1
PASS CCRN TEST 1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS) LATEST 2025/2026
What is vasogenic cerebral edema? - (ANSWER)Vasogenic cerebral edema is an
increase in extracellular fluid caused by a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier
with the resultant increase in vascular permeability. This cerebral edema begins
locally and becomes more generalized. Common causes are trauma (including
surgical trauma), tumors, hemorrhage, and abscesses
What ventilator parameter indicates fluid volume excess? - (ANSWER)An A:a
gradient greater than 10 mm Hg is a reflection of a diffusion defect. Note that the
process of diffusion is between A (alveolus) and (a) arterial blood. An increase in
intraalveolar fluid dilutes and inactivates surfactant, causing alveolar collapse
(decreasing vital capacity) and decreases lung compliance. Peak inspiratory
pressure increases reflect a decrease in lung compliance
What does autonomy refer to? - (ANSWER)The patient's right to make decisions
for themselves
What does beneficence mean? - (ANSWER)Obligation to do good
What does nonmaleficence mean? - (ANSWER)Obligation to do no harm
What does fidelity mean? - (ANSWER)the obligation to abide by agreements and
responsibilities
, 2
What does veracity mean? - (ANSWER)The obligation to tell the truth
What are Diagnosis-Related groups? - (ANSWER)DRGs constitute a prospective
payment program for Medicare patients. Payment is based on primary and
secondary diagnosis, primary and secondary procedures, age, and length of
hospitalization
BNP is secreted in response to? - (ANSWER)Ventricular wall stretch
What are omnious signs in a patient with status asthmaticus? - (ANSWER)A
normalization or increase in the PaCO2. This patient is still tachypneic, and if
ventilation is normal, PaCO2 should be decreased. The other ominous sign in this
patient would be absence of wheezing or rhonchi, because they would indicate
that ventilation is insufficient to cause these noises.
What problems arise from losses from the GI tract? - (ANSWER)Any loss results in
hypokalemia. Vomiting results in loss of acidic contents, whereas losses below the
pylorus result is alkalitic losses leading to metabolic acidosis. Fluid is sequestered
in the intestine leading to hypovolemia, which could cause hypovolemic shock.
Actual problems are worse than potential problems!! - (ANSWER)
How can you differentiate the cause of jaundice? - (ANSWER)An increase in direct
bilirubin is associated with biliary obstruction because direct bilirubin is
, 3
conjugated. An increase in indirect bilirubin is associated with hepatic disease or
excessive hemolysis because indirect bilirubin is unconjugated
What antihypertensive meds work best in African american patients? -
(ANSWER)African-Americans do not respond well to angiotensin-converting
enzyme inhibitors (e.g., captopril [Capoten]), but they do respond well to an
angiotensin II blocker (valsartan [Diovan]). Of the beta-blockers, labetalol works
best. Of the calcium channel blockers, diltiazem works best
What lab values define acute respiratory failure? - (ANSWER)50-50!
PaO2<50 and/or PaCO2>50
Hyperkalemia can cause what? - (ANSWER)Diarrhea-increases gastric motility
Flaccid paralysis- partially depolarizes muscle cells, prevents further
depolarization
Every 1 inch increase in abdominal girth equates to how much blood
accumulation in the abdomen - (ANSWER)500-1000mL
What pacing method would be used in a patient in atrial fib? - (ANSWER)VVI- you
don't want to sense or pace the atria.
1st letter-paced chamber
2nd letter-chamber sensed
PASS CCRN TEST 1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS) LATEST 2025/2026
What is vasogenic cerebral edema? - (ANSWER)Vasogenic cerebral edema is an
increase in extracellular fluid caused by a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier
with the resultant increase in vascular permeability. This cerebral edema begins
locally and becomes more generalized. Common causes are trauma (including
surgical trauma), tumors, hemorrhage, and abscesses
What ventilator parameter indicates fluid volume excess? - (ANSWER)An A:a
gradient greater than 10 mm Hg is a reflection of a diffusion defect. Note that the
process of diffusion is between A (alveolus) and (a) arterial blood. An increase in
intraalveolar fluid dilutes and inactivates surfactant, causing alveolar collapse
(decreasing vital capacity) and decreases lung compliance. Peak inspiratory
pressure increases reflect a decrease in lung compliance
What does autonomy refer to? - (ANSWER)The patient's right to make decisions
for themselves
What does beneficence mean? - (ANSWER)Obligation to do good
What does nonmaleficence mean? - (ANSWER)Obligation to do no harm
What does fidelity mean? - (ANSWER)the obligation to abide by agreements and
responsibilities
, 2
What does veracity mean? - (ANSWER)The obligation to tell the truth
What are Diagnosis-Related groups? - (ANSWER)DRGs constitute a prospective
payment program for Medicare patients. Payment is based on primary and
secondary diagnosis, primary and secondary procedures, age, and length of
hospitalization
BNP is secreted in response to? - (ANSWER)Ventricular wall stretch
What are omnious signs in a patient with status asthmaticus? - (ANSWER)A
normalization or increase in the PaCO2. This patient is still tachypneic, and if
ventilation is normal, PaCO2 should be decreased. The other ominous sign in this
patient would be absence of wheezing or rhonchi, because they would indicate
that ventilation is insufficient to cause these noises.
What problems arise from losses from the GI tract? - (ANSWER)Any loss results in
hypokalemia. Vomiting results in loss of acidic contents, whereas losses below the
pylorus result is alkalitic losses leading to metabolic acidosis. Fluid is sequestered
in the intestine leading to hypovolemia, which could cause hypovolemic shock.
Actual problems are worse than potential problems!! - (ANSWER)
How can you differentiate the cause of jaundice? - (ANSWER)An increase in direct
bilirubin is associated with biliary obstruction because direct bilirubin is
, 3
conjugated. An increase in indirect bilirubin is associated with hepatic disease or
excessive hemolysis because indirect bilirubin is unconjugated
What antihypertensive meds work best in African american patients? -
(ANSWER)African-Americans do not respond well to angiotensin-converting
enzyme inhibitors (e.g., captopril [Capoten]), but they do respond well to an
angiotensin II blocker (valsartan [Diovan]). Of the beta-blockers, labetalol works
best. Of the calcium channel blockers, diltiazem works best
What lab values define acute respiratory failure? - (ANSWER)50-50!
PaO2<50 and/or PaCO2>50
Hyperkalemia can cause what? - (ANSWER)Diarrhea-increases gastric motility
Flaccid paralysis- partially depolarizes muscle cells, prevents further
depolarization
Every 1 inch increase in abdominal girth equates to how much blood
accumulation in the abdomen - (ANSWER)500-1000mL
What pacing method would be used in a patient in atrial fib? - (ANSWER)VVI- you
don't want to sense or pace the atria.
1st letter-paced chamber
2nd letter-chamber sensed
