PCCN/PCCN-K Adult Progressive Care Certification Exam Guide
What is the mission of the AACN Certification Corporation? - correct answer To drive patient
health and safety through comprehensive credentialing of acute and critical care nurses,
advancing practice consistent with standards of excellence.
What is the vision of the AACN Certification Corporation? - correct answer All nurses caring for
acutely and critically ill patients and their families are certified.
List the values that guide the AACN Certification Corporation. - correct answer Integrity,
Inclusion, Transformation, Leadership, Relationships.
What does the value of Integrity signify for the AACN Certification Corporation? - correct
answer It signifies demonstrating sound judgment, ethical behavior, and accountability in all
actions.
How does the AACN Certification Corporation define Inclusion? - correct answer By building an
equitable culture that invites the full contribution of all people.
What is meant by Transformation in the context of AACN Certification Corporation's values? -
correct answer Driving change and innovation to positively impact the healthcare system and
improve the lives of patients, families, and nurses.
What role does Leadership play in the AACN Certification Corporation's values? - correct
answer It involves advocating and influencing to achieve optimal outcomes and healthy work
environments.
What is the significance of Relationships in the AACN Certification Corporation's values? -
correct answer It emphasizes collaboration and advancing partnerships, honoring each
individual to strengthen the collective.
Which ethical framework does the AACN Certification Corporation consider foundational for
nursing practice? - correct answer The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for
Nurses.
What is the purpose of the AACN Certification Corporation's mission of public protection? -
correct answer To support a standard of excellence where certified nurses act in accordance
with the ANA Code of Ethics.
Which programs have been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing
Certification (ABSNC)? - correct answer CCRN® (Adult), CCRN® (Pediatric), CCRN® (Neonatal).
Which programs have been accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies
(NCCA)? - correct answer PCCN®, CMC®, CSC®, ACCNS-AG®, ACCNS-P®, ACCNS-N®, ACNPC-AG®.
,What criteria do the advanced practice certification programs meet according to the AACN
Certification Corporation? - correct answer They meet the National Council of State Boards of
Nursing (NCSBN) criteria for APRN certification programs.
What does PCCN/PCCN-K stand for? - correct answer Adult Progressive Care Nursing
Certification.
Who contributed to the development of the practice questions for the PCCN certification? -
correct answer Valerie Beard Elliott, Roberta Kaplow, Myra Ellis, Angela Benefield, Leisl
Gilchrist, Charlene Trimeloni.
What is the copyright year of the AACN Certification Corporation publication? - correct answer
2020
What is the address of the AACN Certification Corporation? - correct answer 27071 Aliso Creek
Road, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.
What is the policy regarding the reproduction of AACN Certification Corporation documents? -
correct answer No part of the document may be reproduced or transmitted without prior
written permission, except for personal use.
What does the AACN Certification Corporation not endorse regarding exam preparation? -
correct answer They do not approve, endorse, or require the use of any specific exam
preparation products.
What is the purpose of the PCCN/PCCN-K Adult Progressive Care Nursing Certification Practice
Questions document? - correct answer To provide familiarity with the style of items on the
exams for candidates seeking certification in the care of acutely ill adult patients.
How long are the PCCN and PCCN-K exams, and how many questions do they consist of? -
correct answer They are two-and-one-half-hour tests consisting of 125 multiple-choice
questions.
What was the most recent job analysis study for the PCCN/PCCN-K exams completed? - correct
answer The most recent study was completed in 2017.
What major content category makes up 80% of the PCCN/PCCN-K exams? - correct answer
Clinical Judgment.
What percentage of the PCCN/PCCN-K exams focuses on Professional Caring and Ethical
Practice? - correct answer 20%.
What cognitive levels are the exam questions primarily written at? - correct answer
Application/analysis levels based on a condensed version of Bloom's Taxonomy.
What patient populations do the PCCN and PCCN-K exams focus on? - correct answer Adult
patient populations.
,What are some of the specific areas covered under Clinical Judgment in the PCCN/PCCN-K test
plan? - correct answer Cardiovascular conditions, including acute coronary syndromes,
pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, and thoracic surgery.
What is included in the Professional Caring and Ethical Practice section of the PCCN/PCCN-K
exams? - correct answer Advocacy/Moral Agency, Caring Practices, Response to Diversity,
Facilitation of Learning, Collaboration, Systems Thinking, and Clinical Inquiry.
What is the significance of the questions in the PCCN/PCCN-K Practice Questions document? -
correct answer They are representative of the type and format of items that one would see on
the exams.
What is the focus of the PCCN/PCCN-K exams in terms of patient care? - correct answer The
exams are designed to test the common body of nursing knowledge needed to function
effectively in the progressive care setting.
What types of nursing actions are testable in the PCCN/PCCN-K exam? - correct answer Actions
related to acute care, including cardiovascular, endocrine, hematology, neurology,
gastrointestinal, and renal nursing.
What is the role of the AACN Certification Corporation in relation to the PCCN/PCCN-K exams? -
correct answer They provide detailed information regarding the certification programs.
What is the total number of major content categories tested in the PCCN/PCCN-K exams? -
correct answer Two major categories: Clinical Judgment and Professional Caring and Ethical
Practice.
What are some examples of cardiovascular conditions included in the PCCN/PCCN test plan? -
correct answer Acute coronary syndromes, cardiac tamponade, heart failure, and
dysrhythmias.
What is the significance of the rationales included with each question in the PCCN/PCCN-K
Practice Questions? - correct answer They provide explanations for the correct answer s to help
candidates understand the reasoning behind them.
What is the intended use of the PCCN/PCCN-K Practice Questions document? - correct answer
As a study tool to help prepare for the PCCN or PCCN-K exam.
What does the acronym PCCN stand for? - correct answer Progressive Care Certified Nurse.
What does the acronym PCCN-K stand for? - correct answer Progressive Care Certified Nurse-K.
What is the purpose of the answer key included in the PCCN/PCCN-K Practice Questions? -
correct answer To provide correct answer s for the practice questions.
What is the main focus of the PCCN/PCCN-K exams regarding patient care? - correct answer To
assess knowledge and skills necessary for the care of acutely ill adult patients.
, What is the importance of the job analysis study for the PCCN/PCCN-K exams? - correct answer
It defines the dimensions of acute care and identifies the tasks, knowledge, and experiences
required of progressive care nurses.
What are some neurological complications associated with heart failure? - correct answer
Encephalopathy (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic, metabolic, infectious, hepatic) and seizure disorders.
What are common gastrointestinal complications related to heart failure? - correct answer
Functional GI disorders (e.g., obstruction, ileus, diabetic gastroparesis, gastroesophageal reflux,
irritable bowel syndrome) and GI bleed.
What are the types of respiratory complications associated with heart failure? - correct answer
Acute exacerbations (e.g., pulmonary edema), chronic respiratory issues, and conditions like
ARDS, severe asthma, COPD exacerbation, and obstructive sleep apnea.
What are some examples of pulmonary complications in heart failure? - correct answer
Pulmonary embolism and pleural space complications (e.g., pneumothorax, hemothorax,
pleural effusion, empyema, chylothorax).
What are the renal complications associated with heart failure? - correct answer Acute kidney
injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What are some behavioral and psychosocial issues that can arise in patients with heart failure?
- correct answer Altered mental status, delirium, dementia, disruptive behaviors, aggression,
violence, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
What are the common infectious complications in heart failure patients? - correct answer
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), central-line-associated bloodstream
infections (CLABSI), surgical site infections (SSI), and infectious diseases like influenza and
multidrug-resistant organisms.
What are the ethical practices emphasized in professional caring for heart failure patients? -
correct answer Advocacy/Moral Agency, Caring Practices, Response to Diversity, Facilitation of
Learning, Collaboration, Systems Thinking, Clinical Inquiry, and palliative care.
What are the types of shock states that can occur in heart failure? - correct answer
Anaphylactic shock, hypovolemic shock, and shock due to toxic ingestion/inhalation or drug
overdose.
What are some musculoskeletal issues that can affect heart failure patients? - correct answer
Functional issues such as immobility, falls, and gait disorders.
What is rhabdomyolysis and how is it related to heart failure? - correct answer Rhabdomyolysis
is a condition that can occur due to muscle breakdown, potentially exacerbated by heart
failure.
What is the mission of the AACN Certification Corporation? - correct answer To drive patient
health and safety through comprehensive credentialing of acute and critical care nurses,
advancing practice consistent with standards of excellence.
What is the vision of the AACN Certification Corporation? - correct answer All nurses caring for
acutely and critically ill patients and their families are certified.
List the values that guide the AACN Certification Corporation. - correct answer Integrity,
Inclusion, Transformation, Leadership, Relationships.
What does the value of Integrity signify for the AACN Certification Corporation? - correct
answer It signifies demonstrating sound judgment, ethical behavior, and accountability in all
actions.
How does the AACN Certification Corporation define Inclusion? - correct answer By building an
equitable culture that invites the full contribution of all people.
What is meant by Transformation in the context of AACN Certification Corporation's values? -
correct answer Driving change and innovation to positively impact the healthcare system and
improve the lives of patients, families, and nurses.
What role does Leadership play in the AACN Certification Corporation's values? - correct
answer It involves advocating and influencing to achieve optimal outcomes and healthy work
environments.
What is the significance of Relationships in the AACN Certification Corporation's values? -
correct answer It emphasizes collaboration and advancing partnerships, honoring each
individual to strengthen the collective.
Which ethical framework does the AACN Certification Corporation consider foundational for
nursing practice? - correct answer The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for
Nurses.
What is the purpose of the AACN Certification Corporation's mission of public protection? -
correct answer To support a standard of excellence where certified nurses act in accordance
with the ANA Code of Ethics.
Which programs have been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing
Certification (ABSNC)? - correct answer CCRN® (Adult), CCRN® (Pediatric), CCRN® (Neonatal).
Which programs have been accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies
(NCCA)? - correct answer PCCN®, CMC®, CSC®, ACCNS-AG®, ACCNS-P®, ACCNS-N®, ACNPC-AG®.
,What criteria do the advanced practice certification programs meet according to the AACN
Certification Corporation? - correct answer They meet the National Council of State Boards of
Nursing (NCSBN) criteria for APRN certification programs.
What does PCCN/PCCN-K stand for? - correct answer Adult Progressive Care Nursing
Certification.
Who contributed to the development of the practice questions for the PCCN certification? -
correct answer Valerie Beard Elliott, Roberta Kaplow, Myra Ellis, Angela Benefield, Leisl
Gilchrist, Charlene Trimeloni.
What is the copyright year of the AACN Certification Corporation publication? - correct answer
2020
What is the address of the AACN Certification Corporation? - correct answer 27071 Aliso Creek
Road, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.
What is the policy regarding the reproduction of AACN Certification Corporation documents? -
correct answer No part of the document may be reproduced or transmitted without prior
written permission, except for personal use.
What does the AACN Certification Corporation not endorse regarding exam preparation? -
correct answer They do not approve, endorse, or require the use of any specific exam
preparation products.
What is the purpose of the PCCN/PCCN-K Adult Progressive Care Nursing Certification Practice
Questions document? - correct answer To provide familiarity with the style of items on the
exams for candidates seeking certification in the care of acutely ill adult patients.
How long are the PCCN and PCCN-K exams, and how many questions do they consist of? -
correct answer They are two-and-one-half-hour tests consisting of 125 multiple-choice
questions.
What was the most recent job analysis study for the PCCN/PCCN-K exams completed? - correct
answer The most recent study was completed in 2017.
What major content category makes up 80% of the PCCN/PCCN-K exams? - correct answer
Clinical Judgment.
What percentage of the PCCN/PCCN-K exams focuses on Professional Caring and Ethical
Practice? - correct answer 20%.
What cognitive levels are the exam questions primarily written at? - correct answer
Application/analysis levels based on a condensed version of Bloom's Taxonomy.
What patient populations do the PCCN and PCCN-K exams focus on? - correct answer Adult
patient populations.
,What are some of the specific areas covered under Clinical Judgment in the PCCN/PCCN-K test
plan? - correct answer Cardiovascular conditions, including acute coronary syndromes,
pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, and thoracic surgery.
What is included in the Professional Caring and Ethical Practice section of the PCCN/PCCN-K
exams? - correct answer Advocacy/Moral Agency, Caring Practices, Response to Diversity,
Facilitation of Learning, Collaboration, Systems Thinking, and Clinical Inquiry.
What is the significance of the questions in the PCCN/PCCN-K Practice Questions document? -
correct answer They are representative of the type and format of items that one would see on
the exams.
What is the focus of the PCCN/PCCN-K exams in terms of patient care? - correct answer The
exams are designed to test the common body of nursing knowledge needed to function
effectively in the progressive care setting.
What types of nursing actions are testable in the PCCN/PCCN-K exam? - correct answer Actions
related to acute care, including cardiovascular, endocrine, hematology, neurology,
gastrointestinal, and renal nursing.
What is the role of the AACN Certification Corporation in relation to the PCCN/PCCN-K exams? -
correct answer They provide detailed information regarding the certification programs.
What is the total number of major content categories tested in the PCCN/PCCN-K exams? -
correct answer Two major categories: Clinical Judgment and Professional Caring and Ethical
Practice.
What are some examples of cardiovascular conditions included in the PCCN/PCCN test plan? -
correct answer Acute coronary syndromes, cardiac tamponade, heart failure, and
dysrhythmias.
What is the significance of the rationales included with each question in the PCCN/PCCN-K
Practice Questions? - correct answer They provide explanations for the correct answer s to help
candidates understand the reasoning behind them.
What is the intended use of the PCCN/PCCN-K Practice Questions document? - correct answer
As a study tool to help prepare for the PCCN or PCCN-K exam.
What does the acronym PCCN stand for? - correct answer Progressive Care Certified Nurse.
What does the acronym PCCN-K stand for? - correct answer Progressive Care Certified Nurse-K.
What is the purpose of the answer key included in the PCCN/PCCN-K Practice Questions? -
correct answer To provide correct answer s for the practice questions.
What is the main focus of the PCCN/PCCN-K exams regarding patient care? - correct answer To
assess knowledge and skills necessary for the care of acutely ill adult patients.
, What is the importance of the job analysis study for the PCCN/PCCN-K exams? - correct answer
It defines the dimensions of acute care and identifies the tasks, knowledge, and experiences
required of progressive care nurses.
What are some neurological complications associated with heart failure? - correct answer
Encephalopathy (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic, metabolic, infectious, hepatic) and seizure disorders.
What are common gastrointestinal complications related to heart failure? - correct answer
Functional GI disorders (e.g., obstruction, ileus, diabetic gastroparesis, gastroesophageal reflux,
irritable bowel syndrome) and GI bleed.
What are the types of respiratory complications associated with heart failure? - correct answer
Acute exacerbations (e.g., pulmonary edema), chronic respiratory issues, and conditions like
ARDS, severe asthma, COPD exacerbation, and obstructive sleep apnea.
What are some examples of pulmonary complications in heart failure? - correct answer
Pulmonary embolism and pleural space complications (e.g., pneumothorax, hemothorax,
pleural effusion, empyema, chylothorax).
What are the renal complications associated with heart failure? - correct answer Acute kidney
injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What are some behavioral and psychosocial issues that can arise in patients with heart failure?
- correct answer Altered mental status, delirium, dementia, disruptive behaviors, aggression,
violence, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
What are the common infectious complications in heart failure patients? - correct answer
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), central-line-associated bloodstream
infections (CLABSI), surgical site infections (SSI), and infectious diseases like influenza and
multidrug-resistant organisms.
What are the ethical practices emphasized in professional caring for heart failure patients? -
correct answer Advocacy/Moral Agency, Caring Practices, Response to Diversity, Facilitation of
Learning, Collaboration, Systems Thinking, Clinical Inquiry, and palliative care.
What are the types of shock states that can occur in heart failure? - correct answer
Anaphylactic shock, hypovolemic shock, and shock due to toxic ingestion/inhalation or drug
overdose.
What are some musculoskeletal issues that can affect heart failure patients? - correct answer
Functional issues such as immobility, falls, and gait disorders.
What is rhabdomyolysis and how is it related to heart failure? - correct answer Rhabdomyolysis
is a condition that can occur due to muscle breakdown, potentially exacerbated by heart
failure.
