CCRN TEST PREP STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ On the fifth day post-admission, a patient with Q waves in V1, V2,
and V3 develops hypotension, tachycardia, and a pan-systolic murmur
that is loudest at the lower left sternal border. This patient most likely
developed
A. idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
B. inferior wall infarction
C. cardiac tamponade
D. a ruptured inter-ventricular septum. Answer: D. a ruptured inter-
ventricular septum (septal wall MI)
◉ A patient with a history of chronic pain, asthma, diabetes, and heavy
alcohol intake is now experiencing cognitive impairment from
medications. Assessment: awake but confused, BP 155/82, HR 84, RR
16 and SpO2 95% on RA. This patient is at high risk for
A. Intubation
B. needing long-term psychiatric care
C. attempting suicide
D. over-sedation by staff. Answer: C. attempting suicide (chronic
medical illness, heavy alcohol intake, and chronic pain)
,◉ Which of the following 12-lead ECG changes should be expected in a
patient with acute coronary syndrome involving the inferior wall?
A. ST segment elevation and deeply inverted T waves in leads V4-V6, I
and aVL
B. ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and all precordial leads
C. ST segment elevation and deeply inverted T waves in leads II, III,
aVF
D. ST segment depression and T wave elevation in leads II, III, aVL.
Answer: C. ST segment elevation and deeply inverted T waves in leads
II, III, aVF
◉ The major effect of acute lung injury (ALI) on the lung tissue is
A. decreased capillary permeability
B. increased function residual capacity (FRC)
C. decreased compliance
D. decreased alveolar surface tension. Answer: C. decreased compliance
(related to the alteration of lung endothelium and vascular tissue. Results
in stiffness and fluid filled non-aerated airways)
◉ A patient with mitral regurgitation suddenly develops atrial
fibrillation with a rate of 156. BP is 118/74. The nurse should anticipate
medication orders for
A. beta-blockers and vasopressors
,B. warfarin (Coumadin) and alpha-agonists
C. beta-agonists and calcium-channel blockers
D. cardiac glycosides and calcium channel blockers. Answer: D. cardiac
glycosides (digoxin) and calcium channel blockers
◉ Which of the following pulmonary artery catheter findings would be
anticipated in a patient with chronic emphysema?
A. increased CVP
B. decreased CI
C. increased SV
D. decreased PAOP. Answer: A. increased CVP (emphysema can cause
cor pulmonale secondary to increased pressure)
◉ A patient is admitted complaining of chest pain and nausea. The ECG
monitor reveals secondary AV block, Type II. These findings are
probably a result of occlusion of which of the following coronary
arteries?
A. left anterior descending
B. left circumflex
C. posterior descending
D. right. Answer: A. left anterior descending (LAD supplies blood to the
septum)
, ◉ A patient has heart failure secondary to ischemic cardiomyopathy and
end-stage coronary artery disease. Which of the following agents would
be most beneficial
A. digoxin and diltiazem
B. carvedilol and lisinopril
C. veramapril and spironolactone
D. flecainide and hydralazine. Answer: B. carvedilol and lisinopril
(decreases after-load and minimizes remodeling that is associated with
HF)
◉ When providing care to a patient with status epilepticus, the nurse
should recognize that usually
A. it is a state of continuous seizures lasting more than two minutes
B. the patient comes out of the post ictal state between seizures
C. it results from abrupt discontinuation of anti-seizure meds
D. the cause of death is due to cerebral hemorrhage. Answer: C. it
results from abrupt discontinuation of anti-seizure meds
◉ A patient with a history of angina is admitted to the units after
surgical repair of an AAA. The patient is receiving a sodium
nitroprusside (Nipride) gtt for severe postop hypertension. Twelve hours
later, the pattient complains of back pain.
BP 80/60
HR 120
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ On the fifth day post-admission, a patient with Q waves in V1, V2,
and V3 develops hypotension, tachycardia, and a pan-systolic murmur
that is loudest at the lower left sternal border. This patient most likely
developed
A. idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
B. inferior wall infarction
C. cardiac tamponade
D. a ruptured inter-ventricular septum. Answer: D. a ruptured inter-
ventricular septum (septal wall MI)
◉ A patient with a history of chronic pain, asthma, diabetes, and heavy
alcohol intake is now experiencing cognitive impairment from
medications. Assessment: awake but confused, BP 155/82, HR 84, RR
16 and SpO2 95% on RA. This patient is at high risk for
A. Intubation
B. needing long-term psychiatric care
C. attempting suicide
D. over-sedation by staff. Answer: C. attempting suicide (chronic
medical illness, heavy alcohol intake, and chronic pain)
,◉ Which of the following 12-lead ECG changes should be expected in a
patient with acute coronary syndrome involving the inferior wall?
A. ST segment elevation and deeply inverted T waves in leads V4-V6, I
and aVL
B. ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and all precordial leads
C. ST segment elevation and deeply inverted T waves in leads II, III,
aVF
D. ST segment depression and T wave elevation in leads II, III, aVL.
Answer: C. ST segment elevation and deeply inverted T waves in leads
II, III, aVF
◉ The major effect of acute lung injury (ALI) on the lung tissue is
A. decreased capillary permeability
B. increased function residual capacity (FRC)
C. decreased compliance
D. decreased alveolar surface tension. Answer: C. decreased compliance
(related to the alteration of lung endothelium and vascular tissue. Results
in stiffness and fluid filled non-aerated airways)
◉ A patient with mitral regurgitation suddenly develops atrial
fibrillation with a rate of 156. BP is 118/74. The nurse should anticipate
medication orders for
A. beta-blockers and vasopressors
,B. warfarin (Coumadin) and alpha-agonists
C. beta-agonists and calcium-channel blockers
D. cardiac glycosides and calcium channel blockers. Answer: D. cardiac
glycosides (digoxin) and calcium channel blockers
◉ Which of the following pulmonary artery catheter findings would be
anticipated in a patient with chronic emphysema?
A. increased CVP
B. decreased CI
C. increased SV
D. decreased PAOP. Answer: A. increased CVP (emphysema can cause
cor pulmonale secondary to increased pressure)
◉ A patient is admitted complaining of chest pain and nausea. The ECG
monitor reveals secondary AV block, Type II. These findings are
probably a result of occlusion of which of the following coronary
arteries?
A. left anterior descending
B. left circumflex
C. posterior descending
D. right. Answer: A. left anterior descending (LAD supplies blood to the
septum)
, ◉ A patient has heart failure secondary to ischemic cardiomyopathy and
end-stage coronary artery disease. Which of the following agents would
be most beneficial
A. digoxin and diltiazem
B. carvedilol and lisinopril
C. veramapril and spironolactone
D. flecainide and hydralazine. Answer: B. carvedilol and lisinopril
(decreases after-load and minimizes remodeling that is associated with
HF)
◉ When providing care to a patient with status epilepticus, the nurse
should recognize that usually
A. it is a state of continuous seizures lasting more than two minutes
B. the patient comes out of the post ictal state between seizures
C. it results from abrupt discontinuation of anti-seizure meds
D. the cause of death is due to cerebral hemorrhage. Answer: C. it
results from abrupt discontinuation of anti-seizure meds
◉ A patient with a history of angina is admitted to the units after
surgical repair of an AAA. The patient is receiving a sodium
nitroprusside (Nipride) gtt for severe postop hypertension. Twelve hours
later, the pattient complains of back pain.
BP 80/60
HR 120
