PCCN ADULT CCRN CERTIFICATION PRACTICE
TEST EXAM Questions and Answers Latest
Versions 2025 GRADED A+
Your patient is currently on a ventilator with the following settings: AC, FiO2
100%, Rate of 12, Tidal Volume 450, PEEP of 5. His arterial blood gas results
are the following: pH 7.36, PaCO2 43, PaO2 56, HCO3 28. Which ventilator
parameter do you anticipate changing?
A. Decrease the FiO2
B. Increase the tidal volume
C. Increase the PEEP
D. Increase the rate - Correct Answers ✅C. Increase the PEEP
ARDS is characterized by which of the following:
A. Refractory hypercarbia
B. Increase in surfactant
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Shunting - Correct Answers ✅D. Shunting
,Rationale: ARDS is characterized by refractory hypoxia, shunting, decreased
lung compliance, and decreased surfactant.
A 42 y/o woman with a 6 month history of worsening anxiety, heat
intolerance, and weight loss presents to the emergency department. Which
of the following are indicators of hyperthyroidism?
A. Constipation, lower body temperature, and edema
B. High T3 and T4 and low TSH.
C. Depression, dementia, and reflex changes
D. Low T3 and T4 and high TSH - Correct Answers ✅B. High T3 and T4 and
low TSH.
Rationale: Constipation, lower body temperature, edema, depression,
dementia, reflex changes, low T3, low T4, high TSH are all indicators of
hypothyroidism.
An elderly man with Type 2 DM comes into the emergency department after
spending all day in the mall shopping with his wife. He tells you that his
heart is racing and he is sweaty and shaky. What is the best course of action
for the nurse?
A. Give the patient a candy bar and drink regular soda then check his BG.
B. Check his blood glucose level and obtain an ECG.
C. Check his blood glucose and inject NPH insulin if he's hyperglycemic.
, D. Give the patient 4 glucose tablets and then check his blood glucose. -
Correct Answers ✅B. Check his blood glucose level and obtain an ECG.
Successful treatment of DKA revolves around:
A. Correction of orthostatic hypotension with electrolytes
B. Administration of fluids, electrolytes and insulin
C. Gradually decreasing a patient's excessive fluid volume from
hyperosmolality
D. Administration of glucagon to elevate plasma blood levels - Correct
Answers ✅B. Administration of fluids, electrolytes and insulin
What is the Somogyi phenomenon generally attributed?
A. Prolonged hyperglycemia that has led to neurological damage and
impaired counterregulatory response
B. Cyclic rise in blood glucose associated with increased need for insulin
C. Nocturnal food ingestion
D. Counter-regulatory response to severe hypoglycemia - Correct Answers
✅D. Counter-regulatory response to severe hypoglycemia
The serum potassium (K+) of a patient with DKA is 5.4 mEq/l. What changes
would the nurse expect to see on an EKG?
A. Peaked T waves and widened QRS complex.
TEST EXAM Questions and Answers Latest
Versions 2025 GRADED A+
Your patient is currently on a ventilator with the following settings: AC, FiO2
100%, Rate of 12, Tidal Volume 450, PEEP of 5. His arterial blood gas results
are the following: pH 7.36, PaCO2 43, PaO2 56, HCO3 28. Which ventilator
parameter do you anticipate changing?
A. Decrease the FiO2
B. Increase the tidal volume
C. Increase the PEEP
D. Increase the rate - Correct Answers ✅C. Increase the PEEP
ARDS is characterized by which of the following:
A. Refractory hypercarbia
B. Increase in surfactant
C. Increased lung compliance
D. Shunting - Correct Answers ✅D. Shunting
,Rationale: ARDS is characterized by refractory hypoxia, shunting, decreased
lung compliance, and decreased surfactant.
A 42 y/o woman with a 6 month history of worsening anxiety, heat
intolerance, and weight loss presents to the emergency department. Which
of the following are indicators of hyperthyroidism?
A. Constipation, lower body temperature, and edema
B. High T3 and T4 and low TSH.
C. Depression, dementia, and reflex changes
D. Low T3 and T4 and high TSH - Correct Answers ✅B. High T3 and T4 and
low TSH.
Rationale: Constipation, lower body temperature, edema, depression,
dementia, reflex changes, low T3, low T4, high TSH are all indicators of
hypothyroidism.
An elderly man with Type 2 DM comes into the emergency department after
spending all day in the mall shopping with his wife. He tells you that his
heart is racing and he is sweaty and shaky. What is the best course of action
for the nurse?
A. Give the patient a candy bar and drink regular soda then check his BG.
B. Check his blood glucose level and obtain an ECG.
C. Check his blood glucose and inject NPH insulin if he's hyperglycemic.
, D. Give the patient 4 glucose tablets and then check his blood glucose. -
Correct Answers ✅B. Check his blood glucose level and obtain an ECG.
Successful treatment of DKA revolves around:
A. Correction of orthostatic hypotension with electrolytes
B. Administration of fluids, electrolytes and insulin
C. Gradually decreasing a patient's excessive fluid volume from
hyperosmolality
D. Administration of glucagon to elevate plasma blood levels - Correct
Answers ✅B. Administration of fluids, electrolytes and insulin
What is the Somogyi phenomenon generally attributed?
A. Prolonged hyperglycemia that has led to neurological damage and
impaired counterregulatory response
B. Cyclic rise in blood glucose associated with increased need for insulin
C. Nocturnal food ingestion
D. Counter-regulatory response to severe hypoglycemia - Correct Answers
✅D. Counter-regulatory response to severe hypoglycemia
The serum potassium (K+) of a patient with DKA is 5.4 mEq/l. What changes
would the nurse expect to see on an EKG?
A. Peaked T waves and widened QRS complex.
