Certified Emergency Nurse® (CEN®) exam
Questions with Verified Correct Answers
Fill in the blank: The classic triad of acute aortic dissection includes chest pain, pulse
deficit, and ________.
Widened mediastinum
Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the valves.
Endocarditis
Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________.
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart sounds, and
hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis?
Pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad)
Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________ must
overcome to eject blood.
Left ventricle
Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by absence of
pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea.
Cardiopulmonary arrest
Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely has
________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
,Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac output.
Ventricular fibrillation
Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery.
Dilation or ballooning
Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.
Pericarditis
Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath sounds on
one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________.
Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the
body's needs.
Heart failure
Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the ________ vein.
Popliteal or femoral
Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus.
Pulmonary embolism
Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a different BP in
each arm may have ________.
Aortic dissection
Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal range.
,Hypertension
Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called a
________.
Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively.
Cardiogenic shock
Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________.
Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral vascular disease)
Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm).
Bradycardia
Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning to the ________.
Heart (ventricles)
Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P waves.
Atrial fibrillation
Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain — suspect ________.
Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with end-organ damage.
Hypertensive emergency
Fill in the blank: The definitive treatment for cardiac tamponade is ________.
, Pericardiocentesis
Definition: Failure of blood flow due to mechanical obstruction to cardiac filling.
Obstructive shock
Scenario: Patient develops chest pain post-MI, friction rub heard — indicates ________.
Pericarditis
Terminology: Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral perfusion.
Syncope
Fill in the blank: The mnemonic "MONA" (Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin, Aspirin)
applies to initial treatment of ________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Definition: Inflammation and infection of a vein with thrombus formation.
Thrombophlebitis
Definition: Entry of foreign material into the tracheobronchial tree.
Aspiration
Fill in the blank: A chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by reversible
airway obstruction is called ________.
Asthma
Terminology: A progressive, irreversible airflow limitation commonly caused by
chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Questions with Verified Correct Answers
Fill in the blank: The classic triad of acute aortic dissection includes chest pain, pulse
deficit, and ________.
Widened mediastinum
Definition: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually involving the valves.
Endocarditis
Terminology: ST-segment elevation on ECG indicates ________.
Myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Scenario: A patient presents with jugular vein distention, muffled heart sounds, and
hypotension. What is the likely diagnosis?
Pericardial tamponade (Beck's triad)
Fill in the blank: The term "afterload" refers to the resistance the ________ must
overcome to eject blood.
Left ventricle
Definition: Sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by absence of
pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea.
Cardiopulmonary arrest
Scenario: A patient with chest pain radiating to the jaw and diaphoresis likely has
________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
,Terminology: A life-threatening ventricular rhythm with no effective cardiac output.
Ventricular fibrillation
Fill in the blank: Aneurysm refers to a localized ________ of an artery.
Dilation or ballooning
Definition: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.
Pericarditis
Scenario: A trauma patient presents with distended neck veins, absent breath sounds on
one side, and hypotension — this indicates ________.
Tension pneumothorax causing obstructive shock
Terminology: Condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the
body's needs.
Heart failure
Fill in the blank: The most common site for a deep vein thrombosis is the ________ vein.
Popliteal or femoral
Definition: Sudden blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus.
Pulmonary embolism
Scenario: A patient with tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a different BP in
each arm may have ________.
Aortic dissection
Terminology: Refers to elevated arterial pressure persistently above normal range.
,Hypertension
Fill in the blank: The medication used to dissolve clots in acute STEMI is called a
________.
Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic)
Definition: Shock resulting from failure of the heart to pump effectively.
Cardiogenic shock
Scenario: A patient presents with cold, pale extremity, pain, paresthesia, and
pulselessness — think ________.
Acute arterial occlusion (Peripheral vascular disease)
Terminology: Abnormally slow heart rhythm (<60 bpm).
Bradycardia
Fill in the blank: "Preload" refers to the volume of blood returning to the ________.
Heart (ventricles)
Definition: Irregular, chaotic atrial rhythm without distinct P waves.
Atrial fibrillation
Scenario: Patient with endocarditis develops sudden flank pain — suspect ________.
Renal emboli (systemic embolization)
Terminology: A life-threatening elevation in blood pressure with end-organ damage.
Hypertensive emergency
Fill in the blank: The definitive treatment for cardiac tamponade is ________.
, Pericardiocentesis
Definition: Failure of blood flow due to mechanical obstruction to cardiac filling.
Obstructive shock
Scenario: Patient develops chest pain post-MI, friction rub heard — indicates ________.
Pericarditis
Terminology: Temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased cerebral perfusion.
Syncope
Fill in the blank: The mnemonic "MONA" (Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin, Aspirin)
applies to initial treatment of ________.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Definition: Inflammation and infection of a vein with thrombus formation.
Thrombophlebitis
Definition: Entry of foreign material into the tracheobronchial tree.
Aspiration
Fill in the blank: A chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by reversible
airway obstruction is called ________.
Asthma
Terminology: A progressive, irreversible airflow limitation commonly caused by
chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
