AACN Exam 2026 CMC Actual Questions And Correct
Detailed Answers New Version 2026/2027
While caring for a patient with an A. incorrect. decreasing urine output with
IABP at 3:1, the nurse notes: increasing BUN and CR levels with an IABP in place indicates
A. decreasing urine output as well as obstruction of the renal arteries.The nurse should plan for
removal.
increasing BUN and CR levels; the
B.incorrect. absent pulses distal to the insertion site
nurse should increase timing to 2:1 indicates complete occlusion of the femoral
B.absent pulses in the proximal artery.application of pressure to the insertion site will
extremity; the nurse should apply worsen the obstruction.
pressure at the insertion site. C. correct. blood in the IABP tubing indicates a rupture of the
C.blood in the IABP tubing;the balloon. Continuing to allow the IABP to inflate and deflate
will increase the size of the rupture, causing more bleeding.
nurse should disconnect the balloon the nurse should plan for removal or exchange of the IABP
catheter from the IABP. catheter.
D.blood oozing from the insertion D. incorrect. a fasciotomy would be indicated if the
site; the nurse should anticipate the patient had an increase in fluid accumulation in the
need for an emergency fasciotomy. extremities causing significant injury to the limb.
,An IABP is currently at 3:1 when the A. correct. the IABP will not be able to time
patient suddenly goes into correctly when a patient is in V-Fib. by placing the
ventricular fibrillation. In addition to system to trigger on internal or pressure support,it
resuscitative measures,the nurse will generate off the pressure created during
should: compressions.
A.change the trigger to internal or B. incorrect. attempting to time the IABP back to 1:1
pressure support resuscitative will be counterproductive, as it will not be able to
measures. trigger correctly.
B. increase timing back to 1:1 to C. incorrect. there is significant risk of clot forming
increase coronary artery perfusion on the IABP when placed in stand for an
pressure. indeterminate amount of time.
C.put the pump on standby until the D. incorrect. the primary goal during resuscitative
return of spontaneous circulation. measures is to attempt to circulate blood volume
D.assess the IABP timing to chest as effectively as possible. assessing the timing of
compressions at 1:2. the IABP is unnecessary.
The nurse is reviewing the home A. correct. digitalis can cause false-positive EKG
medications list for a patient changes during a stress test. thereis an association
admitted c/o severe chest pain. between the development of ST segment
serial EKGs and blood testing are depression during stress testing. the mechanism of
negative, so an exercise stress test is this EKG change is not clear. further,digitalis
scheduled.which of the following should be withheld on the day of the test because
medications may result in a false- of its negative chronotropic effects.
positive finding on the stress test? B.incorrect.
A.digitalis (Digoxin) C & D. incorrect. beta-blockers and calcium
B.potassium chloride (K-Dur) channel blockers blunt the heart rate response to
C.sotalol (Betapace) exercise and may prevent achievement of
D.diltiazem (Cardiazem) maximum predicted heart rate.they should be
withheld on the day of the test.
,A patient is admitted with elevated A. incorrect. enoxaparin is an alternative to heparin
troponin levels and ST segment in patients with unstable angina, NSTEMI or DVT.
elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. B. incorrect. streptokinase is indicated for acute
Administration of which of the arterial thrombosis or embolism, or occluded AV
following should the nurse anticipate cannulas.
initially? C. incorrect. alteplase in indicated for acute
A. enoxaparin (Lovenox) ischemic stroke or acute massive pulmonary
B. streptokinase (Strepase) embolism.
C.alteplase (Activase) D. correct. reteplase is indicated for AMI when
D.reteplase (Retavase) fibrinolytics are indicated.
Which of the following is a A. correct. with diastolic heart failure the left
characteristic of diastolic heart ventricle is unable to relax, leading to signs and
failure? symptoms of heart failure, but the patient maintains
A.inability of the heart muscle to a preserved EF as the muscle retains its ability to
relax. contract.
B.dilation of the ventricular B.incorrect. dilation of the ventricular chambers is
chambers. a characteristic of systolic heart failure.
C.increased filling of the left C. incorrect. diastolic heart failure is an abnormality
ventricle. with heart filling. the heart muscle does not relax
D.decreased ability of the ventricle normally, and the heart may fill too slowly or
to contract. asynchronously.if the left ventricle does not relax
properly or is thick and stiff, it does not fill in the
usual manner and blood is drawn back into the left
atrium and eventually into the lungs.
D. incorrect. decreased ability of the ventricle to
contract is a symptom of overextension of the
heart muscle in patients with cardiomyopathy.
, Following a STEMI, the nurse A. incorrect. a RBBB would cause an electrical
auscultates a late systolic murmur at delay in conduction for a wide split S2.
the apex. The nurse should suspect B. incorrect. a LBBB would cause and electrical
the finding is r/t the new onset of a: delay in ventricular conduction for a paroxical split
A.right bundle branch block S2.
B.left bundle branch block C. correct. a papillary musce chord rupture results
C.papillary muscle rupture from ischemia to the tissue supplying the mitral
D. calcific plaque rupture valve. a systolic murmur is heard due to mitral
regurgitation.
D. incorrect. plaque rupture would cause an
occlusion of the coronary artery that would not
directly cause a new systolic murmur.
The nurse is reviewing the plan of A. correct. assessing daily weights is a noninvasive
care for a patient with systolic heart and easy method to assess compliance with the
failure who has enalapril (Vasotec), effectiveness of a medical regimen in patients with
furosemide (Lasix),metoprolol heart failure, observing the patient's ability to
(Lopressor), and carvedilol (Coreg) maintain a consistent weight indicates compliance
ordered. Which of the following will as well as the effectiveness of the medical regimen.
provide the most accurate B. incorrect. strict I&O is only one component of a
assessment of the regimen? plan of care but does not assess if a patient
A.daily weights adheres to the medical regimen or if the regimen is
B.strict I&O effective.
C. BMP every morning C.incorrect. a daily BMP would not help assess the
D.serial CXRYs effectiveness of the medical regimen as the
majority of the panel components are not affected
by the drugs listed.
D.incorrect. serial CXRYs could reveal worsening
heart failure, but assessing daily weights is far
easier, noninvasive and cost-effective.
Detailed Answers New Version 2026/2027
While caring for a patient with an A. incorrect. decreasing urine output with
IABP at 3:1, the nurse notes: increasing BUN and CR levels with an IABP in place indicates
A. decreasing urine output as well as obstruction of the renal arteries.The nurse should plan for
removal.
increasing BUN and CR levels; the
B.incorrect. absent pulses distal to the insertion site
nurse should increase timing to 2:1 indicates complete occlusion of the femoral
B.absent pulses in the proximal artery.application of pressure to the insertion site will
extremity; the nurse should apply worsen the obstruction.
pressure at the insertion site. C. correct. blood in the IABP tubing indicates a rupture of the
C.blood in the IABP tubing;the balloon. Continuing to allow the IABP to inflate and deflate
will increase the size of the rupture, causing more bleeding.
nurse should disconnect the balloon the nurse should plan for removal or exchange of the IABP
catheter from the IABP. catheter.
D.blood oozing from the insertion D. incorrect. a fasciotomy would be indicated if the
site; the nurse should anticipate the patient had an increase in fluid accumulation in the
need for an emergency fasciotomy. extremities causing significant injury to the limb.
,An IABP is currently at 3:1 when the A. correct. the IABP will not be able to time
patient suddenly goes into correctly when a patient is in V-Fib. by placing the
ventricular fibrillation. In addition to system to trigger on internal or pressure support,it
resuscitative measures,the nurse will generate off the pressure created during
should: compressions.
A.change the trigger to internal or B. incorrect. attempting to time the IABP back to 1:1
pressure support resuscitative will be counterproductive, as it will not be able to
measures. trigger correctly.
B. increase timing back to 1:1 to C. incorrect. there is significant risk of clot forming
increase coronary artery perfusion on the IABP when placed in stand for an
pressure. indeterminate amount of time.
C.put the pump on standby until the D. incorrect. the primary goal during resuscitative
return of spontaneous circulation. measures is to attempt to circulate blood volume
D.assess the IABP timing to chest as effectively as possible. assessing the timing of
compressions at 1:2. the IABP is unnecessary.
The nurse is reviewing the home A. correct. digitalis can cause false-positive EKG
medications list for a patient changes during a stress test. thereis an association
admitted c/o severe chest pain. between the development of ST segment
serial EKGs and blood testing are depression during stress testing. the mechanism of
negative, so an exercise stress test is this EKG change is not clear. further,digitalis
scheduled.which of the following should be withheld on the day of the test because
medications may result in a false- of its negative chronotropic effects.
positive finding on the stress test? B.incorrect.
A.digitalis (Digoxin) C & D. incorrect. beta-blockers and calcium
B.potassium chloride (K-Dur) channel blockers blunt the heart rate response to
C.sotalol (Betapace) exercise and may prevent achievement of
D.diltiazem (Cardiazem) maximum predicted heart rate.they should be
withheld on the day of the test.
,A patient is admitted with elevated A. incorrect. enoxaparin is an alternative to heparin
troponin levels and ST segment in patients with unstable angina, NSTEMI or DVT.
elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. B. incorrect. streptokinase is indicated for acute
Administration of which of the arterial thrombosis or embolism, or occluded AV
following should the nurse anticipate cannulas.
initially? C. incorrect. alteplase in indicated for acute
A. enoxaparin (Lovenox) ischemic stroke or acute massive pulmonary
B. streptokinase (Strepase) embolism.
C.alteplase (Activase) D. correct. reteplase is indicated for AMI when
D.reteplase (Retavase) fibrinolytics are indicated.
Which of the following is a A. correct. with diastolic heart failure the left
characteristic of diastolic heart ventricle is unable to relax, leading to signs and
failure? symptoms of heart failure, but the patient maintains
A.inability of the heart muscle to a preserved EF as the muscle retains its ability to
relax. contract.
B.dilation of the ventricular B.incorrect. dilation of the ventricular chambers is
chambers. a characteristic of systolic heart failure.
C.increased filling of the left C. incorrect. diastolic heart failure is an abnormality
ventricle. with heart filling. the heart muscle does not relax
D.decreased ability of the ventricle normally, and the heart may fill too slowly or
to contract. asynchronously.if the left ventricle does not relax
properly or is thick and stiff, it does not fill in the
usual manner and blood is drawn back into the left
atrium and eventually into the lungs.
D. incorrect. decreased ability of the ventricle to
contract is a symptom of overextension of the
heart muscle in patients with cardiomyopathy.
, Following a STEMI, the nurse A. incorrect. a RBBB would cause an electrical
auscultates a late systolic murmur at delay in conduction for a wide split S2.
the apex. The nurse should suspect B. incorrect. a LBBB would cause and electrical
the finding is r/t the new onset of a: delay in ventricular conduction for a paroxical split
A.right bundle branch block S2.
B.left bundle branch block C. correct. a papillary musce chord rupture results
C.papillary muscle rupture from ischemia to the tissue supplying the mitral
D. calcific plaque rupture valve. a systolic murmur is heard due to mitral
regurgitation.
D. incorrect. plaque rupture would cause an
occlusion of the coronary artery that would not
directly cause a new systolic murmur.
The nurse is reviewing the plan of A. correct. assessing daily weights is a noninvasive
care for a patient with systolic heart and easy method to assess compliance with the
failure who has enalapril (Vasotec), effectiveness of a medical regimen in patients with
furosemide (Lasix),metoprolol heart failure, observing the patient's ability to
(Lopressor), and carvedilol (Coreg) maintain a consistent weight indicates compliance
ordered. Which of the following will as well as the effectiveness of the medical regimen.
provide the most accurate B. incorrect. strict I&O is only one component of a
assessment of the regimen? plan of care but does not assess if a patient
A.daily weights adheres to the medical regimen or if the regimen is
B.strict I&O effective.
C. BMP every morning C.incorrect. a daily BMP would not help assess the
D.serial CXRYs effectiveness of the medical regimen as the
majority of the panel components are not affected
by the drugs listed.
D.incorrect. serial CXRYs could reveal worsening
heart failure, but assessing daily weights is far
easier, noninvasive and cost-effective.
