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_________________?
1
,The nurse is caring for a patient who has a high fever, central nervous system
dysfunction and tachycardia. The nurse should recognize that the patient may be
experiencing
A. myxedema crisis.
B. Beck's triad.
C. thyroid storm.
D. hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). -
Answer
C. Thyroid storm
Quiz_________________?
Which of the following assessment findings associated with a skull fracture
indicate the need for further intervention?
A. otorrhea, nausea, and vomiting
B. decreasing level of consciousness and restlessness
C. early evidence of periorbital ecchymosis and photophobia
D. rhinorrhea and headache or dizziness -
Answer
B. decreasing level of consciousness and restlessness
Quiz_________________?
Upon initial assessment of a male patient involved in a motor vehicle crash, the
nurse observes bruises in various stages of healing to his torso. He denies any
medical history. When asked about the bruising, the patient avoids eye contact,
2
,states that he fell yesterday, and asks if his male partner has arrived to the ED.
The nurse suspects:
A. the patient may have undiagnosed coagulopathy.
B. the bruising was sustained during the motor vehicle crash.
C. the patient may be a victim of domestic violence.
D. the bruising is a result of the stated fall. -
Answer
C. the patient may be a victim of domestic violence.
Quiz_________________?
The nurse is caring for a patient who became unresponsive after diving head-first
into a shallow pool. The patient is experiencing refractory hypotension. The nurse
should prepare for the administration of
a. lactated Ringers.
b. norepinephrine.
c. normal saline.
d. epinephrine. -
Answer
b. norepinephrine
Quiz_________________?
A 3-year-old child who has acute respiratory distress is admitted to the
emergency department. The child is sitting forward and drooling, and the neck is
extended. These findings support the diagnosis of
3
, A. epiglottitis.
B. bronchiolitis.
C. croup.
D. aspiration of a foreign body. -
Answer
A. epiglottitis
Quiz_________________?
The nurse understands that adenosine is administered
A. IV push over 1-2 seconds.
B. as a bolus over 10-15 minutes.
C. as a bolus over 1 hour.
D. IV push over 1-2 minutes. -
Answer
A. IV push over 1-2 seconds.
Quiz_________________?
A man who briefly lost consciousness after a motor vehicle crash is alert and
oriented upon arrival at the emergency department. The patient states that he is
fine except for an abrasion where his head hit the door frame of the vehicle. The
patient complains of blurred vision 1 hour later. The nurse should FIRST
A. repeat the neurologic assessment.
B. obtain orthostatic vital signs.
C. assess visual acuity.
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_________________?
1
,The nurse is caring for a patient who has a high fever, central nervous system
dysfunction and tachycardia. The nurse should recognize that the patient may be
experiencing
A. myxedema crisis.
B. Beck's triad.
C. thyroid storm.
D. hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). -
Answer
C. Thyroid storm
Quiz_________________?
Which of the following assessment findings associated with a skull fracture
indicate the need for further intervention?
A. otorrhea, nausea, and vomiting
B. decreasing level of consciousness and restlessness
C. early evidence of periorbital ecchymosis and photophobia
D. rhinorrhea and headache or dizziness -
Answer
B. decreasing level of consciousness and restlessness
Quiz_________________?
Upon initial assessment of a male patient involved in a motor vehicle crash, the
nurse observes bruises in various stages of healing to his torso. He denies any
medical history. When asked about the bruising, the patient avoids eye contact,
2
,states that he fell yesterday, and asks if his male partner has arrived to the ED.
The nurse suspects:
A. the patient may have undiagnosed coagulopathy.
B. the bruising was sustained during the motor vehicle crash.
C. the patient may be a victim of domestic violence.
D. the bruising is a result of the stated fall. -
Answer
C. the patient may be a victim of domestic violence.
Quiz_________________?
The nurse is caring for a patient who became unresponsive after diving head-first
into a shallow pool. The patient is experiencing refractory hypotension. The nurse
should prepare for the administration of
a. lactated Ringers.
b. norepinephrine.
c. normal saline.
d. epinephrine. -
Answer
b. norepinephrine
Quiz_________________?
A 3-year-old child who has acute respiratory distress is admitted to the
emergency department. The child is sitting forward and drooling, and the neck is
extended. These findings support the diagnosis of
3
, A. epiglottitis.
B. bronchiolitis.
C. croup.
D. aspiration of a foreign body. -
Answer
A. epiglottitis
Quiz_________________?
The nurse understands that adenosine is administered
A. IV push over 1-2 seconds.
B. as a bolus over 10-15 minutes.
C. as a bolus over 1 hour.
D. IV push over 1-2 minutes. -
Answer
A. IV push over 1-2 seconds.
Quiz_________________?
A man who briefly lost consciousness after a motor vehicle crash is alert and
oriented upon arrival at the emergency department. The patient states that he is
fine except for an abrasion where his head hit the door frame of the vehicle. The
patient complains of blurred vision 1 hour later. The nurse should FIRST
A. repeat the neurologic assessment.
B. obtain orthostatic vital signs.
C. assess visual acuity.
4
