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CEN ACTUAL EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS TESTED AND APPROVED
NEWLY MODIFIED
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?
A. Getting pregnant shouldn't be a problem once the infection goes away.
B. I'll take the medicine for nausea when I feel sick to my stomach.
C. I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
D. I will follow up with my doctor tomorrow. -- ANSWER--C. I will be at increased risk for
ectopic pregnancy.
A 16-year-old presents with severe left upper quadrant abdominal pain after an over-
thehandlebars 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?
A. Small bowel rupture
B. Ruptured diaphragm
C. Flail chest
D. Hepatic injury -- ANSWER--B. Ruptured diaphragm
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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. A current injury
B. An old infarction
C. An acute infarction
D. Ischemia -- ANSWER--B. An old infarction
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?
A. Administration of antipsychotics
B. One-to-one observation
C. Place in a seclusion room
D. Application of restraints -- ANSWER--C. Place in a seclusion room
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?
A. Sputum cultures
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B. Chest radiograph
C. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
D. Radiograph of the left leg -- ANSWER--C. Computed tomographic pulmonary
angiography.
A 28-year-old female presents to the ED with complaints of dizziness, fear of dying, and hot
flashes that began 10 minutes prior to arrival. The patient is trembling and tachypneic. Which
anxiety disorder is the patient exhibiting?
A. Post-traumatic stress disorder
B. Panic attack
C. Acute stress disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder -- ANSWER--B. Panic attack
A 30-year-old male presents to the emergency department with excruciating pain on the right
side of his head. It has been coming and going all day. His right eye is reddened and skin is
flushed. What type of headache is this patient experiencing?
A. Tension
B. Traumatic
C. Cluster
D. Migraine -- ANSWER--C. Cluster
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To make certain that chain of custody has been followed appropriately, what is the most
responsible task performed by the emergency nurse?
A. Keep the evidence at their work station until released to law enforcement
B. Sign and date the tamper resistant tape in front of law enforcement
C. Limit the number of people with access to the evidence
D. Carry the evidence with them until released to law enforcement -- ANSWER--C. Limit the
number of people with access to the evidence
Which orthopedic condition is the result of elevated uric acid levels?
A. Joint effusion
B. Osteomyelitis
C. Gouty arthritis
D. Bursitis -- ANSWER--C. Gouty arthritis
A patient presents to the ED with sensory hallucinations and delusions. He also has
disorganized speech and grossly disordered behavior. What would the nurse expect to take
place in order for the patient to be properly cared for?
A. A suicide risk assessment
B. Administration of antipsychotics
C. Application of restraints
D. Medical clearance -- ANSWER--D. Medical clearance
CEN ACTUAL EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS TESTED AND APPROVED
NEWLY MODIFIED
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?
A. Getting pregnant shouldn't be a problem once the infection goes away.
B. I'll take the medicine for nausea when I feel sick to my stomach.
C. I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
D. I will follow up with my doctor tomorrow. -- ANSWER--C. I will be at increased risk for
ectopic pregnancy.
A 16-year-old presents with severe left upper quadrant abdominal pain after an over-
thehandlebars 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?
A. Small bowel rupture
B. Ruptured diaphragm
C. Flail chest
D. Hepatic injury -- ANSWER--B. Ruptured diaphragm
, Page|2
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. A current injury
B. An old infarction
C. An acute infarction
D. Ischemia -- ANSWER--B. An old infarction
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?
A. Administration of antipsychotics
B. One-to-one observation
C. Place in a seclusion room
D. Application of restraints -- ANSWER--C. Place in a seclusion room
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?
A. Sputum cultures
, Page|3
B. Chest radiograph
C. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
D. Radiograph of the left leg -- ANSWER--C. Computed tomographic pulmonary
angiography.
A 28-year-old female presents to the ED with complaints of dizziness, fear of dying, and hot
flashes that began 10 minutes prior to arrival. The patient is trembling and tachypneic. Which
anxiety disorder is the patient exhibiting?
A. Post-traumatic stress disorder
B. Panic attack
C. Acute stress disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder -- ANSWER--B. Panic attack
A 30-year-old male presents to the emergency department with excruciating pain on the right
side of his head. It has been coming and going all day. His right eye is reddened and skin is
flushed. What type of headache is this patient experiencing?
A. Tension
B. Traumatic
C. Cluster
D. Migraine -- ANSWER--C. Cluster
, Page|4
To make certain that chain of custody has been followed appropriately, what is the most
responsible task performed by the emergency nurse?
A. Keep the evidence at their work station until released to law enforcement
B. Sign and date the tamper resistant tape in front of law enforcement
C. Limit the number of people with access to the evidence
D. Carry the evidence with them until released to law enforcement -- ANSWER--C. Limit the
number of people with access to the evidence
Which orthopedic condition is the result of elevated uric acid levels?
A. Joint effusion
B. Osteomyelitis
C. Gouty arthritis
D. Bursitis -- ANSWER--C. Gouty arthritis
A patient presents to the ED with sensory hallucinations and delusions. He also has
disorganized speech and grossly disordered behavior. What would the nurse expect to take
place in order for the patient to be properly cared for?
A. A suicide risk assessment
B. Administration of antipsychotics
C. Application of restraints
D. Medical clearance -- ANSWER--D. Medical clearance
