1|Page
CEN Exam Version 3 (2025) — Latest Certified
Emergency Nurse Study Guide, Updated Practice Test
Questions, and BCEN Certification Review
Ace the CEN Exam Version 3 (2025) with the newest Certified Emergency Nurse (BCEN)
study guide, updated practice test questions, and complete exam review materials. Master
emergency care, trauma assessment, cardiac emergencies, and nursing interventions to pass your
CEN certification with confidence.
• CEN exam version 3 2025
• Certified Emergency Nurse exam 2025
• BCEN CEN version 3
• CEN study guide updated 2025
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is characterized by which clinical manifestations?
Ataxia, mental confusion, and ophthalmoplegia
Delirium tremens, hyperthermia, and disorientation
Tachycardia, tremors, and tachypnea
Hypothermia, muscle rigidity, and bradycardia - ANSWER-Ataxia, mental confusion, and
ophthalmoplegia
A 35-year-old man presents with complaints of stomach pain that comes and goes for the past two
weeks. The nurse asks additional questions about the nature of this pain and finds that it is relieved with
antacids and he feels better after eating. The patient mentions that he had some similar pain about two
years ago, but it stopped after about a month and he never sought care for it. This is most likely which
type of gastrointestinal disorder?
,2|Page
Cholecystitis
Pancreatitis
Duodenal ulcer
Stress ulcer - ANSWER-Duodenal ulcer
Which immunoglobulin is responsible for Type 1 allergic responses?
IgA
IgE
IgG
IgM - ANSWER-IgE
A middle-aged male patient presents to the ED with complaint of fever. He is awake, alert, and in no
acute distress. On arrival, vital signs are BP 118/58 mm Hg, HR 112 beats/min, RR 20 breaths/min, SpO2
95%, T 38.8 C (101.9 F). His medical history includes human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and he is
taking antiviral medications. Using a 5-level triage system, this patient would be triaged as which acuity
level?
Acuity Level 4 (non-urgent)
Acuity Level 2 (emergent)
Acuity Level 1 (life-threatening situation)
Acuity Level 3 (urgent) - ANSWER-Acuity Level 2 (emergent)
A patient presents to the ED with disorientation to time, place and person, memory impairment, and
personality changes for the past 6 days. This patient is most likely exhibiting which psychosocial
emergency?
Dementia
Schizophrenia
Depression
Delirium - ANSWER-Delirium
A patient arrives with complaints of shortness of breath and a history of asthma. The assessment reveals
mild tachypnea, biphasic (expiratory and inspiratory) wheezing, and use of accessory muscles. Peak
expiratory flow is 48% of personal best. What is the severity of this asthma exacerbation?
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Severe
Moderate
Slight
Mild - ANSWER-Moderate
A hazard vulnerability analysis (HVA) was completed for a rural area ED. One finding was that the
electrical system was antiquated and could not handle power outages with generator back-up. The
director of emergency preparedness acknowledged this issue and initiated a plan to ensure that the
electrical system received the necessary upgrades. What phase of disaster preparedness is this related
to?
Mitigation
Preparedness
Response
Recovery - ANSWER-Mitigation
A patient presents to the ED with complaints of right arm weakness, and difficulty speaking. The
symptoms started about 40 minutes ago and are now improving. She said this happened yesterday too,
but went away. What is she experiencing?
Hemorrhagic stroke
Ischemic stroke
Bell's palsy
Transient ischemic attacks - ANSWER-Transient ischemic attacks
A 37-year-old female walks into the ED holding her abdomen. She is writhing in pain. Her history includes
vaginal bleeding for the past 6 days. She soaked 5 sanitary pads in 2 hours. What is the most likely cause
of the heavy bleeding?
Uterine fibroids
Mittelschmerz
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Bartholin cyst - ANSWER-Uterine fibroids
, 4|Page
An 84-year-old male with a decreased level of consciousness presents to the emergency department
from a nursing home. The patient has a history of hypertension, gout, and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. He is allergic to penicillin. Current medications include docusate, albuterol inhaler, colchicine,
and metoprolol. Vital signs on arrival are BP 78/48 mm Hg, HR 60 beats/min, RR 28 breaths/min, T 35.3 C
(95.6 F), and SpO2 92% without supplemental oxygen. Which type of shock do these clinical
manifestations represent?
Obstructive
Septic
Anaphylactic
Hypovolemic - ANSWER-Septic
A 56-year-old female presents to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain for 5
days. The patient was involved in a motor vehicle crash, but did not feel that she needed to come to the
emergency department. Upon examination, the patient has no active bowel sounds and the abdomen is
rigid. The patient has which gastrointestinal emergency?
Peritonitis
Diverticulitis
Intestinal obstruction
Esophageal obstruction - ANSWER-Peritonitis
A patient, who was successfully defibrillated, now has an irregular rhythm at 86 beats/min. The patient
remains unresponsive, with absent central pulses. These findings are associated with which condition?
Ruptured aortic aneurysm
Pulseless electrical activity
Pericardial tamponade
Coarse ventricular fibrillation - ANSWER-Pulseless electrical activity
An adolescent playing basketball felt a pop in her heel after a jump shot, and a sharp pain in her heel as
she landed. She is unable to stand on the ball of her foot. Which injury do these clinical manifestations
most likely represent?
Calcaneous fracture
Achilles tendon rupture
Ankle strain
CEN Exam Version 3 (2025) — Latest Certified
Emergency Nurse Study Guide, Updated Practice Test
Questions, and BCEN Certification Review
Ace the CEN Exam Version 3 (2025) with the newest Certified Emergency Nurse (BCEN)
study guide, updated practice test questions, and complete exam review materials. Master
emergency care, trauma assessment, cardiac emergencies, and nursing interventions to pass your
CEN certification with confidence.
• CEN exam version 3 2025
• Certified Emergency Nurse exam 2025
• BCEN CEN version 3
• CEN study guide updated 2025
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is characterized by which clinical manifestations?
Ataxia, mental confusion, and ophthalmoplegia
Delirium tremens, hyperthermia, and disorientation
Tachycardia, tremors, and tachypnea
Hypothermia, muscle rigidity, and bradycardia - ANSWER-Ataxia, mental confusion, and
ophthalmoplegia
A 35-year-old man presents with complaints of stomach pain that comes and goes for the past two
weeks. The nurse asks additional questions about the nature of this pain and finds that it is relieved with
antacids and he feels better after eating. The patient mentions that he had some similar pain about two
years ago, but it stopped after about a month and he never sought care for it. This is most likely which
type of gastrointestinal disorder?
,2|Page
Cholecystitis
Pancreatitis
Duodenal ulcer
Stress ulcer - ANSWER-Duodenal ulcer
Which immunoglobulin is responsible for Type 1 allergic responses?
IgA
IgE
IgG
IgM - ANSWER-IgE
A middle-aged male patient presents to the ED with complaint of fever. He is awake, alert, and in no
acute distress. On arrival, vital signs are BP 118/58 mm Hg, HR 112 beats/min, RR 20 breaths/min, SpO2
95%, T 38.8 C (101.9 F). His medical history includes human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and he is
taking antiviral medications. Using a 5-level triage system, this patient would be triaged as which acuity
level?
Acuity Level 4 (non-urgent)
Acuity Level 2 (emergent)
Acuity Level 1 (life-threatening situation)
Acuity Level 3 (urgent) - ANSWER-Acuity Level 2 (emergent)
A patient presents to the ED with disorientation to time, place and person, memory impairment, and
personality changes for the past 6 days. This patient is most likely exhibiting which psychosocial
emergency?
Dementia
Schizophrenia
Depression
Delirium - ANSWER-Delirium
A patient arrives with complaints of shortness of breath and a history of asthma. The assessment reveals
mild tachypnea, biphasic (expiratory and inspiratory) wheezing, and use of accessory muscles. Peak
expiratory flow is 48% of personal best. What is the severity of this asthma exacerbation?
,3|Page
Severe
Moderate
Slight
Mild - ANSWER-Moderate
A hazard vulnerability analysis (HVA) was completed for a rural area ED. One finding was that the
electrical system was antiquated and could not handle power outages with generator back-up. The
director of emergency preparedness acknowledged this issue and initiated a plan to ensure that the
electrical system received the necessary upgrades. What phase of disaster preparedness is this related
to?
Mitigation
Preparedness
Response
Recovery - ANSWER-Mitigation
A patient presents to the ED with complaints of right arm weakness, and difficulty speaking. The
symptoms started about 40 minutes ago and are now improving. She said this happened yesterday too,
but went away. What is she experiencing?
Hemorrhagic stroke
Ischemic stroke
Bell's palsy
Transient ischemic attacks - ANSWER-Transient ischemic attacks
A 37-year-old female walks into the ED holding her abdomen. She is writhing in pain. Her history includes
vaginal bleeding for the past 6 days. She soaked 5 sanitary pads in 2 hours. What is the most likely cause
of the heavy bleeding?
Uterine fibroids
Mittelschmerz
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Bartholin cyst - ANSWER-Uterine fibroids
, 4|Page
An 84-year-old male with a decreased level of consciousness presents to the emergency department
from a nursing home. The patient has a history of hypertension, gout, and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. He is allergic to penicillin. Current medications include docusate, albuterol inhaler, colchicine,
and metoprolol. Vital signs on arrival are BP 78/48 mm Hg, HR 60 beats/min, RR 28 breaths/min, T 35.3 C
(95.6 F), and SpO2 92% without supplemental oxygen. Which type of shock do these clinical
manifestations represent?
Obstructive
Septic
Anaphylactic
Hypovolemic - ANSWER-Septic
A 56-year-old female presents to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain for 5
days. The patient was involved in a motor vehicle crash, but did not feel that she needed to come to the
emergency department. Upon examination, the patient has no active bowel sounds and the abdomen is
rigid. The patient has which gastrointestinal emergency?
Peritonitis
Diverticulitis
Intestinal obstruction
Esophageal obstruction - ANSWER-Peritonitis
A patient, who was successfully defibrillated, now has an irregular rhythm at 86 beats/min. The patient
remains unresponsive, with absent central pulses. These findings are associated with which condition?
Ruptured aortic aneurysm
Pulseless electrical activity
Pericardial tamponade
Coarse ventricular fibrillation - ANSWER-Pulseless electrical activity
An adolescent playing basketball felt a pop in her heel after a jump shot, and a sharp pain in her heel as
she landed. She is unable to stand on the ball of her foot. Which injury do these clinical manifestations
most likely represent?
Calcaneous fracture
Achilles tendon rupture
Ankle strain
