CPEN BCEN EXAMINATION TEST 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ A 12-year-old presents with low-grade fever and diffuse abdominal
pain which increases with coughing. These symptoms suggest Answer:
appendicitis
◉ When assessing an infant with coarctation of the aorta, a nurse should
expect to find Answer: absent or diminished femoral pulses
◉ Continuous monitoring of a child's ETCO2 during cardiac arrest
reveals 8 mmHg. This indicates that CPR is Answer: ineffective and
adjustments need to be made to compressions
◉ Abdominal pain can be a characteristic of which respiratory
diagnosis? Answer: pneumonia
◉ Which of the following is the NEXT step for a newborn with a heart
rate of 80 beats/min after initial drying and suctioning? Answer: Initiate
ventilations
,◉ Following a diagnosis of hyphema, discharge instructions to the care
giver should include Answer: re-bleeding may occur
◉ Which of the following is the treatment of choice for a lethargic
neonate with narrow complex tachycardia and a heart rate of 230
beats/min? Answer: cardioversion
◉ A child presents with a fever, sore throat, and general malaise
approximately 48 hours after a camping trip. It would be a PRIORITY
for the nurse to Answer: examine the child for open wounds.
◉ Which of the following is a common sign of meningococcal
meningitis? Answer: petechiae
◉ A patient is receiving intravenous potassium replacement. The nurse
suspects hyperkalemia based on which the following: Answer: peaked
T waves
◉ The nurse should anticipate notifying the proper authorities for which
of the following patients? Answer: 6-year-old with positive gonorrhea
◉ Which of the following is MOST indicative of compartment
syndrome? Answer: pain out of proportion to the severity of the injury
, ◉ A 16-year-old is brought to the Emergency Department by friends
following a seizure. They report it lasted about two minutes and broke
up the party. The priority diagnostic test is: Answer: a urine drug
screen.
◉ 9-month-old presents to the Emergency Department with a mid-shaft
tibia fracture. Which of the following statements from the parent might
indicate history of non-accidental trauma (NAT). Answer: Patient was
riding a tricycle and fell off
◉ A 12-month-old presents with a 2-day history of nausea and vomiting.
Vital signs include:
BP 80/60 mm HgHR 56 beats/minRR 12 breaths/min
The child is limp and ashen. Which of the following is the PRIORITY
intervention? Answer: manual ventilations
◉ A 6-year-old presents with a sudden onset of fever, chills, and macular
rash of the palms, wrist, ankles, and soles of the feet. The child was
recently on a camping trip. The nurse suspects Answer: Rocky
Mountain Spotted Fever
◉ An 18-month-old patient presents to the Emergency Department with
upper respiratory symptoms and wheezing. Chest x-ray reveals a
radiopaque object in the left lower lobe. The nurse prepares the patient
for a: Answer: Rigid bronchoscopy
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ A 12-year-old presents with low-grade fever and diffuse abdominal
pain which increases with coughing. These symptoms suggest Answer:
appendicitis
◉ When assessing an infant with coarctation of the aorta, a nurse should
expect to find Answer: absent or diminished femoral pulses
◉ Continuous monitoring of a child's ETCO2 during cardiac arrest
reveals 8 mmHg. This indicates that CPR is Answer: ineffective and
adjustments need to be made to compressions
◉ Abdominal pain can be a characteristic of which respiratory
diagnosis? Answer: pneumonia
◉ Which of the following is the NEXT step for a newborn with a heart
rate of 80 beats/min after initial drying and suctioning? Answer: Initiate
ventilations
,◉ Following a diagnosis of hyphema, discharge instructions to the care
giver should include Answer: re-bleeding may occur
◉ Which of the following is the treatment of choice for a lethargic
neonate with narrow complex tachycardia and a heart rate of 230
beats/min? Answer: cardioversion
◉ A child presents with a fever, sore throat, and general malaise
approximately 48 hours after a camping trip. It would be a PRIORITY
for the nurse to Answer: examine the child for open wounds.
◉ Which of the following is a common sign of meningococcal
meningitis? Answer: petechiae
◉ A patient is receiving intravenous potassium replacement. The nurse
suspects hyperkalemia based on which the following: Answer: peaked
T waves
◉ The nurse should anticipate notifying the proper authorities for which
of the following patients? Answer: 6-year-old with positive gonorrhea
◉ Which of the following is MOST indicative of compartment
syndrome? Answer: pain out of proportion to the severity of the injury
, ◉ A 16-year-old is brought to the Emergency Department by friends
following a seizure. They report it lasted about two minutes and broke
up the party. The priority diagnostic test is: Answer: a urine drug
screen.
◉ 9-month-old presents to the Emergency Department with a mid-shaft
tibia fracture. Which of the following statements from the parent might
indicate history of non-accidental trauma (NAT). Answer: Patient was
riding a tricycle and fell off
◉ A 12-month-old presents with a 2-day history of nausea and vomiting.
Vital signs include:
BP 80/60 mm HgHR 56 beats/minRR 12 breaths/min
The child is limp and ashen. Which of the following is the PRIORITY
intervention? Answer: manual ventilations
◉ A 6-year-old presents with a sudden onset of fever, chills, and macular
rash of the palms, wrist, ankles, and soles of the feet. The child was
recently on a camping trip. The nurse suspects Answer: Rocky
Mountain Spotted Fever
◉ An 18-month-old patient presents to the Emergency Department with
upper respiratory symptoms and wheezing. Chest x-ray reveals a
radiopaque object in the left lower lobe. The nurse prepares the patient
for a: Answer: Rigid bronchoscopy
