CEN Solheim Practice Questions: Emergency Nursing Certification Review, Exam Prep & High-
Yield MCQs with Answers
Which of the following findings indicated that treatment for hypovolemic shock is having its
intended effect?
A. a narrowing pulse pressure
B. a falling serum lactate level
C. a decreasing urinary output
D. a declining oral temperature - correct answer ✔✔B. a falling serum lactate level
Anaerobic respiration at the cellular level will result in the release of lactic acid and increasing
serum lactate levels. Improving serum lactate levels is indicative of adequate resuscitation for
hypovolemic shock.
1. A narrowing pulse pressure indicates a worsening volume loss
2. falling urinary output indicates either a falling blood pressure or increasing aldosterone
release
3. declining temperature may be indicative of decreasing cellular metabolism
all of which indicate worsening shock.
What electrolyte disorder is most closely associated with compulsive water drinking?
A. hypokalemia
B. hypocalcemia
C. hyponatremia
D. hypophosphatemia - correct answer ✔✔C. hyponatremia
,Excess water in the body will dilute serum sodium levels resulting in hyponatremia.
Potassium, calcium and phosphate levels will be less diluted with excess body water.
Effective treatment for alcohol withdrawal should cause:
A. a decrease in the patient's pulse
B. an elevation in the patient's temperature
C. a reduction in the patient's urinary output
D. an increase in the patient's level of consciousness - correct answer ✔✔A. a decrease in the
patient's pulse
Alcohol withdrawal stimulates autonomic hyperactivity causing the pulse to increase. Effective
treatment should therefore reduce the patient's pulse rate.
1. Alcohol withdrawal causes elevations in a patient's core body temperature, so a goal of
treatment is to reduce rather than elevate the temperature.
2. A goal in treating a patient with alcohol withdrawal is not to reduce urinary output.
3. Patients in alcohol withdrawal tend to have a dysphoric mood rather than a reduced level of
consciousness, therefore an increase in level of consciousness is not a goal of treatment.
Which of the following laboratory abnormalities is associated with thrombocytosis?
A. decreased hematocrit
B. elevated platelet count
C. elevated red blood cell count
, D. decreased white blood cell count - correct answer ✔✔B. elevated platelet count
Thrombocytosis is defined as an elevated platelet count.
1. A decreased hematocrit is called anemia
2. An elevated red blood cell count is called polycythemia
3. A decreased white blood cell count is called leukopenia.
A patient has a serum blood sugar of 62mg/dL and intravenous dextrose is administered. Which
of the following findings indicated that treatment has been effective? The patient's:
A. pulse increases
B. level of hunger increases
C. skin becomes less sweaty
D. oxygen saturations increase - correct answer ✔✔C. skin becomes less sweaty
Diaphoresis, secondary to sympathetic stimulation, is associated with hypoglycemia, therefore a
reduction in sweating is one one indication of successful treatment.
1. Tachycardia associated with hypoglycemia, therefore not consistent with successful
treatment.
2. Hunger is associated with hypoglycemia, therefore not consistent with successful treatment.
3. Changes in oxygen saturation is not consistent with successful treatment.
Hydroxyurea (Droxia) is prescribed for a patient with sickle cell anemia. When administering this
drug, the emergency nurse explains to the patient that this drug:
Yield MCQs with Answers
Which of the following findings indicated that treatment for hypovolemic shock is having its
intended effect?
A. a narrowing pulse pressure
B. a falling serum lactate level
C. a decreasing urinary output
D. a declining oral temperature - correct answer ✔✔B. a falling serum lactate level
Anaerobic respiration at the cellular level will result in the release of lactic acid and increasing
serum lactate levels. Improving serum lactate levels is indicative of adequate resuscitation for
hypovolemic shock.
1. A narrowing pulse pressure indicates a worsening volume loss
2. falling urinary output indicates either a falling blood pressure or increasing aldosterone
release
3. declining temperature may be indicative of decreasing cellular metabolism
all of which indicate worsening shock.
What electrolyte disorder is most closely associated with compulsive water drinking?
A. hypokalemia
B. hypocalcemia
C. hyponatremia
D. hypophosphatemia - correct answer ✔✔C. hyponatremia
,Excess water in the body will dilute serum sodium levels resulting in hyponatremia.
Potassium, calcium and phosphate levels will be less diluted with excess body water.
Effective treatment for alcohol withdrawal should cause:
A. a decrease in the patient's pulse
B. an elevation in the patient's temperature
C. a reduction in the patient's urinary output
D. an increase in the patient's level of consciousness - correct answer ✔✔A. a decrease in the
patient's pulse
Alcohol withdrawal stimulates autonomic hyperactivity causing the pulse to increase. Effective
treatment should therefore reduce the patient's pulse rate.
1. Alcohol withdrawal causes elevations in a patient's core body temperature, so a goal of
treatment is to reduce rather than elevate the temperature.
2. A goal in treating a patient with alcohol withdrawal is not to reduce urinary output.
3. Patients in alcohol withdrawal tend to have a dysphoric mood rather than a reduced level of
consciousness, therefore an increase in level of consciousness is not a goal of treatment.
Which of the following laboratory abnormalities is associated with thrombocytosis?
A. decreased hematocrit
B. elevated platelet count
C. elevated red blood cell count
, D. decreased white blood cell count - correct answer ✔✔B. elevated platelet count
Thrombocytosis is defined as an elevated platelet count.
1. A decreased hematocrit is called anemia
2. An elevated red blood cell count is called polycythemia
3. A decreased white blood cell count is called leukopenia.
A patient has a serum blood sugar of 62mg/dL and intravenous dextrose is administered. Which
of the following findings indicated that treatment has been effective? The patient's:
A. pulse increases
B. level of hunger increases
C. skin becomes less sweaty
D. oxygen saturations increase - correct answer ✔✔C. skin becomes less sweaty
Diaphoresis, secondary to sympathetic stimulation, is associated with hypoglycemia, therefore a
reduction in sweating is one one indication of successful treatment.
1. Tachycardia associated with hypoglycemia, therefore not consistent with successful
treatment.
2. Hunger is associated with hypoglycemia, therefore not consistent with successful treatment.
3. Changes in oxygen saturation is not consistent with successful treatment.
Hydroxyurea (Droxia) is prescribed for a patient with sickle cell anemia. When administering this
drug, the emergency nurse explains to the patient that this drug:
