CEN EXAM AND CEN - PRACTICE
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS GRADED A+
A 68-year-old woman presents with a chief complaint of fatigue and exhaustion.
She states she nearly passed out that morning and just has no energy. She states
she's nauseous, but thinks it's because she's a little dizzy from almost passing
out. She is overweight and has a history of smoking for 40 years, but quit 5
years ago. The nurse's assessment reveals mild tachypnea and diaphoresis. What
will be the priority diagnostic assessment for this patient?
Coagulation panel
Depression screening
Complete blood count with differential
Electrocardiogram - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Electrocardiogram
A multiple trauma patient, with rib fractures, a small, simple pneumothorax, and
fractures of the tibia and fibula, is being transferred by rotor wing helicopter to
a facility that provides a higher level of care. What is considered prior to
transport by this mode?
Ensure that fluids are infusing by gravity
Chest tube is placed
Air splint is applied properly
Insert a urinary catheter - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Chest tube is placed
Page 1 of 110
,Which one of the following is a significant risk factor for a patient wanting to
attempt suicide? History of past attempts
Age between 25 and 35 years
Winter months
Acute physical illness - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > History of past attempts
A 21-year-old female presents to the ED with complaints of pelvic pain. What
possible cause of the pain is assessed for first?
Urinary tract infection
Ectopic pregnancy
Ruptured ovarian cyst
Kidney stones - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Ectopic pregnancy
The emergency nurse is giving discharge instructions to a patient who has just
had a laceration closed with wound glue. Which statement indicates the patient
understands the instructions?
I should use sunscreen tomorrow when I go outside.
I'll watch for it to slough off in the next two days.
I should keep it covered with a bandage.
I should look for redness or drainage. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > I should look
for redness or drainage.
Page 2 of 110
,The nurse is reviewing laboratory results in a patient who presents with
hyperglycemia. Which of the following statements about the difference between
diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome is true?
The patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome presents with a more
significant acidosis than the patient with diabetic ketoacidosis
The patient with diabetic ketoacidosis presents with ketones in the urine and
the patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome does not
The patient with diabetic ketoacidosis presents with a higher blood glucose
level than the patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a more common presentation in patients with
type 1 diabetes mellitus, while hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS) is
more common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer
> The patient with diabetic ketoacidosis presents with ketones in the urine and
the patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome does not
The licensed provider orders a medication that the patient has a known allergy
to. The nurse mistakenly administers the medication to the patient. Which
ethical principle did the nurse breach?
Justice
Nonmaleficence
Beneficence
Autonomy - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Nonmaleficence
Page 3 of 110
, A patient presents with an amputated thumb after an incident with a power saw.
The nurse is readying the patient for transport to a trauma center for
replantation. Which of the following represents a step in preparation of the
amputated part?
Cleanse with iodine
Irrigate with distilled water
Wrap in saline-soaked gauze
Place the part in iced saline - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Wrap in salinesoaked
gauze
Which term refers to a complete disruption of the articulating surface of the
joint?
Dislocation
Subluxation
Sprain
Strain - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Dislocation
Which cranial nerves are responsible for airway protection and speech?
III, IV, VI
V, VIII, VII
I, II, XI
IX, X, XII - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > IX, X, XII
Page 4 of 110
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS GRADED A+
A 68-year-old woman presents with a chief complaint of fatigue and exhaustion.
She states she nearly passed out that morning and just has no energy. She states
she's nauseous, but thinks it's because she's a little dizzy from almost passing
out. She is overweight and has a history of smoking for 40 years, but quit 5
years ago. The nurse's assessment reveals mild tachypnea and diaphoresis. What
will be the priority diagnostic assessment for this patient?
Coagulation panel
Depression screening
Complete blood count with differential
Electrocardiogram - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Electrocardiogram
A multiple trauma patient, with rib fractures, a small, simple pneumothorax, and
fractures of the tibia and fibula, is being transferred by rotor wing helicopter to
a facility that provides a higher level of care. What is considered prior to
transport by this mode?
Ensure that fluids are infusing by gravity
Chest tube is placed
Air splint is applied properly
Insert a urinary catheter - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Chest tube is placed
Page 1 of 110
,Which one of the following is a significant risk factor for a patient wanting to
attempt suicide? History of past attempts
Age between 25 and 35 years
Winter months
Acute physical illness - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > History of past attempts
A 21-year-old female presents to the ED with complaints of pelvic pain. What
possible cause of the pain is assessed for first?
Urinary tract infection
Ectopic pregnancy
Ruptured ovarian cyst
Kidney stones - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Ectopic pregnancy
The emergency nurse is giving discharge instructions to a patient who has just
had a laceration closed with wound glue. Which statement indicates the patient
understands the instructions?
I should use sunscreen tomorrow when I go outside.
I'll watch for it to slough off in the next two days.
I should keep it covered with a bandage.
I should look for redness or drainage. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > I should look
for redness or drainage.
Page 2 of 110
,The nurse is reviewing laboratory results in a patient who presents with
hyperglycemia. Which of the following statements about the difference between
diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome is true?
The patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome presents with a more
significant acidosis than the patient with diabetic ketoacidosis
The patient with diabetic ketoacidosis presents with ketones in the urine and
the patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome does not
The patient with diabetic ketoacidosis presents with a higher blood glucose
level than the patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a more common presentation in patients with
type 1 diabetes mellitus, while hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS) is
more common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer
> The patient with diabetic ketoacidosis presents with ketones in the urine and
the patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome does not
The licensed provider orders a medication that the patient has a known allergy
to. The nurse mistakenly administers the medication to the patient. Which
ethical principle did the nurse breach?
Justice
Nonmaleficence
Beneficence
Autonomy - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Nonmaleficence
Page 3 of 110
, A patient presents with an amputated thumb after an incident with a power saw.
The nurse is readying the patient for transport to a trauma center for
replantation. Which of the following represents a step in preparation of the
amputated part?
Cleanse with iodine
Irrigate with distilled water
Wrap in saline-soaked gauze
Place the part in iced saline - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Wrap in salinesoaked
gauze
Which term refers to a complete disruption of the articulating surface of the
joint?
Dislocation
Subluxation
Sprain
Strain - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > Dislocation
Which cranial nerves are responsible for airway protection and speech?
III, IV, VI
V, VIII, VII
I, II, XI
IX, X, XII - ✔✔✔ Correct Answer > IX, X, XII
Page 4 of 110
