PCCN
Review 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | PCCN Certification Exam Prep
Resource Features
➢ PCCN Review 2026 practice questions
➢ Answers for self-assessment
➢ Detailed rationales
➢ Progressive-care clinical scenarios
➢ Cardiovascular review
, PCCN Review 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers
& Detailed Rationales | PCCN Certification Exam
Prep
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a 71-year-old female patient with end-stage chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is experiencing cardiac
ischemia with increased shortness of breath. The MOST appropriate goal of
oxygen therapy for this patient would be to:
A. Limit supplemental oxygen to lower the risk of reducing respiratory drive
B. Maintain oxygen saturations between 86% and 89%
C. Administer oxygen until oxygen saturations are greater than 95% in
order to relieve ischemia
D. Maintain oxygen saturations between 90% and 92%
Correct Answer: D. Maintain oxygen saturations between 90% and
92%
Rationale: Maintaining oxygen saturations between 90% and 92% will
serve the purpose of providing enough oxygen to relieve cardiac ischemia
while reducing the risk of respiratory depression in a patient with COPD.
Patients with COPD may have a blunted hypoxic drive, and high-flow
oxygen can suppress their respiratory drive, leading to hypercapnia and
,respiratory failure. The target SpO2 for COPD patients is typically 88-92%
or 90-92%.
Question 2
Laboratory studies from a 22-year-old male client with Type I diabetes
mellitus are evaluated during an admission for severe pneumonia. Which of
the following laboratory results should the nurse report to the physician?
A. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 9.8%
B. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), 94 mg/dL
C. Hematocrit (Hct), 53%
D. Urine specific gravity, 1.250
Correct Answer: A. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 9.8%
Rationale: Glycosylated hemoglobin measures the average blood sugar
levels over a 2 to 3 month time period. Clients with previously diagnosed
diabetes mellitus should aim to keep their HbA1c levels below 7%. An
HbA1c of 9.8% indicates poor glycemic control and increases the risk of
complications, especially during acute illness such as pneumonia. The other
values are within normal limits.
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a 68-year-old female patient with a history of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient presents with
complaints of recent confusion, increased fatigue, and syncopal episodes
, when walking. The nurse assesses S3 and S4 sounds on auscultation,
jugular vein distention, and +3 pitting edema of the ankles and feet. Which
of the following complications of COPD does the nurse suspect the patient
is most likely experiencing?
A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
B. Cor pulmonale with right-sided heart failure
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Left-sided heart failure
Correct Answer: B. Cor pulmonale with right-sided heart failure
Rationale: The patient's symptoms of confusion, fatigue, syncope, S3/S4
sounds, jugular vein distention, and peripheral edema are consistent with
cor pulmonale, which is right-sided heart failure caused by chronic
pulmonary hypertension secondary to COPD. The increased pulmonary
vascular resistance from chronic hypoxia leads to right ventricular
hypertrophy and eventually right-sided heart failure.
Question 4
A 42-year-old male with Marfan syndrome and complaint of dizziness is
admitted to the telemetry unit for monitoring. Which of the following
accompanying symptoms may indicate the need for immediate surgical
attention?
A. Cough with vocal hoarseness
B. Limited rotation of the left shoulder
Review 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | PCCN Certification Exam Prep
Resource Features
➢ PCCN Review 2026 practice questions
➢ Answers for self-assessment
➢ Detailed rationales
➢ Progressive-care clinical scenarios
➢ Cardiovascular review
, PCCN Review 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers
& Detailed Rationales | PCCN Certification Exam
Prep
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a 71-year-old female patient with end-stage chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is experiencing cardiac
ischemia with increased shortness of breath. The MOST appropriate goal of
oxygen therapy for this patient would be to:
A. Limit supplemental oxygen to lower the risk of reducing respiratory drive
B. Maintain oxygen saturations between 86% and 89%
C. Administer oxygen until oxygen saturations are greater than 95% in
order to relieve ischemia
D. Maintain oxygen saturations between 90% and 92%
Correct Answer: D. Maintain oxygen saturations between 90% and
92%
Rationale: Maintaining oxygen saturations between 90% and 92% will
serve the purpose of providing enough oxygen to relieve cardiac ischemia
while reducing the risk of respiratory depression in a patient with COPD.
Patients with COPD may have a blunted hypoxic drive, and high-flow
oxygen can suppress their respiratory drive, leading to hypercapnia and
,respiratory failure. The target SpO2 for COPD patients is typically 88-92%
or 90-92%.
Question 2
Laboratory studies from a 22-year-old male client with Type I diabetes
mellitus are evaluated during an admission for severe pneumonia. Which of
the following laboratory results should the nurse report to the physician?
A. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 9.8%
B. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), 94 mg/dL
C. Hematocrit (Hct), 53%
D. Urine specific gravity, 1.250
Correct Answer: A. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 9.8%
Rationale: Glycosylated hemoglobin measures the average blood sugar
levels over a 2 to 3 month time period. Clients with previously diagnosed
diabetes mellitus should aim to keep their HbA1c levels below 7%. An
HbA1c of 9.8% indicates poor glycemic control and increases the risk of
complications, especially during acute illness such as pneumonia. The other
values are within normal limits.
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a 68-year-old female patient with a history of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient presents with
complaints of recent confusion, increased fatigue, and syncopal episodes
, when walking. The nurse assesses S3 and S4 sounds on auscultation,
jugular vein distention, and +3 pitting edema of the ankles and feet. Which
of the following complications of COPD does the nurse suspect the patient
is most likely experiencing?
A. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
B. Cor pulmonale with right-sided heart failure
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Left-sided heart failure
Correct Answer: B. Cor pulmonale with right-sided heart failure
Rationale: The patient's symptoms of confusion, fatigue, syncope, S3/S4
sounds, jugular vein distention, and peripheral edema are consistent with
cor pulmonale, which is right-sided heart failure caused by chronic
pulmonary hypertension secondary to COPD. The increased pulmonary
vascular resistance from chronic hypoxia leads to right ventricular
hypertrophy and eventually right-sided heart failure.
Question 4
A 42-year-old male with Marfan syndrome and complaint of dizziness is
admitted to the telemetry unit for monitoring. Which of the following
accompanying symptoms may indicate the need for immediate surgical
attention?
A. Cough with vocal hoarseness
B. Limited rotation of the left shoulder
