveoli due to noncardiac
causes.
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema
