CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse)
Exam | Latest 2026/2027 UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Ace your Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN®) certification with this
comprehensive 150-question practice exam. Designed to simulate the real
test, it features rigorous scenarios and detailed answers to help you master
critical emergency nursing concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and boost your
clinical confidence.
Key Features of this Practice Exam
• High-Acuity Scenarios: Includes complex clinical situations spanning
cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and trauma emergencies.
• Aligned with BCEN Guidelines: Mirrors the format and testing
standards set by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
Who Should Use This?
This study bank is perfect for registered nurses (RNs) preparing to take the
rigorous CEN exam, as well as those seeking to validate their clinical expertise
and elevate patient care. With the CEN exam known for requiring a rigorous
understanding of emergency interventions, consistent and focused practice is
critical to passing.
Use this resource alongside official BCEN tools to ensure you are thoroughly
prepared for test day.
Quiz_________________?
Which of the following statements made by a patient would lead the nurse to
conclude that the patient understands risk factors for pulmonary embolism?
1
,While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs every hour.
Resuming my birth control pills will lower my risk of cancer and my risk of
another clot.
If I drink plenty of water while driving on a long trip, this shouldn't happen again.
Switching from my regular cigarettes to the electronic ones can reduce my risk. -
Answer
While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs every hour.
Quiz_________________?
An emergency nurse is providing discharge instructions for a patient with pelvic
inflammatory disease. Which statement made by the patient indicates an
understanding of these instructions?
Getting pregnant shouldn't be a problem once the infection goes away.
I'll take the medicine for nausea when I feel sick to my stomach.
I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
I will follow up with my doctor tomorrow. -
Answer
I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
Quiz_________________?
A 16-year-old presents with severe left upper quadrant abdominal pain after an
over-the-handlebars bicycle collision. Vital signs are BP 100/60 mm Hg, HR 100
beats/min, RR 30 breaths/min, T 37.0 C (98.6 F), SpO2 89% without supplemental
oxygen. There is bruising over the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Auscultation reveals diminished breath sounds on the left accompanied by
gurgling. Based on this history and assessment, the nurse suspects which injury?
2
,Small bowel rupture
Ruptured diaphragm
Flail chest
Hepatic injury -
Answer
Ruptured diaphragm
Quiz_________________?
A patient presents with chest pain. The nurse performs a 12-lead
electrocardiogram that reveals an abnormal Q wave. What does the nurse
suspect?
A current injury
An old infarction
An acute infarction
Ischemia -
Answer
An old infarction
Quiz_________________?
A patient is brought to the ED by emergency medical services with increased
aggression and making clear homicidal threats. What immediate action will the
nurse expect to promote staff and patient safety?
Administration of antipsychotics
One-to-one observation
3
, Place in a seclusion room
Application of restraints -
Answer
Place in a seclusion room
Quiz_________________?
A 28-year-old female presents with shortness of breath, dizziness, and
diaphoresis. Her vital signs are BP 118/74 mm Hg, HR 122 beats/min, RR 26
breaths/min, T 37.7 C (99.9 F), SpO2 92% without supplemental oxygen. Her
health history includes fractures of the left tibia and fibula following an MVC 3
weeks ago. Surgical fixation was required. Her only current medications are an
oral contraceptive and intermittent ibuprofen for pain. Assessment of the casted
left leg reveals that the toes are swollen. With this information, which diagnostic
testing will the nurse expect as the highest priority?
Sputum cultures
Chest radiograph
Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
Radiograph of the left leg -
Answer
Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
Quiz_________________?
A family of 10 presents to the ED with complaints of fever, muscle pain, and
unexplained bruising ongoing for 7 days. After completing the screening, the nurse
notes that the family recently traveled to Sierra Leone. What is the highest
priority intervention the triage nurse needs to perform?
4
Exam | Latest 2026/2027 UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Ace your Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN®) certification with this
comprehensive 150-question practice exam. Designed to simulate the real
test, it features rigorous scenarios and detailed answers to help you master
critical emergency nursing concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and boost your
clinical confidence.
Key Features of this Practice Exam
• High-Acuity Scenarios: Includes complex clinical situations spanning
cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and trauma emergencies.
• Aligned with BCEN Guidelines: Mirrors the format and testing
standards set by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
Who Should Use This?
This study bank is perfect for registered nurses (RNs) preparing to take the
rigorous CEN exam, as well as those seeking to validate their clinical expertise
and elevate patient care. With the CEN exam known for requiring a rigorous
understanding of emergency interventions, consistent and focused practice is
critical to passing.
Use this resource alongside official BCEN tools to ensure you are thoroughly
prepared for test day.
Quiz_________________?
Which of the following statements made by a patient would lead the nurse to
conclude that the patient understands risk factors for pulmonary embolism?
1
,While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs every hour.
Resuming my birth control pills will lower my risk of cancer and my risk of
another clot.
If I drink plenty of water while driving on a long trip, this shouldn't happen again.
Switching from my regular cigarettes to the electronic ones can reduce my risk. -
Answer
While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs every hour.
Quiz_________________?
An emergency nurse is providing discharge instructions for a patient with pelvic
inflammatory disease. Which statement made by the patient indicates an
understanding of these instructions?
Getting pregnant shouldn't be a problem once the infection goes away.
I'll take the medicine for nausea when I feel sick to my stomach.
I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
I will follow up with my doctor tomorrow. -
Answer
I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
Quiz_________________?
A 16-year-old presents with severe left upper quadrant abdominal pain after an
over-the-handlebars bicycle collision. Vital signs are BP 100/60 mm Hg, HR 100
beats/min, RR 30 breaths/min, T 37.0 C (98.6 F), SpO2 89% without supplemental
oxygen. There is bruising over the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Auscultation reveals diminished breath sounds on the left accompanied by
gurgling. Based on this history and assessment, the nurse suspects which injury?
2
,Small bowel rupture
Ruptured diaphragm
Flail chest
Hepatic injury -
Answer
Ruptured diaphragm
Quiz_________________?
A patient presents with chest pain. The nurse performs a 12-lead
electrocardiogram that reveals an abnormal Q wave. What does the nurse
suspect?
A current injury
An old infarction
An acute infarction
Ischemia -
Answer
An old infarction
Quiz_________________?
A patient is brought to the ED by emergency medical services with increased
aggression and making clear homicidal threats. What immediate action will the
nurse expect to promote staff and patient safety?
Administration of antipsychotics
One-to-one observation
3
, Place in a seclusion room
Application of restraints -
Answer
Place in a seclusion room
Quiz_________________?
A 28-year-old female presents with shortness of breath, dizziness, and
diaphoresis. Her vital signs are BP 118/74 mm Hg, HR 122 beats/min, RR 26
breaths/min, T 37.7 C (99.9 F), SpO2 92% without supplemental oxygen. Her
health history includes fractures of the left tibia and fibula following an MVC 3
weeks ago. Surgical fixation was required. Her only current medications are an
oral contraceptive and intermittent ibuprofen for pain. Assessment of the casted
left leg reveals that the toes are swollen. With this information, which diagnostic
testing will the nurse expect as the highest priority?
Sputum cultures
Chest radiograph
Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
Radiograph of the left leg -
Answer
Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
Quiz_________________?
A family of 10 presents to the ED with complaints of fever, muscle pain, and
unexplained bruising ongoing for 7 days. After completing the screening, the nurse
notes that the family recently traveled to Sierra Leone. What is the highest
priority intervention the triage nurse needs to perform?
4
