2026 CERTIFIED EMERGENCY NURSE (CEN)
EXAM|300+Qs&As|ALREADY GRADED A+
Fill in the blank: The classic triad of acute aortic dissection includes chest pain,
pulse deficit, and ________.
Widened mediastinum
Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the
valves.
Endocarditis
Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________.
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart
sounds, and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis?
Pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad)
,Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________ must
overcome to eject blood.
Left ventricle
Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by
absence of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea.
Cardiopulmonary arrest
Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely
has ________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac
output.
Ventricular fibrillation
Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery.
Dilation or ballooning
,Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.
Pericarditis
Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath
sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________.
Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to
meet the body's needs.
Heart failure
Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the
________ vein.
Popliteal or femoral
Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus.
Pulmonary embolism
, Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a
different BP in each arm may have ________.
Aortic dissection
Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal
range.
Hypertension
Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called
a ________.
Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively.
Cardiogenic shock
Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________.
Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral vascular disease)
EXAM|300+Qs&As|ALREADY GRADED A+
Fill in the blank: The classic triad of acute aortic dissection includes chest pain,
pulse deficit, and ________.
Widened mediastinum
Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the
valves.
Endocarditis
Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________.
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart
sounds, and hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis?
Pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad)
,Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________ must
overcome to eject blood.
Left ventricle
Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by
absence of pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea.
Cardiopulmonary arrest
Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely
has ________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac
output.
Ventricular fibrillation
Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery.
Dilation or ballooning
,Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.
Pericarditis
Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath
sounds on one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________.
Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to
meet the body's needs.
Heart failure
Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the
________ vein.
Popliteal or femoral
Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus.
Pulmonary embolism
, Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a
different BP in each arm may have ________.
Aortic dissection
Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal
range.
Hypertension
Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called
a ________.
Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively.
Cardiogenic shock
Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________.
Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral vascular disease)
