AACN Exam |2026/2027 Latest Update | Verified Questions and Answer |
Graded A+
Hypercalcemia associated with what electrolyte imbalances - ANSWER hypophosphatemia
AKI after cancer diagnosis, should suspect? ... what electrolyte imbalances should you expect? -
ANSWER Tumor lysis syndrome
Hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, increased uric acid and hypocalcemia.
Think about cells lysing and spilling into the bloodstream... also remember high phosphate will
decrease calcium always
Increase intensity of pulmonary s2, think of what - ANSWER Increased pressure in pulmonary
system.. so think like pulmonary embolism (of heart sounds are audible) if muffled heart sounds with
intense pulm s2 sound the think pleural effusion or pneumothorax(if absent or distant on effected
side)
Syncope, SOB, chest pain while excercising.. anticipate what medication? - ANSWER Beta blockers to
decrease o2 consumption as these are symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
After cardiac cath you note creatinine increase and decreased urine output... - ANSWER Think
nephrotoxicity from contrast.. give fluids initially
Thyroid storm sx - ANSWER hypertension, tachycardia, high fever, hyperglycemia, arrhythmias,
confusion, seizures, low or undetectable TSH
CSF bacterial vs viral meningitis - ANSWER bacterial is cloudy/turbid appearing, and glucose is
decreased
Csf in traumatic injury or hemorrhaging into Csf - ANSWER Nonclear Csf
Tension test used for - ANSWER In myasthenia gravis it will improve muscle fatigue in 60 seconds
But if patient is experiencing a cholinergic crisis (overdose of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) the
tension test will worsen the symptoms
, symptoms of epidural hematoma and tx - ANSWER -possible brief loss of consciousness followed by a
lucid period
-true medical emergency. Needs surgery (burr holes/clot evacuation)
DIC labs - ANSWER prolonged PT/PTT/BT
elevated D-dimer
Low fibrinogen
Why purpuric rash on lower extremities in chronic alcoholism patient? - ANSWER Cirrhosis may occur
resulting in portal htn and splenomegaly disrupting blood components which cause
thrombocytopenia which is the cause of the rash
Missed dialysis appt, what to expect - ANSWER Hypertension hyperkalemia and fluid overload
During trauma when you see facial asymmetry, edema, ecchymosis what priority do you think about
- ANSWER Possible surgical airway
Patient hurts to turn head. when neck is flexed, the hips and knees flex. When hips are flexed to 90
degrees, there is inability to straighten leg... temperature 103... what do we prioritize - ANSWER
Lumbar puncture FIRST.. then head CT is indicated
Status asthmaticus co2 and respiratory rate - ANSWER CO2 initially low from hyperventilation and as
they tire, the RR will normalize or be low causing high co2
Following SAH what is the most common secondary injuries... if symptoms occur what do you do? -
ANSWER Vasospasm (prevented by nimodipine)
Rebleeding
First need to do head CT to rule out bleeding first then treat vasospasm by maintianing BP WITH
FLUIDS but nimodipine is good standard
Suspected pneumothorax on ventilator what to consider first - ANSWER Decrease peep
Graded A+
Hypercalcemia associated with what electrolyte imbalances - ANSWER hypophosphatemia
AKI after cancer diagnosis, should suspect? ... what electrolyte imbalances should you expect? -
ANSWER Tumor lysis syndrome
Hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, increased uric acid and hypocalcemia.
Think about cells lysing and spilling into the bloodstream... also remember high phosphate will
decrease calcium always
Increase intensity of pulmonary s2, think of what - ANSWER Increased pressure in pulmonary
system.. so think like pulmonary embolism (of heart sounds are audible) if muffled heart sounds with
intense pulm s2 sound the think pleural effusion or pneumothorax(if absent or distant on effected
side)
Syncope, SOB, chest pain while excercising.. anticipate what medication? - ANSWER Beta blockers to
decrease o2 consumption as these are symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
After cardiac cath you note creatinine increase and decreased urine output... - ANSWER Think
nephrotoxicity from contrast.. give fluids initially
Thyroid storm sx - ANSWER hypertension, tachycardia, high fever, hyperglycemia, arrhythmias,
confusion, seizures, low or undetectable TSH
CSF bacterial vs viral meningitis - ANSWER bacterial is cloudy/turbid appearing, and glucose is
decreased
Csf in traumatic injury or hemorrhaging into Csf - ANSWER Nonclear Csf
Tension test used for - ANSWER In myasthenia gravis it will improve muscle fatigue in 60 seconds
But if patient is experiencing a cholinergic crisis (overdose of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) the
tension test will worsen the symptoms
, symptoms of epidural hematoma and tx - ANSWER -possible brief loss of consciousness followed by a
lucid period
-true medical emergency. Needs surgery (burr holes/clot evacuation)
DIC labs - ANSWER prolonged PT/PTT/BT
elevated D-dimer
Low fibrinogen
Why purpuric rash on lower extremities in chronic alcoholism patient? - ANSWER Cirrhosis may occur
resulting in portal htn and splenomegaly disrupting blood components which cause
thrombocytopenia which is the cause of the rash
Missed dialysis appt, what to expect - ANSWER Hypertension hyperkalemia and fluid overload
During trauma when you see facial asymmetry, edema, ecchymosis what priority do you think about
- ANSWER Possible surgical airway
Patient hurts to turn head. when neck is flexed, the hips and knees flex. When hips are flexed to 90
degrees, there is inability to straighten leg... temperature 103... what do we prioritize - ANSWER
Lumbar puncture FIRST.. then head CT is indicated
Status asthmaticus co2 and respiratory rate - ANSWER CO2 initially low from hyperventilation and as
they tire, the RR will normalize or be low causing high co2
Following SAH what is the most common secondary injuries... if symptoms occur what do you do? -
ANSWER Vasospasm (prevented by nimodipine)
Rebleeding
First need to do head CT to rule out bleeding first then treat vasospasm by maintianing BP WITH
FLUIDS but nimodipine is good standard
Suspected pneumothorax on ventilator what to consider first - ANSWER Decrease peep
