CEN practice questions | Actual Questions and Answers Latest
Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood
pressure, and is widened in which of the following disorders? (A) Early hypovolemic
shock (B) Increased ICP (C) Cardiac tamponade (D) Neurogenic shock
Correct Answer: (B) Increased ICP [pulse pressure is narrow in early shock, cardiac
tamponade, and aortic valve stenosis]
• Question
Parents bring in their 4-week-old infant with non-bilious projectile vomiting and
persistent hunger. Which of the following conditions is suspected?
Correct Answer: (A) Pyloric stenosis [PS is characterized by nonbilious projectile
vomiting and persistent hunger; volvulus has bilious vomiting]
• Question
Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is decreased in which type of shock?
Correct Answer: (D) Distributive [Afterload (pressure) is low in distributive shock
(neurogenic, septic, anaphylactic) due to vasodilation, and high in all other forms of
shock due to vasoconstriction]
• Question
Which is the following is the hallmark symptom of Prinzmetal's angina?
Correct Answer: Pain at rest due to coronary vasospasm; may be seen with stimulant
use
• Question
ST segment elevation in ECG leads II, III and aVF indicates injury to which area of the
heart?
Correct Answer: Inferior wall [V1-V4 look at the anterior wall; I, aVL, V5, V6 look at the
lateral wall of the left ventricle]
• Question
A 40F who is 36-weeks pregnant presents to the ED with painless bright red vaginal
bleeding. The nurse knows a pelvic exam is contraindicated since the most likely cause
of the bleeding is
Correct Answer: Placenta previa [think P's - painless privates, placenta previa; abrupt
placenta - always painful]
, • Question
A 14-year-old c/o lightheadedness & palpitations. Which cardiac disorder is
characterized by a short PR interval and a Delta wave?
Correct Answer: Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome [WPW is characterized by a
short PR interval, and a slurred QRS on the upstroke, yielding a widened QRS complex;
this morphology is referred to as a "Delta wave"]
• Question
A 22F c/o thick, white, "cottage-cheese" like vaginal discharge, pruritus, vulvar burning
and dyspareunia. The nurse suspects a diagnosis of:
Correct Answer: Candidiasis [characterized by pruritus & thick, white, "cottagecheese"
like vaginal discharge]
• Question
Which atrioventricular block is characterized by a consistent but prolonged PR interval,
and a consistent R to R interval?
Correct Answer: First degree AV block [Second degree type I has progressive elongation
of PR interval; second degree type 2 has a consistent PR interval, but inconsistent R to R
interval; third degree heart block has a consistent R to R interval, but the P waves get
lost]
• Question
Fever, bloating, and pain at the right costal margin upon palpation is associated with
which disorder?
Correct Answer: Cholecystitis [pain at the right costal margins = "Murphy's sign"]
• Question
JVD, increased CVP, hepatomegaly, and peripheral edema is seen in which disorder?
Correct Answer: Right heart failure [S&S = JVD, increased right atrial pressure (CVP),
peripheral edema, ascites, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly; left heart failure S&S =
pulmonary edema]
• Question
The following are signs of pericardial tamponade?
Correct Answer: S&S: Beck's triad (hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds); the
pressure on the heart also causes pulses paradoxus [decreased BP and pulse strength
upon inspiration], and electrical alternans [low EKG amplitude]
Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
• Question
Pulse pressure is the difference between systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood
pressure, and is widened in which of the following disorders? (A) Early hypovolemic
shock (B) Increased ICP (C) Cardiac tamponade (D) Neurogenic shock
Correct Answer: (B) Increased ICP [pulse pressure is narrow in early shock, cardiac
tamponade, and aortic valve stenosis]
• Question
Parents bring in their 4-week-old infant with non-bilious projectile vomiting and
persistent hunger. Which of the following conditions is suspected?
Correct Answer: (A) Pyloric stenosis [PS is characterized by nonbilious projectile
vomiting and persistent hunger; volvulus has bilious vomiting]
• Question
Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is decreased in which type of shock?
Correct Answer: (D) Distributive [Afterload (pressure) is low in distributive shock
(neurogenic, septic, anaphylactic) due to vasodilation, and high in all other forms of
shock due to vasoconstriction]
• Question
Which is the following is the hallmark symptom of Prinzmetal's angina?
Correct Answer: Pain at rest due to coronary vasospasm; may be seen with stimulant
use
• Question
ST segment elevation in ECG leads II, III and aVF indicates injury to which area of the
heart?
Correct Answer: Inferior wall [V1-V4 look at the anterior wall; I, aVL, V5, V6 look at the
lateral wall of the left ventricle]
• Question
A 40F who is 36-weeks pregnant presents to the ED with painless bright red vaginal
bleeding. The nurse knows a pelvic exam is contraindicated since the most likely cause
of the bleeding is
Correct Answer: Placenta previa [think P's - painless privates, placenta previa; abrupt
placenta - always painful]
, • Question
A 14-year-old c/o lightheadedness & palpitations. Which cardiac disorder is
characterized by a short PR interval and a Delta wave?
Correct Answer: Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome [WPW is characterized by a
short PR interval, and a slurred QRS on the upstroke, yielding a widened QRS complex;
this morphology is referred to as a "Delta wave"]
• Question
A 22F c/o thick, white, "cottage-cheese" like vaginal discharge, pruritus, vulvar burning
and dyspareunia. The nurse suspects a diagnosis of:
Correct Answer: Candidiasis [characterized by pruritus & thick, white, "cottagecheese"
like vaginal discharge]
• Question
Which atrioventricular block is characterized by a consistent but prolonged PR interval,
and a consistent R to R interval?
Correct Answer: First degree AV block [Second degree type I has progressive elongation
of PR interval; second degree type 2 has a consistent PR interval, but inconsistent R to R
interval; third degree heart block has a consistent R to R interval, but the P waves get
lost]
• Question
Fever, bloating, and pain at the right costal margin upon palpation is associated with
which disorder?
Correct Answer: Cholecystitis [pain at the right costal margins = "Murphy's sign"]
• Question
JVD, increased CVP, hepatomegaly, and peripheral edema is seen in which disorder?
Correct Answer: Right heart failure [S&S = JVD, increased right atrial pressure (CVP),
peripheral edema, ascites, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly; left heart failure S&S =
pulmonary edema]
• Question
The following are signs of pericardial tamponade?
Correct Answer: S&S: Beck's triad (hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds); the
pressure on the heart also causes pulses paradoxus [decreased BP and pulse strength
upon inspiration], and electrical alternans [low EKG amplitude]
