Page 1 of 50
AACN CMC PRACTICE EXAM | QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+ | LATEST
EXAM
While caring for a patient with an IABP at 3:1, the nurse notes:
A. decreasing urine output as well as increasing BUN and CR levels; the nurse
should increase timing to 2:1
B. absent pulses in the proximal extremity; the nurse should apply pressure at
the insertion site.
C. blood in the IABP tubing; the nurse should disconnect the balloon catheter
from the IABP.
D. blood oozing from the insertion site; the nurse should anticipate the need for
an emergency fasciotomy. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. incorrect. decreasing
urine output with increasing BUN and CR levels with an IABP in place
indicates obstruction of the renal arteries. The nurse should plan for removal.
B. incorrect. absent pulses distal to the insertion site indicates complete
occlusion of the femoral artery. application of pressure to the insertion site will
worsen the obstruction.
C. correct. blood in the IABP tubing indicates a rupture of the balloon.
Continuing to allow the IABP to inflate and deflate will increase the size of the
rupture, causing more bleeding. the nurse should plan for removal or exchange
of the IABP catheter.
D. incorrect. a fasciotomy would be indicated if the patient had an increase in
fluid accumulation in the extremities causing significant injury to the limb.
,A nurse is establishing alarm limits on a patient admitted to rule out MI. Which
of the following patient positions and ST segment alarm settings should the
nurse use?
A. supine position and 1 mm above and below baseline.
Page 2 of 50
B. supine position and 2 mm above and below baseline.
C. upright position and 1 mm above and below baseline.
D. upright position and 2 mm above and below baseline. - CORRECT
ANSWER - A. correct. supine position allows for more accurate electrode
placement. ST segment limits are placed 1mm above or below for monitoring
patients at high risk for ischemia.
B. incorrect. ST segment may be set 2mm above or below for stable patients
without high risk for ischemia.
C. incorrect.
D. incorrect.
Following the patient's emergency PCI with the sheath left in, the nurse pulls
back the covers and discovers the bandage over the procedure site and the linens
soaked with blood. the nurse should first:
A. assess the site and call the cath lab staff.
B. place the patient in trendelenburg and infuse fluids.
C. apply direct pressure and notify the MD.
D. reinforce the dressing and obtain a CBC. - CORRECT ANSWER - A.
incorrect. this is not the first thing you should do.
B. incorrect.
C. correct.
D. incorrect. reinforcing does not stop the bleeding. a CBC could be obtained
but isn't the first priority.
,In reviewing the lab findings of a patient who has not been able to afford
medication, the nurse observed elevated T3 and T4 results. the nurse recognizes
the patient is at risk for developing
A. V-Tach
B. A-Fib
Page 3 of 50
C. atrioventricular conduction defects
D. WPW syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - A. incorrect. V-Tach is not
commonly associated with hyperthyroidism.
B. correct. hyperthyroidism can induce a-fib. thyroid hormones contribute to
arrhythmogenic activity by inducing catecholamine release.1
C. incorrect.
D. incorrect. WPW syndrome is a complication of A-Fib.
It is most important to instruct patients discharged on diuretics to
A. expect muscle cramps
B. record their daily weight
C. take their medication at the same time every day
D. avoid grapefruit juice - CORRECT ANSWER - A. incorrect. muscle
cramps can be a sign of dehydration which can occur with over diuresis or
decreased fluid intake. this is important but not the most important.
B. correct. daily weight records track volume loss and gain with diuretic
administration to monitor for fluid retention or excessive diuresis.
C. incorrect. not the most important.
D. incorrect. grapefruit juice has not affect on the metabolism of diuretics.
, A patient is receiving metoprolol (Lopressor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), carvedilol
(Coreg), and nesiritide (Natrecor). which of the following lab test levels should
the nurse question?
A. fibrinogen
B. LDL
C. thyroid
Page 4 of 50
D. BNP - CORRECT ANSWER - A. incorrect. fibrinogen level assesses for
the presence of an elevated clotting risk. this assessment would be important for
this patient with the suspicion of thrombus development.
B. incorrect. LDL would be indicated for the assessment of the effectiveness of
atorvastatin.
C. incorrect. checking a thyroid level would be indicated to assess if thyroid
changes are the cause linked to decreasing metabolic rate or the presence of
hypotension in this patient.
D. correct. medications that the patient is receiving indicate management of
heart failure. nesiritide promotes vasodilation, natriuresis and diuresis to correct
HF and is a synthetic form of BNP. BNP assessment would not be indicated for
ongoing management due to elevation with baseline heart failure and
medication.
The nurse is caring for a patient on mechanical ventilation with SOB, fever,
chills, and a productive cough with yellow secretions. What sounds would most
likely be evident upon auscultation of the chest?
A. expiratory wheezing
B. coarse crackles
AACN CMC PRACTICE EXAM | QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+ | LATEST
EXAM
While caring for a patient with an IABP at 3:1, the nurse notes:
A. decreasing urine output as well as increasing BUN and CR levels; the nurse
should increase timing to 2:1
B. absent pulses in the proximal extremity; the nurse should apply pressure at
the insertion site.
C. blood in the IABP tubing; the nurse should disconnect the balloon catheter
from the IABP.
D. blood oozing from the insertion site; the nurse should anticipate the need for
an emergency fasciotomy. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. incorrect. decreasing
urine output with increasing BUN and CR levels with an IABP in place
indicates obstruction of the renal arteries. The nurse should plan for removal.
B. incorrect. absent pulses distal to the insertion site indicates complete
occlusion of the femoral artery. application of pressure to the insertion site will
worsen the obstruction.
C. correct. blood in the IABP tubing indicates a rupture of the balloon.
Continuing to allow the IABP to inflate and deflate will increase the size of the
rupture, causing more bleeding. the nurse should plan for removal or exchange
of the IABP catheter.
D. incorrect. a fasciotomy would be indicated if the patient had an increase in
fluid accumulation in the extremities causing significant injury to the limb.
,A nurse is establishing alarm limits on a patient admitted to rule out MI. Which
of the following patient positions and ST segment alarm settings should the
nurse use?
A. supine position and 1 mm above and below baseline.
Page 2 of 50
B. supine position and 2 mm above and below baseline.
C. upright position and 1 mm above and below baseline.
D. upright position and 2 mm above and below baseline. - CORRECT
ANSWER - A. correct. supine position allows for more accurate electrode
placement. ST segment limits are placed 1mm above or below for monitoring
patients at high risk for ischemia.
B. incorrect. ST segment may be set 2mm above or below for stable patients
without high risk for ischemia.
C. incorrect.
D. incorrect.
Following the patient's emergency PCI with the sheath left in, the nurse pulls
back the covers and discovers the bandage over the procedure site and the linens
soaked with blood. the nurse should first:
A. assess the site and call the cath lab staff.
B. place the patient in trendelenburg and infuse fluids.
C. apply direct pressure and notify the MD.
D. reinforce the dressing and obtain a CBC. - CORRECT ANSWER - A.
incorrect. this is not the first thing you should do.
B. incorrect.
C. correct.
D. incorrect. reinforcing does not stop the bleeding. a CBC could be obtained
but isn't the first priority.
,In reviewing the lab findings of a patient who has not been able to afford
medication, the nurse observed elevated T3 and T4 results. the nurse recognizes
the patient is at risk for developing
A. V-Tach
B. A-Fib
Page 3 of 50
C. atrioventricular conduction defects
D. WPW syndrome - CORRECT ANSWER - A. incorrect. V-Tach is not
commonly associated with hyperthyroidism.
B. correct. hyperthyroidism can induce a-fib. thyroid hormones contribute to
arrhythmogenic activity by inducing catecholamine release.1
C. incorrect.
D. incorrect. WPW syndrome is a complication of A-Fib.
It is most important to instruct patients discharged on diuretics to
A. expect muscle cramps
B. record their daily weight
C. take their medication at the same time every day
D. avoid grapefruit juice - CORRECT ANSWER - A. incorrect. muscle
cramps can be a sign of dehydration which can occur with over diuresis or
decreased fluid intake. this is important but not the most important.
B. correct. daily weight records track volume loss and gain with diuretic
administration to monitor for fluid retention or excessive diuresis.
C. incorrect. not the most important.
D. incorrect. grapefruit juice has not affect on the metabolism of diuretics.
, A patient is receiving metoprolol (Lopressor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), carvedilol
(Coreg), and nesiritide (Natrecor). which of the following lab test levels should
the nurse question?
A. fibrinogen
B. LDL
C. thyroid
Page 4 of 50
D. BNP - CORRECT ANSWER - A. incorrect. fibrinogen level assesses for
the presence of an elevated clotting risk. this assessment would be important for
this patient with the suspicion of thrombus development.
B. incorrect. LDL would be indicated for the assessment of the effectiveness of
atorvastatin.
C. incorrect. checking a thyroid level would be indicated to assess if thyroid
changes are the cause linked to decreasing metabolic rate or the presence of
hypotension in this patient.
D. correct. medications that the patient is receiving indicate management of
heart failure. nesiritide promotes vasodilation, natriuresis and diuresis to correct
HF and is a synthetic form of BNP. BNP assessment would not be indicated for
ongoing management due to elevation with baseline heart failure and
medication.
The nurse is caring for a patient on mechanical ventilation with SOB, fever,
chills, and a productive cough with yellow secretions. What sounds would most
likely be evident upon auscultation of the chest?
A. expiratory wheezing
B. coarse crackles
