CEN Final EXAM | Actual Questions and Answers Latest
Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
Which of the following statements made by a patient would lead the nurse to conclude
that the patient understands risk factors for pulmonary embolism?
• Question
A. While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs every hour.
B. Resuming my birth control pills will lower my risk of cancer and my risk of another
clot.
C. If I drink plenty of water while driving on a long trip, this shouldn't happen again.
D. Switching from my regular cigarettes to the electronic ones can reduce my risk.
Correct Answer: A. While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs
every hour.
An emergency nurse is providing discharge instructions for a patient with pelvic
inflammatory disease. Which statement made by the patient indicates an understanding
of these instructions?
• Question
A. Getting pregnant shouldn't be a problem once the infection goes away.
B. I'll take the medicine for nausea when I feel sick to my stomach.
C. I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
D. I will follow up with my doctor tomorrow.
Correct Answer: C. I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
A 16-year-old presents with severe left upper quadrant abdominal pain after an
over-the-handlebars bicycle collision. Vital signs are BP 100/60 mm Hg, HR 100
beats/min, RR 30 breaths/min, T 37.0 C (98.6 F), SpO2 89% without supplemental
oxygen. There is bruising over the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Auscultation
reveals diminished breath sounds on the left accompanied by gurgling. Based on this
history and assessment, the nurse suspects which injury?
• Question
A. Small bowel rupture
B. Ruptured diaphragm
C. Flail chest
D. Hepatic injury
Correct Answer: B. Ruptured diaphragm
A patient presents with chest pain. The nurse performs a 12-lead electrocardiogram that
reveals an abnormal Q wave. What does the nurse suspect?
,• Question
A. A current injury
B. An old infarction
C. An acute infarction
D. Ischemia
Correct Answer: B. An old infarction
A patient is brought to the ED by emergency medical services with increased aggression
and making clear homicidal threats. What immediate action will the nurse expect to
promote staff and patient safety?
• Question
A. Administration of antipsychotics
B. One-to-one observation
C. Place in a seclusion room
D. Application of restraints
Correct Answer: C. Place in a seclusion room
A 28-year-old female presents with shortness of breath, dizziness, and diaphoresis. Her
vital signs are BP 118/74 mm Hg, HR 122 beats/min, RR 26 breaths/min, T 37.7 C (99.9
F), SpO2 92% without supplemental oxygen. Her health history includes fractures of the
left tibia and fibula following an MVC 3 weeks ago. Surgical fixation was required. Her
only current medications are an oral contraceptive and intermittent ibuprofen for pain.
Assessment of the casted left leg reveals that the toes are swollen. With this
information, which diagnostic testing will the nurse expect as the highest priority?
• Question
A. Sputum cultures
B. Chest radiograph
C. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
D. Radiograph of the left leg
Correct Answer: C. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography.
• Question
A family of 10 presents to the ED with complaints of fever, muscle pain, and unexplained
bruising ongoing for 7 days. After completing the screening, the nurse notes that the
family recently traveled to Sierra Leone. What is the highest priority intervention the
triage nurse needs to perform?
A. Notify infection prevention
B. Leave the family in the waiting room
C. Evacuate the waiting room
D. Inform those waiting that Ebola has been detected
Correct Answer: A. Notify infection prevention
,A patient presents to the ED with complaints of fatigue and insomnia. Assessment
findings reveal the patient is awake, alert, and oriented, has a round moon face, buffalo
hump back, hirsutism and prominent striae on the trunk. Vital signs are normal. Which
of the following scenarios is most consistent with this patient's presentation?
• Question
A. A high school wrestler who admits to taking his grandfather's furosemide before a
meet
B. A patient with insulin-dependent diabetes who took insulin, without eating breakfast.
C. A patient with severe chronic asthma who has been on prednisone for several years
D. A patient who underwent a thyroidectomy several years ago who recently ran out of
medication
Correct Answer: C. A patient with severe chronic asthma who has been on prednisone
for several years
A patient who was brought to the ED by ambulance following a motor vehicle collision, in
which the driver hit a tree, has BP 92/48 mm Hg, HR 128 beats/min, RR 34 breaths/min,
SpO2 91% with supplemental oxygen via a nonrebreather. He has labored breathing,
cyanosis, absent breath sounds on the right, and jugular vein distension. Which of the
following conditions would be suspected?
• Question
A. Aspiration
B. Flail chest
C. Cardiac tamponade
D. Tension pneumothorax
Correct Answer: D. Tension pneumothorax
What is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock?
• Question
A. Sustained cardiac dysrhythmias
B. Acute valvular dysfunction
C. Myocardial infarction
D. End-stage cardiomyopathy
Correct Answer: C. Myocardial infarction
The disease most commonly associated with the catarrhal, paroxysmal and
convalescent stages is best treated with classification of medications? Immune globulin
, • Question
A. Steroids
B. Antiretroviral therapy
C. Macrolide antibiotics
Correct Answer: C. Macrolide antibiotics
• Question
A 28-year-old female presents to the ED with complaints of dizziness, fear of dying, and
hot flashes that began 10 minutes prior to arrival. The patient is trembling and
tachypneic. Which anxiety disorder is the patient exhibiting?
A. Post-traumatic stress disorder
B. Panic attack
C. Acute stress disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Panic attack
• Question
A 30-year-old male presents to the emergency department with excruciating pain on the
right side of his head. It has been coming and going all day. His right eye is reddened
and skin is flushed. What type of headache is this patient experiencing?
A. Tension
B. Traumatic
C. Cluster
D. Migraine
Correct Answer: C. Cluster
To make certain that chain of custody has been followed appropriately, what is the most
responsible task performed by the emergency nurse?
• Question
A. Keep the evidence at their work station until released to law enforcement
B. Sign and date the tamper resistant tape in front of law enforcement
C. Limit the number of people with access to the evidence
D. Carry the evidence with them until released to law enforcement
Correct Answer: C. Limit the number of people with access to the evidence
Which orthopedic condition is the result of elevated uric acid levels?
Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
Which of the following statements made by a patient would lead the nurse to conclude
that the patient understands risk factors for pulmonary embolism?
• Question
A. While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs every hour.
B. Resuming my birth control pills will lower my risk of cancer and my risk of another
clot.
C. If I drink plenty of water while driving on a long trip, this shouldn't happen again.
D. Switching from my regular cigarettes to the electronic ones can reduce my risk.
Correct Answer: A. While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs
every hour.
An emergency nurse is providing discharge instructions for a patient with pelvic
inflammatory disease. Which statement made by the patient indicates an understanding
of these instructions?
• Question
A. Getting pregnant shouldn't be a problem once the infection goes away.
B. I'll take the medicine for nausea when I feel sick to my stomach.
C. I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
D. I will follow up with my doctor tomorrow.
Correct Answer: C. I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
A 16-year-old presents with severe left upper quadrant abdominal pain after an
over-the-handlebars bicycle collision. Vital signs are BP 100/60 mm Hg, HR 100
beats/min, RR 30 breaths/min, T 37.0 C (98.6 F), SpO2 89% without supplemental
oxygen. There is bruising over the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Auscultation
reveals diminished breath sounds on the left accompanied by gurgling. Based on this
history and assessment, the nurse suspects which injury?
• Question
A. Small bowel rupture
B. Ruptured diaphragm
C. Flail chest
D. Hepatic injury
Correct Answer: B. Ruptured diaphragm
A patient presents with chest pain. The nurse performs a 12-lead electrocardiogram that
reveals an abnormal Q wave. What does the nurse suspect?
,• Question
A. A current injury
B. An old infarction
C. An acute infarction
D. Ischemia
Correct Answer: B. An old infarction
A patient is brought to the ED by emergency medical services with increased aggression
and making clear homicidal threats. What immediate action will the nurse expect to
promote staff and patient safety?
• Question
A. Administration of antipsychotics
B. One-to-one observation
C. Place in a seclusion room
D. Application of restraints
Correct Answer: C. Place in a seclusion room
A 28-year-old female presents with shortness of breath, dizziness, and diaphoresis. Her
vital signs are BP 118/74 mm Hg, HR 122 beats/min, RR 26 breaths/min, T 37.7 C (99.9
F), SpO2 92% without supplemental oxygen. Her health history includes fractures of the
left tibia and fibula following an MVC 3 weeks ago. Surgical fixation was required. Her
only current medications are an oral contraceptive and intermittent ibuprofen for pain.
Assessment of the casted left leg reveals that the toes are swollen. With this
information, which diagnostic testing will the nurse expect as the highest priority?
• Question
A. Sputum cultures
B. Chest radiograph
C. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
D. Radiograph of the left leg
Correct Answer: C. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography.
• Question
A family of 10 presents to the ED with complaints of fever, muscle pain, and unexplained
bruising ongoing for 7 days. After completing the screening, the nurse notes that the
family recently traveled to Sierra Leone. What is the highest priority intervention the
triage nurse needs to perform?
A. Notify infection prevention
B. Leave the family in the waiting room
C. Evacuate the waiting room
D. Inform those waiting that Ebola has been detected
Correct Answer: A. Notify infection prevention
,A patient presents to the ED with complaints of fatigue and insomnia. Assessment
findings reveal the patient is awake, alert, and oriented, has a round moon face, buffalo
hump back, hirsutism and prominent striae on the trunk. Vital signs are normal. Which
of the following scenarios is most consistent with this patient's presentation?
• Question
A. A high school wrestler who admits to taking his grandfather's furosemide before a
meet
B. A patient with insulin-dependent diabetes who took insulin, without eating breakfast.
C. A patient with severe chronic asthma who has been on prednisone for several years
D. A patient who underwent a thyroidectomy several years ago who recently ran out of
medication
Correct Answer: C. A patient with severe chronic asthma who has been on prednisone
for several years
A patient who was brought to the ED by ambulance following a motor vehicle collision, in
which the driver hit a tree, has BP 92/48 mm Hg, HR 128 beats/min, RR 34 breaths/min,
SpO2 91% with supplemental oxygen via a nonrebreather. He has labored breathing,
cyanosis, absent breath sounds on the right, and jugular vein distension. Which of the
following conditions would be suspected?
• Question
A. Aspiration
B. Flail chest
C. Cardiac tamponade
D. Tension pneumothorax
Correct Answer: D. Tension pneumothorax
What is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock?
• Question
A. Sustained cardiac dysrhythmias
B. Acute valvular dysfunction
C. Myocardial infarction
D. End-stage cardiomyopathy
Correct Answer: C. Myocardial infarction
The disease most commonly associated with the catarrhal, paroxysmal and
convalescent stages is best treated with classification of medications? Immune globulin
, • Question
A. Steroids
B. Antiretroviral therapy
C. Macrolide antibiotics
Correct Answer: C. Macrolide antibiotics
• Question
A 28-year-old female presents to the ED with complaints of dizziness, fear of dying, and
hot flashes that began 10 minutes prior to arrival. The patient is trembling and
tachypneic. Which anxiety disorder is the patient exhibiting?
A. Post-traumatic stress disorder
B. Panic attack
C. Acute stress disorder
D. Generalized anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: B. Panic attack
• Question
A 30-year-old male presents to the emergency department with excruciating pain on the
right side of his head. It has been coming and going all day. His right eye is reddened
and skin is flushed. What type of headache is this patient experiencing?
A. Tension
B. Traumatic
C. Cluster
D. Migraine
Correct Answer: C. Cluster
To make certain that chain of custody has been followed appropriately, what is the most
responsible task performed by the emergency nurse?
• Question
A. Keep the evidence at their work station until released to law enforcement
B. Sign and date the tamper resistant tape in front of law enforcement
C. Limit the number of people with access to the evidence
D. Carry the evidence with them until released to law enforcement
Correct Answer: C. Limit the number of people with access to the evidence
Which orthopedic condition is the result of elevated uric acid levels?
