CEN Sample Questions & Answers - CEN
Board of Certification
Sample Questions for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)
The following 10 sample questions are presented to demonstrate the format used on the CEN
exam and how questions reflect the nursing process. These sample items are not intended to
reflect the difficulty of the actual questions on the CEN exam. The preferred response is
indicated in boldface type.
1. Results of a lumbar puncture reveal a white blood cell count of 15,000 cells/μL and positive for
increased protein and decreased glucose. The nurse should anticipate implementing which
of the following precautions?
A. negative pressure
B. droplet
C. neutropenic
D. contact
2. A patient who presents with blunt trauma to the upper abdomen reports sharp, “boring”
abdominal pain with radiation to the back. Assessment reveals a firm abdomen, 4+ pitting
edema in the lower extremities, and hypotension. Results of laboratory studies reveal
hypocalcemia. The nurse should suspect trauma to the
A. pancreas.
B. spleen.
C. gallbladder.
D. liver.
3. A woman with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease presents with a fever, abdominal
pain, and vaginal discharge. She states that her last menses was 8 weeks ago. The most
appropriate diagnostic procedure is
A. pelvic ultrasound
B. pregnancy screening.
C. vaginal cultures.
D. abdominal CT with contrast.
4. A patient presents with injuries to the face and eyes after a bottle of crystal drain cleaner
and water explodes in his face. Irrigation with normal saline solution should be performed
A. until the pH in the eye is 6.0.
B. after visual acuity is assessed.
C. for a minimum of 30 minutes.
D. with a maximum of 500 mL of solution used.
Board of Certification
Sample Questions for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)
The following 10 sample questions are presented to demonstrate the format used on the CEN
exam and how questions reflect the nursing process. These sample items are not intended to
reflect the difficulty of the actual questions on the CEN exam. The preferred response is
indicated in boldface type.
1. Results of a lumbar puncture reveal a white blood cell count of 15,000 cells/μL and positive for
increased protein and decreased glucose. The nurse should anticipate implementing which
of the following precautions?
A. negative pressure
B. droplet
C. neutropenic
D. contact
2. A patient who presents with blunt trauma to the upper abdomen reports sharp, “boring”
abdominal pain with radiation to the back. Assessment reveals a firm abdomen, 4+ pitting
edema in the lower extremities, and hypotension. Results of laboratory studies reveal
hypocalcemia. The nurse should suspect trauma to the
A. pancreas.
B. spleen.
C. gallbladder.
D. liver.
3. A woman with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease presents with a fever, abdominal
pain, and vaginal discharge. She states that her last menses was 8 weeks ago. The most
appropriate diagnostic procedure is
A. pelvic ultrasound
B. pregnancy screening.
C. vaginal cultures.
D. abdominal CT with contrast.
4. A patient presents with injuries to the face and eyes after a bottle of crystal drain cleaner
and water explodes in his face. Irrigation with normal saline solution should be performed
A. until the pH in the eye is 6.0.
B. after visual acuity is assessed.
C. for a minimum of 30 minutes.
D. with a maximum of 500 mL of solution used.
