THE PCCN EXAM (ACTUAL 2025-2026) QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS
Which electrolytes pose the most potential hazard if not
within normal limits for the person with acute kidney failure?
- <<<Answers>>>Potassium and calcium
peaked T-waves and a widening of the QRS interval in a pt
with AKI are indicative of: - <<<Answers>>>d.
hyperkalemia.
A patient presents with the following: HR, 120 beats/min; BP,
80/44 mm Hg; urine output averaging 20 mL/hr over the last 4
hours; afebrile; moist rales in the lungs bilaterally; BUN, 84
mg/dL; creatinine, 3.4 mg/dL. What is the probable cause of
this patient's acute kidney injury (AKI)? -
<<<Answers>>>Left ventricular failure causing prerenal AKI
To determine whether edema in a patient's hands is due to
circulatory compromise or another cause, the nurse might: -
<<<Answers>>>elevate the patient's extremities for 1 hour
and observe the degree of edema still present.
Hypovolemia causes tachycardia and : -
<<<Answers>>>hypotension.
To avoid the complications that can result from administering
furosemide (Lasix) to stimulate urinary output, the nurse will
carefully monitor: - <<<Answers>>>levels of electrolytes,
especially potassium.
, THE PCCN EXAM (ACTUAL 2024-2025) QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS
Which dialysis method would be most appropriate for the
hemodynamically stable patient in the anuric phase of acute
kidney injury (AKI)? - <<<Answers>>>Intermittent
hemodialysis
What are complications of continuous renal replacement
therapy (CRRT)? - <<<Answers>>>Air embolism, decreased
inflow pressure, electrolyte imbalance
What type of formula would be most appropriate for a patient
with acute pancreatitis? - <<<Answers>>>Low fat
A person with a body mass index (BMI) of 32 would be
considered: - <<<Answers>>>obese
Diet therapy for a hypertensive person 1 day after a
myocardial infarction would include all the following except:
- <<<Answers>>>a fluid-restricted diet.
Kwashiorkor malnutrition results in: - <<<Answers>>>low
levels of serum proteins, low lymphocyte count, and hair loss.
Significant laboratory and clinical findings in the nutritional
assessment of patient with cardiovascular disease include: -
<<<Answers>>>b. elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol and decreased subcutaneous fat.
, THE PCCN EXAM (ACTUAL 2024-2025) QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS
Serum proteins serve the function of: -
<<<Answers>>>maintaining osmotic pressure.
A patient on mechanical ventilation is receiving total
parenteral nutrition (TPN). Why is appropriate caloric intake
important? - <<<Answers>>>Excessive calorie intake can
cause an increase in PaCO2.
How does AKI cause acidosis? - <<<Answers>>>Decreased
urine output impairs potassium excretion. The resulting
hyperkalemia causes a shift in H+, the accumulation results in
acidosis
A patient with severe abdominal pain for the last week
presents with elevated amylase, lipase, and a rigid abdomen.
What do you suspect? - <<<Answers>>>pancreatitis
How is acute pancreatitis treated? -
<<<Answers>>>hydration, electrolyte balance, nutrition and
pain control
What procedure measures heart pressure and diagnoses
pulmonary hypertension? - <<<Answers>>>right-sided heart
catheterization; provides measurements of right atrium, right
ventricle, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary artery occlusive
pressure
, THE PCCN EXAM (ACTUAL 2024-2025) QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS
Why does lowering fever improve prognosis in stroke pts? -
<<<Answers>>>Increased metabolic demands, enhanced
neurotransmitter release, and increased free radicals may
increase stroke mortality.
What is a contraindication to administer nitroglycerin to a pt
with a right ventricular infarction? -
<<<Answers>>>nitroglycerin reduces preload, and pts with a
RVI are preload dependent
What are six risk factors for delirium? -
<<<Answers>>>cognitive impairment, sleep deprivation,
dehydration, immobility, hearing impairment, vision
impairment
What does a pericardial friction rub sound like? -
<<<Answers>>>grating sound with s1 and s2
Normal PR interval - <<<Answers>>>0.12-0.20
normal QRS - <<<Answers>>>0.04-0.10
complications of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IAPB). -
<<<Answers>>>Thrombocytopenia, aortic dissection and
septicemia
WITH ANSWERS
Which electrolytes pose the most potential hazard if not
within normal limits for the person with acute kidney failure?
- <<<Answers>>>Potassium and calcium
peaked T-waves and a widening of the QRS interval in a pt
with AKI are indicative of: - <<<Answers>>>d.
hyperkalemia.
A patient presents with the following: HR, 120 beats/min; BP,
80/44 mm Hg; urine output averaging 20 mL/hr over the last 4
hours; afebrile; moist rales in the lungs bilaterally; BUN, 84
mg/dL; creatinine, 3.4 mg/dL. What is the probable cause of
this patient's acute kidney injury (AKI)? -
<<<Answers>>>Left ventricular failure causing prerenal AKI
To determine whether edema in a patient's hands is due to
circulatory compromise or another cause, the nurse might: -
<<<Answers>>>elevate the patient's extremities for 1 hour
and observe the degree of edema still present.
Hypovolemia causes tachycardia and : -
<<<Answers>>>hypotension.
To avoid the complications that can result from administering
furosemide (Lasix) to stimulate urinary output, the nurse will
carefully monitor: - <<<Answers>>>levels of electrolytes,
especially potassium.
, THE PCCN EXAM (ACTUAL 2024-2025) QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS
Which dialysis method would be most appropriate for the
hemodynamically stable patient in the anuric phase of acute
kidney injury (AKI)? - <<<Answers>>>Intermittent
hemodialysis
What are complications of continuous renal replacement
therapy (CRRT)? - <<<Answers>>>Air embolism, decreased
inflow pressure, electrolyte imbalance
What type of formula would be most appropriate for a patient
with acute pancreatitis? - <<<Answers>>>Low fat
A person with a body mass index (BMI) of 32 would be
considered: - <<<Answers>>>obese
Diet therapy for a hypertensive person 1 day after a
myocardial infarction would include all the following except:
- <<<Answers>>>a fluid-restricted diet.
Kwashiorkor malnutrition results in: - <<<Answers>>>low
levels of serum proteins, low lymphocyte count, and hair loss.
Significant laboratory and clinical findings in the nutritional
assessment of patient with cardiovascular disease include: -
<<<Answers>>>b. elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol and decreased subcutaneous fat.
, THE PCCN EXAM (ACTUAL 2024-2025) QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS
Serum proteins serve the function of: -
<<<Answers>>>maintaining osmotic pressure.
A patient on mechanical ventilation is receiving total
parenteral nutrition (TPN). Why is appropriate caloric intake
important? - <<<Answers>>>Excessive calorie intake can
cause an increase in PaCO2.
How does AKI cause acidosis? - <<<Answers>>>Decreased
urine output impairs potassium excretion. The resulting
hyperkalemia causes a shift in H+, the accumulation results in
acidosis
A patient with severe abdominal pain for the last week
presents with elevated amylase, lipase, and a rigid abdomen.
What do you suspect? - <<<Answers>>>pancreatitis
How is acute pancreatitis treated? -
<<<Answers>>>hydration, electrolyte balance, nutrition and
pain control
What procedure measures heart pressure and diagnoses
pulmonary hypertension? - <<<Answers>>>right-sided heart
catheterization; provides measurements of right atrium, right
ventricle, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary artery occlusive
pressure
, THE PCCN EXAM (ACTUAL 2024-2025) QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS
Why does lowering fever improve prognosis in stroke pts? -
<<<Answers>>>Increased metabolic demands, enhanced
neurotransmitter release, and increased free radicals may
increase stroke mortality.
What is a contraindication to administer nitroglycerin to a pt
with a right ventricular infarction? -
<<<Answers>>>nitroglycerin reduces preload, and pts with a
RVI are preload dependent
What are six risk factors for delirium? -
<<<Answers>>>cognitive impairment, sleep deprivation,
dehydration, immobility, hearing impairment, vision
impairment
What does a pericardial friction rub sound like? -
<<<Answers>>>grating sound with s1 and s2
Normal PR interval - <<<Answers>>>0.12-0.20
normal QRS - <<<Answers>>>0.04-0.10
complications of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IAPB). -
<<<Answers>>>Thrombocytopenia, aortic dissection and
septicemia
