CCRN EXAM vc
Exam Solution vc
CCRN Barrons 2026 A+ GRADE ASSURED COMPLETE SO vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
LUTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS (F5E7D) vc vc vc vc
QUESTION 1 vc
Which of the following ventilator settings is most likely to decrease the work of breathin
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g? A assist-
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control clearYou selected. B pressure support doneYou did not select. C tidal volume D C
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PAP
ANSWER
Answer: B Pressure support senses the beginning of the patient's spontaneous inspiration and provides
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a set pressure to assist the inspiratory effort. The primary purpose of the ventilator settings listed in ch
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oices (A), (C), and (
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D) is not to decrease the work of breathing.
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QUESTION 2 vc
A patient with aortic regurgitation will have which of the following upon auscultation? S
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elect single answer choice. A a diastolic murmur, loudest at the fifth intercostal space, mi
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dclavicular a systolic murmur, loudest at the apex of the heart C a diastolic murmur, lou
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dest at the second intercostal space, right sternal border D a systolic murmur, loudest at
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the base of the heart
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ANSWER
Answer: C Aortic insufficiency (regurgitation) is the backflow of blood during the time when the aortic v
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alve should be closed. The aortic valve is closed during diastole; therefore, this patient has a diastolic m
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urmur. The aortic area of auscultation is at the base of the heart: the second intercostal space, right ster
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nal border.
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QUESTION 3 vc
A patient has acute kidney injury with fluid overload, and continuous renal replacement
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therapy (CRRT) has been ordered. Which of the following would indicate the need for CR
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,RT rather than intermittent hemodialysis? Select single answer choice. A hyperkalemia
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B. a MAP of 45 mmHg C acidosis D severe hypoxemia
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ANSWER
Answer: B Hemodynamic instability, such as hypotension, is the indication for CRRT since it does not ca
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use the rapid fluid shifts that are seen with intermittent hemodialysis. The remaining choices are not in
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dications for CRRT. vc vc
QUESTION 4 vc
Which of the following patients, who are all receiving mechanical ventilation, is most lik
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ely a candidate for a spontaneous awakening trial? Select single answer choice. A a patie
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nt who is receiving PRN morphine B a patient who is receiving a propofol infusion C a pa
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tient who is receiving 100% oxygen and 20 cm H2O pressure of PEEP D a patient who is
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receiving a vecuronium (Norcuron) infusion vc vc vc vc
ANSWER
Answer: B A spontaneous awakening trial should be considered for a patient who is receiving a continu
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ous infusion of a sedating drug and/or an analgesic drug and who meets the hemodynamic criteria. A pa
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tient who is receiving a propofol infusion is a potential candidate for a spontaneous awakening trial as l
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ong as the hemodynamic criteria are met. A patient who is receiving PRN morphine may be a candidate
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for a spontaneous breathing trial, but that patient does not require an infusion to be stopped in order to
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be awakened. The remaining 2 choices do not meet the criteria for performing either a spontaneous aw
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akening trial or a spontaneous breathing trial.
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QUESTION 5 vc
Cardiogenic shock secondary to left ventricular failure will generally result in: Select sin
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gle answer choice. A decreased afterload. B a narrow pulse pressure. C decreased preloa
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d. D a widening pulse pressure.
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ANSWER
Answer: B The systolic pressure decreases due to a drop in the cardiac output; however, the diastolic pr
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essure either stays the same or increases due to a compensatory increase in the systemic vascular resist
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ance. The remaining choices are not found in the presence of cardiogenic shock.
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QUESTION 6 vc
Massive atelectasis occurs in the presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS
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). What are the 2 causes of the atelectasis that is typical of ARDS? Select single answer ch
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oice. A a surfactant deficiency and pulmonary edema B increased pulmonary vascular re
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sistance and increased pulmonary compliance C increased pulmonary compliance and p
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ulmonary edema D mucus plugs and bronchospasm vc vc vc vc vc vc
ANSWER
, Answer: A ARDS destroys Type II alveolar cells, which results in decreased surfactant production. ARDS
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also results in capillary leak at normal left-
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sided heart pressures, which results in pulmonary edema. Both a surfactant deficiency and pulmonary e
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dema lead to atelectasis. The remaining choices are not correct because increased pulmonary complianc
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e and mucus plugs are not features of ARDS.
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QUESTION 7 vc
A patient was admitted with an acute inferior wall STEMI. The physician advises the nurs
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e to monitor the patient for signs of right ventricular (RV) infarction. Which of the follow
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ing are signs of RV infarction? Select single answer choice. A S4 heart sound, lung crackle
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s B hypotension, flat neck veins C hypertension, a systolic murmur D distended neck vein
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s, clear lungs
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ANSWER
Answer: D If the RV contractility decreases, the pressure that is proximal to the right ventricle (which is
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the right atrial pressure) increases, resulting in distended neck veins. As the right heart fails, the left he
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art preload decreases, and the lungs are clear.
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QUESTION 8 vc
Which of the following is an effect of hypothermia? Select single answer choice. A a decre
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ase in the SaO2 B a decrease in the blood pressure C an increase in the heart rate D a shif
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t of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the left
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ANSWER
Answer: D Hypothermia shifts the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the left, which inhibits the relea
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se of oxygen from hemoglobin, thereby resulting in a higher SaO2 than usual at the same PaO2. The rem
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aining choices are not related to hypothermia.
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QUESTION 9 vc
It is important for a nurse to identify the signs of respiratory depression during procedu
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ral sedation. Which of the following is a LATE sign of respiratory depression? Select singl
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e answer choice. A a cough B SpO2 88% C ETCO2 of 50 mmHg per waveform capnograph
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y D sedation
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ANSWER
Answer: B A pulse oximetry decrease is a late sign of respiratory depression. A cough is not indicative o
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f respiratory depression. An elevated ETCO2 per waveform capnography is an early sign of respiratory
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depression. Sedation precedes respiratory depression. vc vc vc vc
QUESTION 10 vc
Exam Solution vc
CCRN Barrons 2026 A+ GRADE ASSURED COMPLETE SO vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
LUTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS (F5E7D) vc vc vc vc
QUESTION 1 vc
Which of the following ventilator settings is most likely to decrease the work of breathin
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
g? A assist-
vc vc
control clearYou selected. B pressure support doneYou did not select. C tidal volume D C
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
PAP
ANSWER
Answer: B Pressure support senses the beginning of the patient's spontaneous inspiration and provides
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
a set pressure to assist the inspiratory effort. The primary purpose of the ventilator settings listed in ch
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
oices (A), (C), and (
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D) is not to decrease the work of breathing.
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QUESTION 2 vc
A patient with aortic regurgitation will have which of the following upon auscultation? S
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
elect single answer choice. A a diastolic murmur, loudest at the fifth intercostal space, mi
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
dclavicular a systolic murmur, loudest at the apex of the heart C a diastolic murmur, lou
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
dest at the second intercostal space, right sternal border D a systolic murmur, loudest at
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the base of the heart
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ANSWER
Answer: C Aortic insufficiency (regurgitation) is the backflow of blood during the time when the aortic v
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
alve should be closed. The aortic valve is closed during diastole; therefore, this patient has a diastolic m
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
urmur. The aortic area of auscultation is at the base of the heart: the second intercostal space, right ster
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
nal border.
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QUESTION 3 vc
A patient has acute kidney injury with fluid overload, and continuous renal replacement
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
therapy (CRRT) has been ordered. Which of the following would indicate the need for CR
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
,RT rather than intermittent hemodialysis? Select single answer choice. A hyperkalemia
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B. a MAP of 45 mmHg C acidosis D severe hypoxemia
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
ANSWER
Answer: B Hemodynamic instability, such as hypotension, is the indication for CRRT since it does not ca
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
use the rapid fluid shifts that are seen with intermittent hemodialysis. The remaining choices are not in
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
dications for CRRT. vc vc
QUESTION 4 vc
Which of the following patients, who are all receiving mechanical ventilation, is most lik
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
ely a candidate for a spontaneous awakening trial? Select single answer choice. A a patie
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nt who is receiving PRN morphine B a patient who is receiving a propofol infusion C a pa
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
tient who is receiving 100% oxygen and 20 cm H2O pressure of PEEP D a patient who is
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receiving a vecuronium (Norcuron) infusion vc vc vc vc
ANSWER
Answer: B A spontaneous awakening trial should be considered for a patient who is receiving a continu
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
ous infusion of a sedating drug and/or an analgesic drug and who meets the hemodynamic criteria. A pa
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
tient who is receiving a propofol infusion is a potential candidate for a spontaneous awakening trial as l
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ong as the hemodynamic criteria are met. A patient who is receiving PRN morphine may be a candidate
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for a spontaneous breathing trial, but that patient does not require an infusion to be stopped in order to
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be awakened. The remaining 2 choices do not meet the criteria for performing either a spontaneous aw
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akening trial or a spontaneous breathing trial.
vc vc vc vc vc vc
QUESTION 5 vc
Cardiogenic shock secondary to left ventricular failure will generally result in: Select sin
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
gle answer choice. A decreased afterload. B a narrow pulse pressure. C decreased preloa
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d. D a widening pulse pressure.
vc vc vc vc vc
ANSWER
Answer: B The systolic pressure decreases due to a drop in the cardiac output; however, the diastolic pr
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
essure either stays the same or increases due to a compensatory increase in the systemic vascular resist
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
ance. The remaining choices are not found in the presence of cardiogenic shock.
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QUESTION 6 vc
Massive atelectasis occurs in the presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
). What are the 2 causes of the atelectasis that is typical of ARDS? Select single answer ch
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oice. A a surfactant deficiency and pulmonary edema B increased pulmonary vascular re
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
sistance and increased pulmonary compliance C increased pulmonary compliance and p
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
ulmonary edema D mucus plugs and bronchospasm vc vc vc vc vc vc
ANSWER
, Answer: A ARDS destroys Type II alveolar cells, which results in decreased surfactant production. ARDS
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also results in capillary leak at normal left-
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sided heart pressures, which results in pulmonary edema. Both a surfactant deficiency and pulmonary e
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
dema lead to atelectasis. The remaining choices are not correct because increased pulmonary complianc
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e and mucus plugs are not features of ARDS.
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
QUESTION 7 vc
A patient was admitted with an acute inferior wall STEMI. The physician advises the nurs
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
e to monitor the patient for signs of right ventricular (RV) infarction. Which of the follow
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
ing are signs of RV infarction? Select single answer choice. A S4 heart sound, lung crackle
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
s B hypotension, flat neck veins C hypertension, a systolic murmur D distended neck vein
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
s, clear lungs
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ANSWER
Answer: D If the RV contractility decreases, the pressure that is proximal to the right ventricle (which is
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc v
the right atrial pressure) increases, resulting in distended neck veins. As the right heart fails, the left he
c vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
art preload decreases, and the lungs are clear.
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
QUESTION 8 vc
Which of the following is an effect of hypothermia? Select single answer choice. A a decre
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ase in the SaO2 B a decrease in the blood pressure C an increase in the heart rate D a shif
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t of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the left
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ANSWER
Answer: D Hypothermia shifts the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the left, which inhibits the relea
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
se of oxygen from hemoglobin, thereby resulting in a higher SaO2 than usual at the same PaO2. The rem
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
aining choices are not related to hypothermia.
vc vc vc vc vc vc
QUESTION 9 vc
It is important for a nurse to identify the signs of respiratory depression during procedu
vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc vc
ral sedation. Which of the following is a LATE sign of respiratory depression? Select singl
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e answer choice. A a cough B SpO2 88% C ETCO2 of 50 mmHg per waveform capnograph
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y D sedation
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ANSWER
Answer: B A pulse oximetry decrease is a late sign of respiratory depression. A cough is not indicative o
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f respiratory depression. An elevated ETCO2 per waveform capnography is an early sign of respiratory
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depression. Sedation precedes respiratory depression. vc vc vc vc
QUESTION 10 vc