CCRN PRACTICE TEST EXAM 2026-2027 WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS ACTUAL UPDATED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS HIGH YIELD STUDY
GUIDE EXAM PREP MATERIAL LATEST
VERSION CRITICAL CARE A+ GRADE
GUARANTEE MOST RECENT!!!
1. A patient with septic shock has a mean arterial
pressure (MAP) of 48 mm Hg despite adequate
fluid resuscitation. The nurse anticipates which
vasopressor as first-line therapy?
a) Dopamine
b) Norepinephrine
c) Vasopressin
d) Epinephrine
Rationale: Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines
recommend norepinephrine as first-line
vasopressor for septic shock.
2. A patient with acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS) is on a mechanical ventilator
with a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg ideal body
weight. The plateau pressure is 32 cm H2O. The
nurse should:
a) Increase tidal volume to 8 mL/kg
, b) Consider further reduction of tidal volume
or PEEP adjustment
c) Sedate and paralyze immediately
d) Decrease respiratory rate to 8 breaths/min
*Rationale: Plateau pressure >30 cm H2O
increases risk of barotrauma; lung-protective
ventilation aims for <30.*
3. A post-cardiac arrest patient has a Glasgow
Coma Scale score of 5. Targeted temperature
management (TTM) is initiated. The nurse
knows the target core temperature range is:
a) 35.0°C – 36.0°C
b) 32.0°C – 36.0°C
c) 30.0°C – 32.0°C
d) 36.0°C – 37.5°C
*Rationale: Current guidelines recommend TTM
between 32-36°C for comatose post-arrest
patients.*
4. A patient with a massive pulmonary embolism
develops hypotension. The most appropriate
immediate intervention is:
, a) Heparin bolus
b) Alteplase (tPA)
c) Fluid resuscitation and vasopressors
d) Mechanical thrombectomy
Rationale: Initial management of high-risk PE
with hypotension is hemodynamic support
(fluids/vasopressors) followed by thrombolytics
if no contraindication.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with an
intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
a) ICP 18 mm Hg for 10 minutes
b) ICP 25 mm Hg with hypertension and
bradycardia
c) CPP 70 mm Hg
d) ICP 12 mm Hg with normal pupils
*Rationale: ICP >20-22 mm Hg with Cushing’s
triad (hypertension, bradycardia) indicates
herniation risk.*
6. A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has a
potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T
, waves on ECG. The nurse should administer:
a) Furosemide 40 mg IV
b) Calcium gluconate IV
c) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate orally
d) Spironolactone
Rationale: Calcium gluconate stabilizes cardiac
membrane in hyperkalemia; does not lower
potassium but prevents arrhythmia.
7. Which hemodynamic profile is consistent with
cardiogenic shock?
a) Low cardiac index (CI), low pulmonary artery
wedge pressure (PAWP)
b) Low CI, high PAWP
c) High CI, low PAWP
d) High CI, high PAWP
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock = decreased
cardiac output + increased preload (high
PAWP).
8. A patient with traumatic brain injury has an ICP
of 22 mm Hg and a cerebral perfusion pressure
(CPP) of 55 mm Hg. The nurse should:
VERIFIED ANSWERS ACTUAL UPDATED
PRACTICE QUESTIONS HIGH YIELD STUDY
GUIDE EXAM PREP MATERIAL LATEST
VERSION CRITICAL CARE A+ GRADE
GUARANTEE MOST RECENT!!!
1. A patient with septic shock has a mean arterial
pressure (MAP) of 48 mm Hg despite adequate
fluid resuscitation. The nurse anticipates which
vasopressor as first-line therapy?
a) Dopamine
b) Norepinephrine
c) Vasopressin
d) Epinephrine
Rationale: Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines
recommend norepinephrine as first-line
vasopressor for septic shock.
2. A patient with acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS) is on a mechanical ventilator
with a tidal volume of 6 mL/kg ideal body
weight. The plateau pressure is 32 cm H2O. The
nurse should:
a) Increase tidal volume to 8 mL/kg
, b) Consider further reduction of tidal volume
or PEEP adjustment
c) Sedate and paralyze immediately
d) Decrease respiratory rate to 8 breaths/min
*Rationale: Plateau pressure >30 cm H2O
increases risk of barotrauma; lung-protective
ventilation aims for <30.*
3. A post-cardiac arrest patient has a Glasgow
Coma Scale score of 5. Targeted temperature
management (TTM) is initiated. The nurse
knows the target core temperature range is:
a) 35.0°C – 36.0°C
b) 32.0°C – 36.0°C
c) 30.0°C – 32.0°C
d) 36.0°C – 37.5°C
*Rationale: Current guidelines recommend TTM
between 32-36°C for comatose post-arrest
patients.*
4. A patient with a massive pulmonary embolism
develops hypotension. The most appropriate
immediate intervention is:
, a) Heparin bolus
b) Alteplase (tPA)
c) Fluid resuscitation and vasopressors
d) Mechanical thrombectomy
Rationale: Initial management of high-risk PE
with hypotension is hemodynamic support
(fluids/vasopressors) followed by thrombolytics
if no contraindication.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with an
intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
a) ICP 18 mm Hg for 10 minutes
b) ICP 25 mm Hg with hypertension and
bradycardia
c) CPP 70 mm Hg
d) ICP 12 mm Hg with normal pupils
*Rationale: ICP >20-22 mm Hg with Cushing’s
triad (hypertension, bradycardia) indicates
herniation risk.*
6. A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has a
potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T
, waves on ECG. The nurse should administer:
a) Furosemide 40 mg IV
b) Calcium gluconate IV
c) Sodium polystyrene sulfonate orally
d) Spironolactone
Rationale: Calcium gluconate stabilizes cardiac
membrane in hyperkalemia; does not lower
potassium but prevents arrhythmia.
7. Which hemodynamic profile is consistent with
cardiogenic shock?
a) Low cardiac index (CI), low pulmonary artery
wedge pressure (PAWP)
b) Low CI, high PAWP
c) High CI, low PAWP
d) High CI, high PAWP
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock = decreased
cardiac output + increased preload (high
PAWP).
8. A patient with traumatic brain injury has an ICP
of 22 mm Hg and a cerebral perfusion pressure
(CPP) of 55 mm Hg. The nurse should:
