All PCCN Exam Questions and Answers 2024/2025
(Verified Answers) graded A+
The nurse observes that the patient's jugular veins distend in the semi-upright position to more
than 5 cm above the sternal angle. This is an indication of: - Answer- fluid volume overload.
what is normal Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP)? - Answer- 5-12 mmHg
The resistance against which the left ventricle must pump to eject its volume is: - Answer-
systemic vascular resistance.
When the tricuspid valve is open, central venous pressure reflects the filling pressure in the: -
Answer- right ventricle.
Tachycardia is dangerous for the patient with ischemic heart disease because of: - Answer-
compromised cardiac output.
During initial examination of a critical care patient, the nurse observes wide and convex nails
and bulbous fingertips. This is evidence of: - Answer- central cyanosis.
Priorities for palpation of the patient with cardiovascular disease include: - Answer- estimating
edema.
checking capillary refill
checking for DVT
arterial pulses
,By blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitors produce: - Answer- b. vasodilation.
The nurse has read that the cardiologist recommends the use of class IV drugs to depress sinus
and atrioventricular node conduction and terminate supraventricular tachycardias in the patient at
this time. The nurse will anticipate orders for which medications? - Answer- a. Verapamil,
diltiazem, or amlodipine
The nurse has administered a drug that stimulates β1-adrenergic sites. Following administration
of the drug, the nurse will assess for: - Answer- a. increased heart rate.
The nurse is observing the patient's electrocardiographic monitor after insertion of a temporary
pacemaker. Seeing a P-wave after the pacing artifact, the nurse knows that the: - Answer- c.
atrium is being paced.
The possibility of microshock when handling a temporary pacemaker can be minimized by: -
Answer- b. insulating the ends of the wires. and wearing gloves when handling the pacing wires
In the postoperative cardiovascular patient, the most frequent cause of a decreased cardiac output
is: - Answer- a. reduced preload.
A patient is being monitored by continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) after placement of a
transvenous pacemaker. "Loss of capture" is seen on the ECG. Which nursing intervention may
correct this situation? - Answer- a. Position the patient on the left side. or reposition the leads
In analyzing the ECG strip, the nurse notices a spike before each QRS complex. The patient's
heart rate is 70 beats/min. This phenomenon is reflective of - Answer- b. pacing artifact; the
pacemaker is sensing and capturing.
Calculate the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) for a patient with a mean arterial pressure (MAP)
= 95 mm Hg and an intracranial pressure (ICP) = 15 mm Hg. - Answer- b. 80 mm Hg
,What procedure secures an arteriovenous malformation when a pt's condition is too unstable for
surgery? - Answer- embolization that can be done to secure the lesion without surgery. When the
condition is more stable, an operation might be considered if needed.
What is the function of the cardiovascular system - Answer- to drive O2 to the cell so that the
cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - Answer- Stroke volume x Heart Rate
CO = HR X SV ( Preload + Afterload + Contractility)
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each MINUTE? -
Answer- Cardiac Output ( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each BEAT? -
Answer- Stroke Volume
What is the term for the number of contractions / minute? - Answer- Heart Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW - Answer- 1. CO DECREASED -> HR
INCREASES ( to maintain adequate stroke volume )
2. CO INCREASED -> HR DECREASES ( as stroke volume decreases )
3. HR DECREASED -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
4. HR INCREASES ( > 150 ) -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
5. SV DECREASES -> CO DECREASES and HR INCREASES
, 6. SV INCREASES -> CO INCREASES and HR DECREASES
What is the term for the volume of blood ejected from the ventricle per minute adjusted for body
size - Answer- Cardiac Index
Knowing that a patient has hypoxemia and ischemia in his brain, the nurse anticipates which of
the following? - Answer- a. Cerebrovascular dilation
The nurse's priority in eye care for the patient in a coma will be: - Answer- c. keeping the eyes
moist to prevent corneal ulceration.
The patient has markedly deep, rapid respirations with a fruity breath odor. Based on the patient's
history, the nurse will: - Answer- perform a blood glucose measurement.
The patient with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion will
need to have the imbalance of which electrolyte corrected as soon as possible? - Answer-
Sodium
Which of the following conditions occurs when the renal tubules are unable to reabsorb excess
glucose? - Answer- Glycosuria
The patient has a waist measurement of 52 inches. His triglyceride level is 175 mg/dL, his high-
density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level is 32 mg/dL, and his fasting plasma glucose level is
224 mg/dL. His blood pressure readings are usually approximately 140/90 mm Hg. The nurse
recognizes the characteristics of: - Answer- metabolic syndrome.
To reverse the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, the nurse will first prepare to administer: -
Answer- fluids
The nurse is caring for a patient with central diabetes insipidus (DI). The nurse should anticipate
orders for the administration of: - Answer- vasopressin
(Verified Answers) graded A+
The nurse observes that the patient's jugular veins distend in the semi-upright position to more
than 5 cm above the sternal angle. This is an indication of: - Answer- fluid volume overload.
what is normal Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP)? - Answer- 5-12 mmHg
The resistance against which the left ventricle must pump to eject its volume is: - Answer-
systemic vascular resistance.
When the tricuspid valve is open, central venous pressure reflects the filling pressure in the: -
Answer- right ventricle.
Tachycardia is dangerous for the patient with ischemic heart disease because of: - Answer-
compromised cardiac output.
During initial examination of a critical care patient, the nurse observes wide and convex nails
and bulbous fingertips. This is evidence of: - Answer- central cyanosis.
Priorities for palpation of the patient with cardiovascular disease include: - Answer- estimating
edema.
checking capillary refill
checking for DVT
arterial pulses
,By blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitors produce: - Answer- b. vasodilation.
The nurse has read that the cardiologist recommends the use of class IV drugs to depress sinus
and atrioventricular node conduction and terminate supraventricular tachycardias in the patient at
this time. The nurse will anticipate orders for which medications? - Answer- a. Verapamil,
diltiazem, or amlodipine
The nurse has administered a drug that stimulates β1-adrenergic sites. Following administration
of the drug, the nurse will assess for: - Answer- a. increased heart rate.
The nurse is observing the patient's electrocardiographic monitor after insertion of a temporary
pacemaker. Seeing a P-wave after the pacing artifact, the nurse knows that the: - Answer- c.
atrium is being paced.
The possibility of microshock when handling a temporary pacemaker can be minimized by: -
Answer- b. insulating the ends of the wires. and wearing gloves when handling the pacing wires
In the postoperative cardiovascular patient, the most frequent cause of a decreased cardiac output
is: - Answer- a. reduced preload.
A patient is being monitored by continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) after placement of a
transvenous pacemaker. "Loss of capture" is seen on the ECG. Which nursing intervention may
correct this situation? - Answer- a. Position the patient on the left side. or reposition the leads
In analyzing the ECG strip, the nurse notices a spike before each QRS complex. The patient's
heart rate is 70 beats/min. This phenomenon is reflective of - Answer- b. pacing artifact; the
pacemaker is sensing and capturing.
Calculate the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) for a patient with a mean arterial pressure (MAP)
= 95 mm Hg and an intracranial pressure (ICP) = 15 mm Hg. - Answer- b. 80 mm Hg
,What procedure secures an arteriovenous malformation when a pt's condition is too unstable for
surgery? - Answer- embolization that can be done to secure the lesion without surgery. When the
condition is more stable, an operation might be considered if needed.
What is the function of the cardiovascular system - Answer- to drive O2 to the cell so that the
cell can make ATP for energy production
What is the formula for CARDIAC OUTPUT - Answer- Stroke volume x Heart Rate
CO = HR X SV ( Preload + Afterload + Contractility)
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each MINUTE? -
Answer- Cardiac Output ( approximately 4 - 8 LPM )
What is the term for the amount of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle each BEAT? -
Answer- Stroke Volume
What is the term for the number of contractions / minute? - Answer- Heart Rate
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS TO KNOW - Answer- 1. CO DECREASED -> HR
INCREASES ( to maintain adequate stroke volume )
2. CO INCREASED -> HR DECREASES ( as stroke volume decreases )
3. HR DECREASED -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
4. HR INCREASES ( > 150 ) -> SV DECREASES and CO DECREASES
5. SV DECREASES -> CO DECREASES and HR INCREASES
, 6. SV INCREASES -> CO INCREASES and HR DECREASES
What is the term for the volume of blood ejected from the ventricle per minute adjusted for body
size - Answer- Cardiac Index
Knowing that a patient has hypoxemia and ischemia in his brain, the nurse anticipates which of
the following? - Answer- a. Cerebrovascular dilation
The nurse's priority in eye care for the patient in a coma will be: - Answer- c. keeping the eyes
moist to prevent corneal ulceration.
The patient has markedly deep, rapid respirations with a fruity breath odor. Based on the patient's
history, the nurse will: - Answer- perform a blood glucose measurement.
The patient with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion will
need to have the imbalance of which electrolyte corrected as soon as possible? - Answer-
Sodium
Which of the following conditions occurs when the renal tubules are unable to reabsorb excess
glucose? - Answer- Glycosuria
The patient has a waist measurement of 52 inches. His triglyceride level is 175 mg/dL, his high-
density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level is 32 mg/dL, and his fasting plasma glucose level is
224 mg/dL. His blood pressure readings are usually approximately 140/90 mm Hg. The nurse
recognizes the characteristics of: - Answer- metabolic syndrome.
To reverse the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, the nurse will first prepare to administer: -
Answer- fluids
The nurse is caring for a patient with central diabetes insipidus (DI). The nurse should anticipate
orders for the administration of: - Answer- vasopressin
