CEN (CERTIFIED EMERGENCY NURSE) EXAM SAMPLE QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALE | 100% CORRECT| LATEST
2025/2026.
Which of the following statements made by a patient would lead the nurse to conclude
that the patient understands risk factors for pulmonary embolism?
While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs every hour.
Resuming my birth control pills will lower my risk of cancer and my risk of another clot.
If I drink plenty of water while driving on a long trip, this shouldn't happen again.
Switching from my regular cigarettes to the electronic ones can reduce my risk. -
(answer)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?
Getting pregnant shouldn't be a problem once the infection goes away.
I'll take the medicine for nausea when I feel sick to my stomach.
I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
I will follow up with my doctor tomorrow. - (answer)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?
Small bowel rupture
Ruptured diaphragm
Flail chest
Hepatic injury - (answer)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?
A current injury
An old infarction
An acute infarction
Ischemia - (answer)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?
Administration of antipsychotics
One-to-one observation
Place in a seclusion room
,Application of restraints - (answer)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?
Sputum cultures
Chest radiograph
Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
Radiograph of the left leg - (answer)Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
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?
Notify infection prevention
Leave the family in the waiting room
Evacuate the waiting room
Inform those waiting that Ebola has been detected - (answer)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?
A high school wrestler who admits to taking his grandfather's furosemide before a meet
A patient with insulin-dependent diabetes who took insulin, without eating breakfast.
A patient with severe chronic asthma who has been on prednisone for several years
A patient who underwent a thyroidectomy several years ago who recently ran out of
medication - (answer)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?
Aspiration
Flail chest
Cardiac tamponade
Tension pneumothorax - (answer)Tension pneumothorax
What is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock?
Sustained cardiac dysrhythmias
, Acute valvular dysfunction
Myocardial infarction
End-stage cardiomyopathy - (answer)Myocardial infarction
The disease most commonly associated with the catarrhal, paroxysmal and
convalescent stages is best treated with classification of medications?
Immune globulin
Steroids
Antiretroviral therapy
Macrolide antibiotics - (answer)Macrolide antibiotics
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?
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Panic attack
Acute stress disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder - (answer)Panic attack
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?
Tension
Traumatic
Cluster
Migraine - (answer)Cluster
To make certain that chain of custody has been followed appropriately, what is the most
responsible task performed by the emergency nurse?
Keep the evidence at their work station until released to law enforcement
Sign and date the tamper resistant tape in front of law enforcement
Limit the number of people with access to the evidence
Carry the evidence with them until released to law enforcement - (answer)Limit the
number of people with access to the evidence
Which orthopedic condition is the result of elevated uric acid levels?
Joint effusion
Osteomyelitis
Gouty arthritis
Bursitis - (answer)Gouty arthritis
A patient presents to the ED with sensory hallucinations and delusions. He also has
disorganized speech and grossly disordered behavior. What would the nurse expect to
take place in order for the patient to be properly cared for?
A suicide risk assessment
Administration of antipsychotics
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALE | 100% CORRECT| LATEST
2025/2026.
Which of the following statements made by a patient would lead the nurse to conclude
that the patient understands risk factors for pulmonary embolism?
While on a long flight, I should get up and walk to stretch my legs every hour.
Resuming my birth control pills will lower my risk of cancer and my risk of another clot.
If I drink plenty of water while driving on a long trip, this shouldn't happen again.
Switching from my regular cigarettes to the electronic ones can reduce my risk. -
(answer)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?
Getting pregnant shouldn't be a problem once the infection goes away.
I'll take the medicine for nausea when I feel sick to my stomach.
I will be at increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.
I will follow up with my doctor tomorrow. - (answer)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?
Small bowel rupture
Ruptured diaphragm
Flail chest
Hepatic injury - (answer)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?
A current injury
An old infarction
An acute infarction
Ischemia - (answer)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?
Administration of antipsychotics
One-to-one observation
Place in a seclusion room
,Application of restraints - (answer)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?
Sputum cultures
Chest radiograph
Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
Radiograph of the left leg - (answer)Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography
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?
Notify infection prevention
Leave the family in the waiting room
Evacuate the waiting room
Inform those waiting that Ebola has been detected - (answer)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?
A high school wrestler who admits to taking his grandfather's furosemide before a meet
A patient with insulin-dependent diabetes who took insulin, without eating breakfast.
A patient with severe chronic asthma who has been on prednisone for several years
A patient who underwent a thyroidectomy several years ago who recently ran out of
medication - (answer)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?
Aspiration
Flail chest
Cardiac tamponade
Tension pneumothorax - (answer)Tension pneumothorax
What is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock?
Sustained cardiac dysrhythmias
, Acute valvular dysfunction
Myocardial infarction
End-stage cardiomyopathy - (answer)Myocardial infarction
The disease most commonly associated with the catarrhal, paroxysmal and
convalescent stages is best treated with classification of medications?
Immune globulin
Steroids
Antiretroviral therapy
Macrolide antibiotics - (answer)Macrolide antibiotics
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?
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Panic attack
Acute stress disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder - (answer)Panic attack
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?
Tension
Traumatic
Cluster
Migraine - (answer)Cluster
To make certain that chain of custody has been followed appropriately, what is the most
responsible task performed by the emergency nurse?
Keep the evidence at their work station until released to law enforcement
Sign and date the tamper resistant tape in front of law enforcement
Limit the number of people with access to the evidence
Carry the evidence with them until released to law enforcement - (answer)Limit the
number of people with access to the evidence
Which orthopedic condition is the result of elevated uric acid levels?
Joint effusion
Osteomyelitis
Gouty arthritis
Bursitis - (answer)Gouty arthritis
A patient presents to the ED with sensory hallucinations and delusions. He also has
disorganized speech and grossly disordered behavior. What would the nurse expect to
take place in order for the patient to be properly cared for?
A suicide risk assessment
Administration of antipsychotics
