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adult CCRN/PCCN certification practice test
Questions with Detailed Verified Answers
One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly
exhibits restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is
122/min., she is afebrile, and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right
side.
The findings described above should lead the nurse to suspect that the patient has
developed:
A. A spontaneous pneumothorax
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. Aspiration pneumonia
D. A pleural effusion
Ans: B. A pulmonary embolus
One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly
exhibits restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is
122/min., she is afebrile, and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right
side.
Which of the following will most likely confirm the patient's diagnosis?
A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
B. Echocardiogram
C. Cardiac enzyme studies
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D. Chest x-ray and arterial blood gases
Ans: A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
The nursing staff does not wish to be assigned a difficult patient who continues to
demonstrate disorderly behavior. Which of the following is an acceptable solution?
A. Request the family control the patient's behavior.
B. Transfer the patient
C. The patient assignment should be decided by the Charge Nurse.
D. Alternate the patient assignment among the nursing staff.
Ans: D. Alternate the patient assignment among the nursing staff.
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly
demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to
45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample
obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the
following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported.
Auscultation of the lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
The findings described above should lead the nurse to believe that the patient has:
A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. A spontaneous pneumothorax
D. Aspiration pneumonia
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Ans: A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly
demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to
45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample
obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the
following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported.
Auscultation of the lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
On admission, your patient's arterial blood gas on room air is: pH 7.23, PaCO2 55,
PaO2 90, HCO3 30. The correct arterial blood gas interpretation is:
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Ans: C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly
demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to
45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample
obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the
following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
adult CCRN/PCCN certification practice test
Questions with Detailed Verified Answers
One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly
exhibits restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is
122/min., she is afebrile, and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right
side.
The findings described above should lead the nurse to suspect that the patient has
developed:
A. A spontaneous pneumothorax
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. Aspiration pneumonia
D. A pleural effusion
Ans: B. A pulmonary embolus
One day following posterior spinal fusion surgery a 35 year old female suddenly
exhibits restlessness, labored breathing and acute chest pain. Her heart rate is
122/min., she is afebrile, and exhibits slightly diminished breath sounds on the right
side.
Which of the following will most likely confirm the patient's diagnosis?
A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
B. Echocardiogram
C. Cardiac enzyme studies
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,Click here for more: Scholars nexus
D. Chest x-ray and arterial blood gases
Ans: A. Pulmonary radioisotope scan
The nursing staff does not wish to be assigned a difficult patient who continues to
demonstrate disorderly behavior. Which of the following is an acceptable solution?
A. Request the family control the patient's behavior.
B. Transfer the patient
C. The patient assignment should be decided by the Charge Nurse.
D. Alternate the patient assignment among the nursing staff.
Ans: D. Alternate the patient assignment among the nursing staff.
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly
demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to
45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample
obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the
following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported.
Auscultation of the lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
The findings described above should lead the nurse to believe that the patient has:
A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
B. A pulmonary embolus
C. A spontaneous pneumothorax
D. Aspiration pneumonia
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, Click here for more: Scholars nexus
Ans: A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly
demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to
45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample
obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the
following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
A chest x-ray is obtained and a "ground-glass-like appearance" is reported.
Auscultation of the lungs reveals diffuse crackles that were not present previously.
On admission, your patient's arterial blood gas on room air is: pH 7.23, PaCO2 55,
PaO2 90, HCO3 30. The correct arterial blood gas interpretation is:
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
B. Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
Ans: C. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
A patient who is 72 hours postoperative repair of a bowel obstruction suddenly
demonstrates shortness of breath and his respiratory rate increases from 22 to
45/min. His SpO2 went from 95% to 88% acutely. An arterial blood gas sample
obtained while the patient is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 6L/min reveals the
following results:
pH 7.40
pCO2 27
pO2 50
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
